When you think about holidays in Sydney, these are top-rated attractions in the famous Australian City you must visit.

Sydney is the biggest and most beautiful Australian city and one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the southern hemisphere.

Broad sandy beaches, scenic cruises, first-class dining, plenty of shopping opportunities and various cultural institutions make this harbour city a magnet for travellers looking for an enriching experience. 

Sydney is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that seduces visitors with its idyllic balance of architecture, iconic landmarks, stunning harbour and tons of energy.

Whether you’ll spend your holidays in Sydney or it is the starting point of an adventurous road trip across Australia in a rental car, Sydney will seduce you when Visiting Australia.

Holidays in Sydney, you know you’ve got to do it at least once.

Holidays in Sydney? Top-Rated Attractions You Can’t-Miss When You Visit!

With so many different attractions to see and experience, deciding which ones you can’t miss and which can be left for a second visit can be pretty challenging.

Make sure that your accommodations are all set, or in case of a delay in the hotel reservation, you need to have a plan B, like finding luggage storage in Sydney Central Station temporarily. Enjoy a hassle-free journey without having your belongings tagging you along; with this, there is no doubt that your holidays in Sydney will be worth it!

So, without further ado, here are the top-rated attractions in Sydney that you must see and enjoy in the famous Australian city.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Think of Sydney, and probably the iconic peg-shaped Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House come to your mind immediately.

Known by locals as the “coathanger”, it’s one of the city’s symbols, and it connects the north and south shores of the harbour in a curve that rises almost 135 meters above the water. You can take some of the most Instagrammable pictures of it from any cruise sailing across the bay. 

But if you want to enjoy stunning and unforgettable views of the harbour and experience first-hand the majesty of the bridge, why don’t you book a climbing excursion?

Why go? It offers the best sights of the beautiful Sydney harbour up to the Blue Mountains! It’s an adrenaline-filled experience that, although a bit pricey, it’s an absolute must-do activity.

You can choose from three main climbs, and each starts with a breath test to ensure that participants haven’t taken any alcohol before the climb. You’ll be given a special grey suit for the promotion and attached to the bridge with belts, slider clips and hooks.

It’s a fantastic experience, and plenty of stops allow you to catch your breath and admire the views from high above. If climbing is too much for you, you can always walk over it!

Sydney Harbour Bridge meets the Opera House.

The Sydney Opera House

Located next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the iconic Sydney Opera House is probably the other remarkable landmark in the city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this graceful building shaped as sails or shells is one of the most important cultural venues in the world. 

Guided tours take visitors behind the scenes of this magnificent structure and share exciting information about its history and how it was built. It’s an excellent opportunity to admire the complex’s different areas, including exhibition halls, concert rooms, theatres, cinemas, bars and restaurants. 

Watching a music concert or opera performance is a great way to experience the Sydney Opera House from within the iconic building! 

Epic views of the Sydney Opera House with a drink in hand.

Harbour Cruises From Circular Quay

Circular Quay is Sydney’s main ferry terminal and the best place to ride a ferry and enjoy the city’s magnificent skyline.

One of the most popular ones is the two-hour Sydney Harbour Coffee Cruise, which offers an excellent opportunity to admire the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge from a different angle.

During the annual winter migration, the Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise takes passengers past Sydney Heads to view these magnificent creatures.

Taking a Ferry is also a great way to reach other essential attractions in Sydney, such as Taronga Park Zoo, Manly or Watsons Bay. 

A circular Quay is also inviting to enjoy the city’s waterfront, visit a café or restaurant and see street performers. 

Sydney Beaches

Sydney is famous for its fabulous beaches: Bondi, Cronulla, Tamarama, Manly, Maroubra, and Bronte are just some of them, and they are amongst the top-rated attractions of the city.

If you’re into surfing or have always wanted to try this sport, go to Bondi Beach, where you can sunbathe and have a great relaxing time. The coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee along the cliffs offers fantastic ocean views as you pass by idyllic beaches such as Tamarama, Clovelly or Bronte. It’s a great surf scene, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere makes it the place to be all year round.

Manly is one of the northern beaches, and it’s a favourite amongst  

Tourists. It’s wide and great for surfing and swimming. There’s also an exciting food scene, an ocean pool and excellent shops, not to mention its fantastic Manly Art Gallery.

The Sydney Tower Eye

If crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge hasn’t fully satisfied your thirst for intense emotions, you can give yourself a second chance at the Sydney Tower Eye. With 309 metres, it’s the tallest building in the city and offers stunning panoramic views of the city from its observation deck, a mind-blowing glass platform. There are also revolving restaurants and a café where you can enjoy something to eat and drink while absorbing the views. 

This golden spire-topped turret is part of the Centrepoint shopping mall, so you can easily do holiday shopping before taking the elevator to the top. 

Darling Harbour and the SEA Life Sydney Aquarium

Darling Harbour is a beautiful pedestrian area set against the ocean where you’ll find plenty of food venues and entertainment options where you can easily spend the whole day. Considered Sydney’s tourist hub, it’s packed with exhibitions, entertainment venues and fascinating museums. 

The Powerhouse Museum, with its interactive and hands-on science exhibitions or Madame Tussaud’s, is worth a visit, but you can also go on a racing car adventure or ride a jet boat in the harbour if you please.

The SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is home to the most extensive collection of Australian marine creatures. It’s one of the best aquariums in the world, including over 700 marine species, including sharks and stingrays. There are also all kinds of fish and aquatic creatures. Everything is organized into 14 different sections with plenty of activities. Children will love to walk through the perspex tunnels with grey nurse sharks and giant rays gliding over their heads.  

Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo is probably one of the best locations in Australia where you can admire the distinctive and particular local fauna. If you’ve always wanted to enjoy close-up encounters with the fantastic Australian wildlife and see other animals from around the world, plus great city views, you can’t miss Taronga Zoo.

In Mosman’s beautiful and posh suburban area, Taronga Zoo surprises visitors with the Koala Encounter, the Seal Show and the Lemur Walk.

There are overnight states for braver visitors and a sky safari that takes you from the bottom, where the ferry comes in, up to the top, where you can walk downhill and see different animals and exhibitions.

Don’t forget to say hello to kangaroos, koalas, lemurs, Asian elephants, giraffes and seals! 

Visit Great Museums!

The Art Gallery of New South Wales is considered one of Australia’s best and most distinguished art museums. It boasts an exciting collection of works by European and Asian artists and contemporary art worldwide. It’s also the home of one of the largest collections of local aboriginal art. 

The Museum of Contemporary Art is located at Circular Quay and offers visitors an exciting collection of modern art from Australian artists and the rest of the world. There are immersive exhibitions and a sculpture terrace that you can’t miss.

The exhibitions are well organized, and the paintings stand out in this fascinating Art Deco building. 

A Recap on Planning the Best Holidays in Sydney

So, if you are looking for a break and hoping to explore more of Australia, why not consider the best holidays in Sydney? Whether you’re looking for beaches, cafes or adventure – you can find it all in Sydney.

Knowing where to begin is complex, with so much to see and do. For the top attractions around Sydney that are must-sees during your visit, check out Bondi Beach, the Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, and many more! You won’t regret making these hot spots a part of your Australian holiday.

After a long day walking around the sights and enjoying what the city offers, why not relax and grab dinner at one of Sydney’s countless great restaurants? There is something to suit all tastes in this magnificent city! So don’t wait – book your trip today and start packing your bags for an unforgettable journey through Sydney!

When will you visit the top-rated attractions like the Sydney Opera House for your anticipated holidays in Sydney?