Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Adelaide?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Adelaide?

Three days in Adelaide is often considered best, as many tourists spend two to four days for their trip here. This would usually give you enough time to lounge on the beach, find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and go hiking. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.

How to spend 3 days 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.

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.

Perhaps the most famous spot in Adelaide is the Adelaide Botanic Garden, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

Is 4 days enough time in Adelaide?

With four days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Adelaide has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Adelaide as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the beaches, shopping, and the famous sights and museums at your own pace, as this medium sized city offers a variety of fun activities for . We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.

Rundle Mall, Adelaide (South Australian Tourism Commission)

How to spend 4 days in Adelaide

If you have more than 4 days in Adelaide, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Is 5 days enough time in Adelaide?

Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Adelaide, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. The beaches, shopping, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Adelaide as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding areas.

How to spend 5 days in Adelaide

Having 5 days in Adelaide will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Known for it's hiking, Adelaide sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

More Info

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