From its iconic landmarks to its pristine beaches, Sydney is often thought of as the first giant leap in a tourist’s holiday down under!
Much of Australia’s surf culture and world-renowned art trends have spread all over the world. It is no wonder why so many travelers would want to get a look at this vibrant city first hand.
Other than the world-famous Opera House, tourists may find themselves scratching their heads as to where to start their Sydney adventure.
That’s exactly why we put together this guide explaining the best neighborhoods in all of Sydney!
Put together by our team of travel experts, we have created a simple yet informative list of the best hotels and neighborhoods in all of Sydney
By the end of this article, YOU will know Sydney both inside and out, just as well as any local Australian would. From sunbathing on Bondi Beach to drinking wine in Darling Harbour, you will know the city of Sydney like the back of your hand.
These are our best picks for where to stay in Sydney.
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At A Glance: Where To Stay In SYDNEY
Looking for a specific place to stay? These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Sydney.
WHERE TO STAY IN SYDNEY | |||
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Best Air BnBBest Air BnBBianca’s Airbnb |
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Best Budget HotelBest Budget HotelThe Pod Sydney |
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Best Mid-Range HotelBest Mid-Range HotelStudio 8 Residences |
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Best Luxury HotelBest Luxury HotelPark Hyatt |
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This brand new studio is located in a modern and quiet apartment that’s just mere minutes away from Sydney’s Central Business District. It’s a secure apartment complex with a completely soundproof studio that has a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, and a private balcony.
This great apartment also has plenty of natural light and has plenty of restaurants and cafes on its doorstep. Just a short distance away is the famous Surry Hills dining district.
For solo travelers who are wanting budget accommodation but high-end quality, look no further than The Pod. This Japanese inspired capsule hotel puts each guest into their own private bunk complete with a privacy curtain, reading light and outlet.
Located in Sydney’s CBD, The Pod’s guests are only minutes away from the city’s hottest attractions and even the main train station.
These adult only apartments are sure to give guests the best taste of living the Australian high-life! Each of these modern studio apartments is complete with a flat-screen TV, balcony and fully equipped kitchen.
End each day barbequing on the hotel’s roof-top terrace with gorgeous views of the city.
Good weather is important! So to help, we created this guide of the best times to visit Sydney!
With phenomenal views of the harbor overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge, you will wake up every morning having your breath taken away.
Park Hyatt pampers its guests not only with incredibly comfortable rooms, but also with a wellness center, spa, gym, and even a heated pool. With top class service and luxury amenities, visitors are sure to only be given the best of everything Australia has to offer!
Sydney is internationally known for being a city of trendsetters. This city has some of the most original art and fashion as well as a club scene which puts the rest of the world to shame.
Other than its youth culture, Sydney boasts striking natural beauty from its lush gardens, tranquil harbors, to relaxing beaches.
Regardless if you will be hiking the coast or taking in the local culture, Sydney has something for everyone! On that note, with the help of our ultimate guide to the 15 best things to do in Sydney, you’ll be able to find an amazing day trip at a budget that works for you.
Sydney’s downtown is quite small but has a sprawling suburb which stretches out for miles. To pick just one neighborhood to base yourself out of for the entirety of your vacation may seem like a daunting task, but is actually a lot simpler than you would think.
The CBD is home to some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Often associated with the nearby Haymarket, the CBD has the best shopping and upscale dining in town.
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Just Northeast of the CBD you will find the quiet historic dock of Woolloomooloo and the hip artsy neighborhood of Surry Hills. Surry Hills and nearby Darlinghurst boast some of the coolest cafes and bars in town.
Southwest of the CBD lays Darling Harbour, which is home to many choices for fine dining restaurants as well as the largest dance clubs in town.
You may be a little overwhelmed now, but after viewing our guide you are sure to find the best neighborhood in Sydney for you!
Plus, you can also check out our brilliant guide to the 17 best hotels in Sydney will help you save time and money while in Australia’s lively city! If you’re travelling to Indonesia, be sure to check out Canggu’s most incredible areas for 2019.
Now let’s take a look, in greater detail, at the best neighborhoods to stay in Sydney. Each is a little different from the last so be sure to check out which is right for you!
