Where to Stay in Adelaide

By Santorini Dave

Our Favorite Adelaide Hotels

5-Star Hotel: Mayfair
4-Star Hotel: Holiday Inn
3-Star Hotel: Peninsula Motel
Apartment: Majestic M
Boutique: Adabco
New: Hotel Indigo
Cheap: Stirling Golf Club
For Family: The Retreat
Couples: Gallery Cabins
City Views: InterContinental
Sea Views: Stamford Grand
City Centre: Mayfair
Beach: Oaks Plaza Pier
Airport: International Motel

The Best Areas to Stay in Adelaide

Adelaide is often sneered at by other Australian cities that are larger, richer, and more cosmopolitan, but the South Australian capital (and hometown of the author) punches above its weight. With barely a quarter of the population of Sydney and Melbourne and now lagging behind Brisbane and Perth, Adelaide is quieter and more affordable. In 2023, it was voted the 12th most livable city in the world; it’s often compared to a large country town – albeit with 1.3 million people. The City Center and its sprawling suburbs are squeezed between an extended coastline of beaches and a range of scenic hills peppered with charming villages. And with friendly people, an excellent Mediterranean climate, and proximity to world-class wineries, it’s time to visit the ‘City of Churches’ (an outdated name that still sticks).

Adelaide Neighborhoods

Most visitors stay in the City Center, which makes sense considering the range of accommodations and all the attractions, shopping, and transport within walking distance. The northern section is crowded, noisy, and overpriced, while the southern section (past Victoria Square) offers more space, greenery, and better-priced accommodations.

Quieter and cheaper accommodations are available at the beaches, in the hills, among wineries, and around historic areas not far from downtown. North Adelaide is increasingly popular for its luxury apartments and boutique hotels, while Glenelg remains Adelaide’s favorite beach for its white sand, calm sea, and excellent facilities.

Convenient to the airport and facing glorious stretches of coastline are suburbs along the Northern Beaches. Although accommodations are limited, places like Henley Beach, Semaphore, and Port Adelaide are likable, affordable, accessible by train, and distant from tourist crowds. Some arriving by car stay along Glen Osmond Road, which links the city center with the South Eastern Freeway, peppered with motels popular for budget rates and onsite parking. More motels are also scattered along the roads surrounding the Adelaide Airport, although West Beach nearby is an acceptable option for an inconvenient arrival/departure time.

Further afield, and ideal if traveling around by car, are the delightful towns and villages sprinkled around the Adelaide Hills, particularly Hahndorf and Stirling, and within the Southern Wine Region based around McLaren Vale and Willunga.

The Best Places to Stay in Adelaide

• Best Luxury Hotels in Adelaide
  Mayfair • The Playford • SkyCity • InterContinental • Beresford Estate • Pullman • Atura Airport
• Best Luxury Apartments in Adelaide
  Majestic M • Quest King William South • Majestic Old Lion • Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier • Mantra

• Best Boutique Hotels in Adelaide
  Adabco • Mount Lofty House • Sticky Rice Villas • Hotel Indigo • Peninsula Motel • Fire Station Inn

• Best New Hotels in Adelaide
  Hotel Indigo • The Playford • TRYP • SkyCity • Hotel Alba
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels in Adelaide
  The Stirling Golf Club • Arkaba • Nightcap • Comfort Hotel • Hotel Richmond • Econo Lodge • Ensenada
• Best Hotels for Families in Adelaide
  The Retreat at West Beach Parks • Discovery Parks Beachfront • Holiday Inn Express City Centre • ibis • Lakes Resort
• Best Hotels for Couples in Adelaide
  Willunga Gallery Cabins • Sticky Rice Villas • Mount Lofty House • Oxenberry Farm • Thorngrove Manor • Adabco

Best Areas in Adelaide for…

• Best Areas in Adelaide for First-Time Visitors: North Adelaide
  The City Center (north and south) can sometimes be a little overbearing, especially around the Rundle Mall shopping walkway, Adelaide Railway Station, Central Market, and nightclubs along Hindley Street. At the other end of the spectrum, North Adelaide is so serene that people spend hours sipping lattes, window-shopping at boutiques, and sitting in shaded gardens. Populated and frequented more by locals than visitors, this suburb is an ideal base for anyone visiting for the first time. Get to know and use the free City Connector bus service that links North Adelaide with the City Center (north and south).
• Best Area in Adelaide for Sightseeing: City Center North
  
  

  Along North Terrace is the Art Gallery of South Australia. Entry is free.

