10 Must-See Suburbs in Sydney for Tourists

For those who have explored Sydney, you know that it’s filled with a LOT of suburbs. It’s the largest city in Australia (12,368 km²), so naturally, you see varying styles and vibes as you make your way across it.

There are beaches (like Bondi), creativity and music (like Newtown), and stylish shops and cafes (like Surry Hills).

If you’re in the city as a tourist and not a local, it’s important that you don’t see more than necessary. You only need to hit the main suburbs with the best sights and activities.

Having spent years in Sydney, I’ve come to learn a lot about the best suburbs for those things. I’m here to assist newcomers in pinpointing which suburb aligns with their preferences, offering straightforward insights into what makes each area distinct.

Let’s explore.

1. Bondi

Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Sydney or a repeat visitor, Bondi is the best suburb. It’s a mix of activity and laid-back beach life, with Sydney’s most famous beach, a fantastic coastal walk, and a large selection of cafes and restaurants.

Highlights:

• The Bondi to Coogee walk, a trail along the coastline where you walk across rock formations and take in sweeping ocean views (and occasionally spot a whale). For a shorter option, you can stop in Bronte. Heads up – there are a lot of stairs, especially after you pass Bronte.

• Bondi Icebergs Club is a fancy fine dining spot with an iconic ocean pool. The restaurant and bar are expensive, but they also have an additional rooftop bar that’s more affordable.

• Campbell Parade and Hall Street is the central area, with the most cafes, bars, and restaurants. My top recommendations are Bondi Hardware (bar) and Gelato Messina (gelato).

2. Paddington

Paddington stands out because of its trendy and historic charm. It’s one of my favorite spots to start exploring Sydney, mainly because its central location means you can easily walk to Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, and the Sydney CBD (you can also catch a train to the CBD).

Highlights:

• The most apparent indicator of Paddington is the Victorian-style terraces, which can be residential properties or businesses. Check out William Street’s boutiques for the best selection of terrace-styled businesses. The Raconteur sells candles with scents designed to represent locations around Australia and other interesting items. Case in point: when I was there last, they displayed a perfume bottle placed within a bread roll.

• Oxford Street (and the famous “Intersection” on Oxford and Glenmore) has boutique fashion stores and galleries. It’s the best street to walk to get a taste of the suburb.

• Also on Oxford St. are the Paddington Markets, a Saturday staple with stalls selling artisan and fashion items.

3. Sydney CBD

The Sydney CBD is home to the city’s most iconic landmarks, making it an obvious choice for visitors. It’s the location of Circular Quay, where you go if you need a ferry to the northern beaches.

Highlights:

• The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are both in the CBD. I recommend grabbing a bite or drink at the Opera Bar, where you can view both simultaneously.

• The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is a lavish, multi-level mall with a big selection of shops.

• The best nature spot in the city is the Royal Botanic Garden in the CBD. It’s an expansive lawn with different sections; don’t miss the Calyx, which has decorative flower displays.

• The Rocks is a historic area that feels straight from the 1800s. It’s where you should go if you’re looking for casual pubs.

4. Manly

As far as northern Sydney suburbs go, Manly is the one that visitors should see first; it’s the most popular suburb on the other side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Take the ferry from Circular Quay; you’ll have you unbelievable views of the Opera House from the water.

Highlights:

• Manly is a laid-back beach community, and Manly Beach is the second most popular one in Sydney, after Bondi. It also has Shelly Beach (which I love), a quieter alternative for swimming and snorkeling.

• The Corso is an outdoor shopping strip with great shops and restaurants. It has an amazing view of the water and leads directly to the beach. My favorite restaurant near the Corso is Shore Beach Club, an airy spot with great cocktails across from the beach.

• Manly also has coastal walks, the best of which is the Manly to Spit Bridge trail. It’s long, about 10km, but the views are worth it. I’ve done it once, and it took me about 3.5 hours.

