A metropolis of world-class hospitality, Sydney seamlessly blends city living with some of the most beautiful waterways and coastlines 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.

Taste 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. Photo: 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’s Saint Peter. Photo: 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.

Families will feel at home in the centrally located Meriton Suites, on both King Street and Sussex Street.

Settle into the ultra-luxe hotel, Capella. Photo: Make Architects/Timothy Kaye

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.

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. Photo: 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.

This article first appeared in Australian Traveller. Read the original here.