  Although the smallest state capital on the mainland, the City Center does boast an impressive array of sights – and most are in a row along one road. Between Government House (sometimes open to the public) and the lovely Adelaide Botanic Gardens you will find along (or just off) North Terrace the Art Gallery of South Australia; South Australian Museum; Migration Museum; and Australian Space Discovery Centre. If that’s not enough, stroll around the grounds of the lovely old University of Adelaide and stop at the historic State Library.
  

  The Australian Space Discovery Centre is a new attraction along North Terrace.

• Best Area in Adelaide for History & Culture: City Center North
  
  

  Entry to the impressive South Australian Museum along North Terrace is free. It is renowned for its Aboriginal Gallery and displays of mammals.

  There are more than enough sights to satisfy those interested in the history and culture of the city, state, and country in the northern part of the City Center. Still, two places along North Terrace are of particular interest. The Migration Museum chronicles the history of migrants who settled in the state since its founding in the 1830s, and the South Australian Museum claims to have the “largest collection of Aboriginal cultural material in the world.” (Check the website for special exhibitions and children’s programs.) A couple of blocks away, the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute is the place for an appreciation and history of Australia’s original inhabitants. All three are free to enter.
• Best Areas in Adelaide for Vibe: North Adelaide and Willunga (Southern Wine Region)
  From downtown, it’s just twenty minutes on foot or 5 minutes on the free City Connector bus to the delightful suburb of North Adelaide. It’s surrounded by parklands and packed with elegant townhouses, historic pubs, and chic places for a latte fix. The streets are wide, quiet, and ideal for exploring on two feet or by two wheels. Proudly embracing its history and retaining a loveable village vibe, Willunga in the Southern Wine Region is enchanting. Pop into one of the three pubs for a pint, enjoy lunch at the rustic cafés, and visit one of the many boutiques selling locally-made arts and crafts. The town is incredibly energetic every Saturday morning at the Willunga Farmers Market (the state’s first).
• Best Area in Adelaide for Nightlife: City Center North
  Most cities the size of Adelaide have somewhere like Hindley Street. Seedy and almost deserted before midday, but then slowly becomes more energized before raging late into the night. Beside a 500m stretch of road between King William and Morphett are bars, nightclubs, and strip clubs. (The more sedate section of Hindley Street further west is being taken over by university accommodations.) Take care – even during the day – because drug-taking and excessive drinking are common. Police do regularly patrol this area, however.
• Best Area in Adelaide for Wineries: Southern Wine Region
  
  

  Visitors can sample and buy d’Arenberg wines from the cellar door in a historic building on the grounds.

  One of the major attractions of visiting Adelaide is the two wine regions within an hour or so by car from the City Center. The well-renowned Barossa Valley is not part of Adelaide’s suburbs (yet) and is only accessible by car or on a tour like the handy TrailHopper hop-on/off minibusses. The 150+ wineries around the McLaren Vale region, about 40kms south of the City Center, are far easier to reach by organized tour, private vehicle, and public bus. Over 70 of these wineries provide cellar doors where visitors can sample and buy local specialties, such as shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, and chardonnay. Several cellar doors are conveniently located along the main street of McLaren Vale, such as Tintara, which also serves meals. One definite must is the d’Arenberg winery, home to the remarkable d’Arenberg Cube – five levels of wining, dining, displays, and art in a building that has to be seen to be believed.
• Best Area in Adelaide for Restaurants: City Center North
  Conveniently within an easy stroll of the nightlife at Hindley Street, shopping along Rundle Mall, and cultural attractions on North Terrace is the East End, based mainly around the top part of Rundle Street. This major thoroughfare and a few side streets are jam-packed with busy bars, restaurants, and pubs. Whether Nepalese, Vietnamese, Thai, or Turkish, many eateries provide tables along the footpath or cooler and quieter places to sit inside. Pleasingly distant from traffic noise and car fumes – are the cafes and bars clustered in the shady laneways of Ebenezer Place and Vardon Avenue. These include the pulsating Belgian Beer Café and the more dignified Mother Vine War Bar.
• Best Areas in Adelaide for City Views: City Center North and South
  
