Top Things To Do In Sydney

Tailoring each tour 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

Like the people who travel with us, they have different backgrounds and interests – but they’re all so passionate about the place they call home, they choose to spend their free time sharing it with the like-minded travelers matched to them.

We’ve handpicked them and we’ll match you to your perfect one!

Tourists and locals enjoying a beautiful sunset with Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge in the background

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

Malcolm was very informed and detailed. Our time together was used well. No time wasted but not rushed. A true local with many years of experience. Very engaging!

February 2025

Tina S
Great day! So much information and Peter made it very enjoyable. Would recommend for anyone wanting to learn about the city!

February 2025

Patricia J
While visiting my son and his family in Australia (I am a New Yorker) my daughter-in-law surprised me and my son with a full day walking tour of Sydney. She booked the tour through City Unscripted, and we we were fortunate enough to be assigned to Peter Sullivan. As it was a surprise, we were almost completely unprepared, except to be told to wear comfortable shoes. Peter knew we were in the dark, so, communicated exact meeting instructions that morning, while remaining discrete. He found us lost near, but not at, the meeting place, and took us in hand. Finally, we learned what the day would look like, and Peter asked us to confirm the interests he was told we had by my daughter-in-law. Apparently, even though he had prepared the tour in advance according to the information he was given, he was able to tweak the day to make sure we would get the most out of the adventure. He was also completely flexible about when and where we ate and took breaks. I could go through our tour here, but suffice it to say that he was a terrific guide, full of knowledge of the history and architecture of the city, was able to answer most of our questions, and if not, we looked things up while stoping for coffee. The day ended with a ferry ride out to Manly Beach and back. He was a fantastic leader, getting us seats on the most scenic side of the boat, but where we would not get soaked from the spray. It was a delightful ride and full of sites. Unlike a few teachers and tour guides I have experienced, Peter only talked about himself when I asked a direct question. This tour was most certainly not about him, but rather, very much about Sydney, a city that he clearly loves and is proud of. I recommend Peter, as walking tour guide, most emphatically. We had a great and fulsome day. And, because we were staying in Sydney several more days, we actually knew our way around when on our own. We knew the landmarks, how to navigate the light rail system and the ferry system, and even our way through the downtown streets, and the highlights of Sydney Harbor. Thank you Peter for our introduction to your beloved City,

January 2025

Jake T
What a great way to get to see what YOU want in Sydney!! Ross was our tour guide and he asked us questions as to what interests us and that is what we saw!! Learned about The Rocks, learned how to use public transportation like a local, took us on the ferry to Watson Bay, walked us all around and we loved it all!! Definitely recommend!

January 2025

Julie W