Sydney Vacation & Tourism Guide

Brash and beautiful, Sydney sits nestled in the sandstone cliffs overlooking Sydney Harbor, basking in its role as a gateway for travelers, a mecca of culture and a playground for tourists and its five million residents alike. History abounds in Victorian suburbs, where a stroll through the cobbled streets and alleyways gives a visitor a sense of the former seaport region's rich colonial past. Outlying beaches stretch for miles, and visitors join locals on the sparkling sand. There's endless activities and sights for every traveler to Sydney.

Great Recommendations from Real Travelers

1. Four Seasons Sydney Star_rating-5

Real Traveler Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 51 reviews from 4 sources

from $274.30
Four Seasons Sydney
Based on 51 reviews from 4 sources.
Service: Rating of 4.9 out of 5
Location: Rating of 5.0 out of 5
Room: Rating of 4.8 out of 5
  • " This hotel was simply wonderful." — source Expedia

    "The staff was courteous and the hotel is very nice." — source Expedia

2. Sheraton on the Park

Sheraton on the Park
Star_rating-5
from $122.80

3. InterContinental Sydney

InterContinental Sydney
Star_rating-5
from $122.99

4. Amora Hotel Jamison S...

Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney
Star_rating-5
from $248.70

5. Radisson Hotel & Stes...

Radisson Hotel & Stes Sydney
Star_rating-4
from $208.48

6. Stamford Plaza Sydney...

Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport
Star_rating-4
from $153.61

7. Hilton Sydney

Hilton Sydney
Star_rating-5
from $108.45

8. Sofitel Wentworth Sydney

Sofitel Wentworth Sydney
Star_rating-5
from $259.68

9. Swissotel Sydney on M...

Swissotel Sydney on Market Street
Star_rating-5
from $255.28

10. Sydney Harbour Marriott

Sydney Harbour Marriott
Star_rating-5
from $130.73
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  • 1. Kings Cross

    Kings Cross

    ... Australians as the drug and red light capital of Australia, the "Cross" is a sleazy collection of strip clubs, adult bookshops, and tacky nightclubs. Over the years many attempts have been made to transform the ar... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Kings Cross

    Slim Slim in 26th July 200 said

    … in the great city of Sydney. backpackers mecca for night life, cheap beer and cheap accommodation. Kings Cross is the place to stay.… continue reading »

  • 2. Taronga Zoo

    Taronga Zoo

    With a large variety of animals, Taronga Zoo has ... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Taronga Zoo

    corkigagn corkigagn in Scenes around Sydney said

    … private picnic at Taronga Zoo with Sydney across the Harbour… continue reading »

  • 3. Manly Beach

    Manly Beach

    ... resort and a favourite with generations of families. In 1915, Aussie surfing was born here, when Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku rode a plank of shaped wood. There was also the one-man beach protest against the no daylight swimmin... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Manly Beach

    corkigagn corkigagn in Manly Beach said

    … This is Manly Beach and the Boardwalk. Note the Norfolk Island Pines. This area is noted for them.… continue reading »

  • 4. Bondi Beach

    Bondi Beach

    ... beach in the country, crescent-shaped Bondi is more than a half-mile long and a must for any visitor to Sydney. It's a great place for swimming, but also a wild ocean - wise swimmers stay between the flags. Bondi has histor... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Bondi Beach

    zgall1 zgall1 in Bondi said

    … -Bondi beach-Margaret's house… continue reading »

  • 5. Hyde Park

    Hyde Park

    ... kept gardens, Hyde Park provides a tranquil haven to the thousands of daily urban commuters amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday Sydney. Not only a sanctuary to the overworked, it is a fitting home to the famous 1934 Ar... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Hyde Park

    MeliChristofKaenguru MeliChristofKaenguru in Brasilianisches Konzert im Hyde Park said

    …brasilian concert in the hyde park Sydney Am Freitag war ein kostenloses brasilianisches  Konzert im Hyde Parkcontinue reading »

  • 6. Coogee Beach

    Coogee Beach

    ... to the inner city, Coogee Beach is becoming increasingly popular with backpackers and tourists as well as Sydneysiders. The surrounding area includes a promenade, barbecue facilities and outdoor showers. There are also two... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Coogee Beach

    courtney courtney in Sydney said

    … We stayed at Coogee beach and explored the beaches and the city of Sydney.  We went to the opera house, took a ferry… continue reading »