  

  Anyone can enjoy the views at the rooftop restaurant and bar at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

  Adelaide has fewer high-rise buildings than other mainland capitals. This allows guests at top-end hotels like The Playford and Crowne Plaza to enjoy almost completely uninterrupted views of the city, while the InterContinental also overlooks the River Torrens and its surrounding parks. Newer hotels in the southern part of the City Center like the Indigo and TRYP offer beautiful views of the city, parklands, and suburbs.
• Best Area in Adelaide for Sea Views: Glenelg
  Except for a few pub rooms and caravan parks, there is a surprising lack of accommodations at any suburban beach besides Glenelg. Thankfully, this is a top-notch seaside location, and views from many hotels at Glenelg are extensive and uninterrupted. Two hotels with exceptional panoramas of the beach, sea, and, especially, sunsets are Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier at the Holdfast Shores Marina which is packed with cafes; and Stamford Grand which also overlooks parks, the Moseley Square plaza, and Ferris wheel (in summer).
• Best Areas in Adelaide for Peace and Quiet: Adelaide Hills
  The center of Adelaide is relatively noisy and hectic. Traffic, especially at peak hours, is often congested. In stark contrast are the serene Adelaide Hills – undulating rolls of scrubland, farms, and villages, many with one pub, a general store, and a few restaurants or boutiques run by people sick of city life. Hahndorf, unfortunately, is being loved to death and too crowded on weekends and sunny days, while Stirling is a busy regional hub. So, stay in or just outside these two towns but spend the days exploring villages like Uraidla, Bridgewater, and Aldgate.
• Best Areas in Adelaide for Walking and Hiking: Glenelg and Adelaide Hills
  
  

  Several very long hiking trails pass through the Adelaide Hills. Local enthusiasts have also created a shorter nature walk around Aldgate.

  Glenelg, which is easy to reach by tram from the City Center, is a great place to start a leisurely stroll. Either head north to an inlet of the sea called Patawalonga River via the beach, path, and bridge or, better, go south to Brighton Beach, which takes about one hour via a path or along the sand. Walks are even more incredible as the sun is setting. Serious hikers could tackle sections of dedicated walking (and cycling) paths through the Adelaide Hills as part of the Heysen Trail that extends 1,200km across the state. The Friends of Heysen group details several half/full-day hikes, including one from Mylor to Aldgate (2-3 hours). Two extreme alternatives are the very arduous hike up and down Mount Lofty, and the gentle nature walk through Aldgate.
• Best Area in Adelaide for Cycling: McLaren Vale
  Along the Coast to Vines Rail Trail, about 40km south of the City Center, is the rural hub of McLaren Vale. This 34km-long walking and cycling path is fully sealed, rarely steep, usually wide enough for walkers and cyclists, and often shaded. It regularly passes wineries, historical sites, nature reserves, and lookouts. A much shorter section (8km) called the Shiraz Trail passes numerous wineries between McLaren Vale and Willunga – perhaps better for walking than cycling.
• Best Areas in Adelaide for Beaches: Glenelg and Brighton
  
  

  The beach, just south of the main jetty in Glenelg, has incredible sunsets.

  Although Glenelg sometimes gets crowded, it generates an infectious air of seaside vibrancy. While quieter suburban beaches like Semaphore and Henley also provide calm water, fine sand, an extended jetty, and magical sunsets, Glenelg is easy to reach by tram from the City Center and has a far superior range of places to eat, drink, shop, and stay. Other reasons to visit Adelaide’s premier beachside suburb during summer are the Skyline Ferris Wheel and The Moseley Beach Club on the sand. With the same sand, sea, and sunsets but far quieter and trendier, Brighton is 15 minutes by car or one hour on foot south of Glenelg.
• Best Area in Adelaide for Parks and Gardens: City Center South
  
  

  We walked the paths crisscrossing the south parklands separating the City Center and suburbs.

