Valentine’s Day date ideas in Sydney

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.

Pack a picnic basket

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!

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 Sydney International Art Series, The People's House: The Sydney Opera House at 50, 'Ten Thousand Suns': The 24th Biennale of Sydney, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs and Ocean Photographer of the Year.

Pamper yourself (and your partner)

For a date with a difference, opt for Chi, The Spa's Couples Escape package for guaranteed R&R. Held in the private couple's suite, the line-up encompasses a 45-minute Organic Shea and Sugar Scrub each, one 30-minute Facial each, and one 60-minute Customised Body Massage each. and access to the Health Club with its tranquil indoor pool, whirlpool spa and gymnasium. Can't secure a booking? Find more luxury day spa experiences in Sydney.

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 five-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 Sydney Rock oysters with green apple granita and shiso, butter-poached Moreton Bay bug with agnolotti del plin, and frozen ganache served with Tasmanian leatherwood honey and hazelnut dacquoise. All served alongside panoramas of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

Set sail on the harbour

Sydney Harbour makes for a perfect backdrop for a romantic night out, so why not jump onboard Harbourside Cruises' luxury catamaran Luxury Spirit this Valentine's Day? The journey comes complete with glasses of bubbly, cocktail-style canapes and views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park. If you would like to stay at sea for the entire evening, Sydney by Sail offers 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.

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.

Splash out at iconic Quay

Treat your special someone to one of Sydney's staple fine-dining experiences: chef Peter Gilmore’s award-winning restaurant Quay. Book in for a Valentine’s Day seven-course dinner menu, with the option to add on a special wine pairing by head sommelier Wilem Powell. Go one step further and impress your loved one with an optional Charles Heidsieck champagne on arrival.

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, Palmer and Co, Employees Only, The Doss House, Shady Pines Saloon, The Baxter Inn or Uncle Ming's.

Waterside romance at Otto

Find that loving feeling waterside with an Italian dinner on Woolloomooloo wharf at Otto. Say cheers to your special someone with an Aperol Spritz on arrival followed by a three-course menu, as well as a complimentary box of chocolates to take home. Neighbouring restaurants include China Doll, Kingsleys and Manta for more marina views.

Book a city staycation

With Sir Stamford at Circular Quay's Romance Package, you don't need to leave Sydney to enjoy a mini-break. The deal includes a bottle of French champagne and a curated selection of canapes (and chocolate-dipped strawberries) on arrival, a rose petal bath, a customised bottle of red wine with your very own love inscription on the label, a gourmet breakfast for two served in-room and late checkout. Other romantic hotels in the city include Sofitel Sydney Daring Harbour, Park Hyatt Sydney, Pier One Sydney Harbour and Shangri-La Sydney – all of which promote couples packages regularly. 

French kiss in the city

Nestled in a Sydney laneway, Felix has the atmosphere of an elegant French bistro. Book a long lunch or intimate dinner and linger over steak frites, gruyère soufflé or a selection of shimmering prawns, oysters and lobsters from the seafood bar. The romantic interiors are directly from the winding lanes of Paris with imported French chandeliers glinting from the ceiling and walls lined with Parisian subway tiles. What's more, if you are planning on enjoying a double date, the cosy venue is giving a free bottle of Moët and Chandon Impérial Brut champagne to bookings of four or more this Valentine's Day.

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.

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. You can watch special previews in comfy seats with Sydney Harbour as the backdrop at the Westpac OpenAir; grab a picnic blanket and see cult favourites at Moonlight Cinemas in Centennial Park; 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.

Taste multicultural cusine in 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 30 street food stalls hawking everything from guo kui (clay oven-baked flat breads), lamb skewers, sweet egg waffles, bubble teas and more. 

Toast from a rooftop

Is there anything more romantic than sipping on a sparkling 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, The Fernery and Coogee Pavilion.