Best tours of Sydney

Sydney is an Australian city that invites you to explore it completely. Whether by land, sea or air, you will discover unmissable places such as the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Bondi Beach, the Sydney Cricket Ground stadium, among many others.

During your stay you will have many destinations and tours to choose from. For example, you can take a tour of The Rocks neighborhood, fly over the skies in a helicopter, take a kayak tour of the harbor, see the city from the tour bus, among other of the best things to do in Sydney.

The iconic The Rocks neighborhood is a must-see destination on your visit to Sydney. You can take a walking tour through the cobblestone streets of this important district and discover a number of monuments and other places that marked the beginning of the modern history of the country.

Some of the destinations you can see along this tour include the following:

• Sydney Harbour, also known as Port Jackson. From there, you will see a couple of architectural icons of the city, namely the Sydney Opera House and the imposing Harbour Bridge.
• Campbells Clove Docks, with a breathtaking view of Sydney Harbour.
• Cadman's Cottage building, erected in 1816 and an architectural sample of the first three decades of the colony.
• The Garrison Church, built in 1840 and considered the first military enclosure of the city.

This tour of The Rocks can be done on your own or by joining a guided activity. In the latter case, you will enjoy the company of an experienced local person who will take you directly to each destination and tell you its history.

Interesting details

• Price: the tour on your own is free. However, if you select the guided activity, it could cost around 23€ per person.
• Duration: the guided tour lasts about 90 minutes, but on your own there is no time limit.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know one of the first neighborhoods that marked the beginning of the modern history of the country.
• Disadvantages of this option: this tour is not suitable for people with mobility problems.

The sightseeing bus is a great way to see Sydney's essential destinations: architectural landmarks, natural areas and much more. You will be able to take a panoramic tour of the city and, at the same time, enjoy the free-stop mode to explore on your own.

You will board the second floor of an open-top bus and start the tour, being able to identify a series of emblematic places as you pass by. For example:

• The Sydney Opera House, which will surprise you with its combination of modern and expressionist architecture.
• The famous Bondi Beach, with golden sand and good waves for surfing.
• The Sydney Aquarium, with more than 700 species of marine animals.
• The Harbour Bridge, which you can climb for an extreme experience.
• St. Mary's Cathedral, considered a true example of the neo-Gothic architectural style.

With this sightseeing bus tour of Sydney with free stops you will have the opportunity to create your own itinerary through any of the two circuits (red route and blue route) offered. You can hop on and off at your convenience at the more than 24 stops and visit the destinations of your interest.

Interesting details

• Price: the cost of the tickets for the sightseeing bus tours in Sydney start at approximately 38€ per person.
• Duration: the tour has a duration of 24 and 48 hours, depending on the ticket purchased.
• Means of transport: tourist bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will have an audio guide through which you will learn interesting facts about the destinations on your way.
• Disadvantages of this option: generally the tour does not include entrance to the attractions.

Because of Sydney's privileged position on the Pacific Ocean, you can enjoy a number of river activities. Such is the case of getting on a kayak at sunrise to contemplate the skyline of the city. You will be amazed with the natural and urban contrast obtained.

The adventure usually starts in Sydney Harbour, where you will connect with the guide in charge of the activity. He will give you some basic tips and then you will get into the kayak to paddle through the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean.

On this sunrise kayak tour in Sydney Harbour you will enjoy the first rays of the sun on the horizon, illuminating everything in its path. You will see the Bay Bridge, with its imposing metal structure of approximately 134 meters high; the Opera House, declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the skyscrapers of the financial center, among others.

Details of interest

• Price: the value of the tour is approximately 107€ per person.
• Duration: the experience usually lasts a couple of hours.
• Means of transportation: kayak.
• Advantages of this option: you will contemplate the first rays of the sun coloring the city's horizon.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity does not usually include transfer service (round trip) to the hotel.

Another must-do experience in Sydney is to fly over the skies in a helicopter. You will enjoy a breathtaking bird's eye view of the ocean, the modern skyscrapers of the financial district, the main monuments of the city and other tourist destinations.

