Keep reading to learn about my recent weekend in Adelaide, including the top places to visit, the best things to do in Adelaide alone, and where to stay on a budget.

For those who follow me on Instagram and Facebook, you would have noticed I had a lovely long weekend in Adelaide a couple of weeks ago. I bought my flights way back in January when Jetstar was having a sale, as South Australia was the only Australian state and territory I hadn’t visited. I aimed to tick it off before my 30th birthday, and I did it!

I didn’t go into my weekend in Adelaide with expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised from the moment I stepped off the plane (it’s less than 1.5 hours from Melbourne). From the cheap public transport to the plethora of free attractions to the friendly locals, Adelaide impressed me. So here’s what I got up to during my weekend in Adelaide to help you plan your own getaway.

Where to stay during your weekend in Adelaide

I stayed at Adelaide Central YHA in a four-bed female dorm room. At just $100 for three nights, I’d recommend the hostel to anyone looking for budget accommodation in Adelaide. There were events nearly every evening, free pancakes in the morning (which may be seasonal), and a large kitchen and common area.

The only downside was that I had to walk a fair distance to the communal bathroom, but it was large enough that I never had to wait. The bunk beds were also metal and SO noisy—quite possibly the noisiest bunk I’ve slept in yet, and I’ve stayed in many hostels. But overall, I’d stay in the hostel again.

If hostels are not for you, I recommend checking out cozycozy. You can find and compare all types of accommodations from all different sources (such as Airbnb and booking.com), including short-term rentals in Adelaide.

Weekend in Adelaide guide – the best things to do in Adelaide alone

Guys, there are so many free and cheap things to do in Adelaide alone. Public transport is also crazy cheap. I caught the bus to the beach (twice), to and from the airport, and to and from Hahndorf. This cost me under $20. In Melbourne, it costs $18 to get to the airport! Anyway, here’s what I got up to in Adelaide.

Make Adelaide Central Market your first stop on a weekend in Adelaide

Adelaide Central Market is Adelaide’s number one attraction. Established in 1869, I visited it for an early lunch as soon as I dropped my suitcase at the hostel. I headed to Big Table for one of their scrumptious sandwiches and picked up a sweet treat from Jamface to enjoy later. Stalls sell fruit and vegetables, health foods, meat products, giftware, and more. You’re guaranteed not to leave hungry.

Next door to the market is Adelaide’s Chinatown, which is home to some popular cheap eats. There are actually many eateries in this area, which is less than a 10-minute walk from my hostel.

Head to Rundle Mall

Rundle Mall is the main shopping precinct in Adelaide’s CBD. It’s home to the usual chain and department stores like Target, Kmart and Sportsgirl. But it also has some interesting landmarks, like the “Malls’ Balls”, the Rundle Mall Pigs and Adelaide Arcade. The latter resembles Melbourne’s Block Arcade.

Follow the River Torrens

During your weekend in Adelaide, spend some time on the River Torrens. The river flows through the city and splits the CBD from North Adelaide. A footpath follows the river, and there is plenty of green space for relaxing. I visited the river a few times, so if you’re looking for a leisurely walk in Adelaide, head here.

Be a beach bum during your weekend in Adelaide

Adelaide’s stunning coastline has some beautiful beaches. I ended up visiting two different beaches for sunset: Glenelg and Henley. There’s a tram from the city directly to Glenelg, home to a few clothing stores, ice cream shops (I went to Andersen’s of Denmark) and restaurants (for a quick vegetarian bite, check out Lord of the Fries). It was pretty busy on the Friday night I visited. However, it was also a beautiful day, so I think the locals were taking advantage of the summer-like weather. I walked along the jetty and then sat and read my book on one of the many beachfront benches.

I did the same thing at Henley, except the jetty was under construction. Henley has fewer boutiques than Glenelg, but it’s still home to many eateries. I read good things about SeaSalt’s fish and chips, as well as the treats at Swedish Tarts. There’s also a lot of green space and seating. At both beaches, I was treated to stunning sunsets. There’s nothing quite like a beach sunset in my book. Glenelg and Henley also have beachfront walking paths if you want to do some exercise on your weekend getaway.

For more beach recommendations, check out this guide by South Australia Tourism. But seeing a beach sunset is one of the best things to do in Adelaide alone.

Do a free walking tour

Adelaide Central YHA does organise a free tour on Saturday mornings, but not enough people signed up during my visit. However, another option I found on Google is Tours Around Adelaide. Although the owner is not currently running the tours for family reasons, hopefully, he’s back in action for your weekend in Adelaide.