  In the 1830s, Colonel William Light, the revered designer and surveyor, ensured that public parklands would surround the city of Adelaide. Of course, suburbs have sprawled beyond since, but the parklands remain. Although controversial, various facilities in some areas are slowly taking over. The parklands along South Terrace are easy to reach by tram from the northern section of the City Center and offer rose gardens, paths for walking and cycling, picnic facilities, playgrounds, and plenty of room to kick a football around. And everything is free to use.
• Best Area in Adelaide for Watching Sports: City Center North
  
  

  Adelaide Oval stadium.

  The people of Adelaide are generally sports fanatics, particularly about the unique code of Australian Rules Football and, to a lesser degree, cricket. Bitter rivals in the Australian Football League, the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide play home games (March to September) at the 45,000 seat Adelaide Oval. This particularly picturesque stadium within a five-minute stroll of the City Center North is also where the Adelaide Strikers T20 cricket team play at least weekly in December and January.
• Best Area in Adelaide for Outdoor Activities: Adelaide Hills
  Compared to Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane, Adelaide is not renowned for its range of outdoor fun. Some activities like mountain biking and horse-riding are available in out-of-city areas and are only accessible by car. Others like shark cage diving and hiking the Heysen Trail through the Flinders Ranges are much more than a day trip from the City Center. In the picturesque Adelaide Hills, easy to reach by car or public bus, there are several activities for outdoor types. These include rock climbing and zip-lining with Earth Adventure, as well as hiking and rappelling with Adventure Hubs.
• Best Area in Adelaide to Organize Tours: City Centre North
  A few travel agencies along the shopping walkway of Rundle Mall arrange tours and sell tickets for organized trips. The best place for independent advice and bookings is the Adelaide Visitor Information Center on Pirie Street, two blocks south of Rundle Mall. These days, many visitors book tours online, with pickups often included – but only from hotels in the City Center. As well as tours to wineries, consider short trips around the Adelaide Hills, along the River Murray, and to Monarto Safari Park. For tours in and around the city we recommend Adelaide Sightseeing, See Adelaide & Beyond, and Bums on Seats
• Best Area in Adelaide for Malls and Department Stores: City Centre North
  
  

  Off the pedestrian-only Rundle Mall, the delightful Adelaide Arcade has inviting boutiques and tempting cafes.

  Every capital city in the country has at least one mall, which in Australia means a pedestrian-only, outdoor walkway packed with places to eat, drink, and shop. Rundle Mall is perfectly positioned between Hindley Street (for nightlife) and Rundle Street (part of the East End for fine dining). City workers and suburban dwellers pack the area, attracted by the variety, setting, and sales. Chic boutiques and cute cafes line narrow arcades like Adelaide Arcade and Regent Arcade. Plazas, mega-shops, and department stores like the iconic Myer are on the main thoroughfare.
• Best Area in Adelaide for Markets and Boutiques: Adelaide Hills
  Most residents of Adelaide visit shopping centers spread across the sprawling suburbs, but they are inconvenient for visitors. The arts and crafts shops around the Adelaide Hills are much more inviting, particularly in the main towns (with accommodations): Hahndorf and Stirling. (The latter also hosts monthly markets.) To avoid crowds and parking problems, cruise along the windy roads to sizable villages like Oakbank, Mylor, and Woodside, where local artisans sell all sorts of classy mementos.
• Best Area in Adelaide for Transport: City Centre North
  
  

  The handy (and free) City Connector bus service links North Adelaide with the City Center and heads further south to Chinatown, the Central Market, and the main bus station.

  Transport is best in the northern part of the city where so many people work and visitors stay. The historic Adelaide Railway Station is conveniently located along North Terrace and connected to the River Torrens through an arcade, which is well worth a look, even if not using a train. There are limited train services to Port Adelaide from the Grange and Largs Bay beaches. Long-distance buses leave from the Central Bus Station on the free City Connector bus loop, including North Adelaide. Trams are the best for visitors, which connects the City Center (north and south) with Glenelg, Adelaide’s premier beach.
• Best Area in Adelaide for the Airport: Anzac Highway
  Although only 7km from the City Center, motels pepper the roads surrounding the combined domestic and international airport. These are an excellent choice for late arrivals and early departures, sometimes caused by the airport curfew between midnight and 6am. They have inexpensive rates and free parking, so they are often heavily booked. Places in West Beach and along Tapleys Hill Road are under a flight path. Those along Sir Donald Bradman Drive have traffic noise. Motels on Anzac Highway are furthest from the runways and convenient to Glenelg Beach by tram and bus; some are even close enough to walk.
• Best Area in Adelaide for Families: Glenelg
  
  

  Just one of the super-fun activities at The Beachhouse is the waterslides that lead to the swimming pool.

