Iconic buildings and world-renowned beaches… Welcome to Sydney! Often mistaken as Australia’s capital, this thriving metropolis is filled with things to see. I mean, name somewhere more iconic than the Sydney Opera House? However, if you’re planning a trip to Sydney (and only have a few days), there’s a lot to try and pack in…
But, fear not, in my guide below, you’ll discover the perfect Sydney itinerary 3 days, including the best things to do, where to stay, and more! It’s all pulled together in one place to help you plan the best possible trip, which will make you fall in love with the city, just like I did!
Is 3 days in Sydney enough?
First up, you might be wondering if 3 days in Sydney is enough time to explore Australia’s largest city. Thankfully, I found it to be the perfect length of time to appreciate the highlights. I had more than enough time to tour Circular Quay, walk the Bondi to Coogee coastal path, visit Manly, and even take a day trip to the Blue Mountains!
So, whilst more time in the city certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing! If, like me, you’re trying to squeeze a visit into a much wider Australian adventure, then YES 3 days in Sydney is enough time! All you need is a well-planned Sydney travel itinerary…
Best Time To Visit Sydney –
One of the best things about Sydney is that it’s a fantastic place to visit any time of year! This said, the shoulder season (as with most popular destinations) is considered the prime time to plan a trip. In Sydney, this counts as:
- Spring: September-November and
- Autumn: March-May
These months tend to offer pleasant weather (with it either warming up or cooling down from summer highs), fewer crowds, and potentially lower prices. I visited towards the end of October and never found any attractions too busy! The weather was also perfect for sightseeing, with slightly cooler temperatures.
Where to stay in Sydney –
Rather than being one big city, Sydney is split into several distinct neighbourhoods. More than this, each has its own vibe, so your Sydney experience can change dramatically depending on where you choose to stay!
With only 3 days in Sydney, I highly recommend remaining as central as possible. For me, this meant staying in The Rocks. As the oldest neighbourhood in Sydney, it’s filled with charm and is within walking distance of Circular Quay and key transport links.
Travelling on a budget, I stayed at the YHA Sydney Harbour Hostel. Recently renovated, I was impressed with the rooms. They offered plenty of privacy, even when staying in a 4-bed dorm! The communal facilities were also the best that I experienced during my whole time in Australia. With a massive kitchen, on-site cafe, and a spectacular rooftop terrace with views of the Harbour Bridge.
This said, if you fancy a more unique stay in Sydney, then the Manly and Bondi neighbourhoods offer some stunning beach stays. Meanwhile, Darling Harbour is often preferred by families, thanks to its fabulous public playgrounds and easy access to the CBD.
How to travel around Sydney –
Another thing that’s important when planning a 3 days Sydney itinerary is understanding the best ways to get around the city. Luckily, Sydney has an extensive public transport system of buses, trains and ferries (each of which I utilised during my time in the city). These networks couldn’t be easier to use, as you simply tap your contactless card or mobile device to pay.
TOP TIP: I’ll recommend when/where you might need to use public transport in my Sydney 3 day itinerary below!
In addition, it’s worth noting that you’ll probably get a lot of steps in when exploring the city! Especially when doing so in a short period, so make sure you pack a comfortable pair of shoes for your Sydney trip.
Sydney Itinerary 3 days (at a glance) –
DAY ONE: Circular Quay, Royal Botanical Gardens, CBD and dinner in The Rocks
DAY TWO: Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk and dinner in Darling Harbour
DAY THREE: Blue Mountains Day Trip, Barangaroo to Circular Quay Walk
DAY THREE ALTERNATIVE: Take the ferry to Manly
Sydney Itinerary 3 Days (in detail) –
Day One: Sydney Itinerary –
There’s only one acceptable way to start a Sydney itinerary (especially if it’s your first time in the city), and that’s to head down to Circular Quay, arguably the heart of Sydney. The harbour hub is home to the Sydney Opera House, and it’s also the best place to take in the iconic view of the Harbour Bridge across the water.
Even when I visited early in the morning, Circular Quay was a hive of activity! I grabbed an on-the-go breakfast from one of the many cafes and wondered at the harbour’s famous centrepiece… The Sydney Opera House! It took 14 years to build and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973, quickly becoming an architectural marvel. More than this, though, it’s still a world-class working opera house, hosting over 1000 events every year!
