Sydney is not just a place, it's an icon. A destination that symbolises freedom, epic journeys and life-changing experiences. Contrary to what many people think, Sydney is not the capital of Australia, a label held by Canberra, but it is certainly its beating heart and undisputed symbol.
A city with wide borders and a cosmopolitan population, where large parks overlooking the sea, historic buildings, futuristic neighbourhoods and world-famous engineering works, such as the Opera House, coexist.
When planning your week in Sydney, finding the perfect place to stay is vital. Whether you're seeking luxury accommodations or budget-friendly options, you can find hotels in New South Wales at http://www.newsouthwaleshotels.net/en/ that suits your needs.
For those preferring a high-end experience, some of the top hotels in Australia at tophotels.com are located in Sydney, offering you not just a room, but a complete experience.
Alternatively, some visitors may opt for the convenience and home-like comfort of Sydney Aparthotels. These options combine the benefits of a hotel, with the added flexibility and privacy of a private apartment.
It wouldn't take a lifetime to explore every nook and cranny, but let's find out how to visit Sydney in seven days, to enjoy the best of what it has to offer in a short time.
Day 1: Opera House and Circular Quay
Exploration of Sydney can only begin at its nerve centre: Circular Quay, the famous quay overlooking the ocean, from which all ferries leaving the city depart. It is a lively area, teeming with locals going about their daily lives, mixed with an endless number of expats and tourists who animate Circular Quay at all hours. Then stroll through The Rocks, Sydney's oldest neighbourhood, which stands out for its still partly 19th-century architecture.
Stop at Fresh Brothers for lunch before continuing on to see Sydney's main attraction: the towering Sydney Opera House. The Opera House towers over the city's bay with its unmistakable architecture. Already magnificent from the outside, you can admire its interior on guided tours that leave every 15 or 30 minutes (admission: $42.00, approximately €26.00; open 9am-5pm).
Not far away are some of the most spectacular gardens in the world, the Royal Botanic Gardens (admission: free; open: May to August 7 a.m.-5.30 p.m., April to October until 6 p.m.-6.30 p.m., November to February until 8 p.m.). Venture out onto its manicured lawns before dining at the Opera Bar, just below the Opera House.
At a glance:
Distance travelled: 3.1 km
Places visited: Circular Quay (free), The Rocks (free), Sydney Opera House (€26.00), Royal Botanic Gardens (free)
Daily expense: €26.00
Where to Eat: Lunch at Fratelli Fresh(Get directions), Dinner at Opera Bar(Get directions)
Day 2: Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, China Town
Start the day with a visit to the Harbour Bridge, one of Sydney's icons. The more adventurous and sporty can even climb it in a crazy climbing session to admire the bay from a truly privileged vantage point. Sessions last from an hour and a half to three hours, prices start at $174 (about €106.00) and advance booking is required. Then move on to bustling Darling Harbour, one of the beautiful bays of Port Jackson, the inlet that Sydney overlooks.
Have lunch at Lumi 's before an educational tour of the Maritime Museum, Sydney's maritime museum (Admission: $32.Open 9.30am - 5pm - 6pm in summer) and wander the picturesque streets of China Town, the city's Chinese quarter to then enjoy the atmosphere of the Chinese Garden of Friendship, authentic Chinese gardens in the belly of Australia (Admission $6, approx €4.00; open 9.30am - 5pm).
Head back downtown for dinner at Q Dining, on the banks of Circular Quay. You can enjoy a long walk around Darling Harbour or take the M52 metro (about €2.70). Appreciate Sydney in its stunning evening atmosphere: the Opera House bathed in warm lights and reverberating reflections will leave you speechless.
