Cosmopolitan. Sophisticated. Iconic landmarks. A world class city. Below are some suggestions for a trip to Sydney.
SEE + DO
The Opera House and Sydney Harbor will be first on your sightseeing list, of course. After seeing so many pictures of the Opera House all my life, it felt surreal to actually be there in person (and at so many unique angles!)
The Rocks is a historic, touristy area below the Harbor Bridge with quaint shops, cafes and pubs. The charming courtyards and cobblestone streets are an interesting contrast to the modern sections of Sydney.
Bondi Beach is another place you can’t miss. About 30 minutes from the Sydney's central business district and easily accessible by public transportation, it’s a great place to spend a day or afternoon. Tons of eating options on the main street which is fun to walk along. You can relax on the sand or take a long scenic coastal walk.
Manly Beach is also a popular beach that's 30 minutes away by ferry. The ride will give you some great views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Darling Harbor is a bit touristy but a pleasant area to walk around. There are lots of restaurants and bars along the waterfront. You can also take a water taxi to the Opera House from here.
Other neighborhoods to explore:
Surry Hills and Darlinghurst are artsy and mellow, good places to have coffee or a meal.
Double Bay is a lovely affluent area east of Sydney CBD. Take the ferry and enjoy lunch and shopping.
EAT + DRINK
Brunch:
Bills is a must. Multiple locations to choose from. Fresh and tasty food.
The Rocks Café is convenient for brunch if you'll be sightseeing in the Rocks and Circular Quay. It’s quaint and cozy with a classic menu. Note that they have a surcharge on weekends and holidays.
Dinner:
The Mayala is a Southeast Asian restaurant in a contemporary setting with nice waterfront views. We tried a number of dishes and they were all flavorful.
Sake Restaurant and Bar at the Rocks is a sleek and trendy Japanese restaurant. Extensive drink menu and interesting dishes ideal for sharing. The bathroom has a very cool automatic sliding door. They also have more locations in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
For dessert (or anytime really) go to Gelato Messina for handmade gelato in lots of yummy flavors to choose from.
Good coffee throughout the city, especially in Surry Hills. Order a flat white of course. :-)
SOUVENIR IDEAS
Tim Tams
Sheepskin and wool items
Lots of typical souvenirs with kangaroos and koalas to choose from.
TIPS
Best time to Visit: High season is December to February so September to November (Sydney's spring) and March to May (Sydney's fall) are considered the best times to visit. The weather will still be fairly nice, you'll have less crowds, and hotels/airfare will be less expensive.
Thanks for reading!
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