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Tourist Attractions in Sydney

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Sydney

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Sydney

Modern and prosperous Sydney, spread on the shore of the picturesque bay of the Tasman Sea, used to be a city of convicts and adventurers exiled to the end of the world. Now it has become a corner of the well-fed Western world on the furthest inhabited continent of the planet.

Sydney is business districts like in the City of London and magnificent beaches like in Rio de Janeiro, it is cosmopolitanism and ultramodern mixture of cultures. The city’s streets, parks and promenades attract tourists from all over the world. Here you can visit the world’s best oceanariums, cruise and admire the rugged shores of Port Jackson or sunbathe on the city’s well-equipped beaches. In the evenings, the city comes alive and opens its doors to nightlife. Hundreds of bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs await visitors and offer a wide variety of menus and show programmes.

Top-25 Tourist Attractions in Sydney

Port Jackson Bay

4.6/5
116 reviews
The very first European colony on the Australian continent was founded on the shores of Port Jackson Bay. The bay consists of three bays: Middle Harbour, North Harbour and Sydney Harbour. The coastline is intricately indented, which is very convenient for navigation. Since the first harbour, Port Jackson Bay has played a key role for Sydney. Today, a national park has been organised on part of the natural area of the bay.

Sydney Opera House

4.7/5
75840 reviews
An outstanding example of modern architecture and one of the symbols of Australia. The roof of the building resembles flying sails or giant seashells. The architects wanted to convey the image of a frozen melody through these unusual shapes. The opera house is built in the middle of the water on stilts, the roof is supported by strong metal cables. The building was inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list during the lifetime of its creator, J. Watson. Watson.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

4.7/5
17885 reviews
The structure is considered one of the largest arch bridges not only on the continent but also in the world. It was built in the 1930s to connect the northern districts of Sydney with the central districts. The bridge has an observation deck that offers views of the picturesque Sydney Bay and the cityscape. The Harbour Bridge is designed for road, pedestrian and rail traffic and was tested with heavy trains before opening.

The Rocks

0/5
Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood, a former haven for adventurers and desperate adventurers. In the early 20th century, it was notorious, but today the Rocks is an upscale neighbourhood with fabulous property prices. There are many galleries, museums, historic residential neighbourhoods, pubs and restaurants. The neighbourhood is quite popular with tourists.

Darling Harbour

4.6/5
53177 reviews
One of Sydney’s central neighbourhoods, it is home to the best restaurants, chic hotels and modern skyscrapers. Darling Harbour is home to many offices, making it Sydney’s business centre. However, the area is also great for relaxation, as there are plenty of city attractions.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

4.3/5
17301 reviews
The best oceanariums tend to be in coastal cities. The Sydney Aquarium boasts the size, variety of sea creatures and incredible scale of the exposition. It seems that all the inhabitants of the world’s oceans are represented here. A huge number of fish of unimaginable colours, reptiles, sharks, seals, octopuses, rays, sea urchins, crabs and many others.
Open time
Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Australian National Maritime Museum

4.6/5
5138 reviews
The museum exposition tells about the history of the Australian navy. You can see local Aboriginal ships, modern warships, weapons and surfing equipment. There are ships and a submarine moored near the building. One of these ships is a replica of J. Cook’s ship, on which the discoverer sailed to the Australian continent.
Open time
Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Art Gallery of New South Wales

4.7/5
11454 reviews
A museum opened in the late 19th century. It exhibits examples of European, Asian and Australian art. The collection is housed in a classical building built in the early 20th century. The Gallery features works by Australian painters from the last two centuries, as well as works of art by Monet, Rodin, Picasso, Rubens and others.
Open time
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Australian Museum

4.6/5
8330 reviews
Australia’s oldest museum, which is active in research and scholarship. One of the priority areas is the study of the culture and history of indigenous peoples of the continent. The museum also has scientific institutes that study evolutionary processes, nature conservation, and the diversity of biological and geological species.
Open time
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Queen Victoria Building

4.5/5
17418 reviews
A former market place and now a modern shopping centre. The building was constructed at the very end of the 19th century in the classic “Victorian” style, popular in the metropolis at that time. The building is crowned with a large patterned dome, the walls and facade are decorated with arched spans, stained glass windows, and the floor is covered with mosaic tiles. In front of the building there is a monument in honour of Queen Victoria.
Open time
Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sydney Town Hall

4.6/5
783 reviews
Sydney Town Hall is a “Victorian” style building constructed of sandstone. It is the seat of the city administration. It is the only historic civic building to have been completely preserved since the 19th century. Prior to the Sydney Opera House, the Town Hall was the city’s concert hall. The building is listed as a National Monument in Australia.
Open time
Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Sydney Observatory

4.6/5
3434 reviews
Observatory from the mid-19th century, which houses the oldest telescope in the country (made in 1874). In the 80s of the XX century the observatory turned into a museum, where the latest instruments for studying the starry sky are exhibited. There is also a 3D cinema and a lecture hall on the territory of the observatory. The observatory building itself is of historical value and is considered a national monument.