Visit Adelaide’s many free museums and art galleries

What did I tell you – the best things to do in Adelaide alone are all free. I visited the South Australian Museum on Saturday morning, which had a couple of interesting Pacific and Aboriginal exhibitions. After lunch, I also stopped briefly into MOD., which is an innovative museum with a very cool exhibition right now called Prosthetic Reality: “Using the latest (AR) technology, you download the Eyejack app and wave your phone over the artworks, and watch as they change, move, grow and morph before your eyes.” It was incredible. Another option is the Art Gallery of South Australia if that’s more your style.

While you’re in the neighbourhood…

SA Museum and Art Gallery are both located on Adelaide’s North Terrace, which is a street lined with historical buildings. Take time to walk and photograph the aforementioned buildings, as well as the Parliament of South Australia and the University of Adelaide.

Venture to North Adelaide

A workmate mentioned North Adelaide to me. It’s where you’ll find many restaurants and a lot of pretty houses. I walked along O’Connell Street and made a mandatory stop at the Bakery on O’Connell. This award-winning bakery and cafe has a huge variety of sweet and savoury options and is open 24 hours a day. I picked up a caramel slice because it’s one of my favourites. While in North Adelaide, I also recommend checking out the view from Light’s Vision.

Spend your weekend in Adelaide exploring the East End

Adelaide’s East End neighbourhood is like a slice of Melbourne, with its Victorian terrace houses, street art-covered laneways, independent cafes, and high-end boutiques. If you prefer shopping at Sass and Bide over Target, head to the East End. Although I didn’t stop for brunch, there was a crowd at East Terrace Continental. This guide from Adelady is also a good place to start when it comes to East End restaurant and bar recommendations.

Speaking of street art…

You’ll find some amazing pieces of street art down the many laneways in Adelaide’s CBD. Here’s a Street Art Explosion guide compiled by the Adelaide Fringe Festival, which shows you some of the city’s artworks.

Another day, another walk around Adelaide

Adelaide is full of great walks along the coast, the river, and the Botanic Garden. I went for a quick venture inside, but this is just another one of the great free things to do in Adelaide alone. It’s also centrally located, so a morning wander could be a perfect way to start your morning in Radelaide.

Get the bus from Adelaide to Hahndorf

Hahndorf is one of the top places to visit in Adelaide. It is about a 40-minute bus ride from the CBD, and I couldn’t believe how easy it was to reach this cute town in the Adelaide Hills. Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. I spent a couple of hours wandering along Main Street, lined with restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Of course, I had to visit Hahndorf Sweets to sample (and then buy) some delicious fudge before having lunch at the popular German Arms Hotel. I thought I’d try their famous Giant Hot Dog, which was indeed absolutely humongous. Look, I did my best 😂.

I initially contemplated taking a tour to Hahndorf before I decided to hop on the bus. But here are some options:

• Hahndorf and the Barossa Valley with a winery lunch
• South Australia highlights tour, including Hahndorf, Mount Lofty Summit, Victor Harbor, and a winery visit.
• Hahndorf and McLaren Vale
• Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty, and Hahndorf for under $100.

Visit Mount Lofty

I didn’t get to see the view of Adelaide from Mount Lofty because I a) didn’t do an organised tour and b) didn’t have access to a car. But if you do one of these options, the views are meant to be amazing.

Explore Port Adelaide

The other place on my list of things to do in Adelaide alone is a visit to Port Adelaide. Home to three extra museums and beautiful buildings (or so I’ve read), visit the Our Port website for self-guided walking tours and more information about this Adelaide suburb.

Spend your weekend in Adelaide drinking wine

If I had more time and, well, enjoyed drinking wine, I would have made visiting a winemaking region a priority. Adelaide is Australia’s wine capital. There’s Barossa Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula’s McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, and many more. Read this guide to South Australia’s best wine regions and wineries. If you want a day trip, check out these top-rated tours to McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley.

Do a very long day trip to Kangaroo Island

Another place I want to visit someday! You can do an organised day tour of Kangaroo Island from Adelaide. It’s a long day, but Kangaroo Island seems worth it.

The one thing I will take away from my visit to Adelaide (apart from how budget-friendly it is) is the friendliness of the locals. Australians are known for being a friendly bunch, but Adelaide took this to another level.

Hopefully, this guide helps you plan your weekend in Adelaide.

I know I’ll be back to explore even more of South Australia… one day! For more Aussie destinations perfect for solo travellers, check out this post. Plus, here are 12 things to know before you visit Australia.

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Thank you to cozycozy for partnering with me on this post.