Sydney is a city that meets the sea with a grin. Founded in 1788 as the first British settlement in Australia, it grew around a working harbour that now frames two of the world’s great landmarks: the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Long before that, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation called this place home—their stories still permeate headlands, coves, and carved sandstone.

Today’s Sydney is a mosaic of beach culture, breezy coastal walks, and high-calibre arts—from blockbuster shows to striking contemporary galleries. Food-wise, the city bites above its weight: think just-caught seafood, bold Asian flavors, and a modern Australian scene that celebrates native ingredients. Add ferries as daily transport and you’ve got a city that turns commutes into sightseeing.

Practical notes: Sydney is tap-and-go friendly—use an Opal card or simply tap a contactless bank card on public transport. Summer (Dec–Feb) is beach season; swim between the red-and-yellow flags, wear SPF, and check for surf rips. The 230V power supply uses Type I plugs, and tipping is appreciated but not expected (rounding up is common).

Sydney

Australia’s harbour city is equal parts glittering skyline and barefoot beach town. One day you’re tracing sails and arches on a harbour cruise; the next you’re on a cliff path above turquoise rock pools with cockatoos overhead. Neighbourhoods each have a mood: historic sandstone laneways in The Rocks, creative energy in Surry Hills and Newtown, and waterfront dining at Barangaroo and Circular Quay.

• Top sights: Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Garden, The Rocks, Bondi–Coogee Coastal Walk, Manly, Taronga Zoo, Art Gallery of NSW, MCA, Barangaroo Reserve.
• Great eats: Quay (elevated harbour dining), Bennelong (inside the Opera House), Aria (modern Australian), Mr. Wong (Cantonese), Restaurant Hubert (French), Firedoor (wood-fired), Ester (Chippendale), Totti’s (Bondi/CBD), Cirrus Dining (seafood at Barangaroo).
• Coffee to crave: Single O (Surry Hills), Reuben Hills (roastery café), Mecca Coffee (CBD), The Grounds of the City (old-world cafe vibes).
• Fun fact: The Opera House’s tiles are self-cleaning; the building hosts 1,800+ performances yearly across multiple venues.

Where to stay: Browse central stays near the harbour or beachside apartments:
- Search vacation rentals: VRBO – Sydney
- Compare hotels: Hotels.com – Sydney

• Park Hyatt Sydney (The Rocks; harbourfront, Opera House views): Check price & availability
• Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour (walk to Barangaroo & ICC): Check price & availability
• Sydney Harbour YHA (budget, rooftop views over the Bridge): Check price & availability
• Wake Up! Sydney Central (social hostel by Central Station): Check price & availability or Hostelworld listing
• The Capsule Hotel (compact pods in the CBD): Check price & availability

How to get here: Fly into Sydney (SYD). Compare fares and routes via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Typical nonstop times: LAX ~15h, SFO ~14.5h, Singapore ~8h, Auckland ~3h. The Airport Link train reaches the CBD in ~15 minutes; rideshare/taxi is ~25–35 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrive, The Rocks, and Harbour Twilight

Afternoon: Touch down and drop bags. Shake off the flight with a gentle wander through The Rocks—sandstone laneways, heritage pubs, and convict-era history tucked beneath the Harbour Bridge. If it’s a weekend, browse The Rocks Markets for local crafts and small-batch treats.

Evening: Catch golden hour at Circular Quay and the Opera House forecourt. Dinner nearby: - Bennelong for refined Australian produce beneath those iconic sails (book well ahead). - Quay for Peter Gilmore’s nature-driven tasting menu with postcard views. - More casual: Opera Bar for seafood plates and spritzes with a front-row harbour seat. Post-dinner, sip a classic at Maybe Sammy (award-winning cocktails, mid-century glam) or the rooftop at The Glenmore for Bridge views.

Day 2: Gardens, Galleries, and the Sydney Opera House Tour

Morning: Coffee at The Grounds of the City (old-world brasserie feel) or Single O (Surry Hills). Stroll Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for a sweeping skyline shot—Bridge left, Opera House right. If you love art, swing by the expanded Art Gallery of NSW to see what’s on in the Sydney Modern building.

Afternoon: Go behind the scenes on the official Opera House tour for stories, architecture, and access to the grand interiors. Book the Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour.

Evening: Dinner with harbour sparkle: - Aria: polished service and a seasonal menu, steps from the water. - Restaurant Hubert: subterranean French classicism—candlelit, live jazz some nights, a Sydney favourite. Finish with a whisky at The Baxter Inn (speakeasy vibes, encyclopedic selection).

Day 3: Bondi to Coogee Coastal Day

Morning: Breakfast in Bondi—Bills for ricotta hotcakes and silky scrambled eggs, or Porch and Parlour for green pea fritters and ocean breeze. Swim laps at the cliff-hugging Bondi Icebergs ocean pool (check surf conditions) or relax on the sand.

