Best Things To Do in Sydney

One of Australia's largest cities, Sydney does not leave its visitors indifferent, as it has a wide range of tourist attractions to enjoy. You can visit a range of historical, cultural, natural and recreational sites. You will also have unique experiences exploring the city from the sea and from the heights.

Some of the best things to do in Sydney include a sightseeing bus tour with free stops, a stroll through the streets of The Rocks, a visit inside the Opera House and a view of the city from the observation deck of the Sydney Tower. You can also take a cruise around the harbour and enjoy the urban and natural contrast, and even spend a different day at the local beaches, among other things.

With the tour bus you'll get a glimpse of the different districts of the city and identify streets, monuments, buildings and some natural spaces as you pass through. You can hop on and off at over 24 designated stops and visit places of interest on your own itinerary.

On this Sydney sightseeing bus tour you will get a different view of the streets, monuments, buildings and natural areas. You'll pass by the imposing Harbour Bridge where transfers to the Sydney Cruise Harbour run, walk along the waterfront and enjoy the scenic beauty of Bondi Beach.

You'll also discover popular neighbourhoods such as Paddington, Rocks and Chinatown. You can stop at the Sydney Aquarium to see more than 700 species, get up close to the Opera House and be amazed by its architectural design, among other destinations included in this sightseeing bus tour of Sydney with free stops.

Useful information

• Price: The entrance fee for the sightseeing bus tour is approximately £38 per person.
• Duration: The tour can last 24 or 48 hours, depending on the ticket purchased.

To go to Sydney and not visit the Sydney Opera House is like not visiting the city at all. It is one of the most popular architectural landmarks for tourists and locals alike. You'll be amazed by the architectural style given by Jorn Utzon to this building, which recreates the shape of the sails of ships.

While you can get amazing views of this building from many points in the city, it's best to take the time to visit the interior. You will be able to walk through the main rooms and corners of the Opera House and join an immersive experience with sounds and images that will allow you to learn about the history of this arts centre.

Also, during this guided tour of the Sydney Opera House you can access the bar area and look out over the bay from the top of the building, which during the winter season in Sydney, offers a nostalgic scene. You'll be able to take some amazing photographs.

Useful information

• Price: Guided tours of the Sydney Opera House cost approximately €26 per person.
• Duration: The tour lasts about 60 minutes.

During your stay in the city you can discover Australia's native wildlife by visiting Sydney's Taronga Zoo. In this natural enclosure you will enjoy a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by some 5,000 animals, you will be able to feed some of them and take amazing photographs.

Along the route you will see kangaroos, platypuses, koalas, lions, zebras, meerkats, monkeys, giraffes and more species. All of them in special areas that recreate their natural habitat. You will also enjoy some shows with seals and birds, performed by the zookeepers.

With tickets to Sydney's Taronga Zoo you can also take the park's cable car to get a privileged view of the animals and the city. This is definitely a must-see and should be incorporated into your itinerary along with other activities such as day trips to the Blue Mountains from Sydney.

Useful information

• Price: Tickets start at €32 per person.
• Opening hours: 9.30am to 3.30pm.

In the shadow of the Harbour Bridge you'll find Sydney's oldest neighbourhood, The Rocks. Walk at your own pace through the cobblestone streets, discovering museums, pubs, markets, monuments and buildings of historical interest along the way.

On this tour of The Rocks in Sydney you will see historical sites such as the following:

• The Rocks Markets, with arts, crafts and street food. Also, during Christmas in Sydney you'll find seasonal produce.
• Cadman's Cottage; an iconic building with a history dating back to 1816.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art; representative of the Deco architectural style with temporary and permanent exhibitions.
• The waterfront promenade, with a breathtaking view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Both are must-see destinations on the Sydney city tour itinerary.
• Garrison Church. An Anglican compound built in 1840.

One of the must-see destinations in the city is the Sydney Tower. This is a 19-storey skyscraper that reaches a height of approximately 275 metres and some 306 metres with the antenna. From its public access platform you'll get a 360º view of the city with a range of up to 85 kilometres.

Once at the top, you'll see iconic landmarks such as Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, among others. Also, if you look carefully, you will see the Pacific Ocean, Botany Bay and the Blue Mountains in the distance, especially during Sydney's summer months when the skies are at their clearest.

In the skyscraper you will find shops and a 4D movie theatre where you can experience the history of the city in 4D. You can also enjoy the Sydney Tower's unlimited Skyfeast, as the restaurant slowly rotates and the panorama changes almost imperceptibly in front of your eyes.

Useful information

• Price: Admission to the Sydney Tower starts at 35€ per person.
• Opening hours: The tower is open from 10:00 to 20:00.

Another great thing to do on your trip is to visit Sydney's best beaches. You'll find yourself in a natural paradise where you can relax on the sand, swim, snorkel, surf and much more.

Just minutes from the city centre, you'll find plenty of beaches for fun and water sports. Such as Bondi Beach, with its golden sand, blue waters and perfect waves for surfing. In addition, there are a number of activities available at Bondi Beach in Sydney such as a skate park.