At a glance:
Distance travelled: 7.5 km
Places visited: Harbour Bridge (free, €106.00 climbing), Darling Harbour (free), China Town (free), Chinese Gardens of Friendship (€4.00)
Daily spend: €110.00
Where to eat: Lunch at Lumi(Get directions), Dinner at Q Dining(Get directions)
Day 3: Hyde Par, Tower Eye, King's Cross
Photo by Kgbo. Plan a rejuvenating stop in nature along your city itinerary and rejuvenate in the 16.2 hectares of Hyde Park, the city's green lung and Australia's oldest park. Not far away stands the neo-Gothic St Mary's Cathedral (admission: free; open: Monday to Friday 6.30am to 6.30pm, Saturday 8.30am to 7pm, Sunday 6.30am to 7pm), the city's main Catholic place of worship, which deserves to be admired both inside and out.
Have lunch at the Pendolino and then head to the Sydney Tower Eye. The tower (Admission: $29.00, about €18.00; open 9am to 9pm) at 309 metres high is the tallest building in the city and a view of Sydney from its 250-metre observation deck is nothing short of spectacular.
Take bus 324 (€1.70) or tram T4 (€2.70) to the King's Cross district. This area of the city was for years considered Sydney's red light district, but in recent times it has transformed into a vibrant and lively neighbourhood dotted with trendy clubs and cafes. For dinner, stray a little further afield to enjoy one of Lucio's delicacies.
At a glance:
Distance travelled: 2.9 km
Places visited: Hyde Park (free), Sydney Tower Eye (€18.00), King's Cross (free)
Daily expense: €19.70
Where to Eat: Lunch at Pendolino's(Get directions), Dinner at Lucio's(Get directions)
Day 4: Hike to the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are a pristine oasis about 100 kilometres from Sydney, in the direction of the Red Center, and the Three Sisters rock complex is the most visited site in the area. To get here rent a car, or take a train (€7.00) to Katoomba and then line 686 to Lookout Echo Point. According to Aboriginal legend, the three rock pillars were once three sisters, turned to stone by a powerful tribal chief. From Echo Point descend along the hiking trail into Australia's thickest forest to get a closer look at them.
Stop for a quick lunch at The Lounge & Bar, and then continue on to Scenic World (Admission: $44.00, about €27.00. Open: 09:00-17:00). The original amusement park consists of several funicular railways that traverse the valleys and offer unique views of the Three Sisters, Mount Solitary and Katoomba Falls.
If the adrenaline rush has whetted your appetite, dine at the Avalon in Katoomba, and on the drive back to Sydney, don't forget to look up at the sky: the blanket of stars visible in total darkness here will stay with you for a long time.
In summary:
Distance travelled: 4.4 km
Places visited: Blue Mountains (free), Three Sisters (free), Scenic World (€27.00)
Daily expense: €36.00
Where to eat: Lunch at The Lounge & Bar(Get directions), Dinner at Avalon(Get directions)
Day 5: Excursion to Manly
A new outing awaits you on your fifth day in Sydney: Manly, a pretty town just outside the city, which winds along a tongue of land surrounded given by the sea. Take a ferry from Circular Quay Wharf 2 to Manly Wharf (€4.60) and immerse yourself in the purest essence of Australia: beaches, surfers, seaside cafés and lots of relaxation. You'll fall in love with this town at first sight.
Have lunch at Bellavista Caffé and from Manly Wharf take Bus136 (€2.80) towards Dee Why (stop Howard Ave after The Strand). Dee Why is the hub of what are known as the 'Northern Beaches' and here you can take a dip in the ocean waves or in the more sheltered natural pools, or indulge in some shopping in its cute little shops.
Taking bus 136 again and stopping at Queenscliff Rd opp Greycliffe St, you can then move on to another of the area's most famous beaches: Freshwater Beach. Enjoy the sand and the waves and to end the day, fulfilled by beach life and with your mouth watering, dine at Pilu at Freshwater, a little restaurant with an unbeatable beach view.
In summary:
Distance travelled: 10.1 km
Places visited: Manly (free), Dee Why (free), Freshwater (free)
Daily expense: €16.00
Where to Eat: Lunch at Bellavista Caffé(Get directions), Dinner at Pilu at Freshwater(Get directions)
Day 6: Bondi Beach and Cogee
Dedicate today to discovering the Southern Beaches, one of them all: the world-famous and much-dreamed-of Bondi Beach. From Central Station take tram 4 to Bondi Junction and from there bus 333 to Bondi Beach, Campbell Pde (€2.80 approx). Enjoy this huge sandy beach, its outdoor gyms and a typical Australian day in the fresh air in close contact with sun and salt.