Throughout this panoramic adventure through the sky of Sydney you will have the opportunity to identify some iconic places like these:

• Bondi Beach, considered one of Sydney's most popular beaches and a must-see destination for surfers.
• The city's Opera House, with impressive architecture built on a peninsula located in the southern region of the harbor.
• Manly Cove Beach, a paradise beach for relaxing, swimming and water sports.
• The Harbour Bridge, opened more than 90 years ago. This iconic iron structure connects the city.

In addition to getting a privileged panoramic view, on this helicopter tour of Sydney you will learn a bit of the city's history. This thanks to the live commentary of the pilot, who will guide you to the location of the main tourist destinations.

Details of interest

• Price: the cost of the helicopter tour can start from 144€ per person.
• Duration: about 20 minutes.
• Means of transport: helicopter.
• Advantages of this option: you will see a unique perspective of the city from a bird's eye view.
• Disadvantages of this option: this activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart conditions.

If contact sports such as cricket, soccer or rugby excite you, then you must visit the Cricket Ground stadium. There, you can explore the place from the players' perspective and learn about some of Australia's sporting history. Ideal if you are alone, with friends or visiting Sydney with children.

The tour usually starts at the main gate of the building, where you will connect with one of the venue's guides. This is because open access is not allowed for the public. This person will take you around the Cricket Ground stadium and tell you about its history, anecdotes and more.

Through this guided tour of the Sydney Cricket Ground and Museum, you will have the opportunity to walk through the changing rooms, through the tunnel and onto the field of play. You will also have access to the trophy room and the Cricket Museum. In the latter, you will find an important collection of objects related to the sport and interactive exhibits.

Details of interest

• Price: the approximate cost of admission is 21€ per person.
• Duration: it takes about 90 minutes to complete this tour.
• Means of transportation: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will have access to an important stadium and you will learn about the fascinating sports history of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will have to make your own way to the stadium.

Your time in Sydney would not be complete without a visit to the Sydney Opera House. This is an emblematic construction of the twentieth century, with an important architectural and cultural value for humanity. You will be able to walk through its interior while you discover its history.

With this guided tour of the Sydney Opera House you will walk through the different rooms and corners of the building. All this, while you enjoy the commentary offered by the person in charge of guiding you. In addition, you will live an immersive experience, with a series of sounds and images that will allow you to learn about the evolution of this enclosure.

And, before finishing the tour of the impressive building designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, you will have free time to approach the Opera House bar. There, you can have a drink and relax while enjoying a privileged view of the bay.

Details of interest

• Price: the value of the guided tours of the Sydney Opera House starts at 26€ per person.
• Duration: about 60 minutes.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will learn the history and secrets of the iconic Opera House.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour does not usually include drinks and snacks, so you will have to assume the cost of the products consumed at the bar.

There are many ways you will find to explore the city and taking a boat tour of Sydney happens to be one of them. You have the opportunity to enjoy a panoramic tour in which you will observe the natural and urban scene of the city from the water, getting a different perspective.

For this activity you must go to Sydney Harbour. There, you will board a traditional wooden boat, inspired by the year 1850, to take a short tour of these calm blue waters. All this, together with the captain and his crew, who will share with you some interesting stories of the city and life at sea.

As you sail on this tall ship cruise around Sydney Harbour, you will notice the beautiful contrasting scenery and spot the following places:

• The Sydney Opera House, with its distinctive design that recreates the shape of ships' sails.
• The Garden Island; an area adopted by the settlers that is currently a naval base.
• The Taronga Zoo; a beautiful forest located on the shore of the bay, which houses more than 340 animal species.
• The great tower of Sydney, with about 305 meters high and a revolving restaurant.

Details of interest

• Price: the value of the experience is around 42€ per person.
• Duration: the activity usually lasts about 90 minutes.
• Means of transportation: boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will get a different perspective of the city from a traditional boat.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will probably have to pay an additional cost if you want to live the experience of climbing the mast.

