Top Things To Do In Sydney

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Tourist in summer clothes and a hat posing in front of Sydney Harbor Bridge

Top things to do in Sydney

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

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Wondering what to do in Sydney?

With its crystal clear beaches, colorful cockatoos, and super-cool crowd, Australia’s most vibrant city demands attention with its endless list of things to do. Lovers of the outdoors will be treated with bush-fringed coastline and manicured gardens; foodies will be spoiled for choice at century-old markets and quaint cafés. Many of the best things to do in Sydney can be found in and around the central pedestrian precinct, Darling Bay Harbor. From this perfectly positioned starting point, see major attractions like the Opera House before heading deep into the inner-city suburbs, where rows of 19th-century terrace houses sandwich tiny book shops and boutiques.

Meet some of our Sydney local hosts

John

Sydney

A Sydney local with a passion for good food and drink, with years of experience exploring the city's diverse culinary scene. I am kind and friendly

A very pretty city

With sleek architecture, sun-dappled streets, and heritage buildings harking back to Sydney’s maritime history, finding a city with more aesthetic wow-factor would be a tall ask – and yet, Sydney is somehow upstaged by its natural surroundings. With so many outdoorsy things to do in Sydney, it’s no wonder getting outside is what locals do best. Whether you stroll the lawns of the centuries-old Royal Botanic Gardens, hike between cliffs, explore the sun-soaked harbor, or tuck into seafood on the beachfront, the city-to-surf lifestyle offers plenty of things to do in Sydney.

Tourists and locals enjoying a sunny day out at a local beach in Sydney

Breathtaking beaches

Sydney’s seaside is a paradise for beach bums, and each of the city’s beaches has its own appeal. There’s Manly Beach, a haven of golden sand and bronze bodies sunbathing and surfing, while street art-plastered Bondi Beach is perfect for beachside bar-hopping with beautiful people. For coastal walks, Coogee can’t be matched, and the secret sheltered shorelines and hidden coves in all corners of the city lure locals for balmy beachside afternoons. Wherever you decide to soak up the sun, one of the most unique things to do in Sydney is to travel between the beaches by ferry!

A typical food stall at a local market in Sydney

Phenomenal food

It’s not all shrimp on the barbie – Sydney’s food scene is a celebration of flavors from all over the world. Many of the most memorable things to do in Sydney involve food, from tucking into crispy fish and chips along on a beachfront to trawling historic inner-city markets for street food. Whatever cuisine you fancy – Turkish, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Chinese – you’ll find it here, and while fusion food is predictably huge, there’s no shortage of local fare. Once you’ve had your fill, grabbing a drink at a tiny heritage bar is one of the best things to do in Sydney at the end of your day.

Sydney travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Sydney and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

We enjoyed, and greatly appreciated, our private tour of Sydney by City Unscripted. From the beginning, with the survey they send you to complete, we were able to share what we wanted to do and the limitations of our group. John was our tour guide and was helpful and responsive with a couple of questions before we even arrived in Australia! While there, he did a great job planning the route we took through the city, helping to minimize steps and inclines where possible, per the limitations of our group. We’re fans of private tours and would recommend one if you have special requests and/or needs within your group!

March 2025

Raemi G
Ania was knowledgeable in regards to history, cultire and food. She gave us several restaurant recommendations while providing history as we walked the city. I would recommend Ania to anyone visiting Sydney.

March 2025

Rachel H
John had given our day a lot of thought from where to catch a bus for the most direct route to Coogee Beach to the path we would take along the coast to Bondi Beach. We did everything we hoped for. Saw beaches, amazing cliffs and crashing waves, incredible surfers. We had lunch at icebergs overlooking the swimming pool at Bondi Beach. We caught a bus to Watson Bay and then a ferry back. John gave us an opal card and then showed us where we needed to meet our excursion for the next day. We used the trams together. John was patient with us when we were stopping very frequently to take video and pictures of the stunning scenery.

February 2025

Ros W
Great overall introduction to Sydney. Ross was knowledgeable and very personable. He showed us around the city and provided recommendations for the rest of our visit.

March 2025

Janet B