There aren’t many buildings that are more famous around the world! So, I found it a real pinch-me moment to finally see the Opera House in person, especially since it’s almost become a symbol of Australia!
Whilst there, I’d recommend stopping for a drink at the Opera Bar. Set against the glittering backdrop of the harbour, it’s said to be the best beer garden in the world… And you certainly can’t argue with the view!
It looks out onto the striking Harbour Bridge, which has been a key feature of the city’s skyline since 1932. In fact, it’s the largest steel arch bridge on the planet, and locals affectionately call it the Coathanger.
One of the most popular things to do in Sydney is to climb over the top of the bridge! The BridgeClimb is a truly unique experience that takes you atop the steel structure for 360-degree views of Sydney. If you’re feeling brave enough, it’s advisable to prebook tickets as they sell out fast. At over $200 AUD, I decided to skip this particular activity and save some money, but it certainly looks epic.
TOP TIP: You can also walk, drive and cycle across the Harbour Bridge. The pedestrian crossing can be found on Cumberland Street in the Rocks; simply follow the stairs up. You’ll pass South Pylon Lookout, which offers a spectacular panorama.
After taking some time to enjoy the views at the Opera bar, I continued the first of my three days in Sydney by walking past the Opera House and into the Royal Botanical Gardens, which became my favourite spot in the city.
I made sure to walk all the way through the park to Mrs. Macquarie’s Point, which is famous for its amazing views. Across the water, you’ll spy the Opera House, which is perfectly framed by the Harbour Bridge from the point’s angle.
TOP TIP: The Royal Botanical Gardens are free to visit, and if you’re interested in learning more, you can even book free guided walks!
I certainly packed a lot of steps into the first of my 3 days in Sydney, as after enjoying the sanctuary of the gardens, I looped back towards the city centre to discover the CBD (central business district). This is where you can get real feel for the energy of Sydney, and I appreciated spotting historic buildings like St Mary’s Cathedral and the Sydney Town Hall.
They looked particularly beautiful on my visit, thanks to the purple flowering Jacaranda trees (an iconic symbol of spring in Sydney). Nearby, I also did some window shopping in the Queen Victoria building, built in 1898 to resemble a Byzantine palace, it’s impressive to look around with lots of ornate features!
Since I was staying in The Rocks, it was easily the best place to end my first day. So I hopped on the metro to get back to Circular Quay and then walked back through The Rocks historic streets. The neighbourhood can get lively at night, with plenty of bars and the oldest pubs in Sydney to check out! However, after a very busy day, I simply enjoyed ambling along the cobbled streets and exploring the little laneways to find the perfect spot for dinner.
TOP TIP: If you’re planning to visit Sydney on the weekend, make sure you check out The Rocks Market. The area’s streets come alive with over 200 stalls offering all sorts of food, drinks and artisan products. I happened to wander through on the way back to my hostel, and it had a fantastic vibe!
Day Two: Sydney Trip Itinerary –
Whilst day one was all about the city centre, day two is set aside for the beach!
Despite having over 100 beaches along its coastline, there was one in particular that I could not wait to check out during my 3 days Sydney itinerary, and that was, of course, Bondi Beach! Undoubtedly, the city’s most famous beach, the golden sands of Bondi are a slice of heaven that I could not wait to experience, especially since I loved watching ‘Bondi Rescue’ in my early teens…
However, rather than just heading straight to Bondi Beach, I decided to dedicate most of my second day to another of the best things to do in Sydney: the Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk.
This 6km coastal path takes you through Sydney’s eastern suburbs and it’s well known for offering a variety of stunning vistas, winding through beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and of course beaches! The walk could be completed in 2 hours. However, I took it slow and enjoyed stopping off at several of the beaches for a swim, and tucked into a leisurely lunch at Salina, a beachfront cafe in Bronte.
What I loved most about this walk was the different landscapes! One moment you could be passing a quiet bay, before the coast opens up onto a sweeping beach. Walking the 6km also makes arriving in Bondi all the more worthwhile!
TOP TIP: Bondi Beach is well connected to Circular Quay via public transport. The bus stops are easy to spot along the main road opposite the beach. However, I found it more challenging to work out a route to Coogee Beach, so instead I opted to jump in an Uber to start the walk!
For the evening of day two, I recommend heading to Darling Harbour. The vibrant waterfront is a redeveloped trading port, which now has a bustling atmosphere and modern feel! It’s filled with shops, aquariums and museums, meaning there’s lots to do!