  Since settlement in the 1830s, Glenelg has been the premier beachside destination for those living in and visiting Adelaide. Clean white sand and clear, calm water along a wide beach make it perfect for a beach holiday or a fun day trip. Families love the walking and cycling paths that go as far as Brighton (an even nicer beach), about one hour on foot, shaded parks, ice creams and fish and chips, and a range of accommodations, some reasonably priced compared to the City Center. A highlight for the young ones is, undoubtedly, The Beachhouse, an all-in-one, five-level entertainment complex with mini-golf, bumper cars, a swimming pool, and a spiral water slide.
• Best Areas in Adelaide for a Romantic Holiday: Hahndorf (Adelaide Hills) and Willunga (Southern Wine Region)
  Get out of the city and head to the hills or the southern vales. While Hahndorf is very busy in summer and on sunny weekends, it is much quieter at other times and after the tour buses have headed home. This sizable town offers cozy boutique hotels, charming pubs, and intimate dining and is a convenient base for day trips to the parks, wineries, and villages across the Adelaide Hills. For the same reasons, Willunga near McLaren Vale in the Southern Wine Region is also adorable but with considerably fewer residents and tourists.
• Trendiest Areas in Adelaide: North Adelaide and Stirling (Adelaide Hills)
  
  

  In North Adelaide, Melbourne Street has boutique shops and art galleries.

  The upscale suburb of North Adelaide is only five minutes from downtown on the free City Connector bus. It’s delightfully historic, quiet, and green – and, yes, in places, it is trendy, especially along O’Connell and Melbourne streets. People flock there for boutiques, bars, and restaurants, which are more fashionable and pricey than almost anywhere else in Adelaide. The upmarket suburb of Stirling is also stylish and hip, with the added advantage of being much cooler (relating to the weather, not the fashion).
• Best Place to Stay in Adelaide on a Budget: Glen Osmond Road
  There are two reasons to stay along this noisy road linking the City Center with the South Eastern Freeway, which heads to Victoria: accommodations are cheap, and guests can park onsite for free. A few places along Glen Osmond Road offer “apartments,” but these are just slightly more upscale versions of the rooms all the motels provide. The best places to stay are The Osmond, Fullarton, Hello Adelaide, and Arkaba
• Safest Area in Adelaide: Southern Wine Region
  The towns of McLaren Vale and Willunga, about 40km south of the City Center, are prosperous and don’t tend to attract the same vulnerable populations or individuals facing hardship that are sometimes present in the City Center and beachside suburbs. All facilities and most accommodations are located along the main streets, which are well-lit and quiet – and there are no nightclubs, rowdy bars, or seedy pubs in either place. Also, parking a car along the backstreets is far safer than in the City Center and suburbs.
• Unsafe Area of Adelaide: City Centre North
  Adelaide is no less safe than other cities in Australia, but take the usual precautions, especially along crowded inner-city streets and at festivals, markets, and transport terminals where opportunistic petty crimes like bag-snatching and pick-pocketing are possible – although very rare.

  Hindley Street may seem unassuming during the day, but this is the main center for after-dark action. Dive bars and hard drinking can cause the usual sort of problems, which can be easily avoided by sticking to the main streets, going home early, or simply choosing somewhere else for a night out.

The Best Areas in Adelaide for Tourists: Ordered from the City Center out.

1. City Center North

Adelaide sits along the River Torrens. Adelaide Oval is just across the water.

The northern section of the CBD is overbuilt, overcrowded, and overpriced for accommodations, but most tourists stay there because of the terrific range of attractions and luxury accommodations. Within an easy walk of any hotel are Hindley Street (undisputed center for nightlife), Rundle Mall (a pedestrian-only area relished by shopaholics), the East End (for sophisticated dining), North Terrace (cultural attractions), and Adelaide Oval (the major sporting arena).

