view of the sydney harbour bridge at sunset

Sydney Holidays

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Sydney – Australia’s coastal icon

Holidays to Sydney are your ticket to one of the world’s most thrilling cities. The capital of New South Wales boasts stellar sights, vibrant nightlife, fantastic shopping and an abundance of soft, sandy beaches ready to sink your toes into. 

The perfect Sydney holiday combines the great outdoors with the city’s best attractions, as well as some of the finest dining on the planet. Starting at the historic quarter of The Rocks, take a walk around the harbour to take in the iconic Sydney Opera House.  

End your day with an evening climb across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, soaking up some of the best views in the city, if not the world. 

Nearby, the Coogee to Bondi Beach walk offers unparalleled vistas of the glittering Pacific, while a little further out lie the boundless Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley.

A grand city cocooned in beauty, begin your Sydney holiday today with Etihad Airways.

scenic bondi beach with golden sand and blue sea in sydney

Things to do in Sydney

This magnificent city delivers enough history, culture and natural scenery to appeal to any traveller. Sydney holiday packages are your gateway to this perennially popular destination.

view of cockle bay side of darling harbour at night with rows of boats in Sydney

Date night in Darling Harbour

With the largest cinema screen in the world at IMAX Sydney, a wide selection of restaurants serving up delectable dishes – the seafood is especially good – and speciality dessert bars, Darling Harbour was made for memorable nights out. 

This pretty waterside area lives up to its name both day and night. With water tours, a harbourside shopping centre and even outdoor cinema screenings on the green during summer, this picturesque and beautifully lit spot is ideal for romantic evenings out.

Where to stay in Sydney

On the coast

Sydney is synonymous with its beaches, their laid-back atmosphere seeping into the city’s day-to-day vibe.

Make the most of a beach holiday in Sydney with a stay at the spacious Adina Apartment Hotel Coogee, just a five-minute walk down to the pristine waters of picturesque Thompson’s Bay (also known as Gordon’s Bay). It’s a snorkelling hotspot with gorgeous coral to explore.

beautiful coogee beach with golden sand in Sydney
the rocks building and bridge in sydney

Experience the old town

All luxury holidays in Sydney should start at The Langham in The Rocks, its ornate chandelier capturing your attention as you enter.

There are sumptuous suites, many with terraces, and a divine spa offering a range of treatments.

It's perfectly located for dining, shopping and sightseeing, while there’s also an indoor pool if you want to start your day with a splash.

Discover Sydney's creative side 

A central location is ideal for a culture-filled stay in Sydney, with a thriving arts scene just waiting to be discovered.

The Gallery of New South Wales houses important collections of Australian, Asian and European art, while the iconic opera house plays host to everything from opera and dance to comedy and live theatre throughout the year.

It's also worth exploring the hip and quirky neighbourhood of Newtown, where you'll find independent galleries, vintage shopping and speciality coffee houses. 

view of the Sydney opera house and Sydney harbourat dusk in Australia

All you need to know about Sydney

Local currency

The local currency used in Sydney is the Australian dollar (AUD). One dollar is made up of 100 cents. Credit cards are widely accepted in shops and hotels.

Languages spoken

The main language spoken in Sydney is English, but this is a vibrant, multicultural city and many other languages are spoken too.

Sun protection

As Sydney has sunshine for most of the year, it’s advisable to take high factor sun protection with you – preferably with UV protection too.

Getting around 

Public transport in Sydney means the city is incredibly well-connected whether it’s by bus, train, ferry or water taxi. Car hire is also available on arrival.

More about Sydney

Breathtaking beaches

There may be beauty beyond Bondi, but that doesn’t mean Sydney’s most famous beach is undeserving of a visit. Lined with lively bars and eateries, it’s perfect for an energetic afternoon on its golden sands or rolling waves. 

Venture a little further out and you’ll find more than 100 beaches dotted across the city, from the stunning Shark Beach at heritage-listed Nielsen Park, to the perfect surf at Manly and Seven Shillings Beach in Double Bay.

Several quieter but no less brilliant beaches can also be stumbled upon on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, a four-mile (six-and-a-half-kilometre) trail that's perfect for those in search of snorkelling and scuba diving.

view of tamarama beach and blue sea in Australia
close up of seafood in front of sydney harbour

Global cuisine

Sydney is a global destination and is awash with flavours from across the globe. From American-style burgers and fragrant curries to Middle Eastern falafels, you’ll find it all in this coastal city.

If you want a gastronomic experience that's decidedly more local, you can sample numerous traditional Australian dishes throughout the city.

Barbecue is an Australian classic, whether indoors or al fresco, and you’ll find plenty of smokehouses offering grilled meats and kebabs. 

The city specialises in seafood, with some varieties you may never have heard of. Alternatively, head to one of Sydney’s many coffee shops to find the origins of the flat white. 

Shopping

Brimming with malls, boutiques and outlets, shopping is booming in Sydney. You’ll find all the big-name brands here, along with quirkier one-of-a-kind finds. 

Head to the Queen Victoria Building in the centre of the city for small chains and independent shops housed in a historic heritage-listed building.

You can fuel your shopping spree with delicious local cuisine from The Galleries on the other side of George Street.

For souvenirs, the best places to visit are in The Rocks, with lots to choose from around Argyle Street.

shoppers outside the historic queen victoria building in sydney
view of the opera house in sydney harbour with boats in the foreground on a sunny day

Why we love Sydney

“There are so many reasons to love Sydney – its amazing beaches and laid-back attitude make it the perfect place to escape to. But it’s the cityscape that gives Sydney its real wow factor. The Opera House and Bridge are not to be missed.” 

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sheikh zayed grand mosque in sunshine abu dhabi uae

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