Valentine’s Day date ideas in Sydney

Picnic in a scenic spot

On a budget? Pack a hamper brimming with cheese, charcuterie and wine (or whatever your Valentine's favourite treats are) and head to one of Sydney's top picnic spots for some alfresco dining. For a 'first-class' picnic experience, book the experts – such as Poppin Picnics and Pretty Picnics – to take care of the details for you, and just show up and enjoy.

Poppin Picnics, Sydney - Credit: Poppin Picnics

Hold hands at art exhibitions

If the constantly changing weather is making it hard to make rain-friendly plans, then consider opting for a visit to one of Sydney's art galleries. Fantastic exhibitions currently running include the largest exhibition of Ron Mueck's hyper-realistic work ever seen in Australia, ten contemporary artists exploring art and AI at Data Dreams and Ocean Photographer of the Year. This is also your last chance to catch Dangerously Modern, which closes on 15 February.

Ron Mueck Couple Under an Umbrella 2013, collection museum Voorlinden, Wassenaar, The Netherlands © Ron Mueck, courtesy Thaddaeus Ropac, London – Paris – Salzberg – Seoul - Image Credit: Antoine van Kaam

Pamper yourself (and your partner)

For a date with a difference, opt for The Day Spa by Chuan for guaranteed rest and relaxation. Book this underground sanctuary’s 'velvet package' to enjoy their signature exfoliation, a blissful 60-minute full-body massage, and a 90-minute bespoke facial tailored to your needs. Find more luxury day spa experiences in Sydney.

Chuan Spa at The Langham Hotel, Sydney CBD - Credit: Paul Bamford

Indulge in a decadent dinner with harbour views

If you are looking for an extra special dinner spot to impress your Valentine, then look no further. Located on level 36 of Shangri-La Sydney, Altitude is offering a four-course set menu on Valentine's Day by executive sous chef Michele Menegazzi. Featuring the best produce from land and sea, expect sumptuous dishes like tuna tataki, honey-glazed duck and pan-fried pink snapper - all served alongside panoramas of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

Altitude at Shangri-La Sydney, The Rocks - Credit: Shangri-La Hotel

Set sail on the harbour

Darling Harbour makes for a perfect backdrop for a romantic night out, so why not jump on board Harbourside Cruises' catamaran MV Pearl this Valentine's Day? The three-hour journey comes complete with a buffet dinner, a live DJ playing disco hits from the '70s, and views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park. For a slice of luxury, step on board Solaré, a 150-foot superyacht with a restaurant, cocktail bar and beach club on board. Cruise in resort-style glamour, feast on Italian cuisine and soak up the views from the sun deck.

If you would like to stay at sea for the entire evening, Sydney By Sail and Performance Cruising Yachts offer an overnight bed and breakfast experience. After three hours of cruising the harbour, you will anchor in a sheltered bay (the skipper departs and the night is yours). All booked out? Other fantastic day tour options include Sydney Luxury Cruise and Journey Beyond Cruise.

Harbourside Cruises, Sydney Harbour

Take to the skies

What's better than a romantic lunch? A romantic lunch where you arrive by seaplane, of course. Sydney Seaplanes whisks guests to a number of picturesque locations for a meal, including Cottage Point Inn and Berowra Waters Inn, both on the Hawkesbury River, as well as Jonah's on the Northern Beaches.

Sydney Seaplanes, Rose Bay - Credit: Sydney Seaplanes 

Get cosy at an underground bar

Nothing sets the mood more than dimly lit corners and nooks to settle into for a creative cocktail. Head to one of Sydney's underground bars to escape the hustle and bustle of the streets and sip on a tipple, such as Stitch Bar, Employees Only, The Doss House, The Baxter Inn or Uncle Ming's.

Stitch Bar, Sydney

Feast your way through Barangaroo

Eat your way along Sydney’s newest waterside precinct, Barangaroo. Order a different course at each of the waterside restaurants along Wulugul Walk, including Turkish mezze bar Anason and Spanish tapas spot Born by Tapavino. With a different foodie venue on each floor, choose your favourite level of the architectural gem Barangaroo House. Rekōdo Restaurant & Vinyl Bar is particularly popular.

Rekōdo Restaurant & Vinyl Bar, Barangaroo

Treat your taste buds on a food tour

Sydney is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with countless cultural and linguistic groups contributing to the culinary fabric of the city. Gourmet Safaris (run by lauded broadcaster Maeve O'Meara OAM) takes groups to culturally rich neighbourhoods around Sydney, and tours are led by local, knowledgeable guides. Be immersed in the Vietnamese community of Cabramatta, taste your way through Harris Park’s Little India or eat the city’s best Lebanese food. Other fantastic food tours include Mia Cucina, Local Sauce Tours, Ultimately Sydney and The Sydney Connection.  

Little India, Harris Park

Book a city staycation

With Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, you don't need to leave Sydney to enjoy a mini-break. Nestled in Darling Harbour, enjoy a staycation complete with a five-course menu crafted for the occasion at their restaurant Atelier. Enjoy grilled coral trout, dry-aged duck breast and heirloom tomato tartare. Spend the day soaking in the views, swimming in the rooftop pool and relaxing at the spa. Other romantic hotels in the city include Park Hyatt Sydney, Pier One Sydney Harbour and Shangri-La Sydney - all of which promote couples packages regularly. 

