15 of the Best Things to Do in Sydney

There is more to this city than just the Opera House and Harbour Bridge so here you can find the top things to do in Sydney. Everything from top free attractions to the best parties and day trips is all here to help you plan your visit to this beautiful city!

Sydney was our gateway into Australia and we ended up living there for 6 months with our Working Holiday Visa.  We love Sydney's chilled and outdoorsy vibes.  Scratch the surface of this city and it only gets better.

#1 Check out the Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge

Of course, the top of the list of things to do in Sydney is visiting the iconic sights of The Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge!  The most famous postcard image of Sydney, if not Australia.  This beautiful harbour does not disappoint! 

Head here in the day to see the sun gleaming off the waters with the sounds of the buskers in the background. 

Catch one of the gorgeous Sydney sunsets with a drink at one of the many harbour bars. 

Also, Every night at 7pm, you can witness ‘Badu Gili’, an excellent, free 7-minute projection onto the Opera House, which celebrates the history of Australia’s First Nations culture. 

If you want to up the ante and really get the best views of the harbour, there is the option to head up to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Bridge Climb Sydney.  This experience comes with quite the price tag, so if you don’t want to fork out that many dollars, you can go up one of the Pylons with Pylon Lookout for only $25. 

Also, Every night at 7pm, you can witness ‘Badu Gili’, an excellent, free 7-minute projection onto the Opera House, which celebrates the history of Australia’s First Nations culture. 

If you want to up the ante and really get the best views of the harbour, there is the option to head up to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Bridge Climb Sydney.  This experience comes with quite the price tag, so if you don’t want to fork out that many dollars, you can go up one of the Pylons with Pylon Lookout for only $25. 

#2 - Visit Darling Harbour

Circular Quay isn’t the only fab part of Sydney Harbour; Darling Harbour is also 100% worth a visit, full of alfresco dining and cocktail options and beautiful open spaces. 

On one end there is also Madame Tussauds, Sealife Aquarium and Wildlife Zoo and on the other, there is the Chinese Garden of Friendship.

The Garden of Friendship is also within a new complex of restaurants situated on the ground floor of the Exchange building, or as we like to call 'The Big Nest" definitely a building worth seeing on your visit for Things to Do in Sydney.  There are regular pop-up events and fireworks shows too, so be sure to check here for updates and schedules. 

#3 Enjoy the Best Views of the Sydney Skyline!

The Sydney Tower Eye is the tallest building in Sydney and the second-tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere!  Aside from its obvious height, it’s also hard to miss due to its funky needle shape.  Enjoy 360-degree views of Sydney from 250 metres high.  Save 20% if you buy your tickets online here too! 

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative... head to Sydney Park near Newtown for a beautiful skyline view of Sydney. This is one of our favourite things to do in Sydney and also one of our favourite free parking spots in Sydney too.

Another fantastic spot with amazing views of the Sydney harbour is Wendy’s Secret Garden.  It really does feel like you’ve found this secret little haven amongst the bustling city life.  Full of pretty flowers and plants, this is one of our favourite hidden spots in our Things to Do in Sydney Guide. 

#4 Get Cultured at Some Museums

The Art Gallery of New South Wales has a great collection of International and Australian art, which is shown in a beautiful space with an additional building recently added too! 

Admission is generally free to most exhibitions too. Whilst looking for things to do in Sydney, check out what’s on, as there are regularly changing temporary exhibitions; more than 30 a year in fact! 

Our personal favourite Museum in Sydney is the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo. Almost without fail this is on our list of things to do in Sydney every time we visit!

They host a plethora of amazing free exhibitions including a 'Gucci Archetypes' exhibition, which shared some interesting stories from the Gucci archives alongside some of the original handbag pieces on display in a room of mirrors!

It has to be seen to be believed and when it is free why not?!

In the past, we've also enjoyed a NASA exhibition sharing lots of fun facts and experiences faced by astronauts in space and the changing space of digital technology from black and white TV to Nintendo Gameboys and more... The nostalgia was real.

Let us know in the comments what exhibitions you got to see.

Our personal favourite Museum in Sydney is the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo. Almost without fail this is on our list of things to do in Sydney every time we visit!

They host a plethora of amazing free exhibitions including a 'Gucci Archetypes' exhibition, which shared some interesting stories from the Gucci archives alongside some of the original handbag pieces on display in a room of mirrors!

It has to be seen to be believed and when it is free why not?!

In the past, we've also enjoyed a NASA exhibition sharing lots of fun facts and experiences faced by astronauts in space and the changing space of digital technology from black and white TV to Nintendo Gameboys and more... The nostalgia was real.

Let us know in the comments what exhibitions you got to see.

#5 Visit the infamous Luna Park!

Luna Park is an iconic amusement park which has been in Sydney since 1935!

It still has that olden-day fairground feel and makes for a fun day out in Sydney.  If amusement parks aren’t your thing, it’s definitely still worth visiting just to get a snap of the cool entrance. We loved the classic rides, most of which we'd never seen at any theme park before.

