Where to stay in Adelaide [Most Comprehensive Guide for 2023]

Adelaide, Australia - Adelaide Convention Centre and Riverbank in city centre viewed across Torrens river at sunset

Along the south coast of Australia is Adelaide, best known for culture, sports, food and wine.

It is the capital of South Australia, it’s also known as festival city, for the plethora of festivals, starting with the Tour Down Under in January through the Ebenezer Night Markets in December.

Although it’s a city over over 1 million residents, it’s very easy to get around. In fact, most places in Adelaide are reachable within 20 minutes, and most most Adelaide hotels are within 20 minutes walk of the major attractions.

So, no matter which Adelaide accommodation you choose, you’ll have no trouble seeing all the things to do in Adelaide.

Wondering where is the best place to stay in Adelaide? We will cover off all types of Adelaide accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Adelaide hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Adelaide 2023.

This guide shows, the best Adelaide hotels, cheap hotels Adelaide, best places in Adelaide to visit, the best places to stay in Adelaide, hotels near Adelaide attractions, Adelaide neighborhood guide and many more.

Plan your trip?

Avoid hidden fees in the exchange rate while withdrawing from millions of ATMs abroad, paying in restaurants and shops, and buying your accommodation and flights using the Wise Card. You can hold up to 50+ currencies at once, and convert them in real time with the free Wise app.

Need help planning your trip from start to finish? Check out these helpful links:

Cheap flights
Savings on accommodation from hostels to luxury hotels
Affordable car rental options
Affordable sightseeing tours and day trips
Travel Adapter – All in one so you don’t have to carry a bunch around

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Adelaide City Centre – Where to stay in Adelaide city for tourists

For first-time visitors, or those who only have a few days to see Adelaide, the city centre, or central business district, is the best option, as you’ll be close to everything you want to see.

If you are looking for cheap hotels in Adelaide, or cheap accommodation in Adelaide, the majority of hostels are in the CBD.

At the other end of the budget spectrum, there are many luxury and mid-range options as well.

The city centre is not just for business travel, so you’ll find plenty of cafes, restaurants (especially around the Adelaide central market and Rundle Street) and shopping nearby in Rundle Mall, as well as the Adelaide Zoo.

Unsure which is the best area to stay in Adelaide CBD? Adelaide city is fairly small; you can walk from one end to the other in 15-20 minutes.

Hindley Street is the nightlife hotpot with all the pubs and clubs, whereas Rundle mall and Rundle street feature a lot of restaurants, cafes and cocktail bars. Rundle Street is a little more relaxed than Hindley Street.

Every February, the Adelaide Fringe comes to town. The Garden of Unearthly Delights is located in Rymill Park which is at the end of Rundle Street.

Where to stay in Adelaide CBD

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Adelaide City Centre:

Budget accommodation in Adelaide City Centre:

Mid range accommodation in Adelaide City Centre:

Family Friendly accommodation in Adelaide City Centre:

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Adelaide City Centre:

Adelaide Australia - Rundle street top view looking towards west in Adelaide city centre on a day

North Adelaide – Where to stay in Adelaide with family

For the perfect mix of city and greenery, North Adelaide is the greater Adelaide area to call home during your holiday.

Only minutes from the city centre, you have the city at your doorstep, but plenty of green space to enjoy as well. This district has historic buildings and cathedrals, delicious food along O’Connell Street, and the River Torrens running through.

Climb up Montefiore Hill for a great view over Adelaide, a beautiful sight during the day or at night. With so many attractions nearby, there are many Adelaide hotels to choose from in the North district.

Where to stay in North Adelaide

Budget accommodation in North Adelaide:

Mid range accommodation in North Adelaide:

Family Friendly accommodation in North Adelaide:

Adelaide Australia - Government House exterior viewed from inside the grounds during the open day.

Adelaide Hills – Where to stay in Adelaide for a city break

Just east of the city is the area known as Adelaide Hills. You’ll never know you’re just an hour from the big city once you reach the tranquility of the hills.

Several quaint hilly towns make an excellent home base for exploring the nearby forests, teeming with wildlife and culture.

Wondering which are the best places to stay in Adelaide hills? There are many accommodation options spread across the towns of Hahndorf, Balhannah, Aldgate, Oakbank and Stirling.

Foodies will love the farm-to-table approach found in many of the region’s restaurants. Even if you don’t stay here, make sure you plan a day trip to the Adelaide Hills, check out our below recommendations for boutique accommodation Adelaide hills.

Where to stay in Adelaide Hills

Budget accommodation in Adelaide Hills:

Mid range accommodation in Adelaide Hills:

Family Friendly accommodation in Adelaide Hills:

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Adelaide Hills:

Colourful autumn in Mount Lofty, Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Glenelg – Where to stay in Adelaide to be close to the beach

For a great place to stay outside of the city centre, Glenelg Adelaide is an excellent choice. If you are traveling with children, and plan to spend some time at the beach, looking out into the South Pacific ocean or at playgrounds, then the best accommodation in Adelaide will be Glenelg for you.

If you’re wondering which is the best place to stay in Adelaide near the beach? The long, sandy beaches of Glenelg are perfect for relaxation, while the Beachouse amusement centre will entertain the kids for hours, with waterslides, rides and arcade games.

When you are ready to explore more of downtown Adelaide, just hop on the tram (public transport) and you’ll be there in 25 minutes.

Glenelg is one of best places to stay in Adelaide for families, or anyone who enjoys the outdoors, this is also the best suburb to stay in Adelaide! Below are our recommendations for Glenelg accommodation.

Where to stay in Glenelg Adelaide

Budget accommodation in Glenelg:

Mid range accommodation in Glenelg:

Family Friendly accommodation in Glenelg:

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Glenelg:

Stamford Grand Adelaide

Glenelg, South Australia - : People relaxing at Moseley Square in Glenelg on a bright summer day viewed towards tram line

McLaren Vale – Where to stay in Adelaide to enjoy the countryside

If you are coming to South Australia for the wine, then you might consider staying on the outskirts of Adelaide in McLaren Vale.

This small town of less than 4,000 residents is less than 40 kilometres south of Adelaide city centre, but a very different vacation experience should you choose to stay here.

Some of the world’s oldest grape vines still produce world class red wines in and around McLaren Vale. For a bit of outdoor adventure, have a stroll along the Shiraz Trail.

The Saturday morning farmer’s market is a big hit as well. Being so close to Adelaide, it will be easy to plan a day trip to Adelaide should you choose to stay in the countryside; or vice versa.

Where to stay in McLaren Vale

Budget accommodation in McLaren Vale:

Mid range accommodation in McLaren Vale:

Family Friendly accommodation in McLaren Vale:

Affordable Luxury accommodation in McLaren Vale:

McLaren Vale wine valley at sunset, South Australia

Barossa Valley – Where to stay in Adelaide to enjoy some wine

Another option for wine lovers is to stay a bit further afield from Adelaide, in the renowned Barossa Valley.

This region, about 75 kilometres northeast of Adelaide, is also famous for Shiraz grapes. Several towns in the region include Nuriootpa, Tanunda and Angaston, all of which have many vineyards and tasting rooms.

If you are seeking a luxury getaway, then Barossa Valley may be just what you are looking for, as there are several luxury accommodation options.

Barossa Valley also has many mid-range and budget accommodations as well, including caravans and tourist parks.

Where to stay in Barossa Valley

Budget accommodation in Barossa Valley:

Mid range accommodation in Barossa Valley:

Family Friendly accommodation in Barossa Valley:

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Barossa Valley: