Where to stay in Sydney – The 7 best areas
I am a very practical person and that’s why I usually like to go straight to the point. Here are the best 7 areas to stay in Sydney:
- Sydney CBD, my favourite location for a short stay. You will be close to everything, very well connected to the Airport by train, right in the hub centre of the ferry network. In two words, very practical.
- Bondi, my favourite place in the warm/hot months. Besides the lovely Bondi Beach, there are plenty of other coves around. Moreover, there is a great Aussie summer vibe and an outstanding walk along the coastline
- Darlinghurst, I used to love this area so much for its pubs and nightlife, but I am getting too old now for this young and energetic neighbourhood LOL. But if you are below 25 and looking for a long night out, then book your hotel here
- Surry Hills, another great area for a long night out but people tend to be older.
- Paddington, a bit posh, and certainly unique with its fabulous houses but you need a bus for either the beach or the CBD. A good choice for a long stay, 2 weeks or more
- Darling Harbour, walking distance from the CBD and mostly with a great view of the bay. Plenty of cafes, pubs and restaurants facing the water. It can be expensive though
- Newtown, for the best local experience. I personally love it, in fact, I have stayed here so many times. Great cafes, pubs, restaurants and a quick taxi ride from the airport. Well connected to the CBD but not good for beach access
- Manly, fabulous for a surfing break and beach vibe but too far from everything in Sydney. This is my 8th suggested area, but honestly plan a stay here only if surfing and beaches are your priority.
I live in Melbourne but I have been visiting Sydney regularly. I do consider it my second home and I wouldn’t be surprised to find myself living there very soon, something I am contemplating almost every week. Of course, frequent trips can add up, which is why some travelers look into holiday loans to help manage travel expenses more comfortably.
But now it’s time to go a bit deeper with more information about each area, including my favourite accommodations.
Sydney CBD – Close to everything
Shortly, I love staying in Sydney CBD because:
- All the major attractions are within walking distance or a short bus or train ride away
- The Circular Quay area is amazing and perfect for a walk around with kids (pedestrian area)
- It’s the ferry network hub of the bay. So easy to get around to Manly, Watson Bay and other amazing coves of the bay
- The oldest area of Sydney, The Rocks, is a must-visit, especially on market days (weekends)
- You can find one of my favourite museums, right in front of the water, the Museum of Contemporary Art and it’s free to enter
- The view of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is unique in the world. My suggested viewpoints are from the Train platform and the Glenmore Hotel Pub rooftop.
- Access to the Royal Botani Garden, also another must-visit of the city
However,
- The selection of cafes, restaurants and pubs is not as great as in other areas
- It’s the most visited area in Sydney and you will be likely to meet only tourists around, except during business hours of course when the locals commute here to work in one of the many office buildings.
I wrote a dedicated post to the best places to stay in Sydney CBD because this is quite a vast neighbourhood with 5 different micro areas very different in vibe and type of experience that you can have.
Check the best areas to stay in Sydney CBD
Bondi – The beach stay in Sydney
What I love about Bondi:
- In summer, there is such a cool beach vibe around
- The main beach is stunning and the small coves around are even better if you prefer to have more seclusion
- Surfing is great and you can rent a board, although waves can be challenging and sometimes even dangerous.
- The coastline is stunning and the 6km walk to Coogee is just outstanding (in my top 3 must-do Sydney experiences).
- There are plenty of accommodations in Bondi.
However
- Bondi is not conveniently connected to Sydney. You need to take a bus and a train. It will take time to go to most of the city attractions.
- It doesn’t really work well for a short stay, too much time is spent commuting
- It’s one of the most expensive areas to stay
My favourite hotel in the neighbourhood is QT Bondi, a great boutique accommodation, something you will remember for a long time and so close to the beach too. This is Bondi in style and at an affordable price, for Bondi.
Darlinghurst & Kings Cross – Nightlife for the young crowd
What I love about Darlinghurst
- The best nightlife for the young crowd with pubs and nightclubs
- Oxford Street is the area with possibly the highest concentration of bars and pubs in the whole of Australia, and it is the place to be for LGBTQIA+ being more open to any thinking and experience
- The famous Mardi Gras parade in early March, another must-experience of the city
- Getting lost in the peaceful alleys and lanes between Oxford Street and Kings Cross, beside the amazing restaurants and trendy eateries.
