Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Sydney?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Sydney?
Many visitors spend three to seven days in Sydney during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, and the nightlife.
Sydney is the oldest and largest of Australia's cities. It's filled with world famous landmarks and beautiful waterfront neighborhoods. Life revolves around the water here, with Darling Harbour and Bondi Beach at the top of most visitor's itineraries.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Sydney? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Sydney?
One week is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Sydney. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Sydney as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend a week in Sydney
When visiting Sydney, you absolutely can't miss the Sydney Opera House as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.
Sydney is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.
The beautiful beaches await you in Sydney, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Sea Cliff Bridge, Blowhole, Beaches & Farmlands- Escape the City ($186)
- 30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist ($56)
- Small-Group Sydney's Northern Beaches and Ku-ring-gai National Park Bus Tour ($228)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Hickson House Distilling Immersive Gin Tour and Tasting! ($33)
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney ($83)
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney with Lunch and 3 Cellar Door Tastings ($149)
The public transit in Sydney is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.
Sydney is known for it's world-class museums and famous landmarks, so make sure you spend at least a day exploring at one or more of the most appealing. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Convicts & Castles: Goat Island Walking Tour Including Sydney Harbour Cruise ($79)
- Sydney Attractions Pass: SEA LIFE Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye, WILD LIFE Zoo and Madame Tussauds ($43)
- Skyfeast Dining Experience at the Sydney Tower ($69)
Sydney is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The waterfront setting and grand buildings make this a truly beautiful city. It also has a lot of natural beauty with impressive beaches and nice green spaces.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Convicts and The Rocks: Sydney's Walking Tour Led by Historian ($34)
- Local Sydney Walking Tour – Aussie Food, Culture & Coffee ($50)
- Sydney’s Chinatown Food and Stories Walking Tour ($50)
In the big city of Sydney, you'll want to dedicate at least a full day to discovering the unique neighborhoods, world-class attractions, and lively activities that are spread around the city. Don't miss out on visiting some of the city's most unique neighborhoods. Its is a large, diverse, and livable city with iconic landmarks and world-class beaches.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist ($56)
- 2 Hours Sydney Harbour's True Crime Cruise Tour ($36)
- 30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Thrill Ride ($59)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Shopping in Sydney is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Sydney.
Known for it's hiking, Sydney sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Wildlife, Waterfalls and Wine Day Tour from Sydney ($228)
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney ($83)
- Blue Mountains: Three Sisters, Scenic World and Wildlife park ($215)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Try Scuba Diving Experience: Sydney ($114)
- Scuba Dive With Grey Nurse Sharks in Bushrangers Bay ($195)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Sydney.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Sydney?
Two weeks provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Sydney at your own pace to relax at the beach, browse the museums, enjoy the city's energy, and grab some drinks at a bar. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Sydney, Australia
How to spend 2 weeks in Sydney
With 2 weeks in Sydney, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Sydney, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small Group Blue Mountains Day Trip from Sydney with Scenic World ($175)
- Blue Mountains Day Trip from Sydney Including Scenic World ($125)
- Learn to Surf Day Trip - Sydney ($105)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Sydney, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Sydney.
Sydney is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Sydney offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Sydney.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Sydney. Plenty of amazing options are available.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Sydney.
Because Sydney offers so many famous sights, landmarks, and museums, you should dedicate at least another day to see the places you haven't seen yet. You can spend multiple days browsing through the city's amazing museums, and some of them are worth a second visit, too.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Sydney, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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