Discover Sydney in 2 days and 2 sunsets

Want to see Sydney in two days but don't know where to start?

Here's the perfect guide to make sure you don't miss a thing and enjoy unforgettable sunsets.

Sydney is the largest city on the Australian continent. So, in 48 hours, it will be impossible to see every corner of the city… but you can see the highlights! In fact, many of its top attractions are clustered around the harbor, Circular Quay.

I have to admit, I was already set on falling head over heels for its charms. I'd been dreaming of traveling to this city my whole life, and it didn't disappoint me.

If you want to fall in love with Sydney in two days, you're in luck. I've put together this guide summarizing the must-see spots you can't miss during your visit.

What to See in Sydney in 2 Days

Sydney Opera House

The iconic image of this building does not go unnoticed by any visitor. Its silhouette, resembling sails billowing in the wind, has become the city's most iconic symbol.

Its construction was controversial. The winning design from the competition turned out to be ten times more expensive than expected and structurally problematic. The chaos was so great that the architect in charge eventually resigned, and the project was not completed until ten years later than originally planned.

However, it was all worth it. Today, it is one of the most famous buildings on the planet and attracts millions of visitors.

Inside, it houses a large opera hall, a massive concert stage, a couple of theaters, a movie theater, an exhibition hall, and a restaurant.

To see the inside, you’ll need to attend one of the shows currently playing or take a guided tour. The basic tour costs $37 per adult and is available in English daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., every half hour. I recommend booking it online, since they offer a 10% discount. You also have the option of taking the tour in Spanish for the same price on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 p.m.

Is it worth the price? It depends on whether…

• You like architecture. The internal structure is incredible.
• You're interested in learning more about the history of its construction and would prefer to hear about it in person.

If that's not the case for you, observe it from the outside. Walk around it again and again, taking in the angles and the different shades reflected by its roof at different times of day. You'll never tire of admiring it.

Want to know where to get the best views of the Sydney Opera House and the best time to do it? I've marked everything on the map at the bottom of this page.

• Mrs. Macquarie's Point – Sunrise and sunset.
• Sydney Harbour Bridge – Afternoon and sunset.
• Hickson Road Reserve – Afternoon and sunset.
• Bennelong Lawn – Any time.
• Ferry to the west – Any time.
• Water taxi stand next to Milsons Point—Any time.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

This bridge, next to the Port of Sydney, is another of the city’s iconic landmarks and will be one of the key spots for your photos—whether framed alongside the Opera House from Mrs. Macquarie’s Point or offering one of the best views of the Opera House at sunset.

It consists of eight lanes for cars, two train tracks, a bike lane (on the side facing inward), and a shoulder for pedestrians, with a view of the opera house.

It's become trendy to climb to the top of the bridge, always through specialized tours that are equipped for the task. This activity is quite expensive, but it will delight thrill-seekers. However, if heights aren't your thing, just take a stroll along the pedestrian walkway. The views are beautiful, don't you think?

The Rocks

This is Sydney's oldest neighborhood. Its buildings, which have now been restored, still retain the colonial style characteristic of the early settlements, with a strong English influence.

Here you'll find a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and live music. And it's all just a stone's throw from the harbor, the opera house, and the Sydney Bridge.

RRoyal Botanic Gardens

With plants, flowers, and trees from all corners of the world, and located literally a stone's throw from the port, this park is a vast haven of peace that you shouldn't miss.

• Have a midday picnic in the shade of its century-old trees.
• Enjoy the views of the Opera House as you stroll along the waterfront.
• It takes you to one of the city's best scenic viewpoints, Mrs. Macquarie's Point.
• Discover exotic flowers and the secrets of the Zen garden.
• Enjoy the birdsong of the birds that inhabit this forest.
• Are you tired of walking so much? Come out to the garden, lie down, and rest.

River Trip

Would you like to enjoy a unique view of Sydney?

Take the plunge!

A good way to do this without breaking the bank is to take a ferry.

All the paths leading east offer spectacular views of the Opera House and the botanical gardens, framed by the bridge and the skyscrapers of downtown Sydney.