However
- It can be noisy, almost loud, so be selective on where you stay (my suggested accommodations below are great for a quiet sleep)
- Definitely not the place for a family stay
In this area I suggest the Indigo Hotel, so close to bars and restaurants but still very quiet. The rooms are spacious and a few have balconies as well (see photos here)
The Ovolo Hotel in Woolloomooloo, an amazing quiet gem not to be missed and just a few hundred meters from the nightlife. It is in one of the old pier, formerly a woollen dock, fully refurbished and redesigned (see photos here)
Stunning position, just minutes away from the CBD and the Botanical Garden, the Ovolo offer complimentary breakfast. And in 15 minutes walking, you are the heart of Darlinghurst.
Surry Hills – A romantic stay for couples
What I love about Surry Hills
- A great local vibe
- So many lovely cafes and bars around, together with parks and leafy streets.
- Romantic restaurants for couples
- Nice nightlife for a more mature clientele
- A Multitude of art centres and art exhibitions. If you can make it to one of the openings (usually on Thursdays) you will be suddenly immersed in the local underground art community
- Within walking distance of the CBD and the Central Station (direct train to the Airport)
However
- there are not as many available accommodations
The 57Hotel and the Little Albion Guest House are two amazing boutique and romantic accommodations
In Surry Hills, you can also find one of the best value accommodations in Sydney, the Best Western Plus Hotel Stellar. It’s meters away from Hyde Park, the CBD and plenty of cafes and restaurants.
Newtown – Experience the cool local life
What I love about Surry Hills
- You will hardly experience any tourist here. This is the place to experience the local Sydney life.
- Lots of pubs, restaurants, cafes, design shops and much more.
- It’s around 4 km from the CBD however it is very well connected with frequent trains that will take you to Circular Quay in minutes.
- The airport is so close that you better take a taxi, it’s much quicker and cheaper too.
- Live music is a constant presence in the area with bands in pubs, mostly in the weekends, and theatres with a great line-up of famous names.
However
- Going to the beach is not easy and it takes time
- It’s not a great place for kids. It’s more for an adult experience
The Sydney Park Hotel is one of the hidden secrets of Newtown. Amazing interior design that can take you back in time. Bathrooms are shared but believe me, there is great attention to the cleanliness. Price wise…unbeatable for Sydney!
Check the price at the Sydney Park
Paddington – A unique long stay in Sydney
What I love about Paddington
- It’s a fascinating area of well-refurbished terrace houses, trendy boutiques, cosy restaurants and cafes, niche art galleries and a few bookshops
- There is the biggest park in Sydney, the Centennial Park, and leafy streets everywhere.
- Home to the unmissable Paddington Market on Saturday morning
- Fabulous for a long stay with your partner and/or kids
However
- Paddington is probably one of the least convenient neighbourhoods for transportation. You will need one or more buses to Bondi and CBD (you are in the middle between the city and the beach)
- Avoid for a short 2-3 days stay, especially during the week when traffic can become intense
Mrs Banks Hotel is one of my favourite boutique accommodations in the city, so unassuming from the outside, so beautiful inside.
The interior design is absolutely gorgeous (see photos here) and the service is really outstanding.
Manly – For a real Australian beach stay
What I love about Manly
- There is a surf beach on the ocean side for some action and there is a quiet calm beach on the bayside for some easy time and swimming, perfect for the kids.
- Manly has such a village cooled-down surfing attitude that you immediately feel miles away from the business area. You feel on vacation, more than any place in Sydney
- There are some of the most beautiful walks, inside the Sydney Harbour National Park, with spectacular views of the city and the bay
- Restaurants, bars and cafes with a good range of quality and prices.
However
- Very far away from the airport, impossible for a short stay
- You need the ferry to go to the CBD. There is a speed ferry that takes just 15 minutes (expensive) or, alternatively, the public ferry in 30 minutes. It can be a bumpy ride on windy days.
The Manly Paradise is one of the best value accommodations in Sydney. It’s right in front of the beach with a nice pool and a sea view from a few rooms (see photos here).
It works as a motel, however, it does have also a few apartments that work great for families.
This is a quick list of my 5 favourite boutique hotels in Sydney, organised thanks to my 20 years of regular trips to Sydney
Hotel Woolstore 1888 – Handwritten Collection – Darling Harbour
This is a little gem in Darling Harbour (it is actually in Pyrmont, but literally 2 minutes walking from the water). The rooms are nicely and carefully furnished keeping the historical building as a continuous reference. Breakfast is to die for!
