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Adelaide is South Australia’s capital city and one of the world’s greatest wine regions.
It’s renowned for its fantastic access to nature, with the very center of the city being surrounded by a ring of lush, green parkland that gives residents and visitors space to relax in the great outdoors. The city also offers easy access to beautiful beaches and rugged mountains, while providing a rich array of cultural sights and events at its urban heart.
If you’re planning a visit to Adelaide you might be wondering which part of this attractive city to stay in.
Let’s take a look at the region’s best neighborhoods for tourists and highlight some of its leading hotels to help you plan your Adelaide vacation.
Adelaide CBD for First-Time Visitors
Highlights: Ayers House Museum, Rundle Mall, Chinatown, Victoria Park, Victoria Square, South Australian Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Botanic Garden
Adelaide Central Business District is the very heart of the city and many of the most popular tourist attractions can be found here. The likes of the South Australian Museum, Adelaide Central Market, and Adelaide Botanic Garden are within the CBD and easily accessible on foot or via public transport.
There’s a busy, vibrant atmosphere in the CBD. The streets are lined with offices, eateries, cafes, art galleries, and stores, so you can expect to see tourists and locals milling about throughout the day. There’s excellent nightlife after dark and lots of rooftop bars from which to enjoy fantastic city views as you sip cocktails.
When you want a break from the busy city streets, simply head to one of Adelaide’s many parks. The city center is surrounded by green space where you can enjoy a peaceful walk, have a picnic, or relax with a book. Victoria Square is also at the heart of the CBD, which is a large green space bordered by gum trees. Festivals and events regularly take place here and in the CBD’s other parks and public spaces.
If you’ll be visiting Adelaide for the first time and want the city’s main attractions within walking distance, stay in the CBD. There are lots of tour companies operating out of the city center which makes it easy to take day trips out to nearby Barossa Valley and other popular wine regions when you want to venture further afield. Plus, you’re only a 15-minute drive away from Adelaide Airport from which you can fly to many different regions in Australia including nearby Kangaroo Island.
Some of Adelaide’s most popular luxury hotels can be found in the Central Business District, so if you’re looking for an indulgent city vacation in a five-star hotel, Adelaide CBD is for you. That doesn’t mean to say the area is too expensive for those on a budget. There are some very good midrange hotels in the city center and even some cheap hostels suitable for backpackers.
Here are some of the best hotels in the CBD:
- Mayfair Hotel
- The Playford, MGallery by Sofitel
- Peppers Waymouth Adelaide
- Stamford Plaza Adelaide
- Adelaide Rockford
- Hilton Adelaide
- Crowne Plaza Adelaide
- Adabco Boutique Hotel
- Ibis Adelaide
- Holiday Inn Express Adelaide City Centre
- Eos by SkyCity
- The Franklin Hotel
Glenelg for Families
Highlights: Glenelg Beach, Glenelg Pier, Brighton Beach, Glenelg Museum, Bay Discovery Centre, The Beachouse
Glenelg is a popular beach town that lies seven miles west of Adelaide city center. It’s a charming suburb with a much slower pace than the CBD and a gorgeous white-sand beach. It takes about 25 minutes to reach the city center from Glenelg by tram, so you can still explore Adelaide’s popular tourist attractions with ease when you stay here.
The most popular pastimes in Glenelg revolve around the beach. Sunbathing and swimming are a must, and there are opportunities for fishing on the jetty. Give snorkeling a try to discover local marine wildlife, or join a fishing charter or boat tour to explore more of the coastline. You even have the opportunity to swim with dolphins when you join a boat trip from Glenelg Marina.
There are amusement arcades, water slides, and rides to enjoy along Glenelg’s pier. To learn more about the town’s history and culture, head to the Bay Discovery Center which offers a timeline of South Australia’s history and features a range of exhibitions including a collection of vintage swimwear. If you want to spend more time outdoors, take a walk along one of the many hiking trails that run along the coastline.
Glenelg’s coastal position and its relaxed atmosphere make it a great location for a family beach vacation. You’ll find plenty of family-friendly hotels and vacation rentals, some of which offer impressive views of Gulf St Vincent.
Popular hotels in Glenelg include:
North Adelaide for Shoppers and Foodies
Highlights: Adelaide Zoo, Botanic Park, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Festival Centre, Peace Park, St. Peter’s Cathedral
North Adelaide lies right above the CBD. It’s primarily an upscale residential area with fewer attractions than in the CBD, but it offers a taste of true local life that many visitors find appealing. There are some incredible bars and restaurants in North Adelaide, some of which have won awards for their food and drink. You can also enjoy great shopping in this neighborhood, particularly on the upmarket O’Connell Street.
There’s even more green space in North Adelaide than in the CBD. Peaceful parks lie along the River Torrens, and Botanic Park offers a huge expanse of beautiful lawns, gardens featuring rare plants, and century-old fig trees. A few of the city’s biggest attractions can be found in North Adelaide, such as Adelaide Zoo which is home to thousands of animals including native and international species. Adelaide Oval is a huge stadium where a range of sporting and live music events take place. Adelaide Festival Centre is a hub for arts and events, with theatrical and musical performances taking place here regularly.
