24 Hours in Adelaide Itinerary |

Are you trying to decide what to do with just 24 hours in Adelaide?

Adelaide is a small city, but there is so much to do there! There are so many areas surrounding Adelaide that are worth visiting, but for this itinerary, we stick to the city and hope that the rest of your holiday will be spent visiting wineries.

Assuming you arrive in the evening and leave the next day, here is our 24-hour Adelaide Itinerary.

Of course, you can make the necessary changes if you arrive in the morning or afternoon. This 24 hours in Adelaide Itinerary is hopefully a good guide to help you plan out your holiday.

We used Cover-More insurance for our holiday in Adelaide.

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24 Hours in Adelaide Map of Locations

Evening Itinerary

Arrive in Adelaide, and after you check into your hotel, head to the Adelaide Oval.

Depending on the day, you can either watch an AFL game at the Adelaide Oval or climb it.

Kids 8+ can climb the Adelaide Oval, and there are climbs during the day, at twilight, and at night.

The daytime climbs and the twilight climbs are 2 hours long, while the evening climb is just 90 minutes.

Of course, you’ll be hungry after your climb, and you can choose between one of Adelaide’s delicious restaurant options, including:

Part of our meal at Oriental Dumpling King. Yes, we had dumplings too.

Restaurant Botanic, if you want to eat at Australia’s Best Restaurant 2023
Africola, if you are looking for something different
Oriental Dumpling King, if you want something casual
Bespoke Wine Bar and Kitchen, located at the Adelaide Oval

Not ready for bed? Find something fun to do at night in Adelaide with (or without) kids.

Morning Itinerary

After breakfast near your hotel or at one of the following restaurants, take a walk in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and then head to Rundle Mall.

At 11 am, take the F Factor Food Tour that leaves from the Adelaide Arcade. This tour is 2 hours long and includes information about the area along with local food. The tour ends at Adelaide Central Market, where you can continue to shop after your tour.

Oustside Adelaide Central Market. The red brick building says Federal Hall. Outside is a sign that says Market and has a heart. The Adelaide Central Market is a good place to go indoors on a rainy day in Adelaide.

Want to know more about the F Factor Food Tour?  Read our review!

Another morning option is to see the dolphins. Options include a 3.5-hour-long swim with the dolphins experience that includes a boat ride, a dolphin-watching cruise, and a dolphin sanctuary kayaking tour.

If you are looking for more adventure, go zip-lining at TreeClimb Adelaide. Multiple courses are available, including the Grand Course with more than 100 challenges, the Kids Course for those 100cm or taller, and the Zip-Loop Course for those who just want to zipline.

Another option is the Adelaide City Highlights Tour, if you want to be able to make the most of your 24 hours in Adelaide. This is a bus tour, but if you prefer to walk, check out the Guided Walking Tour.

Afternoon Itinerary

A girl on an interactive touch screen at Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide. THis is both a free thing to do with kids in Adelaide as well as an indoor thing to do.

Check out one of Adelaide’s free museums, including the Australian Space Discovery Centre, the South Australian Museum, or the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Find more free things to do in Adelaide!

If you went on the food tour, you won’t be hungry for lunch, but if you skipped it, head to the Adelaide Central Market and pick out some lunch before leaving Adelaide, but hopefully not ending your holiday.

Adelaide Central Market has lots of great options, and I chose the falafel plate. I also made sure to get yet another iced coffee. One of the stands at the market sells milk, and that is where you can find iced coffee.

Looking for even more things to do in Adelaide? Find the best things to do with kids and the best things to do indoors.

Where to Stay in Adelaide

If you have only 24 hours in Adelaide, chances are you do not plan to spend them at a hotel. That being said, you still need somewhere to sleep. These options are close to the Adelaide CBD, so you don’t waste time commuting.

Oval Hotel at the Adelaide Oval

Stay right at the Adelaide Oval at the Oval Hotel.

The Oval Hotel is within walking distance of the CBD, has multiple restaurants, and has soundproof walls.

Pullman Adelaide

Opt to stay right in the CBD at Pullman Adelaide, a 5-star hotel.

Not only is the Pullman in the Adelaide CBD, but it also has an indoor swimming pool, restaurant, and balconies

The Terrace

We stayed at The Terrace Hotel, a 4-star hotel that is perfect for 24 hours in Adelaide and is surprisingly affordable.

The Terrace is across the street from a park with a playground where the kids can play early in the morning or after dinner. Plus, it is within walking distance of the CBD and the free tram.

YHA Adelaide Central

Opt for a shared room, a family room, or a private room at YHA Adelaide Central.

Rooms are air-conditioned, and some have private bathrooms. Some rooms have a balcony, and everyone has access to a shared kitchen and communal lounge.

Adelaide Hotels with rooftop pools