12 romantic things for couples to do in Adelaide

South Australia’s capital is bursting with creativity and culture, history and heritage, delicious food and wine, and glorious nature and coastal breezes. A romantic long weekend or short break in Adelaide is your chance to reconnect with one another while exploring Australia’s top wine regions, dining at acclaimed restaurants and experiencing some of the best cultural events in the country. 

If you’re using Adelaide as your base to explore this beautiful part of the country, here are the 12 best things to add to your romantic itinerary. 

Dine at Adelaide’s top restaurants

If you and your partner are foodies, you won’t regret making reservations at a few of Adelaide’s top restaurants. Book the tasting menu at Restaurant Botantic, crowned Gourmet Traveller’s National Restaurant of the Year 2023 and set within the beautiful botanic gardens. Turn up the spice at Africola, a North African-inspired restaurant that dishes up plates such as peri peri chicken and spicy tea sandwiches. Or have fun at Fugazzi, a New York-Italian-inspired bar that’s all about pasta and pizazz.

Connect over culture

Adelaide is a hub of creativity and the arts. Spend half a day getting lost in the Art Galley of South Australia, where 45,000 works of art are waiting to be explored. Or venture over to the Jam Factory, Adelaide’s epicentre for creatives and creativity. Here you can meet artisans and shop the best in craft and design. 

Hit the beach at Glenelg

Switch it up from the city to the coast at seaside Glenelg. Just 20 minutes from Adelaide CBD, this coastal suburb is the place to laze on the sand, dine with beach views or shop cute boutiques along Jetty Road. Finish the day here watching the sunset at Adelaide’s only beach bar, The Moseley Beach Club, with your shoes off and your feet in the sand.

Bar hop through the city centre

If you’re partial to a good cocktail or enjoy old Aussie pubs, a bar hop through the city centre is a must. Kick off with a classic pub such as the Cumberland Arms Hotel or the Exeter Hotel (just remember that a schooner is called a pint in South Australia), then move on to one of the city’s great wine or cocktail bars. You could try Maybe Mae, Next Door Bar, or Proof... just to name a few.

Find calm in a Japanese garden

While Adelaide has gorgeous natural landscapes and loads of parks to explore, none are quite as calming as the Adelaide Himeji Gardens. This traditional style Japanese garden was a gift from Adelaide’s sister city, Himeji. Wander hand-in-hand through a man-made landscape that has been specifically designed to evoke a sense of calm. 

Snack around the Adelaide Central Markets

Established in 1869, the historic Adelaide Central Markets is a must-visit on any trip to the South Australian capital. One of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere, expect more than 70 stalls, including fruit sellers, fishmongers and snacks from around the world. Drop by for breakfast or an afternoon treat. Don’t miss out on tasting cheese at The Smelly Cheese Shop.

Book a boat adventure

Set sail with the one you love and cruise across the seas together while in Adelaide. Temptation Sailing takes guests out on its catamaran from Glenelg, and you can choose from a wild dolphin tour, afternoon tea cruise, coastal day out or twilight cruise. Of course, you could always book a private charter to soak up plenty of couple time at sea.

Laugh yourself silly at Adelaide Fringe

Every February and March, Adelaide explodes with laughter and fun. Adelaide Fringe brings a world-class line-up of international and local comedians, cabaret acts, live music and performances to dozens of venues across the city. Plan a romantic weekend in the city and spend your days exploring and your nights having fun at the Garden of Unearthly Delights!

Conquer the Adelaide Oval

If you and your other half are big sports fans, surprise them with an unforgettable adventure climbing the Adelaide Oval's famous roofline. Are you ready to lean out more than 50m above the ground? The exhilarating RoofClimb experience will test your nerves and reward you both with picturesque vistas over the city and beyond. 

Soak in the views from a rooftop bar

Cocktails with a view sounds like the perfect way to kick off a romantic holiday in Adelaide. Take your date to 2KW, a brilliant bar that tops one of Adelaide’s most gorgeous historic buildings. From here you can enjoy picture perfect postcard views over the whole city. Alternatively, you could try Hennessy or Sol rooftop bars.

Day trip to the Barossa Valley

Use Adelaide as your base and venture out for a day trip to South Australia’s famous Barossa Valley. Just an hour's drive from the city, watch the suburbs melt away and venture into wine lovers’ territory complete with picturesque scenery, award-winning vineyards, and gourmet food and produce. Taste your way around the region’s famous reds by car, bike or guided tour. There are 150 wineries here, and around 80 of them have cellar doors to explore. 

Go off-road with a grape safari through McLaren Vale

Sip, swill and sample your way through the world-acclaimed McLaren Vale wine region with the help of Off Piste 4WD Tours. Combining wine and adventure, you’ll go off-the-beaten-track to meet producers and winemakers, and visit exclusive locations. Bounce between farm gates and cellar doors before finishing the day with an exhilarating drive along Silver Sands Beach, watching the sunset before returning to the city.

Thinking about heading to South Australia on your next holiday? Check out our range of hotels conveniently located in the Adelaide CBD and beachside Glenelg.