AU
Sydney
Australia’s largest city, built around a huge harbour with the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and ocean beaches
Australia’s largest city, built around a huge harbour with the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and ocean beaches
Designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened in 1973, the Opera House has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Guided tours run daily, and there are performances most nights.
Walk around the outside for free, including the steps by the harbour.
Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opened in 1932, the steel arch bridge links the city with the North Shore. You can walk across for free on the eastern footpath, visit the Pylon Lookout, or join a guided climb over the arch.
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
Bondi is Sydney’s best-known ocean beach. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, about 6km, follows the cliffs past smaller beaches and ocean pools.
Swim between the red-and-yellow flags.
Photo: Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0
The 30-minute ferry from Circular Quay to Manly passes the Opera House and the harbour headlands. Manly has a surf beach and a sheltered cove.
Photo: Timovchinnikov, CC BY-SA 4.0
About two hours by train west of Sydney, the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains have sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus forest and walking trails. The Three Sisters rock formation is seen from Echo Point in Katoomba.
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sydney has a strong café culture, excellent seafood and food from across Asia. Try the Sydney Fish Market, a flat white and a meat pie, and modern Australian restaurants.
Chinatown, Haymarket, Newtown and Surry Hills are good areas for affordable meals.
Sydney Airport (SYD) is about 20 minutes from the city by train (a station access fee is added to the fare). The Sydney Metro line now runs under the CBD, linking Chatswood, Barangaroo, Martin Place and Central.
Trains, buses, ferries and light rail all accept Opal cards and contactless bank cards, with daily and weekly fare caps. Everyone except New Zealand citizens needs a visa or travel authority. Most European passport holders can apply online for a free eVisitor; citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and some other countries can use the ETA, applied for through the official AustralianETA app (A$20 service charge). Both allow stays of up to three months per visit. Australia has strict biosecurity rules, so declare any food, plant or animal products on arrival. Check current rules before you travel.
Australia uses the Australian dollar (A$). It is an expensive country for accommodation and eating out, though free beaches, parks, museums and walks help keep costs down. Tipping is not expected.
Prices peak around New Year’s Eve.
Harbour, beaches and mountains.
Tour the Opera House, walk through the Royal Botanic Garden and the Rocks, and cross the Harbour Bridge on foot.
Walk from Bondi to Coogee, then spend the afternoon on the beach.
Take the ferry to Manly and walk part of the Manly to Spit Bridge track.
Take the train to Katoomba for Echo Point and a bushwalk.
🛂 Entry rules: every visitor needs a visa or ETA
Everyone except New Zealand citizens needs a visa or electronic authority before travelling to Australia. Passport holders from the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, Singapore and several other countries can use an ETA (subclass 601): apply in the official Australian ETA app, which charges an AUD 20 service fee. It allows stays of up to three months at a time for 12 months.
EU and some other European passport holders can instead get a free eVisitor (subclass 651) online. Other nationalities need a Visitor visa.
Official information: Australian Department of Home Affairs: ETA · Reviewed September 2026
UV levels are high; use sunscreen and a hat even on cloudy days.
Swim only between the flags on patrolled beaches.
Tap on and off with a contactless card to get fare caps.
Harbour viewpoints fill up early on 31 December.
Quick answers for planning time in Sydney.
Yes, everyone except New Zealand citizens needs a visa or travel authority. Most Europeans can get a free eVisitor; Americans, Canadians and Britons can use the ETA via the AustralianETA app.
Yes, the eastern footpath is free. A guided climb over the arch costs extra.
About 6km, taking two to three hours with stops.
By train in about 20 minutes, by taxi or rideshare, or by bus.
Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are warm without the summer crowds.
Offline maps are useful outside the cities, where mobile coverage can drop out.
Free
Australians mostly use SMS and iMessage, but many tour operators also use WhatsApp.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Australia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.