If you love dining, shopping, and wandering around gorgeous urban parks, you’ll be right at home in North Adelaide. It’s easy to get around the area on foot, but the city’s tram system also allows for quick access to the CBD and to surrounding suburbs. Plus, there’s a good mix of boutique hotels, inns, and suites to choose from in this area, many of which offer convenient amenities like free WiFi and late check-in.
Popular North Adelaide hotels include:
West Beach for Sunbathers and Surfers
Highlights: Surfing and watersports, West Beach Adventure Park, West Beach Parks Golf, The Big Wedgie Adelaide
West Beach lies six miles west of Adelaide city center, just north of Glenelg, and it’s ideal for those who want a classic beach break. The beach itself is perfect for sunbathing, but it also attracts lots of water sports enthusiasts. Jet-skiing, kitesurfing, and wakeboarding are all on offer here. There’s also a popular golf course at West Beach Parks Golf where you can take lessons if you want to work on your game.
For more high-energy fun, visit West Beach Adventure Park which is an aerial obstacle course suitable for people of all ages. There’s also the Big Wedgie, which is a series of huge, inflatable water slides. For a calmer way to enjoy the area, take a stroll along one of the many park trails that run along the coast and along the River Torrens, the mouth of which lies at the northern edge of West Beach.
There are fewer hotels to choose from in West Beach than in Glenelg, but the benefit of this is that there are often smaller crowds. This doesn’t mean to say that West Beach is quiet; it has some good pubs that get very lively at night. If you want an active beach holiday with good nightlife, stay in West Beach.
Adelaide Hills for Wine-Lovers
Highlights: Gorge Wildlife Park, Mount Lofty, Hahndorf Hill Winery, Art Wine, Ambleside Distillers
Adelaide Hills is one of Australia’s best-known wine regions, and you can reach it within just 40 minutes by car from Adelaide CBD. The rolling green landscapes are covered in vineyards and dotted with wineries. One of the best is Hahndorf Hill Winery which hosts wine tasting and wine pairing experiences.
There are opportunities not just for wine tasting but for walking, hiking, and spotting wildlife. The area is home to several parks lined with hiking trails, many of which have picnic areas and other amenities. Visit Gorge Wildlife Park to see a variety of native critters in their natural habitats, including kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, wombats, and dingos. There’s even an opportunity to cuddle with a koala.
Some hotels in Adelaide Hills are set in grand estates and offer incredibly luxurious experiences. Others are quaint inns and quirky bed and breakfasts. This is also a great area to find entire villa rentals if you’re looking for complete privacy. Keep in mind that you’ll benefit from having a car if you stay in Adelaide Hills so that you can explore the area with ease.
McLaren Vale for Outdoor Adventurers
Highlights: Onkaparinga River National Park, bushlands, vineyards, gourmet restaurants
McLaren Vale lies some 20 miles south of Adelaide and is a popular wine region. The landscape is beautifully rugged and lined with trails and paths for hiking and cycling. Anyone interested in bushwalking in South Australia’s countryside will appreciate a vacation in beautiful McLaren Vale. The River Hike in Onkaparinga Gorge is a particularly popular circular hike that offers spectacular views.
The area is also fantastic for foodies. Fertile soils make this an excellent area for growing produce, which is why fresh, local ingredients are so celebrated by McLaren Vale chefs. You’ll find some outstanding eateries in the area, such as the restaurant at Maxwell Wines which is headed up by Fabian Lehmann who carved out a career in Michelin-starred European restaurants.
If you opt to stay in McLaren Vale you’ll benefit from having a car to get around because the area is fairly remote. It takes around 40 minutes to reach Adelaide, but just 10 minutes to reach the nearby pretty beaches of Moana, Maslin, and Seaford.
Semaphore for History Buffs
Highlights: Semaphore Beach, Time Ball Tower, Semaphore to Fort Glanville Tourist Railway
Semaphore is a beach town that lies 10 miles north of Adelaide, and it has a charming nostalgic vibe. There are lots of Victorian and Art Deco buildings here, many of which house quirky cafes, antique stores, and historic pubs and restaurants such as the chic Palais Hotel. The vibrant Semaphore Foreshore is lined with rides and amusements including a carousel that was originally installed in the 1920s. The foreshore regularly hosts festivals including a summer carnival.
One of the most popular ways to spend a day in Semaphore is by lounging on the beach and exploring the beachside area. Take a stroll along the jetty to get fantastic views of Adelaide’s coastline. Don’t miss a ride on the Semaphore to Fort Glanville Tourist Railway which runs along the scenic coastline to the historic Fort Glanville which was built in 1880.
There are a few hotels to choose from in Semaphore but you’re not spoiled for choice as in Adelaide’s southern beaches. The town is a fun day out for those who want to step back in time and enjoy a nostalgic day at the seaside surrounded by heritage architecture.
Plan Your Adelaide Adventure
Now you’ve got to grips with Adelaide’s key neighborhoods, you can get started booking your vacation to this Australian gem. Which part of Adelaide will you call home on your visit?
