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

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.

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.

Latest reviews from our guests

    Lots covered in a short span of time… Our guide, John was a very pleasant and helpful guy… we loved the tour very much and would recommend strongly if you have a short time in hand.

    Oct 2025

    Saptarshi g

    We spent some interesting hours with Peter exploring Sydney. He gave us a wonderful overview and insight of historical, political, economic ... subjects and showed us hidden treasures in the city. Thank you very much! I highly recommend a tour with Peter.

    Sep 2025

    Benaja R

    You guys! If you are ever visiting Sydney ask for a tour guide through City Unscripted named Peter. He was fantastic! He reached out directly after booking, helped plan our packing needed and was the best part of our visit to Sydney. Peter took us all around - even on an evening Ferry ride where we got the most amazing pictures of the city from the water. This was by far our most memorable vacation and I can’t recommend Peter more highly!

    Sep 2025

    Rachel M

    Good tour of sydney area , is tailored to what you want to see , very flexible, our tour guide john was very helpful and funny and genuine people person, made sure we har a great time and saw all we wanted to see. Good choice for a guided tour of city.

    Sep 2025

    Euclides B

See more reviews

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