Sydney itinerary: 1 to 7 days
Plans for one to seven days in Sydney, day by day: the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the harbour first, then The Rocks, Hyde Park and the city's museums, Darling Harbour, Cockatoo Island and South Head as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Sydney in 1 day
Day 1
Sydney Harbour Must see
Port Jackson, the large natural harbour at the heart of Sydney, best seen from a ferry or the foreshore walks.
Fort Denison Must see
A small island fort in the harbour, a former penal site with a Martello tower from the 1850s.
Sydney Opera House Must see
Jørn Utzon's shell-roofed performing arts centre on Bennelong Point, opened in 1973 and a World Heritage Site.
Sydney in 2 days
Day 1
Sydney Opera House Must see
Jørn Utzon's shell-roofed performing arts centre on Bennelong Point, opened in 1973 and a World Heritage Site.
Government House, Sydney Must see
The Gothic Revival residence of the governor of New South Wales, in the grounds next to the Royal Botanic Garden.
The Rocks Must see
The site of the first European settlement in 1788, with sandstone lanes, old pubs and weekend markets.
Barangaroo, New South Wales Must see
A redeveloped waterfront on the western edge of the city centre, with the Barangaroo Reserve headland park.
Day 2
Fort Denison Must see
A small island fort in the harbour, a former penal site with a Martello tower from the 1850s.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Must see
The steel arch bridge opened in 1932; walk across for free or climb the arch on a guided tour.
Martin Place Must see
A pedestrian mall at the civic heart of the city centre, lined with grand banks and the old General Post Office.
Sydney Tower Must see
Sydney's tallest structure, with an observation deck high above the city and harbour.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Must see
The Catholic cathedral of Sydney, a Gothic Revival church of local sandstone facing Hyde Park.
Sydney in 3 days
Day 1
Sydney Harbour Bridge Must see
The steel arch bridge opened in 1932; walk across for free or climb the arch on a guided tour.
Sydney Opera House Must see
Jørn Utzon's shell-roofed performing arts centre on Bennelong Point, opened in 1973 and a World Heritage Site.
Government House, Sydney Must see
The Gothic Revival residence of the governor of New South Wales, in the grounds next to the Royal Botanic Garden.
Royal Botanic Garden
Waterfront gardens beside the Opera House with palm groves, a rare plant collection and the classic view from Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair Must see
A bench carved into the sandstone for the governor's wife in 1810, with a classic view of the Opera House and Bridge.
Fort Denison Must see
A small island fort in the harbour, a former penal site with a Martello tower from the 1850s.
Day 2
Martin Place Must see
A pedestrian mall at the civic heart of the city centre, lined with grand banks and the old General Post Office.
The Strand Arcade Must see
A Victorian shopping arcade of 1892 between George and Pitt streets, with a glass roof and tiled floors.
Sydney Tower Must see
Sydney's tallest structure, with an observation deck high above the city and harbour.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Must see
The Catholic cathedral of Sydney, a Gothic Revival church of local sandstone facing Hyde Park.
ANZAC War Memorial Must see
The Art Deco war memorial in Hyde Park, opened in 1934, with the Hall of Memory and a museum.
Day 3
The Rocks Must see
The site of the first European settlement in 1788, with sandstone lanes, old pubs and weekend markets.
Barangaroo, New South Wales Must see
A redeveloped waterfront on the western edge of the city centre, with the Barangaroo Reserve headland park.
Australian National Maritime Museum Must see
A museum of Australia's maritime history at Darling Harbour, with historic ships moored outside.
Bondi Beach
Sydney's famous surf beach, with an ocean pool at one end and a clifftop coastal path leading south towards Coogee.
Sydney in 4 days
Day 1
Sydney Harbour Bridge Must see
The steel arch bridge opened in 1932; walk across for free or climb the arch on a guided tour.
Sydney Opera House Must see
Jørn Utzon's shell-roofed performing arts centre on Bennelong Point, opened in 1973 and a World Heritage Site.
Government House, Sydney Must see
The Gothic Revival residence of the governor of New South Wales, in the grounds next to the Royal Botanic Garden.
