Airbnb in Adelaide

The so-called City of Churches is one of Australia’s lesser-known towns. Usually content to let Melbourne and Sydney vie for the limelight, this one ticks over with a palpable urban energy and charm. Its importance comes from the fact that it’s the state capital of South Australia. That inevitably puts some bucket-list draws on the doorstep, from the winelands of the Barossa Valley to the wave-bashed rock stacks of the Great Ocean Road. Before whizzing out to experience those, you’ll want to take some time to sample Adelaide’s grit and spirit; to taste your way through the creative surf-turf bars of West End; to laze and stroll the pleasure beaches of lovely Glenelg. Yep, there’s loads to enjoy in this bustling town on the side of the Saint Vincent Gulf.

A good way to experience the South Oz capital like a local is to ditch the usual hotel suite or backpacker hostel and go for an Airbnb in Adelaide. These are either private rooms or whole properties, usually tucked into areas that travelers will rarely consider visiting, and complete with features like fitted kitchens and private lounges. This guide has you covered when you come to book, detailing neighborhoods where you might want to get a-searching and even some of Adelaide’s top individual properties.

In this Airbnb guide to Adelaide:

• Is Airbnb legal in Adelaide?
• Where should I stay in Adelaide Airbnb?
• CBD
• North Adelaide
• Glenelg
• West End
• Adelaide Hills
• Best Airbnbs in Adelaide
• Best Airbnb apartment in Adelaide
• Best Airbnb house in Adelaide
• Best Airbnb for families in Adelaide
• Best Airbnb for large groups in Adelaide
• Best Airbnb for luxury couple stays in Adelaide
• Is Airbnb cheaper than hotels in Adelaide?

Is Airbnb legal in Adelaide?

Airbnb itself is legal in Adelaide, just as in much of the rest of Australia. However, there are some restrictions in place when it comes to what properties can be listed on the sharing platform, not to mention regular talk of more oversight on the short-term rental market. The good news is that none of it should impact the way you use Airbnb in the capital of South Australia. You simply have to browse and book whatever Glenelg beach shack or bohemian West End apartment takes your fancy. If you’re concerned about anything, you can always click ‘contact host’ and send over your questions.

Where should I stay in Adelaide Airbnb?

Most first-time travelers heading Adelaide’s way will try to find somewhere in either the CBD (1), where the historic Adelaide Central Market and major thoroughfares are always buzzing with life, or the coastal suburb of Glenelg (2), which is where South Australian beaches come flanked by pleasure piers and cool cafés. North Adelaide (3) is an option that’s best suited to families who want some peace and solitude in luxurious Airbnbs. Close to the center, the West End (4) is considered one of the city’s upcoming districts, with its hipster coffee houses and concept shopping. Finally, there’s the outdoorsy escape of the Adelaide Hills (5). Those are one of the state’s top wine regions and a fantastic place to go looking for koalas and kangaroos.

CBD

Adelaide CBD is the main nerve center of the city. It’s home to the acclaimed Art Gallery of South Australia (the top cultural draw in the whole of the state) and the big, fountain-babbling plaza of Victoria Square (which gets flooded with business folk when it’s time to clock out in the afternoon). The 1869 Adelaide Central Market is just one example that reveals how the area is the premier destination for shopping in the city; the sprawling Rundle Mall is another. The CBD also has oodles in the way of late-night drinking and dining, though it tends to be quite upscale stuff.

North Adelaide

North Adelaide straddles Jeffcot Street and Jefferson Street to encompass around 25 blocks of mainly residential area at the top end of the CBD. What’s interesting here is that the whole neighborhood is surrounded by the so-called Adelaide Park Lands. The Adelaide Oval – home to a legendary cricket ground and a major venue for rock acts like AC/DC and others – is to the south. The eucalyptus groves of Lefevre Park are to the north. You’ll never be too far away from greenery staying here, but you can also find urban delights in the form of Indian take outs and Italian bakeries down on O’Connell St.

Glenelg

Glenelg has been entertaining visitors to Adelaide since the height of the Victorian era. That’s when the vintage pleasure piers, the elegant tearooms, the steamer ports, and the pretty jetty were first conceived. Fast forward to today and the area is still the hub of summertime R&R for South Australia’s capital. Come here to swim and sunbathe when the temperature creeps up, or to hop surf-shack cafés and swimwear boutiques down Jetty Road. There are now some luxurious condos in the mix, alongside classic beach-town bungalows for the family.

