If you have one week to explore in and around Sydney, here’s some big-ticket must-dos that will have you leaving more in love with the world’s best harbour city.
In 2024, Sydney was named the best city in the world in the Condé Nast Traveller UK 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, and with over 650 suburbs in greater Sydney and a multicultural population of more than 5.5 million people, there’s a plethora of interesting communities, attractions and neighborhoods to visit.
Here we take a city adventure into one of the world’s most beautiful harbour cities, packing an itinerary with the things that make Australia’s capital such a great place to live – gardens, the harbour, beaches, mountains, shopping, and cultural attractions galore.
Day 1, Eastern CBD: Hyde Park, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Opera House
Begin the first day by exploring the Central Business District, the heart of Sydney. Following this, a walk along a trail through the Royal Botanical Gardens, and end the day at the Sydney Opera House.
Start at Museum Station > Hyde Park > ANZAC Memorial > Hyde Park Fountain > St Mary’s Cathedral > Martin Place
For lunch, there are a couple of cafés on Macquarie Street; alternatively, head down Martin Place to find some cheap eateries. Inside Martin Place station (underneath the street) are the Colonial Centre and the MLC Centre, both of which have a food court.
Parliament House > State Library of New South Wales > Royal Botanic Gardens > End at Sydney Opera House
For dinner, there are places to eat in and around Circular Quay, ranging from cheaper cafes and spots underneath the train station to more pricier restaurants. Enjoy dinner looking out over Circular Quay.
Day 2, Western CBD: Pitt Street Mall, Queen Victoria Building, The Rocks, Sydney Harbour Bridge
Start the second day returning to the CBD, exploring the western side of the area. Visit The Rocks, a historical neighborhood with rich history, and end with a walk of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Begin at Wynyard Station, exit at George Street > Martin Place >General Post Office > Pitt Street Mall > Sydney Tower> State Theatre > Queen Victoria Building> Sydney Town Hall
For lunch, there are food places available in Town Hall Square, Town Hall station where you can find more food shops on the bottom floor of the QVB or the bottom floor of Galeries Victoria.
Circular Quay station > Argyle Cut > Sydney Observatory > Garrison Church > Sydney Harbour Bridge > Bradfield Park > Luna Park > End at McMahon’s Point
For dinner, Kirribilli has a number of nice restaurants and cafés.
Day 3, Pyrmont-Ultimo/Manly: Darling Harbour, Ferry to Manly, Manly Beach
Begin the day with exploring Darling Harbour, a beautiful district known for its shops and attractions. The second half of the day goes to Manly and explores the beach.
Start at Town Hall Station (Druitt Street) > Darling Harbour > Sydney’s Pyrmont Bridge or Tumbalong Park > IMAX Theatre > Harbourside Shopping Centre > National Maritime Museum/Wild Life Sydney Zoo/Sydney Aquarium
For lunch, eat in one of the many restaurants along the waterfront at Pyrmont, or stop in a bar for a drink and some pub food.
Ferry to Manly > The Corso > End at Manly Beach
For dinner, dine at one of the restaurants in and around Manly.
Day 4, Blue Mountains: Echo Point to Scenic World walk, Scenic World, Explore Katoomba/Leura
After spending 3 days in the city, Day 4 takes you away from skyscrapers and into the outdoors. Take the train to the Blue Mountains, and do the Echo Point to Scenic World walk. After your hike, check out Scenic World or visit a nearby town.
Katoomba Station > Route 686 bus > Paragon Cafe > Echo Point
Jamison Valley/Three Sisters > Giant Stairway > Echo Point to Scenic World walk > Scenic World > 686 to Katoomba > Explore Katoomba or Leura
Dinner- You have the choice of exploring Katoomba, which has a collection of interesting and eclectic shops, taking the next train back to Sydney, or you can choose to explore the next town down the mountains, Leura. Leura has a number of cafes, gourmet food shops and other specialty stores.
Day 5, Chinatown/Inner West: Paddy’s Markets, Sydney University, Newtown
Begin by exploring Chinatown, a hub for Sydney’s Chinese community and a great place to find good restaurants and cheap places to eat. Afterwards, head to Sydney University and end in Newtown.
Central Station > Chinatown > Haymarket > Paddy’s Markets
For lunch, head to the first level of Paddy’s Markets to the food court for a wide selection of inexpensive Asian cuisine.
Glebe Point Road > Sydney University > University Museums; Nicholson Museum/University Art Gallery/Macleay Museum > Newtown > King St
For dinner, Newtown is known for its multicultural delicacies, including a large array of Thai restaurants. There are lots to pick here, choose something that you would enjoy.
Day 6, Homebush Bay/Inner West: Olympic Park, Brickpit Ring Walk
Spend your sixth day exploring Olympic Park, visit the epic stadiums that hosted the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Olympic Park Station > Walk/bike up towards Parramatta River > Olympic Park > Sydney Superdome > Brickpit Ring Walk > Sydney 2000 Olympic Cauldron Fountain
For dinner, Head to one of the nearby suburbs on your way back from Homebush for another multicultural Sydney experience. Depending on the line you ride back to the city, Eastwood, Strathfield, Auburn, Ashfield and Petersham are suburbs not far away from Sydney Olympic Park, and have some hidden delights in multicultural food.
Day 7: Explore, Beaches & Bays
There is still so much to see and do around Sydney, so on the final day you could choose between many different options. Possibilities include:
Middle Head/Mosman Suburb. Take a ferry to Taronga Zoo, renowned for both its conservation work and views of the harbour. Head west along the harbor to go past Mosman Bay and Cremorne Point. Both of these have ferries returning to the city. Or, head east out (slightly up road from ferry wharf), past Clifton Gardens, around to Balmoral Beach.
Head to Botany Bay and La Perouse, Bare Island.
Southern Beaches, and follow the Bondi-Bronte-Coogee walk. This is especially memorable in mid October-mid November, during the ‘Sculpture by the Sea’ arts festival. Start the walk at Bondi.
After a week in Sydney, hopefully you have gotten closer to understanding the customs, culture, and seeing the sights of such a wonderful and unique city. If you enjoyed this story, check out this story on activities to do in Port Macquarie.