Bondi Beach is our pick for where to stay in Sydney on your first time
The first thing that may come to mind when mentioning Australia’s most famous city would be, of course, the Sydney Opera House.
While the Opera House is the most iconic landmark in the city, the sheer number of tourists doesn’t make the Opera House the best representation of the soul of Sydney.
For those who truly want to be immersed in Sydney’s beach culture, look no further than Bondi Beach! The pristine sands and tranquil waves are the perfect backdrop for the colorful local flavor which takes place on Sydney’s most famous shore!
Skateboarders, surfers, weightlifters, musicians, and just your average sunbathers all make Bondi Beach come alive!
Other than the vibrant beachfront, Bondi is home to some of the best bars, cafes, boutique shops and restaurants in all of Sydney.
The reason Bondi Beach is world famous is not only because of its gorgeous soft yellow sands and turquoise water, but it’s also the culture which truly has put Bondi Beach on the map!
This luxurious one-bedroom apartment is situated right in the heart of Bondi and only a five-minute walk to the famous Bondi Beach. The apartment was recently renovated, and has brand new furnishings and excellent cooking appliances.
Relax in the stylish living room or make yourself a meal in the fully-equipped kitchen. After a day at the beach, there’s also a plush queen bed to return home to for a good night’s sleep.
For the most bang for your buck, look no further than Bondi Backpackers!
With stunning panoramic views of the beach from their rooftop lounge, free WiFi, personal training classes, and even barbeques every Friday, this hostel has everything to ensure guests have the best Bondi experience imaginable!
If you’ve already booked, make sure you know about all the great things to do in Hobart!
For those wanting to feel truly at home at Bondi Beach, the charming and cozy Bondi Beach House awaits you. Tastefully decorated like a quaint Australian home, guests feel like they are part of the family when entering this guesthouse.
Each room has free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, as well as a refrigerator and microwave. Your Bondi oasis is just a few minutes away from the beach and the rest of your Australian adventure!
QT Bondi is a combination of luxury comfort with alternative flare. The hotel is completely state-of-the-art but decorated with bright colorful pictures showcasing Bondi’s youth culture.
Each of the apartments at QT makes you feel as if you are stepping into a homey apartment. These studio apartments include a balcony, TV, free WiFi, and kitchen facilities.
Woolloomooloo is nestled smack in-between Sydney’s CBD and the hopping neighborhood of Darlinghurst. This unique location puts tourists in walking distance of all the action Sydney has to offer.
Woolloomooloo is one of Sydney’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods. For over a hundred years artists, poets, musicians have all called this area home. This district was also the spot where British ships docked as early as 1856. To this day it is still the location of the East Australian Naval Fleet base.
Other than the area’s naval history, the old port town of Woolloomooloo has transformed many of its wharves and warehouses into some of the trendiest bars, cafes, and boutique shops in all of Sydney.
Woolloomooloo is one of the few parts of town where you can see a bit of old Sydney. With novelty stores and coffee shops amongst some of the most historic buildings in the city, tourists are sure to fall in love with Woolloomooloo!
Wake up to incredible views of Sydney’s Harbour before heading down for a morning dip in the shared pool. The Royal Botanic Gardens is also nearby and great for an afternoon stroll before having brunch at a nearby cafe.
This immaculately studio will give you the above and more. Fitted with all the essentials, this cosy studio has the perfect blend of comfort and functionality. Start off your visit to Sydney in a space that you’d be happy to come home to.
The Blue Parrot Youth Hostel offers budget accommodation in an extremely welcoming atmosphere which is perfect for meeting other travelers and learning more about Sydney as a whole.
This simple hostel includes a beautiful terrace, free WiFi, laundry service, and a location which is a short walk away from Sydney’s most popular neighborhoods!
There beautiful, centrally located apartments are tourists’ home away from home while staying in Sydney. Each fully furnished apartment has high ceilings, a fully equipped kitchen, living/dining room, and TV.
Just minutes away from many parks, restaurants, and supermarkets, guests will feel like a local when staying at Waldorf Woolloomooloo Waters Apartment Hotel!
