During the pandemic, tourists from other countries missed Australia. Now that travel is back to normal, it’s also a chance to connect with the city in new ways.

When you go back to Sydney, you’ll see it from a different angle. It’s home to one of the biggest Pride events in the world, and there are now Indigenous tours over the bridge.

We asked Sarah Reid to make a four-day plan for how to get back in touch with Sydney. 

Nearly ten years ago, I lived in Sydney. The bay still thrills me every time I see it from the plane window on my regular trips from upstate New South Wales. Sydney always amazes me, from its famous beaches to its huge variety of delicious food.  

As to why you should go to Sydney

Some places are really cool, but Sydney is one of the best. But Harbor City is unique in more ways than just its sandy beaches and famous buildings. Sydney is one of the most mixed cities in the world, and you can see it in its lively arts and constantly changing food scenes. Sydney is also known for being a city that welcomes everyone and is always ready for fun.  

Get to know the icons 

Place your walking shoes on and head to Circular Quay to enjoy your first look at Sydney’s water. Before you go on a tour of the famous Sydney Opera House ($28, one hour), you have to take a selfie with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background. The concert hall reopened in 2022 after a major renovation that fixed long-standing problems with sound quality and accessibility. The new performance hall has an elevator to take people who can’t walk up to the dress circle. The brush-box-timber wall panels were replaced with acoustic diffusion panels made from the same Australian hardwood, which makes the whole venue sound better. In 2023, when it turns 50, there will be a lot of events planned.

Take the waterfront walk through the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs. Macquarie’s Point. There, you can relax on Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, a sandstone bench that was carved by prisoners, and enjoy one of the best views of Sydney Harbor. Next, take a stroll through the beautiful grounds on your way to the Art Gallery of NSW, which has a wonderful collection of art from around the world and Australia. It is next to the Sydney Modern. The new gallery space, which is set to open in December 2022, is Sydney’s most important cultural growth in fifty years. Its main collection will be free to see, just like the Art Gallery of NSW. 

Glued to Bondi

Take a bus, train, or cab to Bondi Beach, which is another famous spot in Sydney. Don’t forget to wear a stylish cover-up. Icebergs Dining Room is a Sydney institution set above Bondi’s famous ocean baths. Before you hit the waves, treat yourself to a smart regional Italian lunch with great beach views (and maybe even the chance to spot a celebrity). Just steps from the beach, both Lola’s Level 1 and Sean’s serve delicious Mediterranean food with views of the water. 

Sydney’s most famous beach is a great place to relax in the afternoon. If you want to get some exercise, the 1.4-mile (2.3 km) Bondi to Bronte coastal walk follows the dramatic sandstone sea cliffs that connect the two beaches. If you still have energy, keep going south along the coastal walk for another 2 miles (3.2 km) to get to Coogee Beach. The Coogee Bay Hotel is a great place to stop for a refreshing passion-fruit spritz in the afternoon sun. 

Going out to dinner

In Sydney’s central business area, the City, there is a hole-in-the-wall bar called Cantina that serves the best mezcal margarita in the city. OK! (In Sydney, Latin American flavors have become more common over the past ten years) before going to dinner. The City used to not have many good restaurants besides the classic fine-dining spots on Circular Quay (like the still-great Aria, Bennelong, and Quay), but now it has some of Sydney’s best food. If you want to try something new, go to 25 Martin Place, which is the remodeled old MLC Centre. There are a few places to eat there, such as the Middle Eastern-style Aalia, where the slow-roast lamb neck shawarma is a must-order. Or, choose from the tempting options at Barangaroo, a former industrial port that has been turned into a busy area with many uses. We love Matt Moran’s TV show Rekōdo, which is a take on a Japanese listening bar with current Japanese shared plates. 

The Little National, which is built on top of Wynyard Station and has a minimalist-chic style, is a cheap place to stay in the middle of the city. For art-deco glam, the newly opened Kimpton Margot Sydney is in a beautiful heritage building that used to be the headquarters of the Sydney Water Board. The W Sydney is another new hotel. The Darling Harbour hotel is shaped like a big glass band and is only a short walk from the city center. It will open to its first guests in October 2023.