QT Sydney – CBD
A beautifully designed hotel right in the middle of the CBD (city centre) and next to all you need, from business to restaurants, bars, public transportation, Hyde Park for a walk and 200m from the Botanic Garden if you like some jogging. When you arrive in your room you will feel like stepping back in time to the gold era but in today’s style. The restaurant is an experience by itself, famous in the city for its meat dishes
Hughenden Hotel – Paddington
A lovely boutique hotel in the fabulous area of Paddington, meters away from the famous Saturday market and 1 minute from Centennial Park, a fantastic place to have a walk, enjoy the life passing by or have a run. When you enter the Hughenden you may think you are in an 18th-century movie set with the leather sofa, the bookcases, the lovely rags and I could go on forever. The rooms are really cosy and breakfast is included in the price.
Hotel Indigo – Potts Point
A fantastic hotel with a lovely contemporary design located right in the centre of Kings Cross (Potts Point). Great location, just 2 minutes from the train and meters away from all the bars and restaurants that Kings Cross can offer. Some of the rooms have a fantastic view of the CBD skyline and/or the bay. Do not miss ice cream at the ever-popular Gelato Messina, along Victoria Street. Buffalo dining is one of my favourite informal options with mozzarella and prosciutto imported from Italy and Spain
Park Hyatt Sydney – CBD
This is the hotel with the best location in the city and with a swimming pool with an amazing view of the bay, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, just meters away. It’s positioned in The Rocks, right in the old town of Sydney where it all started. If you are after a special and unique stay then this is the place to book also because the freshly baked breakfast is to die for 🙂
Thanks for the article. I was looking for something more detailed and you have answered lots of my questions 🙂
No worries Thaisa. Let me know if you need more info.
Cheers
Hi Andrea, Also any comments on these places – North (Kirribilli, McMahons Point), East (Coogee), Inner West (Balmain, Enmore, Glebe)? Thanks
Hi Swati,
let me say that I am sure you will enjoy Sydney, such a great and multicultural city.
For nature and landscape photography I would probably stay closer to the coast and Surry Hill is just an easy bus ride from it, beside having an amazing coffee culture and lovely restaurants. Coogee is also another great option however you would need to commute every day and the bus network is not fantastic in Sydney on peak hours. In saying that, once you are in Coogee, there are amazing walks you can easily cover in the weekend.
For live music and street photography I would go for Newtown. Great street art, interesting people around and some of the best live music. the coffee scene is also awesome and an easy 5m train ride from the city centre. But you are far away from the coast.
I love the Inner West however I find it more of a family oriented area than live music etc. Photography is also limited.
I hope I was able to help 🙂
Enjoy!!
Hi Andrea, This is really helpful – you’ve covered everything. I’m glad to have stumbled on this page. I will be visiting Sydney for an official purpose for 2 months (Feb & March) this year 2018. Going by the description provided above, I have managed to short-list Surry Hill & Newtown – closer to the office on Phillip Street- for accommodation. Could you suggest which out of the two is better? I prefer nature, photography, live music, cafes. Look forward to your help. Thank you so much 🙂
Dear Andrea,
Thank you so much for such a wonderfully thorough description of Sydney. I am just looking at hotels for my trip to Sydney in December. I am taking my 3 kids – ages 21, 17, and 15. We will be in Sydney for 8 days after spending 6 days in Cairns. I have been having a tough time trying to decide what area in Sydney to stay. This is a trip of a lifetime for us, so I want to take advantage of everything the city has to offer while not overwhelming my kids. I haven’t been to Sydney for 20 years and I can’t wait to go and show them my favorite place on earth. I was trying to decide between Manly/Bondi for easy access to the beach, but still being able to take them into the city for the typical touristy things like climbing the bridge and taking a harbor cruise. A trip to the Blue Mountains will also be on the agenda for us. Can you suggest anything else?
Thanks so much!
Good day Julie,
first of all, enjoy your time in Australia and especially in Sydney, surely one of the most beautiful city in the world.
I think the areas you mentioned are both fantastic to have a bit of both. I would personally stay in Manly because access to the city is 30 minutes by ferry, very easy (or even 15minutes on the quick ferry, although a touch more expensive). Beside the transportation, Manly has everything, a great surfing beach and a bay beach with calm water and a net to swim safely. Have a look also to Shelly Beach, a fantastic and picturesque small bay on the south side of Manly.
Bondi is beautiful as well of course, however I feel like Manly has more Aussie life style meanwhile Bondi is nowadays more of a touristic area.
