To get to Sydney’s wonderful Paddy’s Markets from Rydges Sydney Central just head towards Darling Harbour, go past Central Railway, across George Street to the Haymarket and, opposite Chinatown, on the corner of Hay and Thomas Streets is Paddy’s. Paddy’s has held a central place in Sydney’s history for over 150 years. They are Sydney’s biggest markets and have a wide variety of stalls selling food, fashion, gifts and gadgets in a true market atmosphere.  The markets open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

These days there are two Paddy’s Markets – the Haymarket one and the other at Flemington. Combined they have over 1000 stalls but the Flemington ones are more about fruit and vegetables and lack the fun and atmosphere of the Haymarket site, which is much more a ‘flea-market’ in style.

As they say, one person’s treasure is another person’s trash and chances are you will find a smattering of both. Vendors will be offering souvenirs, sporting goods, gifts, clothes, cosmetics, sunglasses, craft, CDs, phone accessories, flowers, jewellery and more. Prices start at value and work down from there if you don’t mind a bit of friendly banter and haggling. On weekends you will find the volume increases slightly when the fresh fruit, vegie and seafood vendors spruik their wares at wholesale prices.