Sofitel Sydney, Darling Harbour

Embrace the outdoors

On a budget or simply want to enjoy a more adventurous activity with your special someone? Sydney has outdoor experiences in spades. Take a dip in one of the city's beautiful ocean pools, get away from the crowds at a secret beach, embark on a spectacular coastal walk or head underwater at one of these fantastic snorkelling spots. Explore the harbour on a sunset paddle tour with Sydney Kayak Experience or relax with a yoga class on a stand-up paddleboard with FlowM Ocean.

Tamarama Beach, Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

See a movie at an open-air cinema

As summer starts to roll around, so does Sydney’s outdoor cinema season, with plenty of options to enjoy a screening under the stars. Watch films in comfy seats with Sydney Harbour as the backdrop at the Westpac OpenAir; grab a picnic blanket and see cult favourites at Moonlight Cinema in Centennial Park; see the stars under the stars at Sunset Cinema in North Sydney; cosy up in a bed (on a beach) at Mov'in Bed Beach Cinema in Barangaroo; or step back into the '50s at Skyline Drive-In in Blacktown, the city's only drive-in cinema.

Skyline Drive-In, Blacktown

Check out Sydney's other Chinatown

Head for dinner at Burwood Chinatown. This neon-lit food precinct has become a popular spot for late-night snacking, with traditional restaurants and more than 50 street food stalls hawking everything from guo kui (clay oven-baked flatbreads), lamb skewers, sweet egg waffles, bubble teas and more. 

Burwood Chinatown, Burwood

Sign up for a cooking class

While there’s nothing better than having someone prepare you a lavish meal, getting into the kitchen for a class ensures not just one great meal, but a lifetime of them. Bigger operations like Sydney Cooking School and Vive Cooking School offer an extraordinary range of classes covering different cuisines and ability levels. Head to the Sydney Seafood School at the Sydney Fish Market to learn how to fillet a fish, barbecue prawns to perfection and make bouillabaisse.

For the secrets of fresh pasta, gnocchi and the knowledge of which sauce to have with which, sign up for a pasta class at Pasta Emilia, a regionally focused lesson with Cucina Italiana Cooking School or a take on the skills of acclaimed chef Marcello Farioli with a class at his restaurant I Maccheroni. Find more cooking classes.

 Pasta Emilia, Surry Hills - Credit: Pasta Emilia

Summit the bridge 

See the city from the top of one of the nation’s most iconic landmarks as you climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Accompanied by a personal guide from BridgeClimb, you can tackle Sydney’s famous ‘coat hanger’ and take in those million-dollar views during the day, at dawn or twilight. The Valentine’s Day package includes a post-climb toast and chocolates.

BridgeClimb, Sydney Harbour Bridge

Learn how to make your own gin 

From understanding the distilling process to choosing your own botanicals, a lot goes into making the perfect gin. Try it for yourself at some of Sydney’s distilleries, including Manly Spirits Co. and Archie Rose. Take a cocktail-making class or simply just enjoy sampling some of the city’s spirits.  

Archie Rose Distilling Co., Rosebery

Take the plunge in a bathhouse

Few things are more relaxing than a restorative bath. Whether you enjoy a Japanese-style onsen, revitalising Turkish hammam experience or frosty ice plunge, there are a range of bathing experiences in Sydney perfect for some R&R come rain, hail or shine, such as Capybara Bathing, Escape Bathhouse, Soak Bathhouse Alexandria, Xtra Clubs Bondi, Sunrise Bathhouse, 38° The Bathhouse and Arisoo Korean Bathhouse & Spa.

Capybara Bathing, Surry Hills - Credit: Declan Blackall

Toast from a rooftop

Is there anything more romantic than sipping on a sparkling wine from a rooftop? Head to one of Sydney's many bars with harbour, beach or city views, and make sure to book ahead to get one of the best seats in the house. Great options include Aster at InterContinental Sydney, Old Mate's Place, Nick and Nora's, Watson's Bay Boutique Hotel, Henry Deane, The Butler and Coogee Pavilion.

Nick and Nora's, Parramatta

Catch a movie at an old-world cinema

When it is wet outside, make your way to one of Sydney’s old-world cinemas, like the heritage-listed Ritz Cinema in Randwick or the underground Golden Age Cinema in Surry Hills. For something a little different, head to Govinda's for movies and all-you-can-eat Indian food. 

Golden Age Cinema & Bar, Surry Hills - Credit: Golden Age Cinema & Bar

Venture further: Go stargazing in the Blue Mountains

There is perhaps nothing more romantic than spending a night beneath the stars with your special someone. Blue Mountains Stargazing hosts special tours where couples can join astrophysicist Dimitri Douchin for an introduction to the history of the Blue Mountains through time, naked-eye astronomy, tips on how to identify stars, and spotting Saturn's rings and the moons of Jupiter through professional-grade telescopes.

Blue Mountains Stargazing, Wentworth Falls - Credit: Blue Mountains Stargazing | Tourism Australia