A 60-second guide to doing summer in Sydney right

Summer transforms the Emerald City into a global muse.

A metropolis of world-class hospitality, Sydney seamlessly blends city living with some of the most beautiful waterways and coast in the world. Whether dining al fresco, connecting the beaches via coastal trails or lingering by a harbour pool, summer in Sydney means getting outside and enjoying what the city has to offer.

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Taste a Sydney summer at these restaurants and bars…

Seafood is a must, whether it’s a plate of Sydney rock oysters at Bondi Icebergs or a cold seafood platter enjoyed harbourside at Opera Bar (obligatorily paired with a Sydney Sling, the quintessential summer drink).

Dine oceanside at Icebergs. (Image: Destination NSW/Lawrence Furzey)

Fine diner Saint Peter in Paddington showcases the bounty of our oceans, and was recently named on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 longlist – the only Australian diner to make the cut.

Locally sourced seafood at Paddington restaurant, Saint Peter. (Image: Destination NSW/Josh Niland)

Hit snooze at these Sydney stays…

Absorb some of Sydney’s architectural heritage at Capella, located in the historic sandstone precinct, a stone’s throw from Circular Quay ferries.

The Fullerton Hotel, in the historic GPO building, is another memorable place to bed down, and has the Christmas season down to a fine art.

Meriton Suites Sussex Street delivers knockout views of Darling Harbour. (Image: Supplied)

Families will feel both at home and close to the action in a centrally located Meriton Suites property. Check into a luxury apartment hotel on Sussex Street, with views across Darling Harbour, or a top-tier suite on Kent Street, housed in a building by renowned Sydney architect Harry Seidler.

Sydney’s summer to-do list…

The Sydney Ferries double as a scenic cruise of the harbour: pootle under the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House on your way to the city’s prettiest locales.

An iconic ferry cruising Sydney Harbour. (Image: Destination NSW/Jeremy Shaw)

Head to the timelessly beautiful Manly Beach on the F1 line. Or take the F5 line to Cremorne Reserve for a picturesque picnic and a few laps at Maccallum Pool, a 1920s heritage seawater lido with views to boot.

Maccallum Pool is a hidden gem. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Our hot tip: For such a large city, it’s easy to feel totally immersed in nature. And this is especially true in summer. From beaches to bays, ocean pools, inlets and rivers, a refreshing reprieve is never more than a wet togs’ throw away.

A surfer on Manly Beach.