No.8 Sydney, Australia
Body of water the city borders: Pacific Ocean
Population: 4,284,379
Average temperature in the winter: 54°F
Average temperature in the summer: 73°F
Although many people still think that Sydney is the capital of Australia, it isn’t -- that would be Canberra. Sydney is, however, no less important to Australia’s success as a travel destination; in fact, more people seem to visit it than the country’s actual capital, which doesn’t seem fair. Nevertheless, with showstopping architecture, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge (incidentally, both by the water), a vibrant nightlife scene, and more natural beauty than in the rest of the world’s cities put together, it’s not hard to see why Sydney is the beating heart of modern-day Australia (as well as one of the world's top 10 beach cities). As the country’s biggest metropolis, there’s much to see and do, but one of the biggest draws is undoubtedly the beaches that lie just behind the clutter of the city’s glass-fronted buildings.
