Sydney Opera House Tours

Sydney Opera House which includes night scenes, central business district and a square or plaza

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One of the world’s most famous buildings is surprisingly accessible take in a show or just take a stroll to admire this astonishing building.

Regularly listed as one of the greatest architectural works of the 20th century, the Sydney Opera House sits right on Sydney Harbour, and is listed as a World Heritage Site. The Opera House has several major resident companies including: Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Over 1 million people come here to enjoy performances each year, while millions more come just to admire the building, a symphony in itself.

The Opera House is surrounded by the Sydney Harbour on three sides, and the view from the Monument Steps is truly dramatic. Pause on the steps to photograph the harbor and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Make sure to get a snap or two with the Opera House’s famous interlocking white shells behind you.

Much of the Sydney Opera House interior is freely accessible so feel free to look around. In the reception hall, check out the fabulous floor-to-ceiling tapestry inspired by Bach’s Hamburg Symphonies.

This building is actually a complex of several venues. The Concert Hall, the Joan Sutherland Theatre and the Drama Theatre are the largest venues. The best way to see the building and all of the theaters is to book a guided tour. The Sydney Opera House Access Tour is the most popular. Wander through the house’s corridors and passageways as the knowledgeable guides share stories and secrets about the building. If you’re traveling with children, book them in for the Junior Discovery Tour, created especially for them. The Backstage Tour takes you behind the curtains and runs for over 2 hours.

The Sydney Opera House is home to cafés, restaurants and bars, from the upscale Bennelong restaurant to the relaxed Opera Bar, which offers some of the best harbor views in Sydney.

Check the Opera House website for details of upcoming performances, festivals and events. Public transport makes visiting the Opera House simple, and parking is available for a fee. The Sydney Opera House box office and tour information desk are open Monday through Sunday.

Plan a trip to see Sydney Opera House

YEHS Hotel Sydney CBD
YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites
YEHS Hotel Sydney QVB
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Sydney Opera House

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
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" "5 - Excellent 75.9920634920635%
4 - Good
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" "4 - Good 21.494708994708994%
3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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5/5 - Excellent

Helen
Jan 12, 2020

Book the tour. Its nice to see and hear about the different activities that occur here.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 3, 2019

Take the tour, it's wonderful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jul 20, 2019

I definitely recommend anyone to visit the opera house and participate in the guided tour. The guided tour is essential in order to get fun facts of the facility and actually see some of their theaters or concert halls. I watched one show, and I enjoyed listening to a symphony during my stay. I definitely recommend! Powerful, exciting, and beautiful.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Apr 13, 2019

Pics of room

5/5 - Excellent

ROBERT
Apr 10, 2019

Make sure to catch the nightly light show, usually right after sunset. Displays on the east side of the shells of the smaller building (the restaurant) and best viewed from the terrace at the top of the big staircase. We didn't find out about it until later, but it was worth making another trip to see.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 27, 2019

You have to have a special tour to see the inside ($). The Opera House bar was beautiful and a great place to stop for a cold beverage.

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Best Lodging Options Near Sydney Opera House

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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.