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The sprawling city of Perth is the capital of Western Australia and is one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations. Its sunny climate is reminiscent of the Mediterranean, and there are plenty of opportunities for sunbathing if you want to relax and unwind on your break. Those who prefer sightseeing will appreciate Perth’s array of attractions, art galleries, theaters, and world-class restaurants.
If you’re planning a visit to Perth for the first time, you might be wondering which neighborhood to stay in. Not only is the city itself huge, but it’s also surrounded by attractive urban villages that have a metropolitan feel and make excellent bases for tourists. Let’s take a look at some of Perth’s most popular neighborhoods and highlight some of its best hotels to help you decide which part of the city to stay in.
Perth CBD for First-Time Visitors
Highlights: His Majesty’s Theatre, Murray Street Mall, Hay Street Mall, Raine Square, Art Gallery of Western Austalia, Western Australian Museum, Perth Cultural Center, The Perth Mint
Perth Central Business District (CBD) is the very city center and is a hub for business, shopping, and entertainment. The area revolves around Murray Street and Hay Street, which lie parallel to each other and have pedestrianized sections packed with boutique shops and department stores.
This area of the city is loaded with art galleries, museums, and attractions, and it boasts some world-class restaurants, cafes, and bars. The nightlife is fantastic, and there are lots of opportunities to catch live music and entertainment in the CBD’s clubs and theaters. If you’re planning to visit Perth for the first time, the city center is a great place to base yourself as you’ll find many popular attractions within walking distance.
Where to Stay
You’ll have no problem finding accommodation to suit your budget and needs in Perth City Centre. Ibis Perth is just a 2-minute walk from Perth Arena, and it offers stylish rooms, internet access, and a bar and a restaurant on site.Â
The Alex Hotel is a 10-minute walk from Hay Street in the Northbridge neighborhood, and it offers convenient 24-hour check-in and free bicycle rental. European Hotel is just 5 minutes away from the main shopping district on foot, and it offers free WiFi in its recently refurbished rooms.
Four Points by Sheraton is situated opposite the RAC Arena and has modern, stylish rooms, a concierge service, and a 24-hour business center which makes it ideal for business travelers.
If you want a luxurious hotel, Perth CBD has plenty to choose from. COMO The Treasury has complimentary mini bars in every room and a stunning rooftop restaurant that offers incredible city views. The Westin Perth, which sits just 200 meters away from Perth Concert Hall, is an indulgent spa hotel that offers incredible dining options in its renowned restaurant.
Looking for a fantastic view from your hotel? Novotel Perth Langley overlooks Langley Park and Swan River, with many rooms and suites offering lovely river views. Mercure Hotel Perth has a heated rooftop swimming pool, a gym, and an on-site bar. QT Perth has a 24-hour fitness center, two restaurants, and a rooftop terrace where you can drink and dine.
Adina Apartment Hotel Perth is a great choice in Perth CBD for those who want self-catered accommodation. The rooms contain fully-equipped kitchens with washers, driers, cable TV, free WiFi, and private balconies.
Elizabeth Quay for Couples
Highlights: The Bell Tower, BHP Water Park
Elizabeth Quay sits just half a mile away from the city center, and it’s a relatively quiet haven to escape from the bustle of the central business district. It’s a waterfront precinct that surrounds an inlet of the Swan River, and it’s lined with stylish cafes, bars, bistros, and hotels.
Many people head to Elizabeth Quay to access other parts of the city because it’s home to a train station, a bus port, and a ferry terminal. You can take sightseeing cruises from here to Fremantle or Rottnest Island, or you can arrange a gondola ride to enjoy the sights of the Swan River in style.
Where to Stay
There are some luxurious hotels situated in Elizabeth Quay with fantastic views of the river and city. If you’re planning a romantic getaway for two, this neighborhood is a sleek and stylish area to stay in, with convenient links to other parts of the city.
West Perth & Subiaco for a Slice of Local Life
Highlights: Kings Park, Parliament House, Perth Observatory and Solidarity Park, the Domain Stadium, Mueller Park, the Regal Theatre, Subiaco Arts Center, Jacob’s Ladder, Scitech
West Perth and Subiaco are leafy residential areas that provide a welcome escape from the crowded city center. The impressive Kings Park is in West Perth, and here you can enjoy almost 1,000 acres of beautiful botanic gardens, wild scrubland, sprawling lawns, and playgrounds. The park is a popular area for picnicking, barbecuing, cycling, and walking.
If you want to avoid the crowds and get a feel for local life in central Perth, West Perth and Subiaco are good areas to stay in. Perth’s free CAT bus services keep them well-connected to the heart of the city, so you won’t have trouble reaching the sights from here.
Where to Stay
There isn’t a vast choice of accommodation in this neighborhood, but a popular hotel here is Tribe Perth, which sits just across the road from Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Every room offers either garden or city views and is stylishly decorated.
East Perth & Burswood for Sports Fans
Highlights: Queens Gardens, Gloucester Park, WACA Cricket Ground, Optus Stadium
East Perth is a quiet, relaxing area with lots of scenic green space and gorgeous views of Swan River. Like West Perth, it’s quieter than the city center, but it offers easy access via public transport to the main sights. Burswood connects to East Perth via the Causeway and Windan bridges, and here, you’ll find yet more picturesque parks, gardens, and golf courses.
East Perth is a hub for Perth’s sports scene. It’s home to the renowned WACA Cricket Ground, which has a museum for visitors to learn more about the history of cricket in Australia. The Optus Stadium in Burswood is a huge arena that hosts the Australian Football League.
