G’day mate! Welcome to Sydney! I’ve stayed in Sydney numerous times, usually when I was booked as a DJ for a show.
Whenever I get booked, I have to figure out where to stay in Sydney. I’ve done the research and found that each area within the city (although it’s easy to walk to every part) has its own characteristics, pros, and cons.
The club organizations that brought me over took me around the city like a local. The bars, the food spots, and the walks people who actually live there take on a normal day.
What I love about Sydney is how well walkable it is. And wherever you stay, you can just walk outside and find fun things to do or great places to eat. You’ll be less tied to a single part of the city than in many other cities around the world! And if you need to go further, getting around is super easy (and cheap!).
The best area to stay in Sydney is Circular Quay for first-timers; you’re right by the Opera House and harbour. The Rocks is the romantic choice right next to it, Darling Harbour is great for families, and Bondi is for the beach.
So below is my honest breakdown of where to stay in Sydney. Keep reading; I will go through it all!
| 6 Areas | Best for | Vibe | Price | Best Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Circular Quay | First-timers, the Opera House | Touristy, harbour front | $$$ | Four Seasons |
| 2. The Rocks | History, walkability, and couples. | Romantic, charming | $ | YHA Sydney Harbour |
| 3. George St & Martin Place | Shopping, city center | Busy by day, quiet at night | $$ | The Fullerton Hotel Sydney |
| 4. Darling Harbour North & Barangaroo | Waterfront, families | Modern, calmer | $$$ | Hyatt Regency |
| 5. Darling Harbour South & Chinatown | Budget, food | Busy, cheap eats | $ | Novotel |
| 6. Bondi | The beach | Beachy, social | $$ | Hotel Bondi |
In this guide, I’m making a different distinction between areas than most other blogs/websites. I found that prices/vibe/and convenience differ most between these 6 spots:
Where to Stay in Sydney
Alright! Sydney is a big city, but the part you actually care about as a visitor is between Darling Harbour and Circular Quay. The beaches like Bondi and Manly are a bit further out, but the ferries, buses, and trains make them super easy to reach.
Quick thing on the term 'CBD' that you might have seen, because it confuses people (including me!). The CBD (Central Business District) is basically just Sydney's central city, the main downtown area; it's actually what most people think of when thinking of 'Sydney'. When a hotel or a guide says stay in the CBD, they really just mean stay central. It is a big area, though. It goes from the Opera House in the north down to Central Station, plus over to Darling Harbour on the west side. So the real question is not whether to stay in the CBD. It is, which part of it!
1. Circular Quay (near the Opera House)
If it is your first time in Sydney (and you’re not on a budget), this is where I would tell you to stay. Circular Quay is at the harbor where the ferries come in. You are basically standing between the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, and this is such a beautiful spot, especially in the evening.
In the photos below, the boulevard along the water is just filled with bars and restaurants. I love the atmosphere!
Especially in the evening during sunset, it’s so pretty. Here’s a short video of the view you get when you’re staying at Circular Quay:
You walk out of your hotel, and the whole ‘Greetings from Sydney postcard’ is just there right in front of you.
Staying in Circular Quay means you have the view of the famous Opera House, of course:
How to pronounce Circular Quay? Quay is pronounced as "kee", like it rhymes with "key". I thought it was like "kway"! Shame on me...
The Royal Botanic Gardens are an easy walk away, too. I love the botanical gardens; the view of the city from the gardens is incredible, and it always surprises me how quiet it is while you’re right in the heart of Sydney!
Btw, you’ll definitely see these beautiful cockatoos flying in Sydney! Although the sound they make is less pretty… It’s just incredible to see it in such a large city as Sydney. It also tells you a bit how clean the air is there.
Things to do around Circular Quay
- Opera house (even without going in, it’s pretty spectacular)
- Loads of bars and restaurants along the waterfront
- All lines for the hop-on hop-off bus stop there
- View of the Harbour Bridge
- Some street artists are performing
- Close to a shopping district
- Botanical gardens are super close by.
