Top Things to Do in Sydney: A Three-Day Itinerary

Arrive in Sydney and check into your accommodation. If I were traveling to Sydney from America, I personally prefer to arrive early in the morning and to power through the day to help beat the jet lag. Once you’re settled in your hotel, I’d recommend walking to your nearest cafe and grabbing a coffee. I confirm the coffee is so much better in Australia and will help be a crutch as you battle through the jet lag.

Next, head to Circular Quay to see Sydney’s iconic Opera House and Harbor Bridge. If you feel like you need another coffee or want to sit and take in the views, stop at MCA Cafe. You can see the Museum of Contemporary Art and views of the Opera House. If you feel like exploring the city side of Sydney, check out the botanical gardens, which are conveniently located right next to the Opera House. Then take a stroll in the Central Business District to see Sydney’s vibrant city life. If you’re looking to check out some shops in the CBD, stop by Queen Victoria’s Building. QVB was built in the 1800s to replace the original Sydney markets and has since then been remodeled and filled with shops and restaurants.

If you end up walking around QVB, stop by Manon Brasserie if you are looking for an afternoon drink or snack. Once you’ve taken your time exploring the well-known city views, head over to Darling Harbor to grab lunch at Pumphouse Bar & Restaurant or anywhere on the Harbor to enjoy more waterfront views.

If you can power through the jet leg and want to treat yourself to a delicious dinner on your first night in Sydney, I’d recommend Mr. Wongs or Ragazzi. For an exceptional Asian fusion experience, Mr. Wong's is a must-visit. Order their pork BBQ buns, pak choi, and kung pao chicken—you won’t be disappointed. If you’re craving top-notch Italian food, head to Raggazi. The Ragazzi Sample Menu, consisting of 3-5 dishes updated daily, allows you to try a variety of the restaurant's best dishes.

If you’re looking for a nightcap after, grab a drink at Centro 86, a speakeasy tequila bar across the street. Looking to take in the stunning city views? Check out Blu Bar on 36 for sunset at the Shangri-La Sydney. The views from this bar are just as good as the Sydney Tower Eye and you can get a drink and a view, instead of just paying for the view.

Bondi Beach is the quintessential Australian experience as a visitor. You must visit Bondi Beach and spend a day enjoying the beach and checking out the stunning coastal walks. Bondi has a big fitness and coffee culture. I highly recommend going to a fitness class or hanging out in a cafe if that interests you.

If you like pilates or want to try out a breathing class, I’d recommend Body by Berner. This studio is extremely luxurious and trendy and all of the instructors are very personable. If you’re not interested in pilates but want to get your daily steps in, check out the Bondi to Coogee Cliff walk to take in all the gorgeous coastal views. Along the walk, you can stop at any of the beaches (Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly or Coogee) or jump in the waterside pools.

For breakfast (or brekkie, as the Aussies call it), head to Depot, Harrys or D. Bowl, all located in North Bondi. Grab a coffee and some avocado toast (or smashed avo) or the famous crookie at Depot. Grab a strawberry matcha and the North Bondi Bae at Harrys. If you’re looking for the best açaí bowls in Bondi, head to D. Bowls.

After having breakfast and exploring, it’s time to take a break by the beach and to enjoy the sun. If you’re interested in trying out surfing, there are a bunch of places you can take a surf lesson at in Bondi. If you’d like to swim in the icebergs (picture featured above) or jump in a steam room, you can access the facility for only $10/ day. If you’re looking for a relaxing and more upscale health and wellness experience, go to Slow House Bondi to sit in their steam rooms or to take an ice bath. If you feel like checking out some clothing stores, you can head to Gould Street, located close to the beach.

Once you’ve had your time at the beach, stop to grab a drink at the Bondi Icebergs to see some of the best public views of Bondi. If you’re looking to grab dinner in Bondi, Tottis is the hot spot. Make sure to try the antipasti and the pappardelle beef ragu dish. If you’d like incredible sushi and to stay close to the ocean, go to Raw Bar (you won’t go wrong with anything on the menu). Then head back to your hotel room, feeling like you got a nice bronze and took in all the views of Bondi.

The northern suburbs, located across the Sydney Harbor Bridge, have some of the most stunning suburbs in Sydney that are worth exploring. Each suburb in the north has a unique vibe and a variety of restaurant options. One of the most popular northern suburbs is Manly Beach, easily accessible by a scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay.

Once you arrive in Manly, you can walk around the corso full of shops and cafes. Then walk to Manly Beach to relax and take in the sun.. If you’re looking to learn how to surf, Manly is a better beach to take beginner surf lessons compared to Bondi as the waves are a little more flat. If you’re looking to explore more, head to Shelly Beach, which is named after its shell-filled beaches. In my opinion, it is one of the cutest beaches on the northern shores. You can snorkel at Shelly Beach and will see so many fish and even seahorses. Afterwards, you can grab lunch at The Boathouse, which is located right by the water.

Spend your day relaxing by the beach, or if you’re up for a long walk, check out the Manly to Spit Bridge Coastal Walk. The trail offers stunning lookout views of the city and ancient Aboriginal sites, providing some insight into the history of Sydney. For a refreshing drink, stop at Little Pearl along Manly Beach or at the Wharf Bar before you head back to the Central Business District on the ferry. If you prefer eating a delicious dinner with a view, visit Manly Pavilion for modern Australian cuisine and beautiful waterfront scenery.

Day trips from Sydney:

The Blue Mountains: Visit Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, a stop at Leura for lunch (I ate at Leura Gourmet), a visit to Scenic World to ride the Cableway, Skyway and Railway for unbeatable aerial views of the Jamison Valley and Katoomba Falls and lastly, a stop at The Three Sisters viewpoint.

Palm Beach: Located only an hour drive from Sydney, this gorgeous and luxurious beach town is worth the visit. This is where movies like Anyone but You and other well-known Australian shows/ movies such as Home and Away have been filmed.

Bowral: If you’re looking to stop by some cute wineries close to Sydney, stop by Bowral. When driving around town, you will feel as if you’re in the English countryside. If you’re a Bridgerton fan, the new season was recently filmed here.