Sydney

Travel Guide

Sydney featuring a house and a small town or village
Sydney showing street scenes
Sydney which includes street scenes
Sydney
Sydney showing a statue or sculpture

Tour a reconstruction of an 18th-century fortress town, drive along a scenic highway and hike through forests at this seaside town.  

Sydney is a port town on the east coast of Cape Breton Island and a gateway to the rugged beauty of its highlands. Gorgeous scenery is only one of the draws. There is also a rich musical heritage and hundreds of years of history to uncover. 

The Port of Sydney is the entry point for many visitors, but it’s more than a transport hub. Meander along the waterfront up to the huge fiddle and bow. The sculpture lays claim to being the largest fiddle in the world and is a tribute to the island's Celtic music tradition. Behind it is the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion where you can watch concerts. Other performance venues in Sydney include the Highland Arts Theatre, located in the former St. Andrews Church.

Sydney was founded shortly after the American Revolution and for history lovers there’s much to get excited about. Tour the 18th-century Cossit House, believed to be the oldest residence in Sydney. In Josh Heritage House, find a collection of Victorian artifacts. A 40-minute drive away is the Fortress of Louisbourg, a reconstruction of an 18th-century French fortress town.

Devote some time to discovering Sydney’s natural charms. Meet the animals at Two Rivers Wildlife Park and at Twin Lighthouse Farm. See puffins, seabirds, seals and eagles at Bird Island, then unwind on the sandy shores of Dominion Beach Provincial Park or Mira Gut Beach.

Nearby is Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Take your pick of 26 trails that encompass cliffs, forests, rivers and lakes. Kayak on the ocean and spot humpback and minke whales. Running through the park is part of the Cabot Trail, a 185-mile (297-kilometer) scenic highway.

When you are back in Sydney, relax with a round of golf at Alderdale Greens or Juniper Hollow Golf. On Saturdays, stock up on local produce at Cape Breton Farmers’ Market and picnic at Open Hearth Park.

To get to Sydney and its scenic, historic and cultural attractions, take the ferry from Newfoundland or fly into JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport. You can also arrive by car and bus from Halifax on mainland Nova Scotia.

Hampton Inn by Hilton Sydney
Hampton Inn by Hilton Sydney
2.5 out of 5
60 Maillard Street, Sydney, NS
The price is CA $169 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
CA $169
CA $205 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,014 reviews)
"Beautiful, clean, friendly staff. Very quiet area; loved it! Close to shopping, easy parking."

Reviewed on Jul. 8, 2025

Hampton Inn by Hilton Sydney
Travelodge by Wyndham Sydney
Travelodge by Wyndham Sydney
2 out of 5
480 Kings Road, Sydney, NS
The price is CA $164 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
CA $164
CA $193 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
6.8/10 (1,492 reviews)
"Courteous staff! Great breakfast, great pool and sauna. Currently renovating to make it better! It would be great if the currently very thorough online check in would include digital room key to avoid having to check in at the main desk altogether."

Reviewed on Jul. 8, 2025

Travelodge by Wyndham Sydney
The Simon Hotel Sydney
The Simon Hotel Sydney
3.5 out of 5
380 Esplanade, Sydney, NS
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $192 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
CA $192
CA $226 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,020 reviews)
"Belle hôtel mais ce fut très bruyant durant la nuit."

Reviewed on Jul. 10, 2025

The Simon Hotel Sydney
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.
Full house
Full house
Sydney
Stay at this vacation home in Sydney. Enjoy laundry facilities, in-room jetted tubs, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Membertou Heritage Park and Bethel ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"The house was great, perfect for the whole family so we could attend a wedding on the weekend."

Reviewed on Jun. 18, 2025

Full house
Room Available in  Comfortable Cozy Cottage on Cottage Road.
Room Available in Comfortable Cozy Cottage on Cottage Road.
Sydney
Stay at this vacation home in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Baille Ard Trail and Membertou Heritage Park are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Great place"

Reviewed on Jun. 6, 2025

Room Available in Comfortable Cozy Cottage on Cottage Road.
1 bed apartment Cozy Haven - Your Sydney Downtown Escape
1 bed apartment Cozy Haven - Your Sydney Downtown Escape
Sydney
Stay at this apartment in Sydney. Enjoy laundry facilities and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Bethel Presbyterian Church and Membertou Heritage ...
"There were bed bugs and the owner of the property still hasn’t refunded or communicated with me at all"

Reviewed on Jun. 26, 2024

1 bed apartment Cozy Haven - Your Sydney Downtown Escape
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.

Popular places to visit

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Reviews of Sydney

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
89
5 - Excellent 26%
4 - Good
181
4 - Good 54%
3 - Okay
56
3 - Okay 17%
2 - Disappointing
11
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We like Sydney as we live 2 hrs away from it and it is our only option for a shopping mall, dentist etc that my husband had appts for. It has some great resturants, pizza places put we werent there to socialize after driving 2 hrs to get there.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very warm,helpful & friendly people ,excellent dining and lots of great sights & lots to see & do..

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

I’m disappointed with the room not done. Checked in and the beds were not made.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very nice place.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Sydney was a beautiful area and I would definitely visit longer, but my accommodations will definitely be elsewhere.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great selection of stores, went to a concert at the Heritage Arts Theater which is a great venue and we had a very nice dinner at the Governor's Pub. Well worth a visit.