Best hotels in Circular Quay
These are my favorite hotels I visit near Circular Quay:
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
The Four Seasons is a 1-minute walk from the ferries, and The Rocks is just left of it. The location right by the harbour is really hard to beat. It is a fantastic five-star hotel, a few minutes from the ferries, the Opera House, and The Rocks. It’s expensive, but it’s got everything you want, especially the location.
Location has a 9.7 score and it really is in one of the best locations in Sydney.
Shangri-La Sydney
Shangri-La Sydney is one of the more popular 5-star hotels around Circular Quay; if you’re looking for a 5-star hotel in this area, Shangri-La or Four Seasons are the best options, in my opinion.
One of the more popular 5 star hotels at Circular Quay
Pros and Cons of Staying Around Circular Quay
Pros: Best location in the city, right by the Opera House, the bridge, and the ferries. Walkable to a lot of things. Safe and easy for a first trip.
Cons: The most expensive area for hotels, food, and drinks. Can feel a bit touristy (nothing too crazy tho) and busy.
Stay in Circular Quay If:
- It is your first time in Sydney and you want everything close
- Waking up near the Opera House and the harbour sounds good
- Walking everywhere appeals to you (Sydney is great for this)
- You are happy to pay a bit more for the best location in the city
If the touristy feel of Circular Quay is not quite something for you, the area (right next door) is the opposite!
2. the Rocks (historic and Walkable)
The Rocks is right next to Circular Quay, just under the Harbour Bridge, and it is the oldest part of Sydney. Cobblestone lanes, old sandstone buildings, historic pubs. It is where the city began, but it still retains its old character. I find this one of the more romantic places to stay in Sydney.
It gives you the same harbor location as Circular Quay. But with more character, and it’s much quieter, which makes it more romantic in my opinion!
What’s also great about The Rocks is that most restaurants and bars are a bit less busy than around Circular Quay or the city center, so it’s easier to get a table!
I walked around The Rocks a fair bit while I was staying nearby. It is a really nice area to just wander.
There is a weekend market, plenty of old pubs, and you are still a few minutes from the Opera House; the view of the Opera House is incredible as well from The Rocks.
If you want to stay central but somewhere with a bit more history than the glass office towers, The Rocks is a really good spot.
At the end of the pier, you get to the heart of The Rocks: restaurants, bars, people dancing during the day; it’s an amazing place.
Things to Do in the Rocks
- Wander the cobblestone lanes; it is the oldest part of the city
- The Rocks weekend market is on Saturdays and Sundays
- Stop for a drink at one of the historic pubs (the Fortune of War is Sydney’s oldest)
- Walk across the Harbour Bridge on the free footpath
- The Museum of Contemporary Art is on the edge of the area, with a rooftop harbour view
- But most of all, enjoying the view over the harbour and the opera house.
What I also love about The Rocks is the huge machinery you see and the ability to just walk around there. It gives the area an industrial, raw, but very characteristic feeling.
Weddings or photoshoots often take place at the end of The Rocks, which tells you how beautiful it is.
Best hotels in The Rocks
My favorite hotels in The Rocks:
YHA Sydney Harbour
YHA Sydney Harbour is a sensible choice to stay in Sydney. It lacks a bit of charm compared to most other hotels around The Rocks, but you can get a view of the Opera House, and it’s much more affordable than many other hotels in the area.
Park Hyatt Sydney
IF you want to splurge a bit (well…, a lot), Park Hyatt Sydney is right at the end of The Rocks, which is probably the most iconic spot in all of Sydney. I have not stayed here; it’s just sliiiightly above my budget… but the hotel looks incredible. It’s the building on the center in the photo below:
Pros and Cons of Staying in The Rocks
Pros: Same harbour location as Circular Quay but with more character and history. Quieter at night. Great pubs and the weekend market. Hotels are much more affordable.
Cons: The cobblestone lanes and old buildings can mean smaller, older rooms. For shopping, you’ll have to go somewhere else.
Stay in The Rocks if
- You want the harbour location but with old-Sydney character
- Historic pubs and cobblestone lanes sound like your thing
- A slightly calmer evening than the main tourist areas
- Being walkable to the Opera House and the Bridge matters
I have to say The Rocks is one of my favourite areas to stay in Sydney. Next up is the best spot for shopping!