Royal Botanic Garden
Waterfront gardens beside the Opera House with palm groves, a rare plant collection and the classic view from Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair Must see
A bench carved into the sandstone for the governor's wife in 1810, with a classic view of the Opera House and Bridge.
Fort Denison Must see
A small island fort in the harbour, a former penal site with a Martello tower from the 1850s.
Day 2
Martin Place Must see
A pedestrian mall at the civic heart of the city centre, lined with grand banks and the old General Post Office.
The Strand Arcade Must see
A Victorian shopping arcade of 1892 between George and Pitt streets, with a glass roof and tiled floors.
Sydney Tower Must see
Sydney's tallest structure, with an observation deck high above the city and harbour.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Must see
The Catholic cathedral of Sydney, a Gothic Revival church of local sandstone facing Hyde Park.
ANZAC War Memorial Must see
The Art Deco war memorial in Hyde Park, opened in 1934, with the Hall of Memory and a museum.
Day 3
Barangaroo, New South Wales Must see
A redeveloped waterfront on the western edge of the city centre, with the Barangaroo Reserve headland park.
Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
An aquarium at Darling Harbour with Australian marine life, sharks and a Great Barrier Reef display.
Enmore Theatre
A theatre in Newtown, built in 1908, now a venue for concerts and comedy.
Day 4
Australian National Maritime Museum Must see
A museum of Australia's maritime history at Darling Harbour, with historic ships moored outside.
White Rabbit Gallery
A gallery of contemporary Chinese art in a converted factory in Chippendale, with a teahouse.
Bondi Beach
Sydney's famous surf beach, with an ocean pool at one end and a clifftop coastal path leading south towards Coogee.
Sydney in 5 days
Day 1
Cockatoo Island
The largest island in the harbour, a former convict prison and shipyard on the World Heritage list, reached by ferry.
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Australia's leading contemporary art museum, on the west side of Circular Quay.
Government House, Sydney Must see
The Gothic Revival residence of the governor of New South Wales, in the grounds next to the Royal Botanic Garden.
Sydney Observatory
An 1850s observatory on Observatory Hill above The Rocks, with telescopes, exhibits and harbour views from the park.
Royal Botanic Garden
Waterfront gardens beside the Opera House with palm groves, a rare plant collection and the classic view from Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair Must see
A bench carved into the sandstone for the governor's wife in 1810, with a classic view of the Opera House and Bridge.
Fort Denison Must see
A small island fort in the harbour, a former penal site with a Martello tower from the 1850s.
Day 2
Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney
Convict barracks designed by Francis Greenway in 1819, now a museum of convict life and a World Heritage Site.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Sydney's main art museum in a neoclassical building by the Domain, with Australian and Aboriginal art, European works and sea views.
Martin Place Must see
A pedestrian mall at the civic heart of the city centre, lined with grand banks and the old General Post Office.
The Strand Arcade Must see
A Victorian shopping arcade of 1892 between George and Pitt streets, with a glass roof and tiled floors.
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
A 1920s theatre in Haymarket with a starry 'atmospheric' ceiling, now used for big musicals.
Hyde Park
Sydney's oldest public park, with fig-lined avenues, the Archibald Fountain and the Anzac Memorial, a shady walk between the CBD's towers.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Must see
The Catholic cathedral of Sydney, a Gothic Revival church of local sandstone facing Hyde Park.
Day 3
Sydney Harbour Bridge Must see
The steel arch bridge opened in 1932; walk across for free or climb the arch on a guided tour.
The Rocks Must see
The site of the first European settlement in 1788, with sandstone lanes, old pubs and weekend markets.
Museum of Sydney
A museum of the city's history, built on the site of the first Government House.
Sydney Opera House Must see
Jørn Utzon's shell-roofed performing arts centre on Bennelong Point, opened in 1973 and a World Heritage Site.
Barangaroo, New South Wales Must see
A redeveloped waterfront on the western edge of the city centre, with the Barangaroo Reserve headland park.
Day 4
State Library of New South Wales
The state library, with the Mitchell Library's grand reading room and exhibitions on Australian history.
