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Sydney is actually a very walkable city and most spots can be accessed from the central area. I’d recommend starting any walkabout at Hyde Park, which contains a number of statues and memorials. For one, the Pool of Reflection and Anzac Memorial, which was designed by artist George Rayner Hoff, an English sculptor who had migrated to Sydney in the 1920s. Anzac commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”. The park is worth a good walkthrough.

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From Hyde Park, I recommend making your way down to the Harbor. There are a couple of spots you can check out along the way including St Mary’s Cathedral (a gothic style church made of local sandstone), Il Porcelino of the Sydney Hospital (a remnant from the Italian doctors that worked at Sydney) and even the vistas within the Royal Botanic Gardens. If you really want, you could pack a sandwich and have your lunch at either the park or the harbour.

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Of course, most people would remember Sydney by the harbor, and for good reason. The whole area is bustling with energy and the Opera House definitely dominates the skyline. I wish I had the foresight to check if there was a performance I could have bought the ticket for but I was trying to pack my day anyway. The interior of the opera house itself is cozy but you’d enjoy yourself by staying on the exterior. The Harbor Bridge is also one of Sydney’s landmarks, having been built in 1932 and offering all sorts of adventure related activities.

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Here’s a lesser known secret – go to the Sydney Fish Market for fresh fish and seafood goodies. Sydney is right on the water and so the access to fresh seafood is an allure that I couldn’t miss out on. You can even go in the mid afternoon to miss the crowds and enjoy both cooked and raw food. Fair warning, just like me, there are a significant number of Asians who have discovered this place so be prepared to compete a bit for seats and value-for-money food.

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I was in Sydney on a Monday evening and was not expecting a very bustling nightlife, but do not be fooled. While the streets are not overflowing, Sydney is home to a number of sincere and fun spots including Frankie’s Pizza, which does pizza naturally but also rocking live music and fantastic arcade machines, and Bulletin Place, a bar focused on sourcing local ingredients and regularly evolving its menu. Definitely check both of these spots out if you can.

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Honestly, I had a long list of places for food that I could not get through but here are my recommendations from the spots I did go to:

1. Momofuku Seiobo for a twist on the David Chang experience, bringing Caribbean food to the city. I had the delicious Fried Chicken sandwich and the Coconut Turnover at the Bar, which is the only way to have items ala carte. Seiobo is in the Casino area that’s a bit further away from the rest of the city but it’s a short Uber ride away.
2. Peter’s at the Sydney Fish Market for their raw and grilled seafood. They do both Asian style sashimi and sushi, as well as more classic grilled dishes. My favorite was the clams with cheese melted on them.
3. Bills for brunch food, especially their ricotta pancakes which are fluffy and creamy. I actually can remember how good these tasted and have not been able to find as good as a pancake ever since!

Rest assured, I definitely will be back to Sydney to see more of the city and culture. Let me know if you have any further recommendations!