Sydney Opera House

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.

If you want to beat the crowds, the best time to visit the Sydney Opera House is in September or October, before the peak season that coincides with the Australian school holidays begins. The blue skies of spring should make for great photographs. For the most festive atmosphere, watch the fireworks display above the iconic landmark on New Year's Eve.

You can go inside the Sydney Opera House, but only if you've bought a ticket for a performance or booked a guided tour. It's not free to enter. Otherwise, you can walk around the whole of the venue's exterior or pose for photographs on top of the steps leading to its entrance.

On a tour of the Sydney Opera House, you'll explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed venue's foyer spaces and theaters, watch clips from famous past performances, and trace the history of the structure during an immersive digital experience. You'll climb around 300 steps during the tour, so be sure to pack comfortable footwear.

Even though operas have a reputation for expecting smart, glamorous attire, the Sydney Opera House doesn't have a dress code. Most visitors wear smart-casual outfits for performances, but be sure to bring a warmer layer as it can get cold inside the main theater, especially during longer performances.

Yes, there is parking at the Sydney Opera House. The car park is owned by Wilson Parking and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The entrance is at 2 Macquarie Street, and the exit brings you out on the lower concourse of the opera house.

A tour of the Sydney Opera House is approximately one hour long, but aim to arrive around 15 minutes before your tour begins to greet your guide. It takes around 15 minutes to walk all the way around the perimeter of the venue.