With its glittering harbour, skyline silhouettes and surf-ready beaches, Sydney lives up to its reputation as a sun-drenched show-off. This is a city that brings big-city energy to beachy living — where a day might start with a swim and a flat white, and end with snacks and natural wine at a neighbourhood bistro. It’s compact, confident and easy to explore — by foot, ferry or with sand between your toes — with coastal walks, ocean pools, hidden harbour beaches and waterfront dining all within striking distance.
And to boot, few places do a better arrival. Whether you’re flying in from Europe, Asia or anywhere in between, the descent into Sydney is pure theatre, with bird’s-eye views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and that unmistakable Bondi curve. With two days to play with, here’s how to make the most of New South Wales’s capital city.
FRIDAY: EVENING
Capella Sydney
A swift 20-minute drive from the airport, Capella Sydney makes a strong first impression even before you enter. Occupying the former Department of Education — a sandstone landmark dating from 1912 — the hotel blends heritage architecture with contemporary polish over its rooms, bars and restaurants. Once settled, take a quick dip in the spa’s 20-metre heated pool, which is set under a heritage-listed vaulted ceiling, or settle into Aperture, the light-filled, ground-floor lounge framed by a towering living wall and dramatic, kinetic floral sculpture by Amsterdam-based designers Studio Drift.
For dinner, head to nearby Morrison’s Oyster Bar & Grill. Order a dozen freshly shucked oysters followed by the Wagyu sirloin, dripping with Café de Paris butter, paired with a glass of Hunter Valley shiraz. Walk it off with a stroll through Circular Quay, pausing outside the Opera House to soak up one of the world’s most famous waterfronts and perhaps order a nightcap at its alfresco bar (open till 12.30am Fridays).
SATURDAY: MORNING
Start the day bright and early with breakfast at Brasserie 1930, Capella’s flagship restaurant where the menu focuses on age-old cooking techniques like curing, smoking and fermenting, all underpinned by seasonal Australian ingredients. Expect polished service and breakfast dishes such as the spanner-crab omelette and house-baked sourdough. Afterwards, harness up for a climb over Harbour Bridge to get your bearings from above and be rewarded with sweeping views across the city and the spray of sailboats below. Follow this with a stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art, which houses one of the most significant collections of Australian art, with a particular emphasis on works by First Nations artists.
SATURDAY: AFTERNOON
Hop on the ferry from Circular Quay for the quick journey through the Harbour to Rose Bay. Once there, settle in for a long lunch at The Boathouse, where the fish and chips are legendary and the view of bobbing vessels makes it an easy place to linger. If you’ve got time, stop in at the Sydney Seaplanes Lounge, the waterfront bar at the seaplane terminal, for an affogato or a cocktail before heading back to the city.
SATURDAY: EVENING
Intimate and full of charm, Spicers Potts Point offers a refreshing contrast to the city’s bigger-name hotels. Tucked on a quiet, leafy street in a buzzy neighbourhood that’s home to restaurant favourites like Cho Cho San, The Apollo and Fratelli Paradiso, this boutique stay occupies a trio of restored 1880s townhouses. It feels like a stylish local residence; its warm and contemporary interiors layered with textures, mid-century accents and a rotating selection of Australian art.
Before dinner, stop at The Roosevelt, a moody cocktail bar that channels 1940s New York and serves theatrical, tongue-in-cheek cocktails like Re-fashioned #4.2: a bold hybrid of a Margarita and an old fashioned, made with jalapeño mezcal and served over a white-chocolate ice sphere with a spiced rim. Then head to Ursula’s, the Paddington neighbourhood’s go-to for elegant, modern Australian fare by chef Phil Wood, where the salmon roe-and-egg sandwich and roast chicken stuffed with crab and scallop mousse are standouts. Make sure to book ahead — this is a local favourite and tables fill up quickly.
SUNDAY: MORNING
Bondi Beach
Skip the lie-in and head to Bondi Beach. Grab a coffee from The Shop & Winebar (which also serves the best sandwiches) and watch surfers at sunrise before walking the Bondi to Bronte coastal path. If you’re still in swimwear mode, seek out a quieter patch of sand to sunbathe on, like Lady Martins Beach, a lesser-known spot frequented by locals.
SUNDAY: AFTERNOON
Head back into the city for a visit to the Australian Museum, especially if you’re interested in natural history and First Nations culture, then walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens for views back across the water. If you’re here in the right season, check what’s playing at the Opera House — the annual Handa Opera on the Harbour, set on a floating stage and usually accompanied by fireworks, is a must if timings align.
SUNDAY: EVENING
While in the city, wind down with drinks at The Caterpillar Club, a subterranean, late-night spot, which boasts one of the world’s largest private record collections. Happy hour (which runs from 4pm to 6pm) serves classic cocktails alongside a snack menu of indulgent favourites from hotdogs to fried chicken. If you’re still hungry, Establishment Hotel is a quick five-minute stroll away, and has a line-up of restaurants, from Cantonese Mr. Wong to intimate Japanese spot Sushi e.
But if you have the energy, Kiln — the 18th-floor rooftop restaurant at the Ace Hotel — is a 20-minute walk away and worth the small detour. Here, former Noma chef Beau Clugston serves a menu rooted in Scandinavian culinary philosophy and crafted with Australia’s best produce.
Ace Hotel Sydney
NEED TO KNOW
When to go Sydney shines in summer (December to February), especially over New Year’s Eve, when the world-famous fireworks light up the Harbour. Autumn (March to May) is a sweet spot when the water’s still warm, the skies are clear and the city buzzes with cultural events. Highlights include Mardi Gras, which runs between February and March, Taste of Sydney — a multi-day celebration of the city’s best chefs — and Vivid Sydney, which kicks off late in May, transforming landmarks like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge into a kaleidoscope of colour, light and sound.
Transport Flights from London, Singapore, LA and Dubai are frequent, with new, direct, long-haul options becoming more available. The airport is just 20 minutes from the CBD. Once in the city, Uber-ing is easy, but ferries are a must for both function and fun. Trains and the light rail connect major hubs, and most neighbourhoods are walkable.
What to buy Australian swimwear is a must and go-to local favourites are Bondi Born or Triangl. While you’re at it, pick up one of Camilla’s signature printed-silk kaftans or embellished resort pieces, or stock up on skincare staples from Aesop, which may have been founded in Melbourne, but is undoubtedly one of the country’s most stylish souvenirs.
Good to know Away from Bondi’s spotlight, Sydney’s coastline offers a quieter kind of appeal. The Hermitage Foreshore Track traces the harbour’s edge through lush bushland, passing tucked-away spots like Milk Beach and Shark Beach, and offering postcard views of the city skyline. For something wilder, the South Head Heritage Trail in Watsons Bay weaves between sandstone cliffs and historic lookout points, while the Manly to North Head walk swaps crowds for native bush and wide-open ocean views.
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