Have lunch with fresh seafood at Bondi Surf Seafoods and then move on to Coogee (from Campbell Pde in Bondi Beach go by bus 333 to Bondi Junction and from there by bus 313 to the Arden St stop in Coogee Beach, €2.80 approx). Coogee Beach has calm waters and all the amenities needed to make a day at the beach the perfect day out. The village behind the beach lends itself well to a tour of Australian-style lanes, historic buildings and green areas.
You'll love Coogee so much you'll want to stop for dinner too: choose The Little Kitchen and when you're done licking your chops, walk along the waterfront road to end the day on a high note. Before heading back to your Sydney, which at this point will feel a little bit like home.
In summary:
Distance travelled: 6.2 km
Places visited: Bondi Beach (free), Coogee (free)
Daily expense: €8.40
Where to eat: Lunch at Bondi Surf Seafood(Get directions), Dinner at The Little Kitchen(Get directions)
Day 7: Queen Victoria Building and Sea Life Aquarium
Devote the morning of your last day in Sydney to pre-departure shopping inside the Queen Victoria Building, an elegant Victorian building in the city centre. Its opulent interior and more than 200 boutiques attract visitors who are both architectural and shopping enthusiasts. It is worth a visit to be amazed as soon as you cross the threshold. You will spend hours among its four floors of decorations and excellent products.
You can have lunch right in its food court at Cellinis Restaurant and Bar and then explore the last corners of beautiful Sydney you might have missed in the days before. Devote the afternoon to a visit to the Sea Life Aquarium (Admission: $46.00, approx. €28.00; open: Monday to Sunday 10am-6pm), Sydney's aquarium that will take you on a tour of the underwater world in and around the bay and give you an insight into the precious marine biodiversity.
Finally, dine at the adjacent Cargo, an establishment that serves as both a restaurant and a pub, where you can enjoy your last dinner in town and then mingle among the real locals for a beer, trying to beat the pre-departure melancholy.
In summary:
Distance travelled: 1.2 km
Places visited: Queen Victoria Building (free), Sea Life Aquarium (€28.00)
Daily expense: €28.00
Where to eat: Lunch at Cellinis Restaurant(Get directions), Dinner at Cargo(Get directions)
NB: The costs expressed in the table above are per person.
Sydney can be a destination for all budgets, while still keeping to a budget that is not exactly low. Low-cost options exist, as hostels and similar types of accommodation are common, and the city offers a wide choice of restaurants, bars and street food. However, the cost of living in the Australian metropolis is not the cheapest and this should be taken into account when planning an itinerary 'down under' that includes it.
Cheap flights: from €800.00 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €30.00 per room - see offers
Total cost for one week, including flights: from €1,249.00 per person
Before you go: useful tips
When to visit Sydney: the climate in Sydney is mild all year round; the seasons there are reversed from Italy: spring is from September to November, summer from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August
Getting there: Sydney's airport is Kingsfort Smith, 10 km from the city centre. Get to Sydney by hire car, by taxi (for about €30.00), by Airport link train (about €11.50), by bus on the 400 and 420 lines (about €2.50)
Where to stay: Central Business District (CBD), Darling Harbour, Cicular Quay or The Rocks for comfort and vibrancy; Haymarket, Chinatown and Kings Cross for low budget options.
Gettingaround: you can get around in and out of the city by car or taxi, bus, train, underground and ferry. The average cost of a train, metro and bus ticket is €3.00/€4.00. For the ferry, the basic ticket for one ride costs about €4.50
Local currency: Australian Dollar (AUD) / €1.00 = 1.62 AUD
Time zone: Sydney is 10 hours ahead of Rome. GMT+11 (+8/+10h compared to Italy, depending on whether daylight saving time or standard time is in force in Italy and Australia).
Entry requirements: Passport with residual validity of at least 6 months at the time of entry into the country and tourist visa (valid 90 days).