However, it’s particularly well known for its restaurants, so I knew dinner in the harbour was a must-do. I opted to dine at The BlackBird, which serves modern Australian cuisine. Yet, its rooftop terrace is the key selling point, as it offers views over the whole harbour.
TOP TIP: If you can, time your visit to Darling Harbour with a Saturday evening. At 6:30pm every weekend, there’s a dazzling fireworks display in the harbour, which is an extremely popular thing to see in Sydney!
Day 3: Sydney Australia Itinerary –
Now it may seem contradictory, with only three days in Sydney, to suggest a day trip. However, heading out to see the Blue Mountains is an absolute must, even when you only have a short time in the city. So, for the final day of this itinerary, I took a day trip to the Blue Mountains National Park.
This gorgeous mountain range lies just west of the city and is full of rich green forests, unique rock formations, and cascading waterfalls. Because of this breathtaking scenery, the park has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status!
There’s countless hikes and outdoor activities to get suck into. However, the natural wonders of Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, and Sublime Point Lookout provide an excellent introduction to the beauty of the Blue Mountains!
For ease, I booked a guided tour of the Blue Mountains from Sydney. This meant I was able to tick off all the main sights mentioned above. However, with hindsight, I think hiring your own car is the best way to ensure you have the best time, since you can pick your own itinerary, see unique sights, and spend more time in the national park.
FUN FACT: The park is named after the blue haze that’s emitted from the eucalyptus trees, which make up the park’s forests!
This said, one thing I did love about my guided tour was that it included a ferry ride back into Sydney. Sailing back towards Circular Quay, past all the coastal suburbs, was a fun experience I otherwise would have missed out on! And it feels illegal to leave Sydney without seeing the harbour from the water… The ferries even sail right past the Opera House!
But my final day in Sydney didn’t end there! After a short break at my hostel. I even managed to squeeze in another activity, walking along the foreshore of the Barangaroo reserve.
Yet another green space in the city, the foreshore is framed by the Hickson sea wall, which is made up of giant granite blocks. These make for perfect picnic spots and are also known as a great place to watch the sunset.
However, rather than stopping here, I continued on my walk, learning you can loop through the reserve to Circular Quay (in about half an hour). In this way, I followed the coast path round to Walsh Bay (checking out its redeveloped piers) and onwards past the Hickson Road Reserve. Here, the path takes you right under the Harbour Bridge, which is a surreal experience.
After this, you’ll be able to spy the Opera House and Circular Quay, where I then stopped for dinner. Whilst not a common thing to do in Sydney, I loved seeing different parts of the city on this walk, and found it a peaceful way to end my Sydney itinerary.
Day 3 Alternative: Sydney Trip Itinerary –
Now, saying I only had 3 days in Sydney wasn’t strictly true, as due to my outbound travel, I had an extra morning! I used this wisely and hopped on a 20-minute ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. One of the city’s northern suburbs, Manly is a well-loved surf spot for locals and is known for its gorgeous beaches and laid-back vibe.
Despite being within touching distance of the CBD, Manly has a unique charm and its golden sand beaches even rival Bondi. Straight off the ferry, Main Beach greets you, which is a popular spot in its own right…
But, as the weather was less than perfect on my visit, I decided to spend my time exploring the town and walking to the incredibly picturesque Shelley Beach for a spot of lunch at The Boat House.
TOP TIP: The fast ferry is around $8 AUD each way and operates from Wharf 2 in Circular Quay. You can tap on or buy tickets online.
If you have more time, another of the most popular things to do in Manly is the Spit Bridge to Manly town walk. The 10km trail passes sandy beaches, ancient Aboriginal sites and incredible lookouts, before rewarding walkers by finishing in the town, which is filled with top-rated restaurants, cafes and bars.
The walk takes around 3-4 hours (without stopping), and who could say no to those beaches! So, you would need a whole day in Manly for this activity… In this way, whilst the Blue Mountains are incredible, I would suggest Manly as a final day alternative for those who’d rather stay by the coast! Its charm is hard to resist after all.
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With its array of different neighbourhoods and abundance of things to do, I thoroughly loved my time in Sydney. I hope my Sydney itinerary 3 days helps you to discover the city in the same light. Of course, it only scratches the surface, but I did leave feeling like I’d got to experience the very best of what Sydney has to offer.
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