Circular Quay is the perfect starting point to visit Sydney and all the places around it. The harbor that hosts Circular Quay is a busy ferry port, with boats coming and going all around Sydney Harbour. It is also where many tourist attractions are located, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

One of the most recognizable buildings on planet Earth, seeing the Sydney Opera House for the first time is like meeting a famous celebrity, except you are guaranteed not to be disappointed. Its location, overlooking the waters of the harbor and with the massive Harbour Bridge in sight, offer a breathtaking view. I remember being impressed by the white ceramic tiles that cover the structure and anyone who is interested in architecture can appreciate the structure. And it is an active performance center, so those who are interested can enjoy a show inside.

The Botanic Gardens are a great place to enjoy Sydney. The view, of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is incomparable and the plants, flowers and trees, along with local fauna, make you forget that you are in a large city. You can also enjoy a view of the iconic Sydney skyline from the Gardens.

Not far from the Botanic Gardens, you will find Hyde Park. A beautiful city park, between the tall skyscrapers of the Sydney central business district (CBD), it is also right next to the Cathedral of Sydney.

If you want to see Sydney and its harbor from above, the tallest point to do so is the Sydney Tower. It will give you a different perspective

Another iconic structure, the Harbour Bridge is an impressive arch bridge that connects the city center to the northern area. It is great to see from Circular Quay or the Opera House but for those who do not fear heights, it is also possible to take a tour and climb to the top.

The Rocks is a historical and popular area of Sydney. From the Observatory Hill Park (more to come later), you can observe the Harbour Bridge from a good vantage point. The Rocks is a very lively neighborhood and its market is very popular for tourists and locals alike.

If you want to experience some of the local culture, visit the Rocks Market. It is active on the weekends, when you can buy handmade products and art pieces and enjoy delicious street food

Darling Harbour is the perfect place where to take a walk along the water, looking at the modern buildings all around. It is also an area where you can find a countless number of restaurants, located along the Promenade. A perfect place where to have dinner, as the water reflects the city lights

The Luna Park Sydney is an historical amusement park, located on the north side of the Harbour Bridge. The famous Luna Park Face is a classic sight of Sydney, while the park itself offers a lot of fun activities for kids and adults alike. From the park itself, and especially from the Ferris wheel, you can have a nice view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

The famous Taronga Zoo is one of Sydney's top attractions and holds a large number of animals. Much like many places around Sydney, it is easy to reach, thanks to the frequent ferry services from Circular Quay

There is no Sydney without Bondi Beach. Bondi is the city's most famous and popular beach and its worth the bus ride. Whether you are looking to swim in the Pacific Ocean, sunbathe on the golden sand, hike around or have a drink or a meal beachside, Bondi is the place to be

This hiking path follows along the coast and connects the beaches of Bondi and Bronte. The rugged rocks, the beautiful houses overlooking the ocean and the famous Bondi Pools are all best seen while walking this hike

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful areas around Sydney, Manly is just about half an hour away ferry ride from Circular Quay. Manly has plenty of large and smaller beaches, hikes and good food, and a wonderful view of the whole Sydney Harbour

Manly largest beach, Manly Beach is a wide, sandy beach, popular with surfers, swimmers and joggers. Truly embodies the laidback, athletic, beach-goer Australian vibe

Compared to the much larger Manly Beach, Shelly Beach is one of the many smaller and more secluded beaches around Manly. Shelly Beach is easily reachable from Manly Beach, by walking the Marine Parade.

Manly offers one of the most beautiful hikes in all of Sydney. North Head sits at the entrance of the wide Sydney Bay, and from the various lookout points you can either see the rocky cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean or the city of Sydney from a far and all the twists and turns of the bay.

Circular Quay is the perfect starting point to visit Sydney and all the places around it. The harbor that hosts Circular Quay is a busy ferry port, with boats coming and going all around Sydney Harbour. It is also where many tourist attractions are located, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The Botanic Gardens are a great place to enjoy Sydney. The view, of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is incomparable and the plants, flowers and trees, along with local fauna, make you forget that you are in a large city. You can also enjoy a view of the iconic Sydney skyline from the Gardens.

The Observatory Hill is located in the area of The Rocks, and its uphill location offers a great view of the massive Harbour Bridge and North Sydney

This hiking path follows along the coast and connects the beaches of Bondi and Bronte. The rugged rocks, the beautiful houses overlooking the ocean and the famous Bondi Pools are all best seen while walking this hike

This lookout, located on North Head, gives a superb view of the Sydney Harbour, the city's skyline and the bay as a whole. For a great photo, it's best to use a telephoto lens, but any camera or phone would do