  • 7. Sydney Aquarium

    Sydney Aquarium

    ... of the world's best aquariums and should be near the top of your itinerary. The main attractions are the underwater walkways through two enormous tanks -- one full of giant rays and gray nurse sharks and the other where you... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Sydney Aquarium

    Koren and Sarah Koren and Sarah in 2 days in Sydney said

    … We spent two nights at the Sydney YHA, taking in the sights (the Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbor, the Opera House… continue reading »

  • 8. Royal Botanic Gardens

    Royal Botanic Gardens

    ... in 1816 on the site of Sydney's first farm, these gardens cover more than 70 acres along the Harbour. A footpath, popular with joggers, follows the sea wall around the Harbour, also bordering the Sydney Opera House. The Nat... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Royal Botanic Gardens

    … Sunset view from The Royal Botanical Gardenscontinue reading »

  • 9. Australian Museum

    Australian Museum

    Established in 1827, Australia's first museum has a remarkable reputation ... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Australian Museum

    … Sydney.  Day after great concert at Opera House.  Did Australian Museum and Barracks.  (more later).… continue reading »

  • 10. Bronte Beach

    Bronte Beach

    ... groups, Bronte Beach is close to the inner city and has managed to retain a great deal of its original charm. Choose between a superb body surfing beach and a twenty-five meter ocean pool. The large adjoining park offers pi... more

     Real Travelers who've been to Bronte Beach

    MeliChristofKaenguru MeliChristofKaenguru in Stuermischer Ausflug nach Bondi Beach said

    … Eigentlich wollten wir heute den Coastal Walk von Bondi Beach nach Bronte Beach an der Kueste entlang wandern weil… continue reading »

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  • 1. Tetsuya's Restaurant

    Tetsuya's Restaurant

    ... named the fifth-best restaurant in the world in Restaurant Magazine's annual list of the world's 50 best eateries in 2007, and was the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Food Guide's Restaurant of the Year in 2008. So what ... more

  • 2. Otto Ristorante Italiano

    Otto Ristorante Italiano

    This award-winning Italian restaurant is the favorite haunt of Hollywood stars visiting Australia. President Bill Clinton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sir Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Natalie Imbruglia, and Jerry Springer are just... more

  • 3. bel mondo

    bel mondo

    The family Manfredi has impressed Sydney since 1982 with their Italian traditions—namely their food. It is attributed to a careful selection of local produce, a designer restaurant interior, superior waiting staff, great wine,... more

  • 4. Flying Fish

    Flying Fish

    Located in a loft, Flying Fish serves traditionally Australian cuisine but the emphasis is on seafood. Chef Peter Kuruvita also has some interesting recipes up his sleeve that have taken inspiration from France and other parts... more

  • 5. Aria Restaurant

    Aria Restaurant

    Enjoy an elegant evening out of modern Australian cuisine and stunning views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge at Aria Restaurant. Savor a wide range of dishes from Pan Fried Potato Gnocchi to South Australian Jewfish and... more

  • 6. Opera Bar

    Opera Bar

    Known as the "best beer garden in the world," Opera Bar offers a list of over 40 types of wine, as well as a host of international and local spirits. Situated on the beautiful Sydney pier, below the Opera House, you'll get the... more

  • 7. Bayswater Brasserie

    Bayswater Brasserie

    ... enter the Bayswater Brasserie and behold the extensive collection of every worthy alcoholic libation behind the long, zinc-topped bar, there's no doubt that this place is serious about drinking well. Voted the fourth best b... more

  • 8. Hyde Park Barracks Café

    Hyde Park Barracks Café

    This Sydney landmark has housed convicts and orphans, ... more

  • 9. A Fish Called Coogee

    A Fish Called Coogee

    ... the beach, this huge place has several components, including a live music venue and a nightclub called Selina's. Local celebrities and university students are constant patrons, but the most prominent clientele are backpacke... more

  • 10. Beauchamp Hotel (The)

    Beauchamp Hotel (The)

    ... the bohemian Darlinghurst urban village, the chic Medusa Hotel is an art exhibition, a full sensory exploration, and a conceptual masterpiece all in one. For the artist community or just enthusiasts, the Darlinghurst and Ox... more

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