Located in the heart of Woolloomooloo, the Ovolo Woolloomooloo Hotel is just minutes away from the historic wharf and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
This luxury hotel includes several relaxing lounges, a fitness center, and even an indoor pool. Each of the rooms and suites is equipped with free WiFi, minibar, flat-screen TV, and breathtaking views of the city or ocean.
Just minutes away from Downtown, Darling Harbour is home to some of the most upscale restaurants and shops during the day, but when night falls in turns into the hottest center for nightlife in the country.
During the day visit the Sea Life Aquarium or the Wild Life Zoo to get an intimate look at some of the world’s most fascinating creatures. Afterward, take a relaxing stroll through the Chinese Friendship Garden and relax in the bamboo shaded pavilions.
Darling Harbour and Darlinghurst are both in fierce competition for having the best nightlife in all of Sydney. While Darlinghurst may have more small intimate clubs, Darling Harbour takes the cake for its sheer intensity and amount of people.
Clubs such as Home and Marquee Sydney are the best places in the city to dance to both international and local DJs with the most spectacular visuals imaginable.
From a family-friendly harbor front boardwalk during the day to a jumping club scene at night, Darling Harbour has something to offer travelers of all ages!
This gorgeous luxurious home is the perfect base for you to explore Sydney from. Take a dip in the pool or catch the weekend fireworks right from the balcony. Situated in the Darling Harbour precinct, this home is also in close proximity to the CBD.
Unwind in this urban oasis that has a massive bedroom complete with a plush queen bed. Decked out in oak floor, this Airbnb also comes with a fully stocked kitchen, and a modern bathroom. Feel free to also unwind at the apartment’s landscape garden.
Located just a short walk away from the harbor, Wake Up! Sydney Central puts their guests so close to the action that the hotel’s bar hosts live bands and DJs.
Wake Up! also has an onsite restaurant, lounges, laundry service, as well as free WiFi. For those who want the party to never stop, Wake Up! Sydney Central is the hostel for you!
Just outside of Darling Harbour, on the edge of Chinatown is the cozy Ultimo Hotel. This hotel is decorated in a modern minimalist fashion which is sure to keep guests feeling a sense of tranquility when returning to their rooms.
The Ultimo Hotel offers rooms from a snug single to a spacious courtyard suite, all of which are provided with free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and refrigerator.
This luxury hotel anticipates their guests every need by providing only the best fine dining, bars, and buffets in the city! Astral Tower’s luxury suites range from having one to four bedrooms, all of which are provided with free WiFi.
After a day of exploring Sydney, you can unwind at the Astral’s spa, sauna, fitness center, or heated pool.
Surry Hills is our pick for the coolest place to stay in Sydney
With the number of trendsetters and snappy dressers in Surry Hills, merely sitting at an outdoor café while people watching can be considered one of the neighborhoods main attractions.
Surry Hills is truly the capital of cool for all of Sydney. Other than it being home to a large population of hipsters, Surry Hills boasts the best restaurants, cafes, music, and bars.
Surry Hills is often paired with the nearby neighborhood of enclave of cool: Darlinghurst.
Between these Surry Hills and Darlinghurst, tourists will have so many vintage clothing stores, bars, and bookshops to keep themselves entertained with for days!
Unlike Sydney’s beaches and various touristy monuments, foodies will find most of their time spent café hopping in the morning, sending their taste buds to heaven in the evening, and dancing all night long in Surry Hills!
This cosy one-bedroom is nestled in a gorgeous 1930’s art deco building. You’ll feel right at home in this Airbnb that’s centrally located to every area of the inner city including plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes.
Furnishings are stylish with a homey vibe, and you’re also welcome to use the BBQs located on the rooftop. If you’re looking for a lazy day in, this Airbnb also has Chromecast so you an stream Netflix, Stan and more!
Big Hostel puts their guests between the bustling CBD and the cool Surry Hills, allowing the perfect mix of big city adrenaline and suburban hipster charm.
This modest hostel has a rooftop patio with a barbeque grill and sun terrace to make you feel that Sydney truly is your oyster.
This award-winning hotel offers its guests the best service, as well as an indoor pool and hot tub. Each room is complete with a flat-screen TV, tea/coffee maker, WiFi, and some rooms even include a balcony.