3. George Street & Martin Place (the City Center)
This is the downtown area for shopping, office buildings, and the core of the CBD. George Street is the long main spine running through the middle of the city. Martin Place is the financial heart just off it.
It is busy in the day and quieter at night, because a lot of it empties out after work. The trade-off is that you often get better hotel value here than right on the harbor.
This is also where you stay if shopping is a big part of your trip. The main shopping is right here, around Pitt Street Mall, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) and the big department stores.
For more boutique shopping, you would head out to Paddington, but for everything in one walkable path, the city center is it.
I did the Sydney Tower Eye while I was in the city, too. It gives you a good sense of how the whole city is laid out around the water.
Things to do around George Street & Martin Place
- Shop on Pitt Street Mall, the main pedestrian shopping strip
- The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is worth going in, even just for the building itself!
- Sydney Tower Eye is right here in Westfield Sydney
- Martin Place itself, the grand open square in the financial heart
- Walk to Hyde Park
- Loads of bars and restaurants, including some really cozy alleys
Tip: That said, it’s not all business and upscale shopping; there are also some cozy alleys like Ash Street and a spot called Angel Place Birdcages with really nice restaurants. Quite the romantic spot!
Best hotels in George Street & Martin Place
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
This hotel is something else, and I haven’t seen a more beautiful hotel building in such a good location anywhere in the world. The Fullerton Hotel Sydney is something you have to try at least once, if you’re not traveling on a budget. But I have to say, for what you get, prices start around $260; it’s a good deal. You’ll remember this stay for a very long time!
Totally unique experience, no other hotel I've ever been has this much character.
Pros and Cons of staying around George Street/Martin Place
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Central and very close to the trains and subway | The office part feels a bit dead in the evenings and on weekends |
| Easy to get anywhere | Some might find it has less charm than the harbour |
| Great for shopping | Missing the iconic view on the Opera House |
| Great for late night dining |
Stay in George Street or Martin Place if
- Shopping is high on your list (Pitt Street Mall and the QVB are right here)
- You want a central place in the city
- Being close to subway and transport is important to you
That is the polished, business and shopping side of the city. Just to the left of it, things are cheaper but also a bit louder! More on that below.
4. Darling Harbour North & Barangaroo (waterfront)
The northern end of Darling Harbour is the area I know best in Sydney. I stayed here and spent a lot of time just walking around it. This side goes up to King Street Wharf and into Barangaroo, the newest waterfront on the western edge of the city. Barangaroo did not really exist in this form a few years ago. Now it is full of new restaurants and bars right on the water.
That’s me exploring Darling Harbour; it’s such a beautiful place for some street and night photography!
Things to do in Darling Harbour North & Barangaroo
- Walk across the Pyrmont Bridge, the old bridge over the water
- Visit the Aquarium, Madame Tussauds,
- Wander King Street Wharf and the Barangaroo waterfront for bars and restaurants
- Tumbalong Park has a big outdoor playground, great with kids
- Stop for a drink at the W Hotel, one of the nicest interiors I saw in the city
- The whole area is flat and easy, so it is great for an easy evening walk
Best hotels in Darling Harbour North & Barangaroo
These are my favorite hotels around the upper part of Darling Harbour:
Hyatt Regency Sydney
Hyatt Regency Sydney is where I stayed a few nights when I got booked by a club in Sydney, right in the middle of it all. Central and easy, with King Street Wharf, Tumbalong Park and the Pyrmont Bridge all a few minutes’ walk away. What surprised me was the price; you get Hyatt Luxury, an outdoor pool, and an amazing view that’s way more affordable than the Hyatt at The Rocks. Rooms start around $170 per night.
Crown Towers Sydney (Barangaroo)
Over in Barangaroo, there’s the Crown Towers, a luxury tower right on the water. The Cirq bar 26 floors up has won several bar-of-the-year awards. Worth a drink (which is what I did) even if the rooms are out of budget. It’s one of the most iconic buildings in Sydney, too expensive for me but I still wanted to mention it.
Pros and Cons of staying on the north side of Darling Harbour
Pros: Central but calmer than the tourist spots. Flat and easy to walk, good for families. Lovely waterfront with new bars and restaurants.
