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.

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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.

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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

Peter was great. Very knowledgeable. Was there flexible with the tour to accommodate what I wanted to see and was fun to hang out with for the day.

Jul 2025

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We had a 4 hour tour with Peter, and it was truly wonderful! Peter was very engaging and knowledgeable about the city. We learned a lot and saw a lot, hitting all of the high points on my list. I cannot recommend Peter enough! This was a great tour!

Jun 2025

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Peter was truly phenomenal! We saw so many great attractions while learning the meaning and history behind them. His personality and engagement were top notch. It was like an old friend was showing us around his home town. The guide makes or breaks the tour, and Peter was 100% spectacular in every way!!!

June 2025

Robert A
John was my tour guide and was a really great one! We met up at the pickup location and due to me already being familiar with the area, we were able to do an adhoc change to of the places we we going to visit. We were able to visit The Rocks, The Botanical Gardens, get some really good views of The Opera House from Milsons point and have an amazing walk around Sydney. John was very knowledgable, had great jokes, very personable and ensured I was okay throughout the tour. Definitely a great tour and thoroughly enjoyed and will recommend John for all who is looking for a nice tour around the city.

June 2025

Kharee O