Where to Stay
There’s a good range of hotels in the East Perth area, including some high-end options for those who want an indulgent vacation. Pan Pacific Perth is a 5-star hotel with spacious rooms and scenic Swan River views. Hyatt Regency Perth Hotel is another 5-star establishment, this time with a heated pool, a sauna, a fitness center, and free WiFi.
Crown Towers is a truly luxurious hotel complex with a nightclub, a casino, a theater, and 32 restaurants on site. Crown Metropol, a slightly more affordable alternative, sits on the banks of Swan River and offers some incredible views of the Perth City skyline.
If you’re looking for self-catered accommodation in this area, check out Fraser Suites Perth. It offers one-bedroom apartments with open-plan living, a kitchen and dining areas and access to a swimming pool and fitness center.
Northbridge for Nightlife
Highlights: Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, State Theatre Centre of WA, Blue Room Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre
Northbridge is a 10-minute walk away from the city center via a bridge that passes over a set of railway tracks. This suburban neighborhood is dotted with bars, music venues, nightclubs, and theaters. Northbridge is a diverse area, meaning it has a fantastic mix of restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world.
If you’re a night owl, you’ll love staying in North Bridge. You can enjoy dinner, a show followed by cocktails, and dancing until the small hours. Public transport links are excellent for traveling to other parts of the city, or you can reach Perth CBD within 10 minutes on foot.
Where to Stay
There’s a good mix of hotels, hostels, and ‘aparthotels’ in the Northbridge area. A popular option is Doubletree By Hilton Perth Northbridge, which offers comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and an on-site bar and restaurant.
Fremantle for History and Art
Highlights: Fremantle Markets, Fremantle Prison, Fremantle Arts Centre, Esplanade Park
Fremantle is considered Western Australia’s oldest city, and it offers a relaxed pace and quaint art scene. This seaside town is 30 minutes away from Perth CBD by train, and it’s dotted with fantastic restaurants, Italian-style cafes, cool art galleries, and charming boutique stores. The town is also renowned for its independent beer and cider breweries and its fish and chip bistros.
There’s lots of historic architecture to enjoy in Fremantle, and you can learn a great deal about Australia’s penal colony past when you visit Fremantle Prison. If you love history and art and want a quieter alternative to Perth city center, Fremantle is a good choice. Even if you choose not to stay here, be sure to take a day trip to appreciate its historic charm.
Where to Stay
There’s a great choice of accommodation in Fremantle, including budget and high-end options. Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges is a popular 4-star hotel. It has two outdoor pools, a fitness center, two bars, and two restaurants, and it overlooks the attractive Esplanade Park.
Scarborough for Beach Breaks
Highlights: Scarborough Beach, Scarborough Beach Pool, Whale Playground, Brighton Beach
The beach at Scarborough is considered the finest in Perth, thanks to its wide expanse of white sand and crystal clear waters. Surfers can enjoy fantastic waves at Scarborough Beach, and the array of surf shops and surf schools here make it a great spot for beginners to get started. If surfing isn’t your vibe, you could give snorkeling, paddle-boarding, or kite-surfing a try instead.
There’s a host of cafes and bars situated along Scarborough Esplanade, so you can relax over lunch, dinner, or drinks. Scarborough Beach Pool has two heated outdoor swimming pools, an adventure playground, a climbing wall, a skate park, and a basketball court to keep the kids entertained. There are also plenty of paths and trails in the area for walking or cycling.
Where to Stay
Scarborough is a fantastic area to stay in for those who want a classic beach vacation. There are plenty of hotels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts in the town, some of which have fantastic ocean views. It’s a 20-minute drive into Perth CBD or a 30-minute journey by train or bus, so this isn’t the ideal location if you plan to spend lots of time sightseeing in the city center.
Guildford for Easy Airport Access
Highlights: Swan Valley Visitor Centre, Garrick Theater, Taylor’s Cottage, St. Matthew’s Church
If you are dropping into Perth for a layover flight or plan to be in town for a short trip, it might make sense to stay close to Perth Airport. Suburbs like Bayswater, Ascot, Belmont, Midland, and Redcliffe all have cheap hotels and motels for this very purpose but they tend to be situated next to busy roads and with few amenities nearby. Guildford is a good alternative that offers a balance of convenience and charm.
You’re just four miles away from Perth Airport when you stay in Guildford, which is ideal if you have an early morning flight. You can reach Perth CBD in 20 minutes by car or in 35 minutes by public transport.
Where to Stay
Set within the scenic Swan Valley region, Guildford has a quiet atmosphere with attractive colonial architecture. It sits on the banks of the Swan River and is surrounded by green space for walking and cycling. There are a handful of affordable hotels here and several good-quality restaurants.
South Perth for Families
Highlights: Perth Zoo, The Old Mill, Sir James Mitchell Park,
South Perth is just 2.5 miles away from Perth CBD, and you can reach it in no time when you take a ferry across the Swan River. This family-friendly neighborhood is home to Perth Zoo, one of the city’s biggest attractions, which houses more than 1,000 animal species, including lions, giraffes, and elephants.
You can appreciate incredible views of Perth CBD’s skyline from South Perth on the banks of the Swan River. Walk or cycle along the foreshore and make the most of the many picnic and barbecue facilities that are dotted along the riverside.
Where to Stay
Although there are a couple of hotels in South Perth, most of the vacation accommodation here is self-catered apartments and ‘aparthotels.’ These are ideal for families who want the convenience of their own kitchen and living space.
Find Your Perth Home Away From Home
Now you’re clued up on Perth’s most popular areas, you can get started searching for the perfect accommodation for your trip. Which part of this thriving Australian city will you call home?
