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

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

See all

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

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

Peter was great and put together a perfect itinerary to really get a sense of Sydney within just 4 hours. We did the tour on our first day, and it was the perfect way to orient ourselves with the city while we stayed for a few more days after. My wife also uses a wheelchair and Peter made sure everything we visited was accessible.

November 2023

Nancy G
Malcolm was flexible with where we went and the pace of the tour. We saw areas of Sydney we would not have explored on our own, took us on a ferry trip to Watson’s Bay, bus trip around to Bondi beach, and light rail travel in the city.

November 2023

Neil W
We really enjoyed the fact that Peter reached out to us in advance to not only confirm the meeting place and time but also to inquire about us and a little more in-depth about what we would like to visit. During our tour he answered all our questions and provided local insight. He also provided helpful tips about local transportation and suggested a variety of other sights to see during our short stay in Sydney. Peter’s tour was a delightful beginning to our vacation!!

November 2023

Nancy G
It was entirely engaging. It was like walking around Sydney with an old friend (from Sydney).

November 2023

James K