Thing to do
Manly Ferry
The F1 public ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, a seven-nautical-mile harbour crossing past the Opera House and the harbour's eastern bays to the Heads.
Paddy’s Markets Haymarket
A long-established indoor market beside Chinatown, trading Wednesday to Sunday with fresh produce, souvenirs, clothing, gifts and food stalls.
At a glance
- Type
- Indoor market
- Area
- Haymarket, Sydney, Australia
- Opening
- Open 5 days a week (closed Monday, Tuesday) · 10:00–18:00
- Official site
- paddysmarkets.com.au
Good to know
- Fresh produce
- Souvenirs
- Food stalls
- Bars and hawkers
Why we recommend it
Paddy's Markets is one of Sydney's oldest markets. Markets have traded in the Haymarket area since the 1830s, when Governor Richard Bourke moved the cattle, hay and grain markets to the Campbell Street area, which gave the district its name. Today the Haymarket site sits on the ground floor of the Market City complex beside Chinatown and is run by Sydney Markets Limited, which also operates a larger market at Flemington in the western suburbs.
The market is a large indoor hall packed with stalls. You will find fresh fruit and vegetables, souvenirs, clothing, accessories, jewellery, gifts, gadgets, toys and homewares, with many stalls aimed at visitors looking for inexpensive Australian-themed presents. It is not a designer or artisan market; its appeal lies in variety, low prices and the lively atmosphere of a working city market.
The main market trades from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Some food and drink businesses keep longer hours: the bars and hawker stalls open from 11:00 and stay open until 23:00 from Thursday to Saturday. Fresh produce is best earlier in the day, while the end of trading on Sunday can bring bargains as stallholders clear stock.
Allow around an hour to wander through. The market suits budget travellers, families looking for gifts and anyone who enjoys browsing. It can be busy and noisy at weekends, so keep an eye on bags and bring a reusable shopping bag if you plan to buy produce. Payment methods vary from stall to stall.
Paddy's is easy to reach on foot from Central station or Town Hall station, and the light rail stops nearby. There is paid parking in the area for drivers. It sits in the middle of one of the city's best areas for affordable food, with Chinatown's restaurants on Dixon Street, the Thai eateries of Campbell Street and the Darling Square dining precinct all within a few minutes' walk.
Combine a visit with lunch in Chinatown, a walk to Darling Harbour, or an evening at the Capitol Theatre nearby. Darling Square, just to the west, has a wide choice of casual restaurants that stay open into the evening.
Paddy’s Markets Haymarket FAQs
When is Paddy's Markets open?
The main Haymarket market trades Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
Is Paddy's Markets open on Mondays and Tuesdays?
No. The main market is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
What can you buy at Paddy's Markets?
Fresh produce, souvenirs, clothing, jewellery, gifts, gadgets, toys and homewares.
How old are the markets?
Markets have traded in Haymarket since the 1830s, when Governor Bourke moved the hay and grain markets to the area.
How do you get there?
Walk from Central or Town Hall station; the light rail also stops nearby.
Are there places to eat?
Yes. Bars and hawker stalls trade inside, and Chinatown's restaurants are a few minutes away.
How long should you allow?
Around an hour to browse the stalls.