A free trams run along North Terrace and King William Streets. We also used it to visit the parklands on South Terrace.

Add to that the ease of visiting Glenelg by tram, Port Adelaide and the northern beaches by train, and North Adelaide by the free City Connector bus. Accommodations are almost exclusively upscale, but check out the southern part of the City Center for boutique hotels.

• Best Luxury Hotels in City Center North
  Mayfair • The Playford • SkyCity • InterContinental • Pullman • Crowne Plaza • Hotel Grand Chancellor
• Best Luxury Apartments
  Mantra • Oaks Horizons Suites • Oaks Embassy Suites
• Best Hotels for Families
  Holiday Inn Express City Centre • ibis
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Hotel Richmond • Riviera Hotel

2. City Center South

Chinatown is adjacent to the Central Market.

South of Victoria Square (which marks the middle of the CBD), there is considerably more space and greenery and less crowds and traffic. The main attractions are Chinatown and the fabulous Central Market. Visitors also appreciate that hotels are generally less expensive and parking is not as prohibitively expensive – sometimes, it’s free. This area is only a few stops on the free tram from all the attractions, shops, and restaurants in the northern part of downtown. It’s also easy to visit the beaches and hills by public transport and explore North Adelaide by the free City Connector bus. The long-distance bus station is close by, too.

Over the road from Chinatown and the Central Market is the Adelaide Central Bus Station.

One bonus especially appreciated by families is the parklands along South Terrace, with rose gardens, playgrounds, picnic facilities, and walking and cycling paths. The pleasing mix of accommodations includes boutique hotels not found in the northern part of the City Center and some youth hostels not rated highly enough to recommend.

• Best Luxury Hotels in City Center South
  Hotel Alba • TRYP • Hilton
• Best Luxury Apartments
  Quest King William South • Adina • Quest on Franklin
• Best Boutique Hotels
  Adabco • Hotel Indigo • The Franklin
• Best Hotels for Families
  Rydges South Park • The Terrace
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Toms Court • Hotel Metropolitan

3. North Adelaide

North Adelaide has history and charm but is also a suburb with a shopping center.

The elegant suburb of North Adelaide is separated from the City Center by lovely parklands. There are impressive facilities around the odd-shaped grid of streets, especially on or near O’Connell and Melbourne streets. Far quieter, greener, and less expensive than the City Center (north or south), North Adelaide is also famous for its upscale boutiques, stylish pubs, and trendy eateries.

All hotels are within a short walk of two major attractions – the Adelaide Zoo and Adelaide Oval, the major sports arena – and only 20 minutes on foot from the City Center North. Otherwise, jump on the free City Connector bus, which extends to Chinatown and the Central Market. Hotels usually offer free parking onsite and rates are markedly cheaper than the City Center.

• Best Luxury Apartments in North Adelaide
  Majestic M • Majestic Old Lion • Majestic Tynte Street
• Best Boutique Hotels
  Fire Station Inn • Adelaide Inn • Majestic Minima
• Best Hotel for Families
  Comfort Hotel
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Comfort Inn • Comfort Hotel • Econo Lodge • Princes

4. Glenelg and Brighton

The beach at Glenelg is perfect: clean, white sand, clear, blue water, and legendary sunsets.

At Glenelg in 1836, the British colony officially became South Australia, so this beachside suburb is technically older than the City of Adelaide. Glenelg has always been the prime seaside destination – especially for families – for its scenic setting flanked by Norfolk Pine trees, excellent range of facilities, and ease of access from the City Center via tram and the multi-lane Anzac Highway.

We had to stop for fish and chips in Glenelg.

Spend the day frolicking in the white, clean sand and calm, clear water – and stay for the magical sunsets. Accommodations include luxury apartments, which have superseded the outdated motels, but there is nothing in the boutique range. Locals who bemoan Glenelg’s parking problems and crowded streets prefer Brighton. This comparatively underdeveloped beach is one hour south of Glenelg on foot along the sand (or 15 minutes by car), but accommodations are limited to one basic hotel.

