Top 10exploreSydney

Top 10 Best Places to Explore in Sydney

Discover the best places to explore in Sydney.

Updated January 21, 2026

All-Time Best

1.

The Rocks

The Rocks
$$

Sydney's oldest neighborhood, featuring cobblestone streets, heritage buildings, and weekend markets beneath the Harbour Bridge. A historic precinct where Australia's colonial story began.

Highlights

  • The Rocks Markets
  • Sydney Observatory
  • Susannah Place Museum
  • Historic pubs and laneways
  • Harbour Bridge views
Also available on:Book Tour
The Rocks MarketsSydney ObservatorySusannah Place Museum
2.

Circular Quay

Circular Quay
$$

The heart of Sydney's harbor, home to the iconic Opera House and gateway to ferries across the harbor. Street performers, waterfront dining, and world-class architecture converge here.

Highlights

  • Sydney Opera House
  • Royal Botanic Garden
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Harbor ferry rides
  • Outdoor dining promenade
Also available on:Book Tour
Sydney Opera HouseRoyal Botanic GardenMuseum of Contemporary Art
3.

Darlinghurst

Darlinghurst
$$

Sydney's vibrant LGBTQ+ heartland along Oxford Street, packed with eclectic restaurants, cocktail bars, and a proudly diverse community. Home to the famous Sydney Mardi Gras parade route.

Highlights

  • Oxford Street nightlife
  • Sydney Jewish Museum
  • Diverse dining scene
  • Mardi Gras festivities
  • Art galleries and boutiques
Also available on:Book Tour
Oxford Street nightlifeSydney Jewish MuseumDiverse dining scene
4.

Surry Hills

Surry Hills
$$

Sydney's ultimate cafe culture destination with specialty coffee roasters, award-winning restaurants, and converted warehouse spaces. A foodie paradise with a creative, laid-back atmosphere.

Highlights

  • Specialty coffee scene
  • Brett Whiteley Studio
  • Shannon Reserve markets
  • Warehouse conversions
  • Farm-to-table dining
Also available on:Book Tour
Specialty coffee sceneBrett Whiteley StudioShannon Reserve markets
5.

Newtown

Newtown
$$

Sydney's alternative heartland where punks, students, and artists converge along King Street. Vintage shops, vegan eateries, live music venues, and vibrant street art define this bohemian suburb.

Highlights

  • King Street shopping
  • Live music venues
  • Street art and murals
  • Vintage and thrift stores
  • Vegan and vegetarian dining
Also available on:Book Tour
King Street shoppingLive music venuesStreet art and murals
6.

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach
$$

Australia's most famous beach, where surf culture meets sophisticated coastal living. Golden sand, world-class waves, ocean pools, and the stunning Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.

Highlights

  • Bondi Icebergs Pool
  • Bondi to Coogee Walk
  • Surf lessons
  • Bondi Markets
  • Beachfront cafes and bars
Also available on:Book Tour
Bondi Icebergs PoolBondi to Coogee WalkSurf lessons
7.

Manly

Manly
$$

A relaxed beach suburb accessible by scenic ferry from Circular Quay. Manly offers a distinct holiday vibe with ocean and harbor beaches, excellent snorkeling, and a pedestrian corso lined with shops.

Highlights

  • Manly Beach
  • Shelly Beach snorkeling
  • The Corso promenade
  • Manly to Spit Bridge Walk
  • Ferry ride from Circular Quay
Also available on:Book Tour
Manly BeachShelly Beach snorkelingThe Corso promenade
8.

Paddington

Paddington
$$

Elegant Victorian terraces with signature iron lacework line the streets of this upscale suburb. High-end fashion boutiques, art galleries, and the famous Paddington Markets make it a weekend favorite.

Highlights

  • Victorian terrace architecture
  • Paddington Markets
  • Oxford Street boutiques
  • Art galleries
  • Five Ways intersection
Also available on:Book Tour
Victorian terrace architecturePaddington MarketsOxford Street boutiques
9.

Barangaroo

Barangaroo
$$

Sydney's newest waterfront precinct transformed from industrial docks into a world-class dining and entertainment destination. Headland parkland, harbor walks, and cutting-edge architecture.

Highlights

  • Barangaroo Reserve
  • Waterfront restaurants
  • Crown Sydney tower
  • Harbor foreshore walk
  • Modern architecture
Also available on:Book Tour
Barangaroo ReserveWaterfront restaurantsCrown Sydney tower
10.

Chippendale

Chippendale
$$

A creative hub where industrial heritage meets contemporary art. Home to White Rabbit Gallery's Chinese contemporary collection, innovative cafes, and a thriving startup scene.

Highlights

  • White Rabbit Gallery
  • Central Park vertical gardens
  • Kensington Street dining
  • Street art
  • Converted warehouse spaces
Also available on:Book Tour
White Rabbit GalleryCentral Park vertical gardensKensington Street dining