Smack in between Surry Hills and Darlinghurst, Cambridge Hotel guests are sure to always have excitement waiting for them as soon as they leave their hotel room!
Pullman Sydney pulls out all the stops to make sure that guests have a vacation that they will remember for a lifetime. The hotel boasts 2 restaurants, a rooftop pool, patio, fitness center, spa, and even a sauna.
Each of the rooms at the Pullman has stunning views of the city and are included with an LCD TV, desk, and free WiFi.
The CBD is our pick for best neighborhood in Sydney for families
Staying in the center of the iconic city of Sydney puts all of the most postcard-worthy scenes of the city within your grasp.
Not only will you have the best views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor bridge from the CBD, but all of the best museums, aquariums, and parks are also just a few minutes walk away.
In the CBD tourists can easily walk or take buses to some of the more distant attractions or even take a harbor ferry to get some better views of the city!
Escape from the hordes of selfie-snapping tourists and get a different angle of the Sydney Opera House from the refuge of the Royal Botanical Gardens! With free entry and over a 1,000 specimen in the park, the gardens make a perfect place to unwind!
Sydney’s CBD puts people in the heart of all of the action and gives you all of those picture-perfect moments you have been itching for.
With easy access to places all throughout the city and many things to do nearby, the CBD is the perfect place for families!
This place is perfect for families looking for a luxurious escape in Sydney. There’s a total of two-bedrooms with a designer living space that consists of separate living and dining areas. You’ll be enthralled by the incredible views of the Sydney skyline.
Guests have access to the common areas which include the BBQ pit as well as the garden. Just a short distance away is Kings Cross Station along with plenty of other attractions such as Darlinghurst and Elizabeth Bay. If you’re looking for a modern apartment that’s clean and immaculately designed, this is your ideal Airbnb.
Sydney Harbour YHA stands as the standard for all other hostels in the world. This award-winning hotel offers stunning views of the Sydney harbor, all from the comfort from the rooftop lounge.
The hostel offers a TV room, billiards, and a fully equipped kitchen. Just minutes from the most iconic sights in Sydney, the Harbour hostel will be your guide to the closest landmarks and the furthest of destinations.
Nothing can be better than staying in a piece of history. You can do just that by staying in Russell Hotel, which has its origins stretching as far back as 1887.
Other than the hotel’s antique old-world allure, Russell Hotel offers a rooftop garden, restaurant, bar, lounge area, and library.
With its comfortable rooms and indisputable charm, guests are sure to have a holiday to remember!
Spoil yourself with a luxury vacation by staying at The Langham, located right next to the gorgeous Sydney Harbour.
Other then the resorts panoramic views of the city and harbor, this hotel also is home to its own tennis court, spa, pool, bar, and tearoom.
The hotel’s elegant rooms are sure to relieve you of any stress and prepare you to go back out and enjoy the rest of your Australian dream holiday!
Sydney is a vibrant culturally diverse city. After a week you may think you have seen everything the city has to offer, but then it will surprise you with something new. From the parties on the beaches to the hipster cafes, Sydney is truly a city full of life.
To recap, Surry Hills is our top pick for best neighborhood in Sydney. With a less touristy atmosphere than the CBD and tons of art, cafes, and bars to choose from, tourists are sure to always find quaint little shops to explore.
Bondi Beach House snags the top prize for being the best accommodation found in all of Sydney. This idyllic bed and breakfast hotel makes guests feel right at home minutes away from one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world. Book your room well in advance, rooms go fast!
Many people come to Sydney with little expectations. After getting your mandatory photo of the Opera House you can then dig deeper into true Australian culture.
Sydney will take you to the most unique bars, liveliest parties, and serene beaches. At the end of your holiday don’t be surprised if you are saying “Oi, Oi, Oi” in your sleep!
Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments below. Have a safe and exciting journey to Sydney!
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Gin lover. Coffee addict. Nicola has traveled the world for 7 years and is a staff writer for Hotel Jules. Born in London, Nicola first got the taste of travel studying abroad in Barcelona. Since then she's been hooked - traveling the world non-stop. Passionate about green travel and vegan lifestyle, Nicola spends more of her free time staring at maps wondering where she will head to next!