Where to Stay in Sydney?

Great choice! You've picked Sydney as your destination in Australia? That's an excellent idea, and for good reason. I imagine you're looking for a place to stay in Sydney to fully explore the city ️.

As the largest city in Australia with nearly 4 million inhabitants, Sydney is a very popular destination, world-renowned for its opera house that resembles a sailing ship set on the harbor. The metropolis is filled with activities to enjoy, such as visiting Darling Harbour, the quaint port of Circular Quay, and its beautiful gardens...

To make the most of your trip to the most iconic city in Oceania, I propose giving you an overview of the best neighborhoods to choose for your stay in Sydney!

As the most significant city in Australia, finding a place to stay in Sydney might seem easy as it is a very touristy destination welcoming millions of visitors every year!

Before booking your hotel room, it is advisable to take the time to study the different neighborhoods of the city as well as the location of major attractions. In Sydney's case, most attractions are located in the heart of the city, so you'll want to stay in the most central neighborhood possible.

Choosing a central neighborhood will allow you to easily access tourist attractions and avoid wasting time on your travels. Keeping this criteria in mind, I recommend choosing a hotel located near a bus stop or a subway/tram station to simplify your travels!

Of course, it is important to choose the neighborhood that best matches the atmosphere you are looking for to enjoy a wonderful vacation in Sydney. Along with that, your budget must align with your expectations since it is a relatively expensive metropolis with particularly high nightly rates

In the following sections, I will take the time to list the neighborhoods that seem to be the best for staying in Sydney! I will accompany each neighborhood with some very interesting hotel addresses that might interest you and help you save time in your research

If you have read the articles on where to stay in Perth and where to stay in Melbourne, then you know that the Central Business District is the best place to stay in Sydney! It is the most central area that encompasses the majority of popular attractions, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and entertainment.

Located between Sydney Harbour and The Rocks, the CBD is very lively and dynamic! This neighborhood is well serviced by public transport, which is a significant advantage for your visits. Among the popular sites to see, the Royal Botanical Gardens are the three major royal gardens of Sydney!

The Sydney Tower Eye is also a must-see, and even iconic, standing at 309 meters tall. In addition to its impressive height, you will be amazed by the panoramic view from the Skywalk, an outing I recommend doing at sunset; it's absolutely breathtaking.

To enjoy the bars, shops, and restaurants of Sydney, the only place you need to remember is George Street, a long shopping street where the Queen Victoria Building shopping center is located!

Not surprisingly, there is a substantial supply of accommodations in Sydney's Central Business District, primarily luxury hotels that require a comfortable budget. It is entirely possible to find affordable hotels, but be sure to read guest reviews before making a booking.

Metro Hotel Marlow boasts an ideal location in central Sydney! It offers spacious and modern rooms that are well-equipped. The property is a 5-minute walk from Central Station and less than 10 minutes from Darling Harbour. Prices start at €98 per night.

Hyde Park Inn features beautiful, elegant rooms available starting at €108 per night, breakfast included. You'll be just a 5-minute walk from Darling Harbour, with a lovely view of the grand Hyde Park, and you'll be welcomed by attentive and friendly staff.

Maze Backpackers is a hostel offering beds starting at €29 per night, as well as private rooms available from €59 per night. The atmosphere is relaxed and lively, the establishment is clean and modern, and is very well located just a few minutes walk from Central Station.

Popular for its history, as this is where the first inhabitants of the city settled in the 18th century, The Rocks is the oldest neighborhood in Sydney. It is adjacent to the Central Business District and offers a more authentic atmosphere, without ultra-modern buildings or endless avenues.

Trendy, The Rocks has managed to retain its architecture from the time of the first settlers while developing over time with various shops, boutiques, and art galleries. In addition to its central location, you'll see beautiful sights such as the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

Besides being directly next to Sydney's hyper-center, the neighborhood is very well served by public transport! Thanks to this, you can easily reach other popular neighborhoods, including Bondi Beach if you're looking for a beach to swim in Sydney, as well as Taronga Zoo!

In my opinion, The Rocks is the second best place to stay in Sydney due to its pleasant atmosphere and very authentic historical character. Highly sought after by tourists, it offers many accommodations, but it is not the cheapest neighborhood you can find in Sydney.

YHA Sydney Harbour is a fantastic hostel featuring a rooftop terrace where you can admire the Sydney Opera House. It offers very beautiful, modern, and stylish rooms available starting at €108 with breakfast included.

A by Adina Sydney offers great value with comfortable and pleasant rooms available starting at €170 per night. You'll be in the historic neighborhood of The Rocks, 900 meters from the Hyde Park Barracks Museum, and you can enjoy a beautiful swimming pool!

Darling Harbour is renowned for being a very modern and upscale neighborhood! Close to the downtown area, it lies to the west and runs along Sydney Harbour. If you're looking for the ideal spot to see tourist attractions, Darling Harbour is packed with them, along with bars, restaurants, and its vibrant atmosphere!

