One city that has a special place in my heart is Sydney, Australia. This is the first country I have ever visited and have constantly come back to travel to. As a young child, I used to visit my grandma and other family members every year, and now that my sister has moved to Sydney, I have more excuses to visit this city.
Why I love Sydney is because there are gorgeous beaches, beautiful parks, iconic architecture, a variety of stunning artwork, aesthetic and picture-worthy spots, and scenic views all over the city. Did you know that Sydney is also known as the brunch capital of the world? Australians don’t mess around when it comes to brunch, and everything is so delicious in Sydney!
Here are 15 of my favorite places to go to when visiting Sydney, Australia!
1. Sydney Opera House
One of the most beautiful architectural works of the 20th century is the Sydney Opera House. This performing arts center is even more stunning in person. Its unparalleled design with roofs shaped like shells makes it one of the most iconic buildings in the world. There are restaurants and shops along the walk to the Sydney Opera House, and while walking, there is also a gorgeous view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The attraction is free to enter, but if you would like to book a tour or see a show, you can visit their website here.
2. Sydney Harbour Bridge
Another impressive and well-known landmark in Sydney is the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The bridge is the largest steel arch bridge in the world and is a sight to see when visiting the city. There are a lot of great spots to view the bridge such as the Opera Bar, Blues Point Reserve, Observatory Hill (my personal favorite!), Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, and Luna Park. You can also book a cruise tour or ride the ferry from Circular Quay for an incredible, close-up view.
Tip: One activity my family has done is the BridgeClimb Sydney which is an incredible experience where you can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge (do this if you’re not afraid of heights!).
3. The Rocks
The Rocks is the oldest neighborhood in Sydney. It is an area rich in history and many great places to eat, drink, and shop while seeing the historic architecture, markets, museums, galleries, and harbor views. You can also take a tour of the Rocks with the Rocks Walking Tours or the I’m Free Walking Tours Sydney.
Food Tip: One of my family’s favorite places to eat is Pancakes On The Rocks! They serve big, delicious, and fluffy pancakes that are a treat if you’re visiting the Rocks.
4. Darling Harbour
The Darling Harbour is also another well-known harbor in Sydney. It is great to visit during the day and night, and it is packed with a lot of tourist attractions such as the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo where you can pet kangaroos, and the SEALIFE Sydney Aquarium which has the world’s largest Australian marine animals. They also have other museums like Madame Tussauds, theaters, and exhibitions
Tip #1: If you want to do 2 or 3 of the above attractions at Darling Harbour, you can buy the Attraction Pass on the Wild Life Sydney website to save money!
Tip #2: One fun activity my family and I have done when I was young was the Harbour Jet. It is a fun jet boat experience that departs from Darling Harbour. Beware: you will get wet!
5. Grounds of Alexandria
The Grounds of Alexandria is a stunning and unique experience. Ladies, this is the perfect Instagram-worthy spot! Their garden has breathtaking flower backdrops which transport you into a vibrant jungle. The Grounds also has a cafe, restaurant, bar, coffee roastery, bakery, florist, and farm. It is a beautiful and immersive experience that I highly recommend going to when in Sydney.
6. Queen Victoria Building
Queen Victoria Building or QVB is one of the most iconic buildings in Sydney. This Romanesque Revival architecture has stained glass windows, arched skylights, and a central dome. QVB was completed in 1898 and still has some of its historic architectural designs including an antique elevator. This shopping center has over 160 stores, cafes, and restaurants. It is the perfect place to go shopping at any of their boutique stores or specialty shops.
7. Sydney Tower Eye
Sydney Tower Eye is the highest point in Sydney and the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere. It is located in the heart of the city and has incredible 360° views of the city. If you’re a thrill-seeker, you can take the SKYWALK tour outside of the top of the Sydney Tower. To view more of their tickets, click here. You can also dine at SkyFeast, a revolving restaurant at the top of the tower with panoramic views of the city.
8. Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sydney. It has a glistening ocean, pristine sands, and gorgeous waves for surfing. In addition to relaxing on the beach or surfing the ocean, you can also take the Bondi to Coogee Walk, one of the most popular walks in Sydney, to see dramatic views of Bondi. There are also Instagram-worthy photo places to go such as the Bond Beach Graffiti Wall and the Bondi Icebergs. Near the beach, you can visit their many restaurants, cafes, shops, bars, and markets.
Food Tip: My family loves to go to Hurricane’s Grill and Bar! They have delicious steaks, ribs, and burgers.
Dessert Tip: Baked fresh daily and made from scratch, Wellington Cake Shop is an iconic dessert shop in Bondi. Every time I visit Sydney, my family always made an effort to stop by and order their delicious pastries and cakes.
9. Bondi Icebergs
Bondi Icebergs is a one-of-a-kind ocean pool with breathtaking views. It is a swimming club established in 1929 and is the world’s only licensed Winter Swimming Club. You can join their membership for a small fee if you enjoy swimming, but the pool is exclusive for swimming laps, not lounging. However, you can also view the impressive views from above and watch the swimmers run laps from May to September.
10. Hyde Park
Located in the center of Sydney, Hyde Park is Australia’s oldest park. It spans 40 acres and has multiple monuments such as the iconic Archibald Fountain, the bronze statue of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, and others. Some highlights also include the Anzac Memorial and Pool of Reflection. This park is the perfect place to relax or to attend the events hosted at Hyde Park such as ANZAC Day, Australia Day, the Sydney Festival, and the Food and Wine Bar.
11. Luna Park
Another iconic destination is Luna Park, one of Sydney’s amusement parks. It’s located next to the Sydney Harbor Bridge with views of the Sydney Harbour. You can discover their rides, attractions, games, and food. There is no fee to enter Luna Park, but if you want to go on rides and access their attractions, you can purchase their tickets on their website.
12. Sydney Fish Market
The Sydney Fish Market is the perfect foodie destination. It is the largest seafood market in the Southern hemisphere. The market contains the freshest seafood from all over the world. You can choose to dine at multiple vendors to eat their delicious sashimi, sushi, seafood, meats, and fruits. I loved the sashimi from the Sydney Fish Market. The fish was so fresh and tasted as if it came straight from the ocean. We brought back tons of sashimi to my uncle’s house to have a sushi party!
13. Watsons Bay
Watsons Bay is Australia’s oldest fishing village with amazing views, parks, shops, restaurants, and fresh seafood. It is home to great beaches, trails, and attractions. Watsons Bay is surrounded by beautiful beaches, harbor, and ocean views. I personally loved the Watsons Bay Walk which has a view of the Hornby Lighthouse and the Pacific Ocean. There are also multiple beaches where you can swim, snorkel, and soak up the sun.
14. Hornby Lighthouse
The Hornby Lighthouse is the third oldest lighthouse near Watsons Bay in the Sydney Harbour National Park. The striking red and white striped tower surrounds an impressive view of the ocean. To access the Hornby Lighthouse, you will have to walk the South Head Heritage trail, an easy trail. The trail is one of the most scenic routes, offering views of the Pacific Ocean. The Hornby Lighthouse is photogenic throughout the day but especially during sunrise and sunset.
15. Spice Alley
Spice Alley is an aesthetic and picture-worthy outdoor food court. With lanterns hanging from the ceiling and stalls similar to Singapore’s Hawker Centres, the Spice Alley transports you to Asia. There are a variety of stands to choose from ranging from delicious Vietnamese, Japanese, Singaporean, Cantonese, Thai, and Malaysian cuisines. There are other restaurants and bars within Spice Alley as well. The Spice Alley may be a little hard to find because it is tucked away in the narrow side street. However, it is a hidden gem and a must in Sydney!
Where are some of your favorite places in Sydney? Comment below and let me know! I’d love to hear from you all!