ANZAC War Memorial Must see
The Art Deco war memorial in Hyde Park, opened in 1934, with the Hall of Memory and a museum.
Australian Museum
Australia's oldest museum, with natural history collections and galleries on First Nations cultures.
Sydney Jewish Museum
A museum in Darlinghurst about the Holocaust and Jewish life in Australia.
Bondi Beach
Sydney's famous surf beach, with an ocean pool at one end and a clifftop coastal path leading south towards Coogee.
Day 5
Australian National Maritime Museum Must see
A museum of Australia's maritime history at Darling Harbour, with historic ships moored outside.
Darling Harbour
A waterfront area west of the city centre with museums, an aquarium, restaurants and promenades.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
A walled Chinese garden at Darling Harbour, opened in 1988, with pavilions, waterfalls and lakes.
Paddy's Markets
A big covered market at Haymarket selling cheap fruit, vegetables, clothes and souvenirs, right beside Chinatown.
Sydney Tower Must see
Sydney's tallest structure, with an observation deck high above the city and harbour.
Sydney in 6 days
Day 1
Cockatoo Island
The largest island in the harbour, a former convict prison and shipyard on the World Heritage list, reached by ferry.
Museum of Sydney
A museum of the city's history, built on the site of the first Government House.
Government House, Sydney Must see
The Gothic Revival residence of the governor of New South Wales, in the grounds next to the Royal Botanic Garden.
Sydney Observatory
An 1850s observatory on Observatory Hill above The Rocks, with telescopes, exhibits and harbour views from the park.
Royal Botanic Garden
Waterfront gardens beside the Opera House with palm groves, a rare plant collection and the classic view from Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair Must see
A bench carved into the sandstone for the governor's wife in 1810, with a classic view of the Opera House and Bridge.
Fort Denison Must see
A small island fort in the harbour, a former penal site with a Martello tower from the 1850s.
Day 2
Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney
Convict barracks designed by Francis Greenway in 1819, now a museum of convict life and a World Heritage Site.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Sydney's main art museum in a neoclassical building by the Domain, with Australian and Aboriginal art, European works and sea views.
Martin Place Must see
A pedestrian mall at the civic heart of the city centre, lined with grand banks and the old General Post Office.
The Strand Arcade Must see
A Victorian shopping arcade of 1892 between George and Pitt streets, with a glass roof and tiled floors.
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
A 1920s theatre in Haymarket with a starry 'atmospheric' ceiling, now used for big musicals.
Hyde Park
Sydney's oldest public park, with fig-lined avenues, the Archibald Fountain and the Anzac Memorial, a shady walk between the CBD's towers.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Must see
The Catholic cathedral of Sydney, a Gothic Revival church of local sandstone facing Hyde Park.
Day 3
Sydney Harbour Bridge Must see
The steel arch bridge opened in 1932; walk across for free or climb the arch on a guided tour.
The Rocks Must see
The site of the first European settlement in 1788, with sandstone lanes, old pubs and weekend markets.
Sydney Harbour Must see
Port Jackson, the large natural harbour at the heart of Sydney, best seen from a ferry or the foreshore walks.
Sydney Opera House Must see
Jørn Utzon's shell-roofed performing arts centre on Bennelong Point, opened in 1973 and a World Heritage Site.
Barangaroo, New South Wales Must see
A redeveloped waterfront on the western edge of the city centre, with the Barangaroo Reserve headland park.
Day 4
State Library of New South Wales
The state library, with the Mitchell Library's grand reading room and exhibitions on Australian history.
ANZAC War Memorial Must see
The Art Deco war memorial in Hyde Park, opened in 1934, with the Hall of Memory and a museum.
Australian Museum
Australia's oldest museum, with natural history collections and galleries on First Nations cultures.
Sydney Jewish Museum
A museum in Darlinghurst about the Holocaust and Jewish life in Australia.
Bondi Beach
Sydney's famous surf beach, with an ocean pool at one end and a clifftop coastal path leading south towards Coogee.
Day 5
Australian National Maritime Museum Must see
A museum of Australia's maritime history at Darling Harbour, with historic ships moored outside.