Cons: Barangaroo is not cheap. A short walk or ferry from the very centre. Can feel a bit new and corporate in some parts. No view of the Opera House.
Stay in the north side of Darling Harbour if
- You want to be central but not in the middle of the tourist crush
- Waterfront walks in the evening
- Travelling with family suits this area (it is flat, easy, lots of open space for kids)
- A short walk or ferry into the very centre is fine with you
5. Darling Harbour South & Chinatown
The southern end of Darling Harbour runs into Chinatown, so I am putting them together here. This side is more about food and value than harbour glamour. I stayed in Chinatown on one trip. It is the spot I would recommend if you are traveling on a budget. It’s near Central Station, so it is central, but without the central price tag…
The food is the main reason to be here. Lots of cheap and really good places to eat, especially around Chinatown.
I stayed at the Novotel on Little Pier Street, which is right in the middle of it all. From there, you can walk to King Street Wharf, Tumbalong Park, Chinese Garden of Friendship and Darling Harbour in a few minutes. The whole area is flat and easy to move around, which made it really nice for just wandering without a plan.
We had dinner at the Pumphouse while we were here.
I also stopped for a drink at the W Hotel in Darling Harbour; W is always nice.
Yes, W is expensive, but it’s not as expensive as many other 5-star hotels, and I think the experience is way more unique at a W hotel.
The location and the interior were really something; easily one of the nicest spots I went for a drink in the whole city. If you want to feel a bit fancy for an hour, go and have one drink there.
Things to do in Darling Harbour South & Chinatown
- Eat at Chinatown; this is the cheap-food heart of the city
- Paddy’s Markets is there, a huge indoor market near Central Station
- Walk up into the southern end of Darling Harbour and Tumbalong Park
- Tumbalong Park
- The Sea Life aquarium, Wildlife and Madame Tussauds are a short walk north
- Central Station is right here, so day trips and the airport train are easy
Best hotels in Darling Harbour South & Chinatown
This is where I stayed on one trip, the budget-friendly central pick near Central Station.
Novotel
There are a few Novotel Hotels in Sydney, but this one positively surprised me. The location is really good; you’re on a street away from Chinatown, Haymarket, Chinese Garden of Friendship, and Tumbalong Park; Darling Harbour is around 5 to 7 minutes walking. Rooms were pretty good, breakfast was fine (including fresh baked aggs/omellet etc), overall just really good value.
W Hotel
As I said, W is always a good choice if you want to spend a bit more. It’s right at the edge of Darling Harbour and has an incredible interior.
If you want something unique in Sydney, this is it.
Pros and Cons of staying on the south side of Darling Harbour
Pros: The most budget-friendly central area. Loads of cheap, good food. Near Central Station and the trains.
Cons: Busier and less polished than the harbour areas. Can be noisy at night (this caught me out in Chinatown). No real water view.
Stay in Darling Harbour South or Chinatown if
- You are watching your budget but still want to be central
- Good cheap food matters more to you than a water view
- Being near Central Station and the trains is handy
- You do not mind a busier, more local-feeling area
That covers the city side of Sydney. But plenty of people do not come here for the city at all. They come for the beach!
6. Bondi Beach
If you came to Sydney for the beach, you stay at the beach! Well, duh. It is that simple. And the cool thing about Sydney is that it’s totally doable to stay at Bondi for the entire trip and take a bus or taxi to the city.
This way you’ll have a real city trip while staying at the beach! It’s a pretty cool and unique feature of this city. The bus takes about 20-30 minutes, and it’s a nice ride past some beautiful houses.
Bondi is the most famous beach of Sydney, and for good reason. I stayed at the Bondi Hotel right on the beach. So I woke up to the water and could just walk out onto the sand.
I did the Bondi coastal walk, the shorter version of the famous one, and it is just sooo beautiful. During golden hour, you can see water droplets being pushed up by the wind, creating an incredible golden glow.
Bondi Beach is totally worth visiting!
It doesn’t happen to me often that I just stop and really take in the moment. I love this place. You follow the cliffs along the water and pass a few other beaches on the way.
