There’s so much to see in Sydney and one of the best ways to do it is via exploring its interesting streets. Lucky for you, Walks Near Me offers a featured Sydney Culture Walk itinerary, that lets you plan out your own route by marking pins on a customisable map.
The curated and self-guided trail takes you past all of the CBD's top cultural sights. Best of all: the map is free to use and easy to follow, just in case you’re brand new to the city.
So, where do you start? For all the details you'll have to head online but if you want some extra info you can pop into the Culture Station at Circular Quay where you can buy tickets, seek advice, pick up pamphlets and more from the team behind the counter. Plus, it makes a great starting point for your walk.
All that’s left now is to lace up your walking shoes and hit the pavement for a full day of sightseeing. Once you’re done, why not work your way through all the Great Walks of NSW?
Find the best landmarks to visit on a self-guided walking tour of Sydney below.
Australia’s most famous house needs no introduction. Not only has its distinctive design turned it into one of the most photographed buildings in the world, but its surroundings – the Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge – are just as breathtaking to behold. If you think the sail-like exterior is stunning, get a closer look on a Sydney Opera House Tour where you can discover the history, architecture and extraordinary story of Sydney’s Opera House.
Overlooking the Domain parklands, Sydney's must-see art museum, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, comprises two expansive buildings – a sandstone structure to the south and a sleek new modern building to the north. Join over two million visitors a year and take a look at one of Australia’s top cultural institutions. Inside, you’ll find standout collections of Australian, European and Asian art, plus blockbuster exhibitions featuring some of the world’s most famous artists. You can also sign up for a guided tour or partake in a heavenly dining experience led by renowned chefs.
With five floors, two buildings and Harbour views from its rooftop bar, it’s safe to say this landmark is a level up from your local library. It’s buzzing year-round with exhibitions, talks and public events. Plus, with big plans to celebrate the Library’s 200th Anniversary in 2026, there’s even more reason to swing by.
Designed by convict architect Francis Greenway, step into history at this UNESCO World Heritage site that has housed nearly 100,000 convict prisoners, immigrant women, and even asylum inmates over its 200 years.
As Australia’s first museum, this is a mighty pitstop for any walking tour. With more than 22 million specimens and cultural objects, you could easily spend a whole day exploring, but the transformed building, which blends iconic heritage architecture with award-winning contemporary design, is worth admiring too.
Perched on a hill at Millers Point, Sydney Observatory is a city landmark with a stellar history. It gained international fame when astronomer Henry Chamberlain Russell involved Sydney in compiling the first complete atlas of the sky. Open to the public for decades, it now offers a range of tours but if you’re happy to simply soak up one of the best city views around (especially at sunset) then you’re in the right place.
This striking building with its white colonial façade and two-storey, double-colonnaded verandah was the first branch of the Royal Mint outside of London. Built in the early 1800s, it was taken over as a coin-making headquarters following the discovery of gold Down Under. Pay a visit today and you can learn more about the colonial architecture and enjoy lawn games in the breezy courtyard.
This building sits atop one of Sydney’s most significant historic sites: the location of Australia’s first Government House, and former home to the first nine governors of NSW. Archaeologists later uncovered the original foundations, and these remains now serve as a standout feature within the museum.
Housed in a former Water Police Court, this museum dives into some of Australia’s most notorious crimes. See mugshots, deadly weapons and historic newspaper reports, plus a recreated 1890s police charge room and a dark and dreary remand cell.
For the full Sydney Culture Walk route head here.