Darling Harbour
A waterfront area west of the city centre with museums, an aquarium, restaurants and promenades.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
A walled Chinese garden at Darling Harbour, opened in 1988, with pavilions, waterfalls and lakes.
Paddy's Markets
A big covered market at Haymarket selling cheap fruit, vegetables, clothes and souvenirs, right beside Chinatown.
Sydney Tower Must see
Sydney's tallest structure, with an observation deck high above the city and harbour.
Day 6
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Australia's leading contemporary art museum, on the west side of Circular Quay.
Hornby Lighthouse
A red-and-white striped lighthouse from 1858 at the tip of South Head, at the end of a short walk from Watsons Bay.
Watsons Bay
A harbour village near South Head: walk to The Gap's ocean cliffs, then eat fish and chips by the water with the city skyline across the bay.
White Rabbit Gallery
A gallery of contemporary Chinese art in a converted factory in Chippendale, with a teahouse.
Newtown
An inner-west neighbourhood along King Street, with independent cafés, street art, record shops and bars drawing a mixed student and creative crowd.
Sydney in 7 days
Day 1
Cockatoo Island
The largest island in the harbour, a former convict prison and shipyard on the World Heritage list, reached by ferry.
Museum of Sydney
A museum of the city's history, built on the site of the first Government House.
Government House, Sydney Must see
The Gothic Revival residence of the governor of New South Wales, in the grounds next to the Royal Botanic Garden.
Sydney Observatory
An 1850s observatory on Observatory Hill above The Rocks, with telescopes, exhibits and harbour views from the park.
Royal Botanic Garden
Waterfront gardens beside the Opera House with palm groves, a rare plant collection and the classic view from Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair Must see
A bench carved into the sandstone for the governor's wife in 1810, with a classic view of the Opera House and Bridge.
Fort Denison Must see
A small island fort in the harbour, a former penal site with a Martello tower from the 1850s.
Day 2
Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney
Convict barracks designed by Francis Greenway in 1819, now a museum of convict life and a World Heritage Site.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Sydney's main art museum in a neoclassical building by the Domain, with Australian and Aboriginal art, European works and sea views.
Martin Place Must see
A pedestrian mall at the civic heart of the city centre, lined with grand banks and the old General Post Office.
The Strand Arcade Must see
A Victorian shopping arcade of 1892 between George and Pitt streets, with a glass roof and tiled floors.
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
A 1920s theatre in Haymarket with a starry 'atmospheric' ceiling, now used for big musicals.
Hyde Park
Sydney's oldest public park, with fig-lined avenues, the Archibald Fountain and the Anzac Memorial, a shady walk between the CBD's towers.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Must see
The Catholic cathedral of Sydney, a Gothic Revival church of local sandstone facing Hyde Park.
Day 3
Sydney Harbour Bridge Must see
The steel arch bridge opened in 1932; walk across for free or climb the arch on a guided tour.
The Rocks Must see
The site of the first European settlement in 1788, with sandstone lanes, old pubs and weekend markets.
Sydney Harbour Must see
Port Jackson, the large natural harbour at the heart of Sydney, best seen from a ferry or the foreshore walks.
Sydney Opera House Must see
Jørn Utzon's shell-roofed performing arts centre on Bennelong Point, opened in 1973 and a World Heritage Site.
Barangaroo, New South Wales Must see
A redeveloped waterfront on the western edge of the city centre, with the Barangaroo Reserve headland park.
Day 4
State Library of New South Wales
The state library, with the Mitchell Library's grand reading room and exhibitions on Australian history.
ANZAC War Memorial Must see
The Art Deco war memorial in Hyde Park, opened in 1934, with the Hall of Memory and a museum.
Australian Museum
Australia's oldest museum, with natural history collections and galleries on First Nations cultures.
Sydney Jewish Museum
A museum in Darlinghurst about the Holocaust and Jewish life in Australia.
Bondi Beach
Sydney's famous surf beach, with an ocean pool at one end and a clifftop coastal path leading south towards Coogee.
Day 5
Australian National Maritime Museum Must see
A museum of Australia's maritime history at Darling Harbour, with historic ships moored outside.
