South Australia’s capital is full of culture, history, delicious food and wine, and a beautiful coastline. A romantic long weekend or short break in Adelaide is the perfect excuse to reconnect while exploring renowned wine regions, dining at standout restaurants and experiencing some of the best cultural events in the country.
Looking for the best date ideas in Adelaide? Here are 12 romantic things to do, loved by locals and travellers alike.
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Dine at Restaurant Botanic, Africola or Fugazzi
A romantic idea for a date night in Adelaide doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as a table for two, a bottle of South Australian wine, and nowhere else you need to be. Book the multi-course tasting menu that honours the best of native Australian produce at Restaurant Botanic, set within Adelaide Botanic Garden.
Head to Africola, an African-inspired restaurant that serves peri peri chicken and spicy tea sandwiches. Pair them with natural wine or a cocktail. Another favourite, with a more playful setting, is Fugazzi, a New York Italian-inspired bar that’s all about pasta, pizza, and wine.
For more options, check out our Where to Eat in Adelaide guide.
Connect over culture at the Art Gallery of South Australia
Adelaide’s a hub of creativity and the arts. Spend half a day getting lost in the Art Gallery of South Australia, where 45,000 works of art are waiting for you. It’s the kind of place where you can linger and swap opinions about the collections. (And yes, entry is free, which means you’ll have more in the budget for a long lunch.)
Or venture over to the JamFactory, a leading centre for design and crafts. Here you can watch artisans at work, explore exhibitions in ceramics, glass and metal, and pick up something handmade to remember the day.
And when you’ve had your fill of galleries and art studios, it’s nice to be staying close by. Oaks Adelaide Embassy Suites places you within easy reach of North Terrace and the city’s cultural heart.
Enjoy the beach at Glenelg
Switch it up from the city to the coast at seaside Glenelg. Around 20 minutes from the CBD by tram, this coastal suburb’s the place to laze on the sand, dine with beach views or shop independent boutiques along Jetty Rd. End the day by watching the sunset at The Moseley Beach Club, with your shoes off and your feet in the sand.
If one sunset turns into dinner and you decide you’re not quite ready to leave the beach, you can stay at Oaks Glenelg Liberty Suites, which is just a short stroll from Jetty Road. Ideal if you’d rather swap the tram ride back for a slow morning coffee by the sea.
Explore the bars in the city centre
If you’re looking for a relaxed date idea in Adelaide with a little energy, exploring the bars in the city centre is hard to beat. Start with a classic pub such as the Cumberland Arms Hotel or the Exeter Hotel (just note that beer sizes can be called different things 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.
Find calm at Adelaide Himeji Garden
Adelaide has gorgeous natural landscapes and plenty of parks to wander through, but few feel as peaceful as Adelaide Himeji Garden. For couples searching for romantic things to do in Adelaide, this traditional-style Japanese garden, a gift from Adelaide’s sister city, Himeji, offers a quieter kind of connection. Wander hand-in-hand through a carefully designed landscape to evoke a sense of calm.
Eat your way around Adelaide Central Market
Established in 1869, the historic Adelaide Central Market is a highlight stop in the South Australian capital. One of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere, expect more than 70 traders, including fruit sellers, fishmongers and street food vendors. Drop by for breakfast or an afternoon treat. Don’t miss out on tasting cheese at The Smelly Cheese Shop.
Book a boat adventure
Hop on board together and cruise along the coastline. Temptation Sailing takes guests out on its catamaran from Glenelg, and you can choose from a dolphin cruise, an afternoon tea cruise, a coastal day out or a twilight cruise. Of course, you could always book a private charter to spend some time alone at sea.
Catch a show at Adelaide Fringe
From mid-February to mid-March, Adelaide comes alive with laughter and fun. Adelaide Fringe brings a line-up of international and local comedians, cabaret acts, live music and performances to dozens of venues across the city. If you're searching for fun things to do in Adelaide for couples, this is a great reason to plan a weekend away, with days spent exploring and evenings at the Garden of Unearthly Delights.
Conquer the Adelaide Oval
If you and your partner are big sports fans, surprise them with an adventure climbing the Adelaide Oval's famous roofline. Are you ready to lean out more than 50 m above the ground? The RoofClimb experience will test your nerves and reward you both with sweeping views over the city and beyond.
Soak in the views from a rooftop bar at 2KW
Cocktails with a view sound like the perfect way to start a romantic evening in Adelaide. Take your date to 2KW, a brilliant bar set atop one of Adelaide’s most beautiful historic buildings. From here, you’ll enjoy sweeping views across the city. Alternatively, you could try HENNESSY or SOL rooftop bars.
Day trip to the Barossa Valley
Use Adelaide as your base and take a day trip to South Australia’s famous Barossa Valley. Just an hour's drive from the city, leave the suburbs behind and venture into the wine country, complete with picturesque scenery, vineyards, and gourmet food and produce. Spend the day sampling the region’s famous reds with a guided tour. With 150 wineries in the region, around 80 have cellar doors you can visit.
Go off-road with a grape safari through McLaren Vale
Sip and sample your way through the renowned McLaren Vale wine region with the help of Off Piste 4WD Tours. Combining wine and adventure, you’ll go beyond the main cellar doors to meet producers and winemakers, and visit exclusive locations. Move between cellar doors and farm gates before ending the day with sunset by the coast near Silver Sands.
Planning a romantic escape? With so many memorable date ideas in Adelaide to discover, choosing our accommodation in the CBD or beachside Glenelg makes it easy to experience the very best of the city.