The spot that almost mesmerizes me is Bondi Icebergs; it’s a swimming club at the south end of the beach with the ocean pool. We ate at The Bergs Bistro there. I also stopped at the Promenade Beach Bar along the front.
Things to do in Bondi
- Spend a morning on Bondi Beach itself
- Do the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk along the cliffs
- Bondi Icebergs, the ocean pool at the south end, is worth seeing even if you do not swim
- Cafes and bars all along the front, the social scene is half the appeal
- Catch the bus into the city, about 20-30 minutes past some lovely houses
Best hotels in Bondi
Looking for some places to stay at Bondi Beach? There are several nice hotels right at the boulevard:
Hotel Bondi
Hotel Bondi is where I stayed, right on the beachfront. It’s a really charming hotel, with a good rating and good value (starts from $110 per night).
Pros and Cons of staying at Bondi Beach
Pros: Right on the beach with a great social scene. Cafes, bars and the coastal walk on your doorstep. A completely different feel from the city.
Cons: Further from the harbour sights and the Opera House. No train, so it is buses or a taxi to the city. Gets very busy on sunny days. Not as many restaurants as you might expect.
Who should stay in Bondi:
- The beach is the main reason you came to Sydney
- You like a social scene with cafes and bars right there
- You do not mind being further from the harbour and the Opera House
- Morning swims or coastal walks are your kind of thing
Best Sydney Hotels at a Glance
All the hotels above in one place, so you can compare without having to scroll back up.
| Area | Best for | Price | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circular Quay | First timers, harbour views | $$$ | Four Seasons | Check Availability Here |
| Circular Quay | Families, longer stays | $$$ | Shangri-La | Check Availability Here |
| The Rocks | Top luxury, best views | $$$$ | Park Hyatt Sydney | Check Availability Here |
| The Rocks | Budget + location | $ | YHA Sydney Harbour | Check Availability Here |
| George St | Boutique, central, shopping | $$$ | The Fullerton Hotel Sydney | Check Availability Here |
| Barangaroo | Waterfront luxury | $$$$ | Crown Towers | Check Availability Here |
| Darling Harbour | Waterfront luxury | $$ | Hyatt Regency | Check Availability Here |
| Darling Harbour South/Chinatown | Families, waterfront | $$ | Novotel | Check Availability Here |
| Darling Harbour South | Unique Luxury | $$$ | W Hotel | Check Availability Here |
| Bondi | On the beach | $$ | Hotel Bondi | Check Availability Here |
5 Hotel Tips (check Before You Book)
Here are a few things I learned from staying in these hotels in Sydney:
- The windows often do not open. A lot of the newer high-rise hotels in Sydney have sealed windows. If that bothers you, and it bothers me a bit, check the room description or reviews before you book, or just ask the hotel. Older, boutique and smaller hotels are more likely to have windows you can actually open.
- In Sydney it’s quite common to have shared bathrooms in budget stays. If you’re looking for a budget option, please check the room details to see whether you want a shared bathroom. (The hotels and stays I recommend in this guide do not have shared bathrooms, btw.)
- A quiet street by day can be really loud at night. This surprised me in Chinatown. It feels calm and relaxed during the day. Then the bars and restaurants nearby come alive after dark. If you are a light sleeper, perhaps ask for a room on a higher floor.
- One nice surprise is breakfast. A few of the cheaper hotels I stayed in had better breakfasts than I expected. Nothing fancy, but solid, and it saves you from having to find somewhere every morning. But, there are so many nice and fun breakfast spots in the city that you might even book the hotel without breakfast.
- At night, most hotels close their doors, and you need your room card to open the front door. So please don’t forget your hotel card! (There is always someone at the desk who you can wave to, but still…)
How to Get Around in Sydney?
You do not need a car in Sydney! I want to say that clearly because people ask it a lot. Sydney is one of the easiest cities I’ve been to get around in.
I used the ferries, the trains, and taxis, and I walked a LOT.
At no point did I wish I had a car. Sydney is also one of the best cities for walking I have been to. Much better than Seoul, where I lived while visiting Sydney.
I wrote a full guide that covers every option in getting around in Sydney, but here are my favourite ways:
Walking
Walking is undoubtedly the best way to explore Sydney, as I mentioned before; everywhere you go, there is something interesting like a museum, bar, or restaurant.
