15 of Sydney’s Best Airbnbs, From Beach Houses to Designer Apartments

The rumours are true: Sydney is a very pretty city. It’s got those picturesque beaches and blue waters to the east, and is bordered by national parks on almost every side (the Blue Mountains being just a 90-minute drive away). The city is also home, of course, to the iconic Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Most vantage points will be a good one.

Sydney’s suburbs all afford different experiences, though. You have neighbourhoods surrounding the CBD like Surry Hills, Potts Point and Darlinghurst, which are home to top restaurants, bars and cafes. The Rocks and Circular Quay will have the best harbourside views – both day and night. The inner west – including Newtown, Enmore and Marrickville – has thriving creative culture, live music and nightlife. And the eastern suburbs are home to those postcard-worthy beaches, from Bondi and Bronte to Clovelly and Coogee.

Wherever you end up, you’ll have a great time. Here are some of our favourite Airbnbs in Sydney, whether you’re checking in as a first-timer to the city, a returning visitor or a local wanting to explore more of what your hometown has to offer.

Chimneys, Redfern

Tucked away on the fringe of the CBD, this two-storey architect-designed apartment (shortlisted for two Houses Awards) makes a stylish base for an inner-city stay. Sleek finishes are paired with original artworks and a smart, open-plan layout. Upstairs, there’s a full kitchen and Juliet balcony looking onto the rooftops of Redfern; downstairs, a cosy bedroom with luxe linen, a 50-inch TV, and a striking bronze-shuttered window. Plus, you’re just steps from Redfern’s cafes, galleries and small bars. Sleeps 2 / from $245 a night / three-night minimum / book here.

Art deco home, Tamarama

You’re not just close to the ocean at this Tamarama stay – you’re practically perched above it. With panoramic views over Mackenzies Bay and a sun-drenched balcony, this 1930s art deco home is all about laid-back coastal luxury. Boredom isn’t an option with an infrared sauna, an outdoor bath tucked amid a lush garden, a home cinema and a rare Brionvega 1969 record player. Sleeps 6 / from $550 a night / three-night minimum / book here.

Architectural apartment, Camperdown

Sitting just 100 metres from Camperdown Park, this sleek, architect-designed one-bedder balances design cred with comfort. There are double-storey ceilings, exposed brick and a gourmet kitchen, plus off-street parking (a win in the inner west). It’s light-filled, elegant and perfectly positioned for morning coffee runs or quick trips into the city. Ideal for solo travellers, couples or longer work stays. Sleeps 2 / from $200 a night / three-night minimum / book here.

Where Barbie lives, Chippendale

Stay somewhere that feels as much like an art installation as a home. This 19th-century Chippendale terrace is also the HQ for vintage glassware store Glass Etcetera – meaning every piece of decor, furniture and artwork has a story (and might even be for sale). It’s full of charm, bold patterns and curated colour, from the leafy upstairs verandah to the retro outdoor courtyard. Vintage lovers, you’ll feel right at home. Sleeps 6 / from $370 a night / two-night minimum / book here.

Warehouse loft apartment, Marrickville

Part working art studio, part New York-style loft, this Marrickville stay has serious creative energy. Set above the Bakehouse Studio (run by photographer Lisa Hoelzl), the space doesn’t fall short on character: exposed ceiling beams, science-lab drawers as a kitchen bench and retro turquoise-studded seating. And it’s just a 15-minute train ride to the CBD. Sleeps 2 / from $120 a night / seven-night minimum / book here.

Luxury architectural escape, Camperdown

In Camperdown’s backstreets, this sculptural home contrasts exposed red brick, polished concrete and dark timber with sweeping off-white drapes and a soft paper lantern. A rust-hued staircase ties the space together, leading to a leafy courtyard softened by cacti and curvy metal furniture by Hay. It’s a quiet, elemental kind of luxury, a short walk from Camperdown Park and Newtown’s coffee strip. Sleeps 6 / from $500 a night / three-night minimum / book here.

The parkside terrace, Redfern

Victorian bones meet inner-city cool at this light-filled Redfern terrace. Heritage details – like wrought-iron balcony rails – are balanced with leafy spaces, from a sun-drenched side garden to a backyard strung with fairy lights. Close to Redfern Station, buzzing cafes and leafy parks, it’s a relaxed city base that feels like home. Sleeps 6 / from $500 a night / two-night minimum / book here.