If you're a two-wheeled sports enthusiast, then cycling the streets of Sydney is for you. You'll get around the city like a local and connect with the scenery. In addition, you will cover a large number of destinations, accessing places where cars can not reach.

To enjoy this experience, you should join one of the guided tours of the city of Sydney by bike, as this way you will not have to worry about renting equipment or finding the addresses of the destinations to go. You will go directly to each place, thanks to the company of an expert local person.

Although the itinerary of this tour may vary depending on the route you take, there are must-see places that you will see throughout this activity. For example:

• The Royal Botanical Garden; a natural lung with a diversity of plants.
• The Opera House, Sydney's most famous architectural landmark built in 1973.
• Hyde Park, an urban park dotted with various statues and surrounded by buildings.
• Mrs. Macquarie's chair, carved by convicts under the order of Lachlan Macquarie (Major General and Governor from 1810 to 1821) for his wife Elizabeth Macquarie.

Details of interest

• Price: the cycling adventure has an average price of 60€ per person.
• Duration: the bike tour can last about 5 hours.
• Means of transportation: bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to connect with the landscape without worrying about finding directions, thanks to the company of a guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: the experience does not usually include drinks or snacks.

If you're short on time and want to check out Sydney's main neighborhoods, you should join a driving tour of the city. You will drive through the highlights of the old town and the business district, passing by some beaches.

This type of activity usually starts with a pick-up at the hotel or at a pre-arranged location. In this way, the driver-guide will take you to discover the hidden gems of the Australian city.

Some of the places you will stop along this tour are:

• The Rock neighborhood, considered one of the oldest in the city.
• The Paddington neighborhood, with its Victorian buildings, boutiques, craft market, bars, galleries and the Reservoir Gardens park.
• Bondi Beach, a very lively place where the reality TV show Bondi Rescue was filmed.
• The neighborhood of Double Bay, a cosmopolitan area with wooden houses. Some of them have a distinctive Victorian style and others are more modern, influenced by the Bauhaus.

Details of interest

• Price: the value of this tour starts at about 82€ per person.
• Duration: the approximate duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transportation: car.
• Advantages of this option: you will get a glimpse of the main neighborhoods of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: generally the activity does not include drinks or meals.

If you're a speed lover and want to explore Sydney in a different way, hop on the back of a tricycle motorcycle and take a scenic tour of the main sights. You will feel the freedom of traveling on three wheels without worries.

This experience starts at a pre-arranged location in downtown Sydney. There you will connect with the motorcyclist-guide and, immediately, you will set off through the streets of the city.

The route of this tour may vary according to your preferences, but there are places not to be missed. Some of them are:

• Sydney Harbour, with an amazing view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
• Luna Park; an amusement park present in the city since 1935.
• Kings Cross, with its picturesque scene and lively nightlife.
• Sydney's lively Bondi Beach, where you will see surfers gliding under the waves and find many activities.

Details of interest

• Price: the cheapest tours start from about 97€ per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: tricycle motorcycle.
• Advantages of this option: you will explore the city on three wheels and enjoy a different perspective of the streets.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you are in Sydney in winter you should be attentive to the daily weather forecast, as an unexpected precipitation on the way could be unpleasant.

In the city you will find a number of tours that will allow you to discover the city' s landmarks: Hyde Park, The Rock district, the best beaches in Sydney, etc. Some of these activities are guided, being quite convenient because you will have the company of a person who will tell you the history of each destination and guide you through the city.

On the other hand, there are the tours on your own, which offer greater flexibility in terms of the duration of each visit and a saving in your budget. However, they may cause inconveniences, for example, getting lost in the city due to lack of guidance to move from one place to another.

Booking a tour in Sydney is not a complicated task. There are many tour companies in the city that offer this type of experience. You will only have to connect with one of them electronically and manage everything related to the reservation.

This way, when you arrive in the city you will not have to worry about the lack of availability to take a speedboat ride on Sydney Harbour, explore the interior of the Opera House, take a cruise on Sydney Harbour, among other activities.