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 🙂
This post is not only about where to stay in Sydney it looks like a complete guide to each and every query related to Sydney. Every query is answered here. Such an amazing post. Thank you So much.
no worries
Hi Andrea,
Thank you so much for your informative post. My wife and I will be travelling to Sydney-Melbourne this coming August (10D9N). As it’s our honeymoon trip, we want to make this trip a memorable one. We have allocated 2 days in Sydney and 7 days in Melbourne.
We would like to hear from you if there is any place of interests we shouldn’t miss out in both cities and any other tips in making our trip a smooth and enjoyable one.
Many thanks!
Hi Henry,
and congratulation for the future marriage :). What an awesome day and trip you will have!!
About Sydney: I would not miss a sunset at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, a visit at the Sydney Tower Eye for the view, a coffee in Surry Hills and the unique walk from Bondi to Coogee.
About Melbourne: sunset at the St Kilda pier with a possible glimpse of the penguins, Eureka Skydeck for the amazing view to the city and the bay, NGV if you are after a gallery, lunch at Centre Pl, later afternoon at Hosier Lane for the Graffiti, and dinner at Movida (Spanish Food) or Cookies (Thai/Asian food). Drinks at the Curtin House Rooftop (a must)
Enjoy your trip!!
Hey.
I can’t believe I havent been to Sydney for over 20 years, so your post was fantastic! We are coming for 10 days with the main thing being the new Sydney Cabaret Festival at the Seymour Centre in July. We were hoping for a fully immersive festival experience to stay where performers are staying, as Seymour Centre seems a bit away from the main hotels. Can’t see accommodation sponsors on their website and there doesnt seem to be a festival office to call and ask. Any ideas?
Loving all the other suggestions and now about to add more to the already big TO DO list!
THANKS
Hi Paula, sure you will have fun at the Cabaret Centre. Chippendale is also a nice area to stay, with plenty of post-industrial and warehouse building. Take your time and visit the White Rabbit Gallery, my favourite in Sydney.
In saying that, unfortunately, the accommodation offer is pretty limited.
The Adina Apartments is the best bet, just behind the corner from the Seymour Centre. Although I feel like it will be probably already booked out (and if it is not you should book straight away).
Alternatively, book closer to the station (more options there). The Four Points, is probably the closest option, brand new too, really modern and beautiful. A good value option is also the 28 Hotel Sydney, more minimalistic, however, it comes at a very good price too.
I hope I was able to help. Enjoy your stay 🙂
Hi Andrea, your article so informative. Meanwhile I’m going to visit Sydney with my fiance during mid of October this year for 10 days. This is my first time visit to Sydney. Any recommended accommodation for staying in CBD or..? And any recommended must try restaurant or activity? Thanks
Hi Sim, 10 days in Sydney. Wow, it will be great. For a unique experience, you should book the bridge climb. It’s expensive, however a really unique!!
The accommodation in CBD has the great advantage to be one train, bus or ferry ride from everywhere you like.
I would not discount, however, a few days in Bondi. So iconic and so beautiful too.
You could break the stay with the first 3 days in Bondi and the remaining 7 days in CBD.
You can catch a Uber from the Airport to Bondi (it costs the same as train+bus and it takes a third of the time, or 20-30 minutes)
In Bondi, there are plenty of things to do, especially on the weekend. The walk to Coogee is magnificent. Also take a short bus ride to Watsons Bay, so amazing and great views.
My favourite place to sleep is QT Bondi, a great stay in style without blowing the budget
I had one of my best pizza ever at Society Pizzeria Di Catania Bondi. They have a special on Monday/Tuesday for $20 all you can eat. Absolutely an incredible bargain!!
If you are into meat, have a look at the Macelleria. So amazing! And at a great price too!
From Bondi, you can take the direct 333 bus to the CBD (buy the OPAL card to catch any mean of transportation in Sydney, the card is actually free, you just pay the amount you top up).
In Sydney CBD, you have many accommodations options, really for every budget. The Sydney Hotel CBD is one of the best value in Sydney.
The Meat & Wine at Circular Quay is a beautiful restaurant for a cozy night. Go to the The Glenmore pub for an amazing view of the bay and the bridge from the rooftop.
Enjoy your stay!!
Love this post!! My family of 4 (two young boys) would love to do a fun family photo shoot while we are visiting Sydney. Where would you recommend we take photos that capture the essence of the city? Trying to get pictures that don’t just look like we are in Any Park, USA
Hi Christina, thanks for your feedback. You should check this post with my fav locations for photography in Sydney. My top 3:
– On the walk between Bondi and Coogee (amazing cliffs all around)
– In the early morning at the Observatory Park (great view of the bridge and the bay)
– At sunset go to the Mrs Macquarie’s Chair (great view of the Opera House )
Enjoy your trip in Sydney!!
Hello,
I am trying to organise a weekend in Sydney for my friends 30th birthday and can’t decide whether to stay in Circular Quay or Darling Harbour! I love the look of the Sofitel Darling Harbour, but my friend doesn’t love huge hotels… she would prefer somewhere like the Pullman at Circular Quay, but for the money, the rooms don’t look that amazing online! Also trying to decide between dinner at Aria or Bennelong. Have you been to either? Any ideas or recommendations would be great! Thank you, Fiona
Hi Fiona, I understand your point….and your friend too. I personally like more Circular Quay area, but, of course, it’s more of a personal decision.
I have been to the Sofitel just a few months ago and I had a great experience. In saying that, Circular Quay gives access to more things to do, especially on a weekend.