West End

The West End is, technically, a part of the Adelaide CBD. But we think the district is worthy of a mention on its own. It’s certainly got the character – it has been named as one of the coolest districts in all of Oz by Lonely Planet! It’s easy to see why…microbreweries budge up to kitschy ruin bars all down Peel Street, giving a nightlife scene that’s edgy and different. There are artisan baker’s, roaster coffee houses, gin bars housed in historic libraries – you name it. Airbnbs can be pricy in the West End, but it can’t be beaten if you want to feel the beating, youthful pulse of the new Adelaide.

Adelaide Hills

Wine tasting, kangaroo safaris, and encounters with cute koalas – that’s the sort of itinerary you can expect when you ditch the city and escape to the Adelaide Hills. Rising in peaks and troughs of lush green forests to the south-east of the city center, this wild land culminates at the summit of Mount Lofty some 700 meters above sea level. There are sweeping views of the metropolis on offer, alongside kitschy towns like Hahndorf that come with a distinctly Germanic feel.

Best Airbnbs in Adelaide

Best Airbnb apartment in Adelaide

Cozy Appartement Near City Center

There’s a cool, vintage air about this boutique apartment in the area of Rose Park, which puts the CBD of Adelaide just a few steps to the west. It’s got Scandi-style furnishings with framed prints of 1920s noir art, all of which merge together in a bright lounge and bedroom space. There’s a retro kitchen with 50s installations and an al fresco balcony for those summer sit-outs with your travel pal.

Best Airbnb house in Adelaide

Discovering the Wow in the Adelaide Hills

Yep, this property up in the lush confines of the Adelaide Hills really is about discovering the wow factor. It’s built in the style of a Nordic cabin, with tactically placed windows that afford portrait-worthy visions of the eucalyptus woods and the meadows. The real highlights for us are the stone bathtub (a soak with a view!) and the open-plan living quarter and kitchen combo.

Best Airbnb for families in Adelaide

Boutique by the Bay

The Boutique by the Bay is the perfect escape for family travelers looking to soak up a little of the Aussie sun during their trip to Adelaide. It’s sat really close to Glenelg Beach on the west side of the city. What’s more, it boasts a bright “backyard oasis” with pretty flowerbeds and its own BBQ. Inside, the bathroom has a walk-in shower and there are rooms with bunks for the little ones.

Best Airbnb for large groups in Adelaide

Magnificent Mid-century Mod Pool House

There’s more than a whiff of Palm Springs circa 1955 about this uber-chic house on the east side of Adelaide. It’s built like something out of SoCal, with a sun-splashed pool area that’s hemmed in by cabbage palms and loungers. Inside, you get a retro-slick living space with a turquoise sofa and egg chairs. There’s also a games room in the garden and an al fresco deck to help you make the most of the Adelaide summer.

Best Airbnb for luxury couple stays in Adelaide

The Liberty

The Liberty beckons to one of the chic new condominium high-rises that loom up above Glenelg Beach. It’s a modern pad that’s perfect for couples who want to laze on the South Australia beaches. Bonuses include access to the shared indoor pool, the hot tub, and a gym facility.

Is Airbnb cheaper than hotels in Adelaide?

There’s a good chance that it will be. Yep, Airbnb is often a competitive option when it comes to the cost of accommodation. There are a few reasons for that. Firstly, these sorts of short-term stays rarely come with the same hands-on service as hotels. That makes them cheaper to run, and therefore cheaper to rent. In addition, it’s common for Airbnbs to be in lesser-known neighborhoods, so you won’t pay a premium for location but do get to enjoy areas that only the locals know about. Finally, you’ll find that lots of these pads are self-catering, so you’ll need less cash in the dining fund and can cook for yourself using produce from the age-old Adelaide Central Market.

On the flip side, you might not be happy with the lack of service that comes with an Airbnb. Travelers used to the frills of a hotel – things like on-demand room service, cool lobby bars, and dedicated reception staff – could prefer somewhere like the Adelaide Rockford. It comes with a four-star rating, a coveted location in the CBD, an indoor-outdoor restaurant, and contemporary rooms with flat-screen TVs.

Adelaide is your gateway to the wave-washed wonders of the Great Ocean Road and the sweeping virgin forests of South Australia. Stick to the city for a while, though, because sparkling urban beaches and a burgeoning gastronomy scene await!