Your “kids” will enjoy the lay back Manly, the great walks and the beautiful beaches on the north shore that you can reach by bus or just cycling. Still in 30mins(or 15) you are in the city, museums, etc
From Bondi you need to catch a bus (usually in the traffic) and a train…
An alternative is Coogee, but still access to the city is by bus and it takes time, beside not having that feeling of good time and romanticism of a ferry (just my 2c here 🙂 )
For Manly you may have a look to these beach front accommodations. Dream location for a memorable trip of a life time 😉
– Manly Paradise Motel & Apartments
– Luxe 7 Beachfront, my favourite
Blue Mountains are fabulous, great choice!!
If you stay in Manly I suggest to spend 2 days exploring the north beaches up to Palm beach and the Barrenjoey Lighthouse (30km). Take the bus 155 and than L90 or just rent a bike in Manly. Alternatively you can also rent a car. So beautiful up there and not really on the touristic track, which makes it even better I think
Also a walk in the North Head park next to Manly is a must. There is also another fantastic walk along the bay from Manly to the Split where you can catch a bus back to Manly or to the CBD. You follow the Fairlight walk, that goes on the N Harbour Walk (here is a link to the walk)
There are many beaches where you can stop for a swim, just a great time.
In Manly you can also rent a kayak for half a day in the bay.
If you stay in Bondi you should do the popular Bondi to Coogee walk and also take the bus to Watson Bay. From there you can take a direct ferry to the CBD.
If you like to visit wineries don’t miss a day trip to the Hunter Valley, one of the most famous wine areas in Australia (2-3hours one way)
I hope I was able to help.
Enjoy your trip!!
Andrea! As someone who knows NOTHING about Sydney and going for 9 nights with my fiancé next month, I am so happy to have stumbled upon this article. SO much useful information, so thank you.
Quick back story: my fiancé and I live in San Francisco and when we travel we definitely want to immerse ourselves in the local flare. That being said, this vacation is coming at a much-needed time where we are both completely pooped from work and just want to relax. It sounds like Paddington may be the area for us? Or do you think we should spend a few nights near Bondi or Manly and then go to CBD or Paddington for a few of the other nights? Just FYI we love good food and going out to bars until the wee hours of the night, and then sleeping in and heading to the beach in the afternoon. Do people lay out on the beach in November? I seriously know NOTHING so any advice would be so great. Thank you!
Hi Mary,
no worries. It was great to be able to help out.
Paddington is beautiful and the great thing is that it is halfway from the city to Bondi. If you like a bit of nightlife just go to Oxford street and around. So many bars and pub. Or Kings Cross, the other party area. Just keep in mind that they now close mostly at 1am (NSW law) with few exceptions. Both areas are walking distance (depends where you stay in Paddington) or a short uber/taxi ride.
Paddington is quiet which is great for a good sleep
CBD has the greatest choice of Accommodation I believe and it’s awesome with transportation (is staying close to Circular Quay).
Manly is not really a party place meanwhile Bondi is indeed. But I suggest a ferry trip to Manly for the experience. It’s more of a surfing village.
November weather can be awesome, 30-32 degrees easy. However being spring you may have a crazy weather week with 20 or so and maybe rain. Autumn and Spring are my favourite seasons. Not too hot (and it can be really humid and hot in Sydney). Best choice I believe. I suggest you also the Bondi to Coogee walk (https://goo.gl/maps/xwMDTauZJu42), beautiful and with many small beaches and natural pools
Just my 2c here, I think for a week you should just book one place in one of these 3 areas: Paddington, Surry Hills, Kings Cross
Enjoy!!!
Hi Andrea,
I am going to Sydney next April and I am checking through some Airbnb in the north side of the bridge. I see that you do not have this area in your list. Any reason? Are they bad areas?
Thanks
Hi Albert,
sorry for the late reply, I was on a trip with limited internet connectivity.
Actually the North side of the bridge has some of the most expensive houses and it is a bit of a exclusive area in some cases. In saying that it is very residential compared to all of the other areas I mentioned.
If you decide to stay in the north side of the Sydney bridge, just keep in mind that you will have to take public transportation for any site you want to visit.
Enjoy Sydney!!
😮 Andrea, you have done an amazing job here.
I will be in Sydney for 5 days end of March. I was thinking about having half of my time checking the major attractions and the other half enjoying some beach time and maybe some walking.
Where should I stay in your opinion? City centre or Manly or Bondi?
Thanks!!!
Good day Nura,
wow, that will be awesome. Great time to be in Sydney, you will avoid the extreme hot and humidity of January and February.
About your stay…..I think you have two possibilities.
