When I first visited Sydney, Australia, I immediately headed to Bondi Beach. I always thought it was so glamorous ever since Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton made headlines there ten years ago in matching Louis Vuitton bags. But to be honest, I was underwhelmed by the celebrity frequented sand. It was so crowded! While I highly recommended having a cocktail at Bondi Icebergs (the iconic views are a must!), if you’re looking for beach time, I would suggest Bronte and Manly. Here’s a quick travel guide on my two favorite beaches in Sydney:

Manly Beach

How To Get There:

The ferry! There’s nothing like water transportation in Sydney. You can catch the Manly ferry from Circular Quay in the city. There are two options: The long ferry is great for sight-seeing since it takes you around various spots around Northern Sydney. But if you’re looking to get your day started immediately, I suggest the 20 minute fast ferry, which offers a direct route.

Where to Eat:

Hugos has spectacular views on the wharf. I highly recommend their fig pizza. If you want a picnic on the beach, pick up some takeaway fish and chips at Manly Ocean Foods. I got mine grilled for a healthier alternative.

What to Do:

The beach! Ok, that’s obvious. But seriously the beaches in Manly are stunning! If you’re with kids, go to Manly Cove by the wharf, where the water is calmer. You can also rent paddle boards or kayaks. If you just want to layout, walk across The Corso to the main beach.

There are also some great walks in Manly. On the wharf side, if you walk along the water, you’ll run into Fairlight Beach. They have an ocean pool, where I took the photos at the end of this post. On the Manly Beach side, you can walk up to Shelly Beach then hike around the cliffs.

Bronte Beach

How To Get There:

Bronte is in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, which is a fast uber ride from the city (yes, I used uber there as well!). If you’re driving, be mindful of signs, because many of the parking spots are one hour only.

Where to Eat:

If you want traditional Aussie beach grub, get a sausage roll at the concession stand on the beach. It’s like a pastry version of the American hot dog. For a healthier option, Jenny’s Cafe, right opposite the beach, has delicious avocado toast and fresh juices that you can takeaway.

What to Do:

Layout, soak in the sun and enjoy! If you want some activity, take a dip in the ocean pool. It has a similar vibe to Icebergs without so many people. There is also an amazing coastal walk which I talked about a couple of years ago on my blog. It starts up in Cogee but you can begin anywhere you like. Go for a small walk in your beach sandals or throw on your sneakers and run all the way to Bondi.

Have you visited Sydney? I’d love to hear about your favorite beach!
See more places to go in my #sydneinsydney series on Instagram

Photos by Angie Silvy and myself

Romper: Lilly Pulitzer
Sunnies: Chanel & Sonix
Cover-up: Lilly Pulitzer
Bracelet: Gorjana
Rings: Gorjana and Catherine Weitzman
Sandals: Jack Rogers and Ipanema

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