Of these routes, the most legendary is also the longest: a 30-minute boat ride to Manly, a beautiful surfing beach at the far end of the harbor.

A round-trip ticket on the latter costs $15.20. It departs from both ends every half hour.

Beaches

It's impossible to truly enjoy both the city and Sydney's coastline in just two days. On top of that, I had just visited Magnetic Island, Whitehaven Beach and Lady Elliot Island… No beach could possibly top those wonders. So, I simply enjoyed this one-of-a-kind cityscape.

However, if your trip hasn't taken you to beaches as idyllic as the ones I've visited, I'm sure you're craving some sun. Plus, if you're a surf lover, you're in luck:

• The city's most famous beach is, without a doubt, Bondie Beach, a surfer's paradise.
• If you prefer, you can kill two birds with one stone: take a ferry, enjoy the views, and go all the way to Manly, the second-best beach for this sport in Sydney.

The Sunset in Sydney

If there's one thing to fall in love with in this city, it's definitely the sunsets.

Want to know the best spots to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets of your life?

Well, take a look at the following points, marked on the map at the bottom of this page:

• Mrs. Macquarie's Point.
• Opera Bar.
• Sydney Harbour Bridge.
• Hickson Road Reserve.

It's clear that if you're going to Sydney in two days, you'll have to sacrifice one of them. Which one will it be?

TIP:

Don't even think about leaving town without seeing at least one of these sunsets.

Where to Eat

From a culinary standpoint, two days in Sydney isn't much time. But there is one thing I'd like to share with you:

Dining experiences: where the setting is what matters most.

At noon

If the weather's nice, I'd recommend buying something simple (and inexpensive) to have a picnic in one of Sydney's parks.

My favorite: Royal Botanic Gardens

A good place to buy a sandwich is Little Vienna. Here you'll find a wide selection of breads and fillings to suit every taste at very reasonable prices ($10–$14). And it's all just a few meters from the park!

In the middle of the afternoon

Treat yourself—enjoy a snack at the Opera Bar and enjoy the sunset.

Dinner

Do you like fish? If you're willing to pay a little more for high-quality ingredients in a charming setting, I recommend you try the restaurant Fish at the Rocks. The fish was delicious, although the portions weren’t particularly generous.

If you want to get an idea of the price, we paid $105 (Australian dollars) for two people for two fish dishes, two glasses of white wine, and a dessert to share.

Where to sleep

My recommendation:

• Are you planning to see Sydney in two days? Stay near downtown Sydney so you don't waste time on transportation. We chose the Rendezvous Hotel Sydney The Rocks, which, as the name suggests, is located in The Rocks district. For just over €100 a night, we got a small studio with a kitchen and dining area, which helped us save quite a bit on breakfast and dinner. The hotel was perfectly fine. Without a doubt, the best part was its location, just a stone’s throw from Circular Quay.
• Do you have almost a week? Look for cheaper accommodations in the surrounding area, and you'll save a pretty penny.

And now all that's left is for me to wish you…

Have a great trip and enjoy Sydney!

Budget

• Transport: 19€ (ferry) + 37,5€ (airport taxi) (28€/person).
• Accommodation: 180€ (45€/person/day).
• Food: 136€ (34€/person/day).
• Opera House Tour: 43€ (21,5€/person).

In total, we spent 415.5€ on our two-day trip to Sydney, or 104€ per person per day.

If you're traveling around Australia, don't miss our other posts about Queensland, the east coast, and the Great Barrier Reef, such as Cairns, Magnetic Island, the breathtaking Whitsundays or the natural oasis of Lady Elliot Island. If you’re still planning your trip, check out the practical guide to planning your trip to Australia and find inspiration in the Australia itinerarywefollowed in September 2015.

And remember, if you need more information about this or any other destination, leave a comment below. I'll be happy to help in any way I can.

Useful links

• Sydney Opera House, book tours online.
• Booking deals.
• Flights to Sydney: Trabber, eDreams, andMomondo.
• 5% discount on your IATI travel insurance.

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