5. Double Bay

Double Bay is an elegant suburb on the water that feels more “high-end” than others in Sydney. It’s also one of the prettiest, consisting of a beach, leafy streets, and luxury shops.

Highlights:

• Double Bay Beach is less impressive than Bondi or Manly, but it’s a quiet stretch of sand with views of anchored boats. It’s better for a quick trip rather than a whole day because it’s not as swimmable because of the boats (+ the water isn’t clear). There’s one small cafe (Cafe 18) next to the beach.

• There are a couple of parks, the most popular being Steyne Park. It has a kids’ play area and benches with beautiful water views.

• The main section is on Bay Street, where you have the Cosmopolitan Shopping Centre. My favorite restaurant in this section is Matteo and their authentic Italian pizza.

6. Coogee

Coogee is one of Sydney’s best eastern suburbs. It’s more family-friendly than Bondi but has an equally stunning beach and rock pool.

Highlights:

• Coogee is best seen as the endpoint of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. You can also go in reverse – Coogee to Bondi – but you’ll face a lot of uphill walking.

• The main street promenade, just off the beach, has a large cluster of cafes and bars.

• Coogee Pavilion (aka the “Pav”) is a top spot in Coogee. It has multiple rooftop bars and dining options, and its wraparound balcony offers incredible views.

7. Surry Hills

Surry Hills is small but very walkable, with cafes, galleries, and boutiques. The suburb is popular with young professionals and has a creative, eclectic vibe.

• The central location means an easy walk from the CBD or Paddington. In fact, it feels like an extension of Paddington, with historical buildings, nature, and terrace-lined streets.

• Crown Street is the center, where you’ll find cafes, restaurants, and bars. My favorite gin bar in the city is on this street, Four Pillars Gin Laboratory.

• The Belvoir Street Theatre puts on fantastic shows. It’s an intimate venue where you get close to the stage. Highly recommend!

8. Woolloomooloo/Potts Point

Woolloomooloo and Potts Point are waterfront suburbs next door to each other, both a short walk from the Opera House and Botanic Gardens. This is where you’ll find the famous Coca-Cola billboard that you pass on the Cross City Tunnel.

• Woolloomooloo’s Finger Wharf is a long dock where you can eat, stay at a hotel, and enjoy beautiful views of the Harbour and Gardens. It’s especially great for fine dining.

• Potts Point is more residential, with green streets, art deco buildings, and a few cafes.

• Kings Cross in Potts Point is the top place for nightlife in Sydney (it gets crazy on the weekends). Darlinghurst Road is the spot with the most selection of bars.

9. Mosman

Mosman is a large suburb on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, with some of the best Opera House/Bridge views in Sydney, plus a few of the city’s most beautiful beaches, like Balmoral Beach.

• Taronga Zoo is in Mosman, one of the best family friendly activities in Sydney.

• The shopping district along Military Road has boutiques and cafes. If you drive to Manly, you can make a pit stop on Military, as it’s on the way.

• Because Mosman is so huge, several scenic walks are there. Bradley’s Head to Chowder Bay is the best; you see a lot of the suburb, but most importantly, jaw-dropping Opera House views.

10. North Sydney/Kirribilli/Milsons Point

North Sydney, Kirribilli, and Milsons Point are tightly packed suburbs on the north side of the Bridge. They all offer something different but have the common thread of spectacular harbour views.

You can easily get from these suburbs to the CBD by using the pedestrian path in Milsons Point.

• St. Leonards Park is a spacious park in North Sydney with many activity options. I recommend walking from Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden to St. Leonards to see the best of North Sydney.

• Kirribilli is quieter and known for its charming streets and the Kirribilli Markets. The Markets take place every 1-2 weeks, so be sure to check the schedule.

• Luna Park, one of the most famous spots in Sydney, is in Milsons Point. The theme park closes at 6 PM; I recommend 1-2 hours to make the most of it.