There are also a few special events held here, such as Winterfest, Bongo’s Bingo and TV show recordings.  Most shows are held in the Big Top, check here to see what’s on and here for Luna Park tickets.  Entrance is free but tickets are needed to go on the rides. 

#6 Head to The Best Sydney Beaches!

One of our favourite things to do in Sydney is the Coogee to Bondi walk, which will have you passing by plenty of Sydney’s beaches and swimming spots, along with beautiful views along the coast and some million-dollar houses too! We find it is best from Coogee as the views come up in front of you rather than behind you as you walk. 

Sydney has a truly unique beach culture and a list of Things to Do in Sydney would be incomplete without mentioning it!  The backpacker culture is huge here, we've made many friends at Sydney beaches and made some of our best memories too. Also worth mentioning is Bondi Beaches famous Christmas day party! Grab a Santa hat and enjoy the Coogee to Bondi walk with hundreds of other young backpackers and you'll have a party at every beach en route to Bondi! 

Top Tip!

We'd recommend starting at Coogee as the views are best enjoyed heading towards Bondi.

Furthermore, if you are in the area around October/November, be sure to visit 'Sculptures by the Sea' the largest outdoor sculpture exhibition in the world.

The Manly to Spit walk is also very popular, although with it being 10 km long, you'd need to plan ahead to enjoy the whole thing.

Manly is a great place to visit, not only for the beach but for the area itself too, filled with popular retail stores, lots of foreshore restaurants. Hop on a ferry at Circular Quay using your contactless card or Opal travel card to enjoy the scenic route along the harbour. 

Other beaches we love which are a little further afield are...

Palm Beach - this infamous beach was where Neighbours was once filmed. Palm Beach feels like you've stepped into Asia with luscious green mountains surrounding a serene calm beach, although it is far North of Sydney so you'd best drive or take a full day trip here.

Brighton Le Sands, which is just South of Sydney has a good view of the Sydney skyline on a clear day. It's also very close to the airport, so if you're too early for a flight you could stop off at the beach here and enjoy one of the many restaurants in San Souci.

#7 Stroll Through The Rocks

The Rocks are full of history, as this is where the European convict settlements began.  Here you will find cobbled streets, lined with Sydney’s oldest pubs and plenty of restaurants, boutiques and cafes too.  The Rocks markets are great, with a food market on Friday and the weekend market has over 200 stalls o enjoy too.

We would recommend doing a free walking tour around this historic quarter to learn more about Sydney’s interesting past.  This is held every night at 6 pm; see more info here. 

#8 Visit the Grounds of Alexandria

The Sydney suburb, of Alexandria, houses copious amounts of lovely cafes but most famously, the Grounds of Alexandra.   The Grounds of Alexandria is a MUST on our things to do in Sydney, a haven for anyone who loves coffee, good food, flowers, markets and funky decor.  The rustic warehouse vibe is filled with beautiful gardens, old trinkets, and things to see and do.

There are regular temporary events held here such as Arabian Night Markets, the Garden of Sweets and Blues & Mulled Wine nights.  Check here for the latest. 

#9 Check out the Sydney Street Art

We are obsessed with street art, so wandering around and finding the best Street Art is one of our favourite past times. There is an art piece that always catches our eye right in the CBD, which is an amazing portrait of an Aboriginal elder named Jenny Munro. This piece is from one of our favourite artists @adnate on the side of Novotel by Darling Harbour. 

Sydney isn’t the edgiest city in the world but it does still have its fair share of cool street art, check this guide for a list of the best pieces, especially the Bondi Wall!  Newtown and Marrickville are some of the ‘hipster’ areas of Sydney, so here you can find some great street art, along with funky bars and cafes, most of which are very vegan-friendly. 

#10 Visit the Botanical Gardens

An oasis of 30 beautiful hectares in the heart of the city and the perfect picnic spot, which overlooks the Sydney Harbour and the Opera House too. They also have a beautiful wildflower meadow which showcases some of the best wildflowers in Australia! Definitely worth a visit on this Things To Do in Sydney Guide.

We love taking the botanical gardens in with a walk from our favourite vegan restaurant - Alibi! From here, you can walk along the docks, getting a picture at Mrs Macquarie's Chair and within 20 minutes, you'll turn the corner of the walkway to a spectacular view of the Opera House. A great picture moment on this list of Things to Do in Sydney, for all those needing THAT picture of Sydney.

Also, it’s worth a visit just for the Koala shaped hedge, to be honest. 

The Botanical Gardens offer a variety of tours including the Aboriginal Heritage Tours of the Royal Botanic Garden run every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, departing 10 am from the Garden Shop. Bookings are essential online. There is also a free guided walking tour which departs at 10.30 am daily from the Garden Shop. 

The Botanical Gardens offer a variety of tours including the Aboriginal Heritage Tours of the Royal Botanic Garden run every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, departing 10 am from the Garden Shop. Bookings are essential online. There is also a free guided walking tour which departs at 10.30 am daily from the Garden Shop. 

#11 Visit the Markets!