Afternoon: Walk the famed Bondi–Coogee Coastal Walk (6 km; allow 2–3 hours with photo and swim stops). Dip at Tamarama or Bronte, peer into the aqua bowls of Gordon’s Bay, and enjoy cliff-top panoramas. Lunch options: Totti’s Bondi (wood-fired bread, burrata, Italian plates) or Bonditony’s Burger Joint for a casual, rock ’n’ roll bite.

Evening: Head inland to Paddington/Surry Hills. Try Firedoor (everything kissed by flame; book early), Ester (inventive wood-fired cooking in Chippendale), or wine and handmade pasta at 10 William St. Nightcap at Poly (low-intervention wines) or Shady Pines Saloon (honky-tonk fun).

Day 4: Full-Day Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour

Trade harbour blues for eucalyptus haze on a small-group adventure to the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains. Typical itineraries include lookouts over the Three Sisters at Echo Point, rainforest boardwalks at Scenic World (skyway/railway optional), and wildlife time at a quality Sydney-area zoo. Book the award-winning Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour from Sydney with Scenic World, Sydney Zoo & Ferry for a well-paced, high-value day.

Return to the city by river ferry at dusk if included—an unforgettable re-entry as the skyline lights up. Back in town, celebrate with a relaxed dinner at Nomad (wood-fired Middle Eastern–leaning share plates) or Mr. Wong (dim sum and Cantonese classics under cathedral ceilings).

Day 5: Manly by Ferry and a Sunset Dinner Cruise

Morning: Grab a flat white at Mecca Coffee (CBD) and board the Manly ferry from Circular Quay—one of Sydney’s essential rides (30 minutes each way with skyline, Heads, and lighthouse views). In Manly, stroll the Corso to the beach; follow the promenade to Shelly Beach for calm-water swims and snorkelling in good conditions.

Afternoon: Hike up to North Head for wild clifftop scenery and city vistas. Lunch options: The Boathouse Shelly Beach (seafood and salads steps from the sand) or a casual poke bowl along the Corso. Grab gelato before your ferry back—Sydney loves its Messina scoops.

Evening: See the harbour at its most photogenic on a relaxed dinner cruise. Book the Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise from Darling Harbour for early-evening views as the sky warms and the city lights flicker on.

Day 6: Taronga Zoo, Harbour Bushland, and Barangaroo Nights

Morning: Espresso at Reuben Hills (try the salted caramel shake) before catching the ferry to Taronga Zoo. Few zoos can match these harbour backdrops. Expect close-ups with Australian natives and global favourites; plan 3–4 hours to roam the hillside paths.

Make it easy with the bundled Taronga Zoo Entry & Return Ferry - Sydney Harbour ticket.

Afternoon: If you’d like more greenery, take the foreshore path at Cremorne Point or detour to Bradleys Head for classic skyline frames. Back in the city, browse boutiques in The Rocks or drop by the MCA for contemporary art and rooftop café views.

Evening: Dine at waterfront Cirrus Dining (line-caught seafood, smart wine list) or go casual with Ume Burger at Barangaroo. For cocktails, Maybe Sammy or Barangaroo’s small bars keep the night humming.

Day 7: Markets, Neighbourhood Nooks, and Farewell

Morning: If it’s Saturday, start at Carriageworks Farmers Market (seasonal produce and pastries). Any day, a pastry run to Bourke Street Bakery (sausage rolls, ginger brulée tart) is a Sydney rite. Stroll Darling Harbour and the tranquil Chinese Garden of Friendship before a quick CBD lunch.

Afternoon (departure day): Grab a fast bite at Spice Alley (hawker-style courtyard in Chippendale) or dumplings at Din Tai Fung (World Square). Pick up last-minute gifts—Australian botanicals, locally roasted beans—then ride the Airport Link back to SYD for your afternoon flight.

Optional Upgrades & Tips

• Harbour helicopter flight: If you want a splurge, a scenic chopper ride gives jaw-dropping aerials of the Bridge, Opera House, and beaches.
• Vivid Sydney (late May–June): Nightly light installations and projections transform the city—book hotels and dining early.
• Transport: Tap on/off with Opal or contactless on trains, buses, light rail, and ferries. Ferries double as sightseeing; sit outside if conditions allow.
• Beach safety: Swim between flags; if caught in a rip, stay calm, float, and signal for help.

Bookable Highlights At a Glance

• Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour
• Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour with Scenic World, Sydney Zoo & Ferry
• Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise
• Taronga Zoo Entry & Return Ferry

Seven days in Sydney marry harbour icons, beach mornings, and blue-hazed mountains with a dining scene that rewards curiosity. From the Opera House’s sculptural curves to Bondi’s cliff-top path and Manly’s ferry breezes, this itinerary layers classic sights with local favourites so you leave smitten—and already plotting a return.