Best tours of Sydney

Sydney is an Australian city that invites you to explore it in its entirety. 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, fly over the skies in a helicopter, go on a kayak tour of the harbour, see the city from the sightseeing bus, among other things to do in Sydney.

The iconic Rocks area is a must-see destination on your visit to Sydney. Take a walking tour through the cobblestone streets of this important district and discover a number of monuments and other sites that marked the beginning of Sydney's modern history.

Some of the destinations you will see on this tour include the following:

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

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 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 neighbourhoods that marked the beginning of the country's modern history.
• 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 must-see destinations: architectural landmarks, natural areas and more. You can take a scenic tour of the city while enjoying the hop-on, hop-off mode to explore on your own.

You'll board the second deck of an open top bus and begin your tour, being able to identify a number of iconic landmarks as you go. For example:

• The Sydney Opera House, which will amaze 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 over 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 neo-gothic architecture.

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

Interesting details

• Price: Tickets for sightseeing bus tours in Sydney start at approximately £38 per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts between 24 and 48 hours, depending on the ticket purchased.
• Means of transport: tourist bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will have an audio guide with interesting facts about the destinations you pass through.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour generally does not include admission to the attractions.

Due to Sydney's prime position on the Pacific Ocean, you can enjoy a number of river activities. Such as kayaking at sunrise to take in the city's skyline. You'll be amazed by the natural and urban contrast.

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

On this sunrise kayak tour of Sydney Harbour you'll enjoy the first rays of sunrise on the horizon, lighting up everything in its path. You will see the Bay Bridge, with its imposing metal structure of approximately 134 metres high; the Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the skyscrapers of the financial centre, among others.

Interesting details

• Price: the tour costs approximately €107 per person.
• Duration: the experience usually lasts a couple of hours.
• Means of transport: kayak.
• Advantages of this option: you will see the first rays of the sun colouring the city's skyline.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity does not usually include a transfer service (to and from the hotel).

Another must-do experience in Sydney is to fly over the skies in a helicopter. You'll enjoy a breathtaking bird's eye view of the ocean, the modern skyscrapers of the CBD, the city' s major landmarks and other tourist destinations.

Along this scenic adventure through Sydney's skies you'll have the opportunity to identify some iconic sights such as these:

• Bondi Beach, considered one of Sydney's most popular beaches and a must-see destination for surfers.
• The City Opera House, with impressive architecture built on a peninsula in the southern harbour region.
• 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.

As well as getting a privileged panoramic view, on this helicopter tour of Sydney you'll learn a little of the city's history. This is thanks to the live commentary from the pilot, who will guide you to the location of the main tourist destinations.

Interesting details

• 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 get a unique bird's-eye view of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: this activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart conditions.

If you're a fan of contact sports like cricket, football or rugby, then you'll want to head to the Cricket Ground. There, you can explore the venue from the players' perspective and learn about some of Australia's sporting history. Ideal if you're on your own, with friends or visiting Sydney with children.

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

On 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 Cricket Museum, you will find an important collection of cricket memorabilia and interactive exhibits.

Interesting details

• Price: The approximate cost of admission is €21 per person.
• Duration: It takes about 90 minutes to complete this tour.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will have access to a major stadium and learn about the city's fascinating sporting history.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will have to make your own way to the stadium.

Your time in Sydney won't be complete without a visit to the Opera House. This is an iconic 20th century building of significant architectural and cultural value to humanity. You will be able to walk around inside while discovering 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 venue.

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

Interesting details

• Price: the price of a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House starts from 26€ per person.
• Duration: around 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 or snacks, so you will have to pay for the cost of the products consumed at the bar.

There are many ways to explore the city and a boat tour of Sydney is one of them. You have the opportunity to enjoy a scenic tour where you'll see the city's natural and urban scene from the water, getting a different perspective.

For this activity you'll head to Sydney Harbour. There, you'll board a traditional wooden boat, inspired by the 1850s, for a short tour of these calm blue waters. All this, along 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'll notice the beautiful contrasting scenery and spot the following sights:

• The Sydney Opera House, with its distinctive design that recreates the shape of ships' sails.
• Garden Island; an area adopted by the settlers that is now a naval base.
• Taronga Zoo; a beautiful forest on the shores of the harbour, home to more than 340 species of animals.
• The great Sydney Tower, some 305 metres high, with a revolving restaurant.

Interesting details

• Price: the value of the experience is around €42 per person.
• Duration: the activity usually lasts approximately 90 minutes.
• Means of transport: 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 experience mast climbing.

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. Plus, you' ll cover a wide range of destinations, accessing places that cars can't reach.

To enjoy this experience, you'll need to join one of the guided city tours of Sydney by bike, so you don't have to worry about hiring equipment or finding directions to destinations. You'll go directly to each place, thanks to the company of a local expert.

Although the itinerary of this tour may vary depending on the route you take, there are some unmissable places that you'll definitely see during this activity. For example:

• The Royal Botanical Gardens; 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 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 costs an average of €60 per person.
• Duration: the bike tour can take around 5 hours.
• Means of transport: 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 neighbourhoods, you should join a driving tour of the city. You'll drive through the highlights of the Old Town and the business district, passing some of the beaches.

This type of activity usually starts with a pick-up from your hotel or a pre-arranged location. Your 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, considered one of the oldestneighbourhoods in the city.
• Paddington, with its Victorian buildings, boutiques, craft market, bars, galleries and Reservoir Gardens Park.
• Bondi Beach, a lively spot where the reality TV show Bondi Rescue was filmed.
• Double Bay, a cosmopolitan area with wooden houses. Some of them have a distinctive Victorian style and others are more modern, Bauhaus-influenced.

Details of interest

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

If you're a lover of speed and want to explore Sydney in a different way, hop on the back of a tricycle motorbike and take a scenic tour of the main sights. You'll feel the freedom of three-wheeled, carefree travel.

This experience starts at a pre-arranged location in central Sydney. There you'll connect with your biker-guide and immediately set off through the streets of the city.

The route of this tour can vary according to your preferences, but there are some must-see places. 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'll see surfers gliding beneath the waves and find plenty of activities.

Details of interest

• Price: the cheapest tours start from around €97 per person.
• Duration: The tour lasts about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: Motorcycle tricycle.
• Advantages of this option: You'll explore the city on three wheels and enjoy a different perspective of the streets.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you're in Sydney in winter you'll need to keep an eye on the daily weather forecast, as unexpected precipitation along the way could be unpleasant.

In the city, you will find a number of tours that will allow you to discover the city 's iconic sites: Hyde Park, The Rock, Sydney's best beaches, etc. Some of these activities are guided, which is quite convenient because you will be accompanied by a person who will tell you the history of each destination and guide you around 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 on your budget. However, there may be disadvantages, such as getting lost in the city due to lack of guidance on how to get from one place to another.

Booking a tour of Sydney is not a complicated task. There are many tour companies in the city that offer these types of experiences. All you have to do is connect with one of them online and make your booking.

This way, when you arrive in the city, you won't have to worry about the lack of availability for a speedboat ride on Sydney Harbour, exploring the inside of the Opera House, a cruise on Sydney Harbour, and more.