SUGGESTION #1
You stay in the Melbourne CBD for first 2 nights. You have a full immersion on the many activities and places to visit in the Sydney central area. I promise you will not get bored LOL
You than book the other 3 nights in Bondi. This is the place to be if you like walking. There are some amazing walking departing from Bondi, both sides of the beach. The one to Coogee is one of the best I have ever done in my life. Moreover there are so many small coves with free pools on the way, perfect spots for some relax and a picnic.
From Bondi beach you can also take the bus 380 that will take you to Watson Bay, another awesome spot for both beach and walking time.
I am suggesting you to split the Syndey visit in two places because the trip from Bondi to the CBD is a real pain. It takes a long time and you want to do it only once 😉
SUGGESTION #2
Stay 5 days in Manly. Easy ferry transportation to the CBD for some Sydney attractions. You could even split the day in two parts; morning for museums and other places to visit and back in the afternoon for some beach time.
The advantage of Manly, compared to Bondi, is that you have both Bay and Ocean beach.
There are some beautiful walking tracks also close to Manly, like the Sydney Harbour National Park, however not comparable to the ones in Bondi.
Enjoy your time there 😉
Not just where to stay in Sydney. It is like a complete guide on Sydney. Where to stay, what transportation to take, what places to visit , you have covered it all so elaborately. I am going to save it for future.
Good day Neha and thanks for your feedback.
Indeed there is all you need for Sydney really, although there are so many other things to do and see. I love Sydney, it’s such an amazing city.
I never get bored. Even simply walking in the local streets of Surry Hills or Newtown is an activity by itself LOL
Hopefully you can make it sooner rather than later and, if you can, plan at least a week. The city really deserves some time.
Happy travelling
A.
Hi Andrea,
I am coming to Sydney in April and I was wondering if the weather is still good for some beach time. If so do you have any preference between Manly and Bondi?
I heard you can cling the Harbour Bridge. Do you know how?
Thanks so much
Great work
Hi Chris,
you can still do lots of swimming in April, no worries. In fact it is the time when the Ocean water is at the highest temperature. Nice and warm 🙂
The weather can be also quite magnificent. Right now the temperature in Sydney is way to high, over 45 and the humidity is a killer, but in April it is awesome because the day are usually warm, around 25-30 Celsius, but not super hot.
My favourite spot is Manly. There is more of a cool down, easy going, feeling there. I almost feel like in a village than in a district of a big city. It’s easy to reach it, with a 15 or 30 ferry ride. Also the Northern beaches are amazing, you can get there with a bike or just Uber, cheap enough.
In saying that, my favourite walk is the one from Bondi to Coogee, an amazing 6km with a unique scenery.
Hard to choose, I know.
I would personally go for Manly, you can go for the surfing beach or the bay side beach, perfect for swimming and with kids, and this is a big bonus. And if the weather is not as good, it happens also in Sydney 🙂 , you can always ferry to some attractions in the city.
Cling the bridge? mhmhm, not sure….LOL…I guess you meant climb the bridge. Indeed you can climb the Harbour Bridge. It does not come cheap however it is a real unique experience, an activity in the to-do list. My only suggestion is to book your ticket in advance as they can become seriously booked out more often than expected. This is a link to the climb.
Enjoy your stay 😉
A.
Wow that’s a long post.
I will be in Sydney in the beginning of March for 4 days. Do you know if there is any special event I should go or follow?
I was thinking about skydiving. Do you know if it is possible in Sydney? I guess the view of the bay from the top must be magnificent.
All the best
Scott
Hi Scott, yes, very long, I love writing LOL and honestly Sydney has so many areas to explore and stay that anything less would not cover enough of the city
So you will be in Sydney beginning of March. So sorry, there will not be anything happening in the city. It will be super boring……just kidding, it’s actually one of the best time to be in Sydney. Mardi Gras is on. Have a look to the official website for more info on activities and dates.
The main event is the parade on Oxford street. It’s usually packed!! So try to go there a couple of hours in advance to get a viewing spot. It’s an awesome event and it seems that most of the city is there, really busy. After the parade you will find parties in every single pub and bar in the area. Really great.
If you are up for a quick pizza have a check at the Dimitri’s Pizza, almost on the corner of Campbell and Crown St. It is an institution in the area, old style Aussie pizza. If you are after some fancy food have a check at the Winery, about 20m after Dimitri, on the right side. It’s in a hidden courtyard with a fantastic view to the city. Good also for just drinks.
Skydiving in Sydney is indeed possible. Have a look here for more info.
Enjoy your time….it looks like with lots of adrenaline 🙂