Sydney Fish Market

4.2/5
21759 reviews
The marketplace was founded in 1945. It is second only to the fish market in Tokyo in terms of size and variety of sea delicacies. Here you can taste the products in a café or buy something to take home at once. Delicious dishes are prepared right in front of customers. In addition to fish and seafood, you can buy wine, cheese and various sauces at the market stalls.
Open time
Monday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

St Mary's Cathedral

4.7/5
6391 reviews
Sydney’s Catholic cathedral, which has the status of a “minor basilica”. Construction began in the first half of the 19th century and was only completed in the 2000s. The cathedral is a typical English church in the Gothic style. Until 1820, Catholics were forbidden to practise their religion, but after the declaration of freedom of religion, the foundation stone of the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary was laid by the efforts of the local community.
Open time
Monday: 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday: 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM

St. Andrew's Cathedral

4.6/5
525 reviews
An Anglican church built in 1868. The architectural style of the building imitates the medieval English manner. The cathedral really looks against the background of modern buildings as if it was erected several centuries ago. The temple is the oldest in the territory of Australia. Inside there is a huge organ, which is considered to be one of the largest in the world.
Open time
Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Sydney Tower Eye

4.4/5
10793 reviews
The tallest building in Sydney (309 metres high). The structure is not a broadcasting tower, it is just a popular tourist attraction. There are two observation decks – a fixed one at 250 metres and a retractable one at 268 metres. For the convenience of tourists, there are also restaurants, cafes, shops, and comfortable places to rest inside the tower.
Open time
Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Fort Denison

4.4/5
34 reviews
A former prison where dangerous criminals were kept while awaiting execution. Later in the 19th century, defences were erected here to protect the fort from possible attack from the sea (mainly the American and Russian fleets were feared). Nowadays, the fort is included in the territory of the National Park, and there are museum expositions inside.

Mrs Macquarie's Chair

4.6/5
7823 reviews
A bench in a rock on the bay where the wife of the local governor, Elisabeth Macquarie, liked to rest in the early 19th century. It offers the best views of Sydney Harbour, the city centre and the suspension bridges. On one side, the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, on the other – the picturesque mountains and the quaint coastline of the bay.
Open time
Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Taronga Zoo Sydney

4.5/5
28034 reviews
The zoo is located in the suburb of Mosman in the north of Sydney Harbour. It was established in 1908 on an area of 17 hectares. Now the zoo is home to 2.6 thousand animals, making it one of the largest zoos in the world. The rich fauna of the Australian continent and the South Seas is represented here: emu ostriches, kangaroos, platypus, wombat, wallaby, koala, sea leopard, sea lion, penguins and other animals.
Open time
Monday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

4.7/5
24300 reviews
A garden and urban park located near Sydney’s business centre. It is surrounded by landmarks: Sydney Opera House, National Library, Parliament House. The history of the park began with a small agricultural farm organised in 1788 under the Governor of New South Wales, A. Philip. For several decades gardeners were engaged in the arrangement of the territory, after which the Botanical Garden appeared.
Open time
Monday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Hyde Park

4.6/5
15770 reviews
The city park was created in 1810 under Governor L. Macquarie. It is rectangular in shape and covers an area of 16 hectares, with several hundred trees, gardens, flower beds and walkways. The place was named after London’s Hyde Park, apparently to remind the colonists of their distant homeland far across the ocean.
Open time
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Chinese Garden of Friendship

4.6/5
5429 reviews
A picturesque urban park opened to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Australia’s formation. The Friendship Garden is a classic example of imperial landscape design in the Middle Kingdom. The same plan was used in the past to create gardens for the rulers of China. There are no flowerbeds, flowerbeds and smooth lawns, but real corners of wildlife, harmoniously diluted with bridges, pavilions and stone statues.
Open time
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sydney Harbour National Park

4.7/5
2487 reviews
A nature reserve located in the as yet unoccupied areas of Sydney Harbour (Port Jackson). It includes the coastline, small islands and rocky peninsulas that litter the coastline. The park offers Aboriginal guided tours, water sports, ancient indigenous rock art and beautiful beaches.
Open time
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Manly Beach

4.7/5
2394 reviews
The beach is located in Sydney’s North East. It is a wide strip of golden clean sand and azure water. Manly is popular with surfers, attracting athletes and boarders from all over the world. There is a strip of hotels along the coast and restaurants, bars and cafes. The beach is a municipal beach, so admission is free for everyone.

Bondi Beach

4.6/5
4019 reviews
The city’s most popular beach, located in the suburbs. After the end of World War II, immigrants from Eastern Europe settled there, so Bondi was considered a working-class neighbourhood throughout the 20th century. Not all of the beach area is safe for swimming, with some parts open for surfing only. In summer, sharks often hunt in the coastal waters.