Best Areas to Stay in Sydney, Australia

Darling Harbour is one of the most popular areas in Sydney and is located west of the Central Business District. Among its attractions are the Sydney Maritime Museum, the Sea Life Aquarium and Wild Life, an exhibition of the Sydney Zoo.

Fun and entertainment options in Darling Harbour also include the Madame Tusseauds wax museum, restaurants, bars and clubs that make the area one of the favourites to enjoy the nightlife.

On the other hand, Darling Harbour is home to a very curious and peaceful corner amidst the bustling city: The Chinese Garden of Friendship, a place inspired by oriental gardens with lakes, waterfalls and a little house of tea.

Cruises and ferries depart from Darling Harbour on a daily basis, and will take you to iconic places like the Sydney Opera House. Other transportation options in the district include water taxi, bus and metro, with the Town Hall station a few meters away.

Darling Harbour is one of the best areas to stay in Sydney because there is always something to see and do. However, you have to consider that the accommodation in this district is expensive.

The Central Business District (CBD) is the most central and best connected area of ​​Sydney, making it one of the best accommodation options in the Australian city.

In the CBD you will find the famous Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Other buildings such as the Sydney Tower are also in the CBD, so it’s a good place to stay if you want to explore the main attractions of this metropolis.

The CBD has many options for shopping. The Queen Victoria Building, for example, is ideal for luxury shopping and is considered the first mall of the city.

Chinatown, which is located southeast of the CBD, is also a point of interest worth knowing.

The Rocks, where the first English settlement took place, is another of the CBD’s must-sees in Sydney and, in it, you’ll find the old customs and the barracks in which the convicts were held in.

Darlinghurst is known to be one of the most gay-friendly neighbourhoods in Sydney. In this area of ​​the city, the Mardi Grass parade takes place every March, which is one of the most important LGBTQI + community events worldwide.

In addition, Darlinghurst also stands out for its lively nightlife, with discos and bars for all types of audiences. Oxford Street is where most of the nightspots are concentrated and is a must if you want to party in Sydney.

Despite having a central location, accommodation in this district is relatively cheaper than in the CBD and Darling Harbour, making Darlinghurst one of the best areas to stay in Sydney.

Located southeast of the CBD, this neighbourhood has important attractions such as the Australian Museum, dedicated to anthropology and history, the Sydney Jewish Museum and the national art school.

Darlinghurst connects with the rest of Sydney through the metro, with King Cross and Museum being the nearest stations.

Surry Hills is one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in Sydney, with walls decorated in graffiti that give it a young and carefree look, different from that of popular districts like the CBD, with which it borders on the north.

Considered the Sydney’s hispter district par excellence, Surry Hills presents more alternative entertainment options, with bars, art galleries and restaurants of attractive proposals for the bohemian public.

As in Darlinghurst, the cost of hotels in Surry Hills is cheaper than in other central districts, making it one of the best areas to stay in Sydney if you do not have a high budget.

If you are a lover of second-hand stores, you will find many boutiques with excellent offers in vintage clothing ideal for shopping. In addition, the cultural scene of the neighbourhood, with theaters like the Belvoir St Theater and venues like the Golden Age Cinema (inside the impressive hotel Paramount House, of art deco style) are a mandatory stop for art lovers in all its forms.

Although no subway line travels (directly) Surry Hills, the Sydney Central Station, with trains and metro, is located west of the neighbourhood.

North Sydney surrounds everything on the other side of the Harbour Bridge, making it a mostly residential and quiet district compared to the central area.

This area connects to the rest of the city by ferry and metro with stations such as Milsons Point and North Sydney just a few steps away, so it’s not difficult to get around to other neighbourhoods, despite not having a central location.

When it comes to attractions, North Sydney includes the Wendy’s Secret Garden, a vegetable lung that emerges as an oasis in the middle of the city. The amusement park Luna Park is another must see place in North Sydney.

North Sydney is one of the best areas to stay in Sydney if you are looking for tranquility during your stay. However, this district also has entertainment alternatives and restaurants with the best seafood.

Also, the views of the bay from North Sydney are worthy of photography and, no doubt, a reason to stay in this area.

The area of ​​Bondi Beach, located east of Sydney, is among the favourites of tourists who travel to this metropolis to get on a board, since it is a true paradise for surfers.

This district is more comparable to a resort than any neighbourhood within the city and has shopping centers and stores, ideal for buying any last minute beach items.

Bondi Beach is also one of the best areas to stay in Sydney for having hotels at more affordable prices.

However, it is important to bear in mind that no metro line reaches this part of the city, but it is possible to move to other neighbourhoods via bus.

The nightlife around Bondi is more relaxed than in other districts of Sydney, which makes it a good choice of accommodation if you enjoy more bars and restaurants than bustling nightclubs.