Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Adelaide?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Adelaide?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the elegant city of Adelaide, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the beaches, shopping, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking. Many tourists set aside two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Adelaide below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Adelaide?

Many visitors spend two to four days in Adelaide during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to lounge on the beach, find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and go hiking.

Adelaide is the capital of South Australia. While it's not at the top of many traveler's itineraries, it offers some great activities such as beautiful beaches and a world class wine scene. The city has many beautiful green spaces and there's a great cultural scene as well.

Do you have one or two days to visit Adelaide? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Adelaide?

Adelaide is popular with tourists and offers some fun sights and attractions. One day is probably not enough time here even though it's not the largest of cities. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Adelaide such as the beaches, shopping, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule two to four days to fully experience the elegant city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Adelaide

The beautiful beaches await you in Adelaide, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

A few tour suggestions include:

Learn to Surf at Middleton Beach ($40)
Adelaide 2-hour BBQ Boat Hire for 2 People ($129)
Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide ($54)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

A few tour suggestions include:

Micro-Group Barossa Valley Wine Tour from Adelaide ($237)
Cooking classes Goolwa ($132)
McLaren Vale Wine Tour by Bike ($128)

Adelaide is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Adelaide?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the elegant city of Adelaide, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the beaches, shopping, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking. Many tourists set aside two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Adelaide below.

Rundle Mall, Adelaide (South Australian Tourism Commission)

How to spend 2 days in Adelaide

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Adelaide, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

Shopping in Adelaide is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

The public transit in Adelaide is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Adelaide, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.