Without further ado, it is indeed in Darling Harbour that you will find the most iconic monument of the metropolis, the Sydney Opera House, built in the shape of a sailing ship floating on the water. Known for its exceptional acoustics, it would be worthwhile to attend a concert to experience an unforgettable immersive experience.

Other attractions may also catch your interest, such as Madame Tussauds Museum and the Sydney Aquarium, a great outing if you're visiting Australia with kids.

For a stroll, Darling Harbour is truly a pleasant place to take in some fresh air! However, if there's one place I suggest you check out, it's King Street Wharf! This is a long promenade lined with luxurious boats moored in the marina, along with some bars and restaurants.

If you're interested in staying in Darling Harbour, then be prepared to budget well. It's one of the most expensive areas in Sydney due to its prime location and prestigious landmarks. You will find modern luxury establishments offering stunning views of the harbor from their rooms.

Meriton Suites Sussex Street is a superb establishment featuring a gym, pool, jacuzzi, and sauna. The suites are very elegant and modern, all equipped with a kitchenette! For a night, expect to pay around €108, and some suites offer beautiful views of the marina.

Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough offers modern and stylish suites with privileged views of Sydney's Central Business District. Enjoy an indoor pool, hot tub, and gym, starting at €105 per night for 35m² accommodation with private kitchen.

Located to the west of downtown Sydney, Surry Hills is a true paradise for travelers coming to Australia for fun and partying. However, years ago, it was a neighborhood that was not well-regarded, which fortunately underwent a remarkable transformation to become a trendy area!

There are beautiful and large ultra-modern lofts, formerly warehouses, that attract a wealthier and more bourgeois crowd. If you stay in Surry Hills, you'll have the opportunity to eat in upscale restaurants, spend time in chic bars, and perhaps explore a few art galleries!

Of course, the nightlife is the epicenter of Surry Hills! This is where you can enter the best nightclubs in Sydney and dance until dawn. Most of the young people frequenting this neighborhood at night are generally young professionals or graduates looking to party!

If you need to calm down after a night of fun, you can opt for a stroll in Hyde Park, a 15-hectare park, the oldest in the country. It's a peaceful haven ideal for escaping the Australian frenzy.

Accommodations are less plentiful in Surry Hills, and primarily vacation apartments can be found. If you choose this neighborhood, book as soon as possible to ensure your stay.

57Hotel enjoys a beautiful location just a 7-minute walk from Crown Street, where you can find excellent restaurants. You'll stay in a beautiful, modern, and comfortable room for about €117 per night.

Crown Hotel is a very well-maintained establishment, located on a trendy street in Surry Hills, near restaurants, bars, and shops. The staff is particularly friendly, and the rooms boast stylish and modern decor, starting at €100 per night.

If you're coming to Sydney to enjoy the beach, staying at Bondi Beach is an excellent choice. It's a great neighborhood for a vacation with a festive and relaxed atmosphere. Bondi Beach is notable for its expanse of golden sand bordered by turquoise waters! If that's what you're after, then go for it.

Among things to do, there are obviously beach activities like swimming, sunbathing, and water sports like surfing! Bondi Beach is one of the best spots to surf in Australia, known for its powerful and consistent waves that attract surfers from around the world.

Rest assured, there's a pool that glides to the ocean for a peaceful swim.

If you decide to stay at Bondi Beach, keep in mind that the neighborhood is more distant from downtown. By public transport, expect about a 30-minute ride to see the must-see landmarks. You will find plenty of hotels and vacation apartments, giving you many choices!

Hotel Bondi offers a prime location facing Bondi Beach and beautiful rooms, all with a balcony overlooking the sea. For around €111 per night, you'll enjoy a bar-restaurant, game room, and a pleasant and attentive welcome from the staff!

Adina Apartment Hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Bondi Beach and features various facilities such as a pool, gym, and jacuzzi. The hotel offers comfortable and well-equipped accommodations suitable for families! Starting from €142 per night.

Unsure which season to choose for your trip to Australia and specifically to visit Sydney? I highly recommend prioritizing spring and autumn. These seasons offer very nice temperatures, with sunny days, perfect for outdoor activities!

From a meteorological standpoint, autumn may present some rain and a slightly higher humidity rate compared to spring. However, it remains an excellent time to benefit from the nice warmth of summer while experiencing nights that start to cool down, which is pleasant.

In general, both periods would be ideal.

To reach Australia, flying is the quickest, most practical, and easiest solution! From Charles de Gaulle Airport, for instance, plan approximately 24 hours of travel to land at Sydney Airport.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from France, but several airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Qantas Airways, Air France, and American Airlines offer regular flights from Paris with at least one layover. Generally, flights departing from France to Australia have a stopover in Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Seoul, or Tokyo. Before booking your ticket, try to find cheaper options by comparing offers with Ulysse!

We have reached the end of this article! I hope you enjoyed it and now know where to stay in Sydney If you are interested in van rentals in Australia or Sydney Passes, be sure to check out my articles on those subjects!