Sydney has so many amazing markets to enjoy throughout the day and into the night, here are some of our favourites:

• Glebe Markets for vintage clothes, jewellery and accessories, Glebe is also a fab suburb for vegan-friendly food too.
• Sydney Fish Market for the second widest variety of fish in the world, choose your fish and have it cooked the way you like it!
• Paddy’s Market for pretty much everything at a great price, think discount store on mass.
• Mitchell Road Antique & Design Centre for a labyrinth of antique trinkets.
• Sydney Vegan Market for all the best vegan foods on offer in Sydney, along with ethical clothing, candles etc.  The picture below is from one of the vendors, Mylk & Bun.  Yes, they're 100% vegan! 
• Aussie Night Markets for an evening full of mouth-watering flavours from around the world.

#12 Visit Chinatown

There’s a huge Asian presence in Sydney so not only is there a Chinatown but there’s also a Koreatown, Thaitown, Vietnamtown, etc! Chinatown is great to visit on Friday nights when it hosts its night markets.  There is also an infamous Sydney spot for a bite to eat here, called Emperor’s Puffs.  You will most likely spot this otherwise inconspicuous hole in the wall fairly quickly from the queue outside it.  Here you can get warm custard-filled pastry balls, which are so delish! 

A little fun fact, Sydney host the largest Chinese New Year Celebrations outside of China! So if you are visiting around February be sure to check out the many events happening around the city.

#13 Visit the Green Square Library

For Instagram lovers (or book lovers!), Green Square Library is a lovely space but what draws the Instagrammers in is the awesome rainbow-coloured wall of books.  It makes for a great snap and can easily be visited in conjunction with a trip to Alexandria and The Grounds. 

#14 Visit Oxford St/Taylor Square

The Western section of Oxford Street, which runs through Darlinghurst and meets with Taylor Square is the main LGBTQ+ area of Sydney.  It is here that is closed to traffic once a year to hold Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade in late Feb/early March. 

Head here for lots of LGBTQ+-friendly bars, clubs and pubs.  Our favourite part though is the curved rainbow crossing at Taylor Square! 

#15 Grab a Tasty Bite to Eat

One thing Sydney definitely isn’t short on is fabulous places to grab a bite to eat.

Discovering the best vegan food options anywhere we visit is a high priority for us! 

We particularly love...

• A drink out of a mini bathtub at Social Hideout
• Any Sandwich from Sandwiches by Bootleg 
• Almost anything in Newtown!
• Have your pick of the bunch at the hidden food spot, Spice Alley. 
• Green Mushroom for a mind-blowing Indian.
• We also adore Sushi Hub, the love child of Australia with Japanese Sushi. It can be found all over Australia but is still a must-try when in Australia. We love the tempura Vegetable nigiri and the Teriyaki Tofu.

Follow @LickYourPhone or @sydneyveganguide on Instagram for the latest foodie hotspots in the city. 

#16 Shop 'Til You Drop

Sydney is full of shopping centres so there is no shortage of spots to hit up if you fancy a shopping spree.  One that we would definitely recommend heading to, whether you are shopping or not, is the Queen Victoria Building (QVB).  The grand building, built in the 1890s was beautifully restored and reopened in 1986 and is now one of the prettiest shopping malls you ever will see. 

#18 Try Something Unique in Sydney!

Sydney has a few quirky experiences up its sleeve, so why not add a bit of spice to your visit? A couple of our favourite things to do in Sydney are definitely Holey Moley and Maniax.  Enjoy the awesome mini golf meets bar venue or partake in a casual bout of axe throwing.  Yes, we said axe throwing! They make it entertaining and fun using Viking props and each session hosts tournaments against the other guests to add a bit of competition into the mix. 

#19 Head to a Sydney Day Party!

So, due to some unfortunate events, Sydney until recently had quite a strict nightlife with what it called 'Lockout Laws'.  We’re talking no entry after 1 am, no shots after midnight, no drinks after 3 am etc, so as you can imagine, Sydney lost many elements of its amazing nightlife. 

What it does do well though, is day parties. The summer months are particularly great with events such as pool parties at Ivy, Yacht Social Club, SASH Sundays and there’s usually something happening at the Hordern Pavilion too.

Honestly, we love a day party, you have the time of your life in the day, it feels super late but when you finally hit the sack it's barely hitting midnight (maybe 2am if you like a post-party chat-like us!) and after a good night's sleep the hangovers are so much tamer! 

#20 Say Cheers to Sydney in Style

We’re a sucker for a speakeasy and Sydney has some great options.  Palmer & Co has you walking down an alleyway, through a nondescript door and underneath the city streets for your tipple.  If you’re a gin fan, then The Barbershop houses over 700 in their parlour style barbershop, immersed in the atmosphere of a bygone era.

Door Knock wins us over with their fantastic cocktail names, along with the delicious tastes of course!  Head down a long corridor, knock on the big black door 3 times and you shall enter this nostalgic hidden bar, in what feels far from the hustle and bustle of the CBD.

#21 Visit the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains can be reached in just under 2 hours by train from central Sydney and are absolutely worth visiting! Here you can catch some of New South Wales’ most beautiful landscapes. We loved our day in the Blue Mountains so much, we actually have a seperate guide with the perfect one day itinerary here.

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