How to download contacts from iPhone to Mac?

I was able to do a backup of the phone using iTunes, but how do I see and access the contacts?

Do I need to import them into Address Book?

Is there a better way to download contacts from iPhone to Mac?

The best solution *IS* iCloud sync.

Simple and without any fuss

But a simple syncing over USB or Wifi to iTunes should ask you if you want to merge your contacts when contacts syncing is enabled (iTunes>iPhone>Info>Sync Contacts)

The best way is to use the Apple supplied sync options - either over USB/WiFi local sync to the Contacts app (Address Book on Lion and earlier) using iTunes or using iCloud.

From there, you can backup / export them as vCard or inject them into Exchange, LDAP or other services. This way the contacts are in a standard / text format as opposed to the internal storage form for iOS or OS X contacts app.

To get started in syncing Contacts between iTunes and an iOS device, get your USB cable and open iTunes. From there - type sync contacts into the help menu search field and iTunes help will walk you through the setup. With a few clicks, you should be at a window like this and can turn on the sync for that device.