Darling Harbour
A waterfront area west of the city centre with museums, an aquarium, restaurants and promenades.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
A walled Chinese garden at Darling Harbour, opened in 1988, with pavilions, waterfalls and lakes.
Paddy's Markets
A big covered market at Haymarket selling cheap fruit, vegetables, clothes and souvenirs, right beside Chinatown.
Sydney Tower Must see
Sydney's tallest structure, with an observation deck high above the city and harbour.
Day 6
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Australia's leading contemporary art museum, on the west side of Circular Quay.
Hornby Lighthouse
A red-and-white striped lighthouse from 1858 at the tip of South Head, at the end of a short walk from Watsons Bay.
Watsons Bay
A harbour village near South Head: walk to The Gap's ocean cliffs, then eat fish and chips by the water with the city skyline across the bay.
White Rabbit Gallery
A gallery of contemporary Chinese art in a converted factory in Chippendale, with a teahouse.
Newtown
An inner-west neighbourhood along King Street, with independent cafés, street art, record shops and bars drawing a mixed student and creative crowd.
Day 7
Taronga Zoo
A hillside zoo reached by ferry from Circular Quay, with Australian wildlife and giraffes set against a view of the harbour and Opera House.
Manly Beach
A long surf beach reached by a half-hour ferry across the harbour, with a pedestrian Corso, cafés and a walk to the headland.
Watch: Sydney in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Sydney
September to November and March to May are the best months in Sydney, with warm, mild weather and fewer crowds. December to February is hot and busy with beachgoers and school holidays, and New Year's Eve fireworks over the Harbour fill the foreshore. June to August is cool but sunny, and Vivid Sydney lights up the city from late May to June.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Sydney on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Sydney on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Sydney on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- From the airport: a private transfer in Sydney with Kiwitaxi
- Sightseeing pass: save on Sydney's top attractions with Go City
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Australia from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Sydney with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Sydney
- Tap an Opal card or a contactless bank card on trains, buses and ferries; a ferry is the best way to see the harbour.
- The Opera House interiors are seen on a guided tour or at a performance; book either ahead.
- Walk across the Harbour Bridge on its free footpath, or book the BridgeClimb ahead.
- The sun is strong all year: wear sunscreen and a hat, even on cloudy days.
- For Hornby Lighthouse, take the ferry to Watsons Bay and walk the short South Head track.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- ANZAC War Memorial: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au
- Art Gallery of New South Wales: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Australian Museum: Abram Powell, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Australian National Maritime Museum: MDRX, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Barangaroo, New South Wales: MDRX, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bondi Beach: Nick Ang, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Capitol Theatre, Sydney: AnastasiaKotycheva at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- Chinese Garden of Friendship: Wyncliffe, CC0
- Cockatoo Island: spud murphy from Sydney, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Darling Harbour: Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Enmore Theatre: J Bar, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fort Denison: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Government House, Sydney: Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Hornby Lighthouse: Nigel Howe from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0
- Hyde Park: -wuppertaler, CC BY 4.0
- Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney: The original uploader was J Bar at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Manly Beach: Hardlinerr, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Martin Place: Photographic Collection from Australia, CC BY 2.0
- Mrs Macquarie's Chair: Mitch Ames, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museum of Contemporary Art Australia: Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museum of Sydney: Elekhh, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Newtown: Vakrieger, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Paddy's Markets: J Bar, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Royal Botanic Garden: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au
- Sea Life Sydney Aquarium: Moatazayman, CC BY-SA 4.0
- St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney: JohnArmagh, CC BY-SA 3.0
- State Library of New South Wales: -wuppertaler, CC BY 4.0
- Sydney Harbour: No machine-readable author provided. Merbabu~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain
- Sydney Harbour Bridge: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sydney Jewish Museum: Sardaka ( talk ) 10:49, 7 September 2011 (UTC), CC BY 3.0
- Sydney Observatory: New South Wales Government Printing Office, Public domain
- Sydney Opera House: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0
- Sydney Tower: Larry Koester, CC BY 2.0
- The Rocks: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Strand Arcade: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Watsons Bay: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0
- White Rabbit Gallery: White Rabbit Gallery, Public domain
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