• Best Luxury Hotel in Glenelg
  Stamford Grand
• Best Luxury Apartments
  Oaks Plaza Pier • Oaks Liberty
• Best Hotels for Families
  Oaks Liberty • Oaks Plaza Pier • Holiday Apartments-Corfu • Holiday Apartments-Ellis • Atlantic Tower
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Nightcap • Ensenada • Glenelg Motel • Norfolk • Glenelg Dockside • Esplanade Brighton

5. Northern Beaches

Henley Beach.

North of the airport and West Beach alongside it, the coastline and sandy beaches continue for nearly 20km. The main areas of interest are the delightful seaside suburbs of Henley Beach and Semaphore, while Largs Bay and Taperoo are pleasant enough but less attractive.

Our stop at a restaurant facing Henley Beach.

The small town vibe in Semaphore, north of the airport.

During summer, the lawns at Semaphore Beach have an outdoor games area.

Port Adelaide has done a remarkable job ensuring that many historic buildings have been restored and maintained.

A two-minute drive inland from the foreshore are West Lakes (an upmarket area facing a marina created from swamps about 50 years ago), and Port Adelaide, (a historic area slowly being rejuvenated). While the Outer Harbour train line does link all places listed here to the City Center, this area is more suitable for those with a vehicle (which is needed to find places to eat anyway). Accommodations are limited, but free parking is available at all hotels listed below.

Henley Beach

• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotel
  Ramsgate

Largs Bay

• Best Boutique & Cheap/Midrange Hotel
  Largs Pier Hotel

Port Adelaide

• Best Luxury Apartment & Hotel for Families
  Quest Port

Semaphore

• Best Luxury Apartment
  Semaphore Splash
• Best Hotel for Families
  Discovery Parks – Beachfront
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotel
  Nightcap

Taperoo

• Best Cheap/Midrange & Boutique Hotel
  Peninsula Motel

West Lakes

• Best Luxury & Hotel for Families
  Lakes Resort

6. Glen Osmond Road

The award-winning Frewville Foodland supermarket is directly opposite the Arkaba Hotel on the corner of Glen Osmond and Fullarton roads.

Most visitors arriving by car from Victoria (the second most populous state) end up on the South Eastern Freeway. Dramatically carved through the Adelaide Hills, this freeway abruptly reaches the inner suburbs of Adelaide at a four-way junction where Glen Osmond Road extends to the City Center. Motels of varying quality pepper this road and cater to weary drivers, offering free parking and budget-priced accommodations only a few minutes’ drives from the City Center. This road is always noisy, but most rooms are soundproofed – except, perhaps, the cheapest places. There are enough facilities like fast-food outlets, restaurants, and pubs within walking distance, but no luxury or boutique range accommodations.

• Best Luxury Apartments in Glen Osmond Road
  The Osmond • Hello Adelaide
• Best Hotels for Families
  Arkaba • The Osmond • Hello Adelaide
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Arkaba • Frewville • Frewville • Fullarton • The Sands • Welcome Inn 277

7. Around the Airport

The amazing West Beach Adventure Park is part of the extended recreational area between the airport and the foreshore.

The combined domestic and international airport is remarkably convenient, only about 7km from the City Center, but the airport has a curfew between midnight and 6am. For early departures and late arrivals, several motels are scattered outside the airport, while one – Atura – is actually in the airport.

There are limited places to eat or drink within walking distance of the accommodations listed below, but accommodations are inexpensive and have free parking. (This is especially useful because most car rental agencies are at or near the airport.)

Sir Donald Bradman Drive (north), Tapleys Hill Road (west), and Anzac Highway (south), which is furthest from the airport and convenient to Glenelg Beach, all have motels. Otherwise, check out the options at West Beach between the airport and the sea: two magical caravan parks with cabins and pleasant self-contained apartments with one or two bedrooms.

• Best Luxury Hotel Around the Airport
  Atura Airport
• Best Luxury Apartments
  Atlantic West Beach • Esplanade
• Best Hotels for Families
  The Retreat at West Beach Parks • BIG4 Holiday Park West Beach • Best Western Airport • Adelaide International
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  The Retreat at West Beach Parks • Adelaide International • Best Western Airport • Morphettville Inn • Adelaide Airport • Comfort Inn

8. Adelaide Hills

The main street of Hahndorf has a long stretch of restaurants and boutiques.