Hop on Hop off Bus
Yes, I know, it’s a bit touristy, but! It’s also basically just a bus with an open rooftop! And it goes along a lot of great spots, and because you’re sitting in the open air, you can really take in the city as you ride through it. There are several lines, and one even goes to Bondi Beach.
What I love about it is that you can see where the buses are driving live on the app so you know when a bus arrives. Just go to the bus stops a little bit earlier than what the app shows because it has a bit of a delay in showing the bus’s exact position:
Jack's Favorite
Public Transport
The Opal card is the standard card to use for travel in Sydney, but you can also check in with your phone using Apple Pay (or any wireless payment app).
It works super easily; just tap the gate with your phone, it beeps, and you’re good to go.
Please check whether this works for you as well before getting a dedicated travel card. The ferries are a nice surprise. They are public transport, but they feel like a harbor cruise! And it’s super cheap, too; I paid 60 cents to get to Luna Park on the other side of the river.
A few practical notes from using it myself:
- The train from the airport is the easiest way into the city, way better than sitting in traffic
- Ferries are the most scenic way to move, and they’re cheap. You can check in easily by tapping your phone if you have wireless payment set up.
- Walking covers more than you think because the central areas are close together
- Taxis are fine for late nights or awkward routes, but you will not need them much
- For exact current fares and the trip planner, check Transport NSW, since the prices do change.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
For a first trip, I would say 2 to 3 days covers the main things. That gives you the harbour and the city, a beach day, and one of the coastal walks. A trip to the Blue Mountains will cost a day extra.
-
Sydney is one of the safer big cities I have visited. I did not have any issues, including at night after shows. You use the same common sense you would in any city. Watch your stuff, be aware late at night, and keep an eye on your drink when you are out. For families and first-time travelers, it is a really easy city. There are some homeless people, and some streets can get loud at night if there are bars, but overall it’s pretty safe. I’d say it’s way safer than Barcelona or New York, for instance, but Seoul and Shanghai are safer, so it’s kind of between that. But this is just my opinion.
-
The CBD and Circular Quay. You are right by the harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, and the transport connections are all there. It is the easiest base for a first trip, even if it costs a bit more.
-
Darling Harbour is my great for families. It is flat, easy to walk, right on the water, and there is a lot of space for kids around Tumbalong Park. You are central but away from the busiest tourist areas. There’s also a huge outdoor playground at Darling Harbour
-
Chinatown is the most central budget option, near Central Station, with lots of cheap food around. You can also find more budget-friendly rooms beyond the harbor in the CBD.
-
Anywhere central, really. The CBD, Circular Quay, and Darling Harbour are all walkable and close to trains and ferries, so you never need to drive. Sydney is an easy city to do completely without a car. Public Transport works really well, and it’s cheap. Just check in with your phone (Apple Pay set up with Revolut or Wise) and it just works, even for the ferries.
Final Thoughts & Tips
If I had to choose for you, I would stay near Circular Quay or on the north side of Darling Harbour for a first Sydney trip. You get the harbour, the walkability, and the transport all in one. The Rocks is lovely, but it’s also just a bit further from the center. That is really the whole answer to where to stay in Sydney: pick the area that fits your trip, then book centrally.
One small outside-the-box idea: it’s totally possible to stay at Bondi Beach for the entire trip and take a hop-on, hop-off bus or a taxi to the city; it takes only about 20-30 minutes. This way, you get a city trip and plenty of time to relax at the beach! Just something to think about! 😉
Staying in Bondi means hotels are cheaper than downtown, but you’ll have higher taxi costs, which makes it about equally expensive as staying downtown.
What I remember most about Sydney is not really a single sight. It is how easy and good it felt to just walk around. The harbour is always somewhere nearby, the ferries going past the Opera House like it was nothing.
The birds flying around in the city, the endless amount of bars and restaurants, the relaxed vibe, it feels safe, it’s (almost) everywhere really clean, and Aussies are really friendly and open.
I have lived in so many cities around the world, but I did not expect Sydney to get under my skin the way it did. I would go back tomorrow!