Sunny loft lookout, Potts Point

This stylish art deco apartment offers some of the best views in Sydney, spanning the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Woolloomooloo Bay. Inside, you’ll find sun-drenched living spaces, a stainless steel kitchen and a cosy workspace in a loft lined with books. There’s also a rooftop terrace designed for soaking in the sunset (and the skyline). Sleeps 4 / from $430 a night / two-night minimum / book here.

Tiny home, Queens Park

Sustainably built with CLT timber, this freestanding tiny home is airy, cool and packed with smart-living features. There’s an indoor-outdoor living zone, a well-equipped kitchen and several spots to comfortably work from. The stay is steps away from Centennial and Queens parks, and a 30-minute stroll to the ocean swimming pool at Bronte Beach. Sleeps 3 / from $184 a night / two-night minimum / book here.

The Alexandria house, Alexandria

Newly built in 2023, this ultra-modern architectural home offers a sleek city stay just four kilometres from the CBD. There’s a luxe master wing (with a skylit study), a freestanding bath, underfloor heating and premium amenities like Dyson hairdryers and Bondi Wash toiletries. Alexandria’s cafes and parks are at your doorstep – but you might not want to leave. Sleeps 6 / from $782 a night / three-night minimum / book here.

The Arc, Bondi

Staying in Sydney’s most famous beach suburb is already going to cost quite a bit more, but if you can find eight mates or family members to split with, this sleek modern home (by Pinnacle Design Architects) is a bit of a steal. The luxe concrete, marble, exposed brick and glass finishes are balanced by foliage, pot plants and windows opening out to trees. There’s a plunge pool if you’d rather swim at home than at the beach, or Bondi’s sandy shores are just a 10-minute stroll away. Sleeps 9 / from $995 a night / two-night minimum / book here.

Tiny Boneca, Rushcutters Bay

This award-winning micro-apartment makes the most of its 24-square-metre space. A floor-to-ceiling slatted wooden screen slides from one side of the flat to the other, revealing a double bed on one side, or covering it to open up the small kitchen on the other. It’s on the Kings Cross side of Rushcutters Bay, meaning it’s within walking distance of top bars and restaurants in nearby Potts Point and Darlinghurst, or you can take a short bus ride to the CBD. Sleeps 2 / from $115 a night / six-night minimum / book here.

The Little Black Shack, Great Mackerel Beach

Wake up to sunrise over Pittwater at this restored timber and sandstone cottage on Sydney’s northern beaches. To access the Mackerel Beach stay, board the vintage Palm Beach ferry with everything you need for a weekend hidden away – there are no shops or roads once you arrive. Two bedrooms – one king, one queen – feature panoramic views, while the covered outdoor sandstone kitchen includes a woodfired oven and charcoal barbeque. An outdoor shower adds to the escapist appeal of this rustic slice of paradise. Sleeps 4 / from $750 a night / two-night minimum / book here.

The Attic, Kurraba Point

You get a different vantage point of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the north side of the harbour, and this studio is just a stone’s throw from Kurraba Reserve for those postcard-worthy views; it also has sweeping waterfront scenery right outside the window. The open-plan set-up includes a living space and king bed, plus a kitchenette and bathroom with a half bath. It’s a bit of a trek to public transport, but street parking is available if you want to drive around. Sleeps 2 / from $156 a night / two-night minimum / book here.

Logan Brae Retreats, Blackheath

If you’re craving the calm that only a weekend in seclusion can bring, this retreat in the Blue Mountains (just over two hours’ drive from Sydney’s CBD), might be exactly what you’re looking for. Choose from four accommodation options: The Machinery Shed, Hilltop Cabin and Woodland Cabin each sleep two, while The Lodge can accommodate up to eight guests. Bathtubs (both indoor and out), fireplaces and king-sized beds bring the luxury, while full kitchens ensure you’re set for a self-contained stay. Plus, there are views for days from the spacious wooden decks. Sleeps up to 8 / from $800 a night / book here.

Additional reporting by Alice Jeffery

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