Parallel to the coast – with most of the city and suburbs in between – are the Adelaide Hills. While not remarkably high, they are long, broad, undulating, and peppered with villages with cute-as-a-button names like Piccadilly and Bridgewater. They have retained their rustic charm despite inevitable urban sprawl.

Staying in The Hills (as they are known) provides visitors with the chance to walk and hike sections of the very long Heysen Trail, explore native flora at Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, sample produce at 50+ wineries, and cuddle a koala at Cleland Wildlife Park.

While towns like Hahndorf and Stirling are linked to the City Center by bus, visiting other places will require a vehicle. Otherwise, join a bus tour with a company like Adelaide Sightseeing.

Another reason to stay in The Hills is that the weather is noticeably cooler in summer and wetter in winter. Most accommodations are in Hahndorf and Stirling – typically, charming boutique hotels, rooms in old-fashioned pubs, and cheap and cheerful motels.

Hahndorf

• Best Luxury Hotels
  The Manna • The Studios
• Best Luxury Apartment
  Amble
• Best Boutique Hotel
  Hahndorf Oak Tree Cottages
• Best Hotels for Families
  Discovery Park • Hahndorf Motel • The Lodge
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Hahndorf Motel • The Lodge

Mount Lofty

• Best Luxury Hotel
  Mount Lofty House

Stirling

• Best Luxury Hotel
  Sticky Rice
• Best Luxury Apartment
  The Studios
• Best Boutique Hotels
  Sticky Rice • Thorngrove Manor • Stirling Hotel
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotel
  Stirling Golf Club

9. Southern Wine Region

One of the most famous wineries in the McLaren Vale region is d’Arenberg, home to the world-renowned Cube.

One of Adelaide’s premier tourist attractions is the cluster of world-class wineries in the hilly valleys about 40km south of the City Center. Mostly spared from the unrelenting urban sprawl, two towns serve as bases that somehow manage to retain their rural charm: Willunga and McLaren Vale.

The app-based company Spinway Adelaide offers bicycle rental at Serafino winery – an outstanding way to explore the region on dedicated cycling paths

Visitors also love the country vibe and easy access (by car only) to other delightful towns like Port Willunga and world-class beaches such as Moana and Maslins (which has a nude section).

Accommodations are mostly luxury suites at wineries and charming boutique hotels, but not much else—more for a romantic getaway than a family holiday.

McLaren Val

• Best Luxury Hotels
  Beresford Estate • Serafino • McLaren Vale Motel & Apartments
• Best Luxury Apartment
  McLaren Vale Studio
• Best Boutique Hotels
  Oxenberry Farm • Wine and Roses Bed & Breakfast • Bed & Breakfast at Tiffany’s • Bella Cosa
• Best Hotels for Families
  McLaren Vale Getaways • McLaren Vale Motel & Apartments

Willunga

• Best Boutique Hotel
  Willunga Gallery Cabins
• Best Hotels for Families
  BIG4 Port Willunga Tourist Park

Adelaide Travel Tips

• With a comparatively modest population and tricky geography, the South Australian capital doesn’t have great public transportation. The free City Connector bus links North Adelaide and the City Center as far south as Chinatown and the Central Market. But buses are of little use otherwise, except to the Adelaide Hills. Trams connect the City Center (north and south) with Glenelg Beach, and trains go to northern areas like Largs Bay and Port Adelaide, but that’s about it.
• Of all the mainland capital cities, Adelaide is one place where renting a car is worthwhile. This is easy to arrange at or near the airport but stay outside the City Center for ease and cost of parking.
• Everyone, especially those unused to the Australian summer and beaches, must take precautions against the fierce sun. Always cover up and swim where indicated by lifeguards.
• Try to catch a game of cricket or the unique code of Australian Rules Football. The two rival teams in the Australian Football League – Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide – play home games (March to September) at Adelaide Oval. This 45,000-seat arena is also home to the Adelaide Strikers T20 cricket team, which plays at least every week in December and January.