A dollop of heritage and a pinch of contemporary peppered with a touch of the ocean and some amazing nightlife, Sydney is the right concoction of fun, food and frolic. The capital city of New South Wales, Australia, Sydney, is full of lively markets, sun-kissed beaches and award-winning restaurants.

Best Areas to Stay in Sydney for Sightseeing

Sydney by foot

The Rocks, Coogee and Double Bay

One of the best modes of transport for places to visit in Sydney is by foot! Yes! You read that right. So if you love to stroll, walk and amble along taking in the sights, then you must take the Coorgee Coastal Trail, a six kilometre trail that will take you through splendid beaches like the Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee beach.

You start off at the Bondi beach- one of the most famous beaches in Australia. One of the specialties of this beach would be the Bondi Baths or the icebergs pool which is a major Sydney landmark and is at least a century old. The uniqueness of this pool is that it adjoins the sea and is visited year-round, and those who love to swim or just want to enjoy the view, this is a must-try! And as you are on a walking mission, you can stroll through the Aboriginal rock carvings at Marks Park.

You continue your walk through The Rocks and it will take you through a maze of cobbled paths, plush galleries, boutiques, restaurants and souvenir shops. Every nook and cranny in this area has a thousand tales to tell, all taken from pages of history. You then hit the twinkling quay, one of Sydney’s oldest buildings on the waterfront, which is a museum of contemporary art. And not to miss would also be the weekend market stall and the most well-known of all Sydney attractions, Opera House which are all a part of this area in the city.

At the end of your leisurely walk, you may enjoy a delectable meal at a restaurant by the waters that serves lip smacking food and you can savour it watching the sea and waves.

Best Places in Sydney that can be classified as Romantic Neighborhoods

By the bay

Cronulla

With beautiful neighbourhoods dotting its coast, Sydney is no less romantic than Paris. A haven for honeymooners, Sydney is also a much sought-after wedding destination. And one of the most idyllic locales here would be Cronulla, a coastal town in South Sydney. Couples can enjoy a long walk on the pristine shores of this tranquil neighbourhood while soaking in the beauty of the sunset. As twilight falls, you can relish some mouth-watering fresh seafood which can be washed down with a glass of chilled beer and you have the beautiful views to keep you company.

Best Areas to Stay in Sydney for Families

It’s a family affair

Palm Beach & Darling Harbour

If you are a family of travellers looking for a calm place to stay near Sydney tourist places, Palm Beach offers some great options. An hour away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, kids will have the time of their lives here as there are many fishing spots and hidden treasure tours. You can surf on the crystal-clear waters of the beach and take a relaxing walk with your family to Barrenjoey’s Lighthouse. Darling Harbor has many attractions for kids too like the Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney, the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Powerhouse Museum, the IMAX cinema and Madame Tussauds wax museum.

Double Bay, located by the harbour, has top-notch restaurants, waterfront mansions, floating speedboats and aromatherapy spas and is good spot to hit for both couples and families too.

Australia is known for its wildlife and a day at the Taronga Zoo will be something that both the old and young will thoroughly enjoy. Home to more than 4000 animals, Taronga Zoo is easily accessible and it is only a 12-minute ferry ride from the Circular Quay.

Best Areas to Stay in Sydney for First Timers

Central Business District (CBD)

The CBD area too is in the roundabouts and there are many shops and stores and is at a walking distance from Sydney famous places like The Rocks, Circular Quay, Chinatown and Kings Cross.

Best Areas to Stay in Sydney for Nightlife

It’s party time

Newtown & Potts Point

Party-lovers can let their hair down at Newtown, which is full of boutiques, bakeries and bars. The pubs here have a colonial twist to them while the stores have a vintage feel about them. Small bars are abuzz with life, and there is a cool vibe here that carries notes of theatre, jazz and performance art. For foodies, the Potts Point with its beautiful architecture is a place to visit and check out delicious staples of food. One of the local delicacies here, fried crickets, can be enjoyed at El Topo.

Best Areas to Stay in Sydney for Shopping 

Shoppers’ paradise

Paddington & Bondi Junction

Shoppers have a lot to look forward to in areas like Paddington and the Bondi Junction. Paddington has high-end boutiques, design studios, art galleries, auction houses, and jewellery stores along with great dining spots and pubs. Bondi Junction is a cool beach town and strikes the right balance between the rustic charm of the local market and the luxurious charisma of high-end brands located here.

So, if you are in the Harbour City in Australia, with friends, family, couple or a solo trip, you know what to do and how best to enjoy Sydney sightseeing and the beauty of the beautiful city, Sydney, Australia.