The Sydney Opera House is a highlight of any city tour or harbor cruise but is well worth an up-close look. It's best to explore as part of a Sydney Opera House guided tour, either a walking tour focusing on history and architecture, or a backstage tour heading to concert halls, green rooms, and studios that are usually off-limits.
Given that this iconic building is a functioning performance venue, visitors can also attend a show. Try pairing a theater performance with dinner as part of an evening package, or dine along the waterfront before a night of ballet.
Public areas are wheelchair-accessible. Limited accessible show seating is available with advance booking.
Sydney Opera House tickets for tours and events often sell out—it's best to book in advance.
Travelers can access the Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre foyers and performance spaces on guided tours.
The Opera House complex contains restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, and outdoor plazas.
Located on Bennelong Point at the waters of Sydney Cove and Farm Cove, the Sydney Opera House is just a short walk from Circular Quay and its ferries, trains, and buses. The site is also easy to spot from around Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Shows and performances run year-round at the Opera House, and with more than 2,500 of them taking place each year, you're likely to find one during your visit. For a special experience, time your trip for the Vivid Sydney Festival, when colorful light displays illuminate architect Jorn Utzon's exterior.
Although the Sydney Opera House is the most recognizable Sydney Harbour attraction, there are many others to visit. Don't miss the Circular Quay, from where ferries depart for various Sydney destinations; climb atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge from some truly bird's-eye, panoramic views; or take a dip in the waters off Sydney Harbour's many beaches.