I may suggest something in the middle as the Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection. It is in the heritage listed docks, on the side of the Harbour Bridge. The area is very quiet for the night, great for a nice sleep, still a stone away from everything you want to see or experience, including restaurants. The view can be really amazing, still, the hotel is a more of boutique style.
Both Aria and Bennelong are great fine dining restaurants. My preference goes to Bennelong, just for its unique location. Hard to beat a dinner inside the Opera House. A really memorable experience. Something to talk in the years to come.
Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Hi Andrea,
I am planning to visit Sydney in July 2019 for 10 days!!! I am super excited and happy. Your blog is very helpful too! I was wondering if you could please recommend an area+ hotel for me to stay , I am 33, not much into clubbing and loud music, love cafes and bars, nature, people, medium budget.
I also want to know how safe it is for a girl, if lets say I want to go for a drink in a lounge/bar? Are Uber fine to use? This is my very first solo travel.
Thank you so much and looking forward to hear back 🙂 xxxx
Hi Gina, thanks for your feedback 🙂
Uber is definitely used in Sydney, a lot. The city is generally quite safe. There are a few suburbs that probably I would not recommend but they are not very touristy either, no much point to visit them, honestly.
Bars and pubs are quite safe too. Nothing happened to me in my last 15 years. Of course, if I see a couple of guys going to the mat then I would step back or leave the place altogether. There are plenty of bouncers around. Again, like any other city, I guess.
I would consider these options:
Surry Hills
For more of a cafe, bar, restaurant and arty experience. I just love this area. It’s also walking distance to the city in case you want to visit a few museum or main attractions. The Moore Park and the Centennial Park are next door and you can easily catch a bus to Bondi beach for some sunbathing.
The Little Albion is a cute boutique hotel, one I would always suggest. It’s very good value for money considering what they offer.
Another accommodation I like is the Arts Hotel. It’s in Paddington, just bordering Surry Hills. It’s cheaper however it is not a boutique hotel, more of a classic accommodation.
Bondi
It’s the famous beach side of Sydney. I would suggest it if nature has priority over cafes and art. The walks there are spectacular, like the Bondi to Coogee walk, following 3km on a cliff with an amazing view (even walking through a cemetery).
Take a bus or ride a bike to Watsons Bay for another amazing walk and view. Really plenty of possibilities.
The cafe scene is not as good as Surry Hills. There are many bars, the one I would suggest is the iconic Icebergs. What a view from there!!
The Hotel Bondi is right there in the centre of the beach facing the water.
The Adina Apartment Hotel is 3 streets from the beach, it has, however, a more modern style and design, which I prefer if your priority is not the view.
If you are more into an AirBnb style apartment than the Bondi Heaven unit is really unbeatable for the view. probably the best in the area.
Of course, you can also mix the two experiences with 4/5 days in Surry Hills and the remaining part in Bondi.
I hope I was able to help and don’t hesitate to leave another question
Enjoy your stay
Hi, I just left a message. Would you recommend the Langham Sydney, Pullman Quay or something else? Again, booking at end of Feb. for mom and teenage daughter so we want safe/comfortable/and relaxing. Thank you so much!
The Langham Quay is a beautiful hotel, very close to the city, still in a quiet location and close to lots of attractions. The only thing you will miss is the beach, but you have a pool.
Another option is the Shangri-La, with probably one of the best view of the city bay.
Have a great stay!!
HI!
I am booking a first time trip to Sydney (I think over Melbourne) for myself and 17 year old daughter. It will be the last week of feb. We LOVE beaches, relaxation, adventures and a bit upscale hotel that is safe and beautiful views. We have no idea where to stay and I am planning on must see/do adventures. What do you recommend? THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Hi Angie,
there are two great locations that should fit your like.
The first ne is BONDI. It’s closer to the airport (grab a taxi there, so much quicker). The beach is amazing, a few nice restaurants and cafes and my favourite walk (great for jogging too) along the coast to Coogee. For the best view and lovely food head to the Icebergs Dining Room. Exceptional but it doesn’t come cheap.
QT Bondi is a great upscale accommodations and good value for money too, I think.
From Bondi to the CBD you need to grab a bus or a taxi. Off peak hours it usually takes 30-40 minutes. On peak hours it takes much longer
The alternative is MANLY. You get more of a village & surfing feeling. There are two beaches, the surfing one and another one facing the bay, great for swimming.
The beautiful thing is that Manly is connected to the CBD (Circular Quay and the Rocks) with a quick 15 minnutes fast ferry or the usual 30 minutes ferry.
From the airport take the train to Circular Quay and the ferry from there, easy.
In Manly you can book this beach house with possibly the most beautiful view in Sydney. Hard to get anything better than that.
In Manly there is a national park, great for walks, and you have the possibility to explore by bike most of the unspoiled beaches in the north on the city. There is also a fabulous walk that follows the bay. Plenty to do.
Enjoy your stay!!!
Hi Andrea,
Fantastic job with this post, it is really helpful! 🙂 Thank you! Wondering if by any chance you could provide tips on Perth too.
Cheers,
Lucy
Hey Lucy,
it’s something in the pipeline however it’s far from being ready. As you can imagine, it takes time to build a good informative guide
My quick suggestion here is to book in Fremantle, it’s really a cool are to stay, next to the beach and with some great restaurants, cafes and bars. Really beautiful. It’s also very well connected.
The Be Fremantle hotel is absolutely in the best location ever, overlooking the port and at a bargain price for what you have. The view is to die for.
Enjoy your stay in Australia!!