There is also Shelly Beach, protected by a coral reef; Clovelly Beach, with a variety of marine fauna (octopus, fish, starfish, seahorses, etc.). At both, you will have the opportunity to snorkel and swim freely.

Taking a cruise around Sydney Harbour on a sailboat is another great thing to do during your stay. You'll get a different view of the city's skyline, with its interesting contrast between the urban and the natural.

You'll sail along 20 kilometres, which is the approximate length of Sydney Harbour, taking in the Sydney Tower and other skyscrapers in the CBD. You'll also see the Opera House, the historic Rocks, Taronga Zoo, the mighty Harbour Bridge and other tourist destinations.

And if you take the large sailboat cruise around Sydney Harbour at sunset, you'll see the last rays of the sun bathe the surface of the sea and the facades of the buildings, creating an amazing array of warm hues. And before you know it, the lights of the city will have been switched on, revealing the vibrant sight of Sydney at night.

Useful information

• Price: The cost of this type of Sydney boat tour starts at around €43 per person.
• Duration: The experience usually lasts around 90 minutes.

Hop aboard a helicopter and take to the skies over Sydney for a unique panoramic view. You'll get a bird's-eye view of the city's towering skyscrapers, natural areas and major architectural landmarks. You'll have the feeling that Sydney is a small model under your feet.

Throughout this helicopter tour of Sydney you'll identify many of the Australian city's must-see destinations. For example, the imposing Harbour Bridge and Sydney's most iconic expressionist building, the Opera House. You will also see Bondi Beach, the Sydney Tower, among many other places.

Without a doubt, this experience through the heights could be considered one of the best tours in Sydney, so it should not be missing in your travel itinerary along with other unmissable activities. Such is the case of the city tours, day trips to Canberra from Sydney, etc.

Useful information

• Price: the experience can cost up to €144 per person.
• Duration: about 20 minutes.

Enjoy the city's nightlife after a long day of wandering from attraction to attraction. You can relax, listen to music and have a drink in the city's bars, pubs and clubs. You will have a different and lively night out.

There is a wide range of places to experience the nightlife in the city , some of them being the following:

• The Marble Bar, which has been in Sydney since 1893 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can have a drink, listen to live music and relive the city's past.
• The Camelot club, with the best exponents of blues and jazz every night. In addition, comedy and cabaret shows. All this, accompanied by a bar area and a restaurant.
• The Lansdownel Pub; with a large concert hall where emerging artists of different musical genres (rock, punk, pop, electronic, etc) are presented. There is also a bar and a rooftop terrace with stunning views.

This is certainly an activity that will bring you closer to the musical and wine culture of the region. In fact, if you're interested in the latter, you could take one of the day trips to the Hunter Valley from Sydney, as this area is the largest producer of wine.

If you like an adventure that combines climbing, vertigo and breathtaking views, then you'll have to climb the arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You'll reach a height of approximately 134 metres and see the city from an angle unlike any other scenic experience.

You'll traverse a slope, a walkway and some stairs. Then you'll stop to take in the view and enjoy the breeze on your face. You'll be able to quickly identify the Opera House, the skyscrapers of the financial district, the Sydney Tower, and so on. And at the bottom, you'll see the Blue Mountains, which you can visit by joining one of the best day trips from Sydney.

This activity must be done with a guide, as you will need specific safety equipment and prior advice to avoid problems when climbing. Also, if you are in Sydney with children and wish to share this experience with them, they must be at least 1.2 metres tall.

Useful information

• Price: The average cost of this experience is approximately €110 per person, but if you purchased the Sydney City Pass, then it could be free.
• Duration: The activity can last up to four hours.

Perhaps you're interested in team sports like football, cricket and rugby. If so, you'll want to visit the Sydney Cricket Ground during your stay. Opened in 1848, the Cricket Ground is an important part of Australia's sporting glory.

You can explore the dressing rooms, walk through the tunnel like a player and onto the field of play. You will also have access to the Cricket Museum, where you will not only see a series of exhibits with the uniforms of the cricket clubs, balls, trophies and bats, photographs.

This is an experience that you will have to carry out in the company of an expert, as free access is not allowed inside this sports venue. Also, during this guided tour of the Sydney Cricket Ground stadium and museum, you will be able to show how good you are at playing cricket in the interactive exhibits.

Useful information

• Price: admission to the stadium and museum is approximately £21 per person.
• Duration: about 90 minutes.

Discovering some of the curiosities of the animal world is another of the things to do in Sydney. You can visit the Wild Life Zoo and take a walk through the different areas of this wildlife park. You'll find around 6,000 animals, including some really interesting species.

You'll have the chance to interact with the friendly koalas, either by petting them or feeding them with some eucalyptus leaves. You'll also get up close and personal with some Tasmanian devils, platypuses, kangaroos, bilbies, badgers and other animals, both native and from other parts of the world.

When you purchase tickets to Sydney's Wild Life Zoo, you'll have access to a series of talks by the park's keepers, which will allow you to learn about animal and wildlife care. There are also a number of interactive displays throughout the park with additional information about the species.

Useful information

• Price: The cost of a visit to the Wild Life Zoo in Sydney is about 24€ per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 10am to 4pm.