Glenelg Beach

This historic settlement is a thriving cultural destination, right on the beach.

The coastal town of Glenelg is a local favourite, ideal for swimming, dining and entertainment. When Europeans first settled in South Australia in 1836, they chose the sandy white shores of Holdfast Bay to build their homes. Almost 180 years later, the town they formed, Glenelg, remains one of the most popular coastal regions in the state.

Take the last remaining tram in Adelaide from the CBD and you’ll be dropped at the Glenelg shore in just 20 minutes. This centrally located spot at the end of Jetty Road is the perfect starting point to explore the streets and beach with ease.

Glenelg is perfect for all kinds of beach lovers. Find a quiet spot to relax with a book, entertain the kids at The Beachouse amusement park, or simply refresh yourself in the calm blue water. Glenelg’s Surf Life Saving Club provides peace of mind with supervised swimming available between the red-and-yellow flags. Further down the beach you’ll find a number of spots to surf. Take a swim in Holdfast Bay and you may find you have the company of the local dolphins. There are a number of chartered trips available from town.

Dry off as you take a walk down the historic Glenelg jetty. While the original was destroyed by storms in 1948, its replacement remains the centrepiece of Glenelg Beach. At 215 metres (705 feet) it’s the perfect length to work up an appetite so that when you return to land you’ll be ready to try one of Glenelg’s culinary hot spots.

Bustling Jetty Road is Glenelg’s shopping and cultural precinct. By day, this area is perfect for a boutique shopping experience. Take in a gallery or two, and grab a coffee at one of the many cafés. As night falls, the mood changes and the street comes alive with the excited chatter of diners at Glenelg’s premier restaurants. The sounds of live music drift from the doors of Jetty Road’s many bars.

Glenelg is located nine kilometres (5.6 miles) from central Adelaide and can be accessed by tram, car or bicycle via one of two dedicated bike paths.

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near Glenelg Beach

The Beachhouse

Ferris wheels, water slides and fairy floss add up to hours of fun for all ages at this beachside amusement park.

Glenelg

Glenelg is Adelaide’s favourite beachside haven and is older than the city itself.

Holdfast Marina

Shop, drink, dine and enjoy the sunshine in Glenelg’s leisure precinct, a scenic marina and departure point for sailboat trips and dolphin-spotting tours.

West Beach

Go on a leisurely beach walk, jump in for a swim or just laze in the sunshine at this white-sand stretch of coastline close to the Adelaide Airport.

Brighton Beach

Check out one of South Australia’s best urban beaches with crazy surf sessions and quirky art. Follow it up with a movie or sunset drinks at the “Espy”.

Hotels near Glenelg Beach

Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide

65 Hindley Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Beehive Corner Building, Adelaide Casino, and Parliament House. Adelaide Convention Centre and Rundle Mall are also within 10 minutes. Adelaide Station is only a 3-minute walk and Pirie Street Tram Station is 6 minutes.

Hilton Adelaide

233 Victoria Square

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Victoria Square and Adelaide Central Market. Rundle Mall and Adelaide Casino are also within 15 minutes. Pirie Street Tram Station is only a 5-minute walk and Adelaide Station is 12 minutes.

Grosvenor Hotel Adelaide

125 North Terrace

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this romantic hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Festival Centre. Rundle Mall and University of Adelaide are also within 10 minutes. Adelaide Station is only a 2-minute walk and Pirie Street Tram Station is 8 minutes.

The Playford Adelaide MGallery

120 North Terrace

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this luxury hotel is steps from Adelaide Casino and Adelaide Convention Centre. Adelaide Festival Centre and Government House are also within 10 minutes. Adelaide Station is only a 2-minute walk and Pirie Street Tram Station is 8 minutes.

Peppers Waymouth Hotel

55 Waymouth Street

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide Casino, and Adelaide Central Market. Rundle Mall and Adelaide Oval are also within 1 mi (2 km). Pirie Street Tram Station is only a 3-minute walk and Adelaide Station is 6 minutes.

iStay Precinct Adelaide

185 Morphett Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this luxury apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Lion Arts Centre and Adelaide Central Market. Adelaide Casino and Rundle Mall are also within 15 minutes. Pirie Street Tram Station is 8 minutes by foot and Adelaide Station is 12 minutes.

HotelMOTEL Adelaide

215 South Terrace

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Himeji Gardens, Adelaide Central Market, and Rundle Mall. Adelaide Casino and Adelaide Oval are also within 2 mi (3 km). Pirie Street Tram Station is 19 minutes by foot and Adelaide Station is 26 minutes.

Terrace Hotel Adelaide

208 South Terrace

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this romantic hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Himeji Gardens and Veale Gardens. Adelaide Central Market and Victoria Square are also within 1 mi (2 km). Pirie Street Tram Station is 18 minutes by foot and Adelaide Station is 25 minutes.

Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites

16 Holdfast Promenade Glenelg

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Glenelg, this beachfront hotel is in the city center and within 1 mi (2 km) of Holdfast Marina and Glenelg Beach. West Beach is 1.6 mi (2.5 km) away.

Chancellor on Currie

18 Currie Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Victoria Square, Rundle Mall, and Government House. Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Festival Centre are also within 10 minutes. Pirie Street Tram Station is only a 2-minute walk and Adelaide Station is 5 minutes.

InterContinental Adelaide, an IHG Hotel

North Terrace

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this luxury hotel is steps from Adelaide Casino, Parliament House, and Adelaide Convention Centre. Adelaide Festival Centre and Government House are also within 5 minutes. Adelaide Station is only a 2-minute walk and Pirie Street Tram Station is 8 minutes.

The Chifley On South Terrace

226 South Terrace

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Himeji Gardens, Adelaide Central Market, and Rundle Mall. Adelaide Casino and Adelaide Oval are also within 2 mi (3 km). Pirie Street Tram Station is 20 minutes by foot and Adelaide Station is 27 minutes.

Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury

2 Flinders Street

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this luxury aparthotel is steps from Adelaide Town Hall and Victoria Square. Adelaide Central Market and Rundle Mall are also within 10 minutes. Pirie Street Tram Station is only a 3-minute walk and Adelaide Station is 10 minutes.

Rydges Adelaide

1 South Terrace

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Veale Gardens, Adelaide Central Market, and Royal Adelaide Hospital. Adelaide Casino and Rundle Mall are also within 2 mi (3 km). Adelaide Parklands Station is 10 minutes by foot and Adelaide Showground Station is 14 minutes.

Stamford Grand Adelaide

2 Jetty Road Moseley Square

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Glenelg, this luxury hotel is steps from Jetty Road, Moseley Square, and Glenelg Town Hall. Glenelg Beach and Glenelg Jetty are also within 5 minutes.

Oaks Adelaide Embassy Suites

96 North Terrace

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this luxury aparthotel is within a 5-minute walk of Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Casino. Rundle Mall and Adelaide Oval are also within 15 minutes. Adelaide Station is only a 4-minute walk and Pirie Street Tram Station is 10 minutes.

BreakFree Adelaide

255 Hindley Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this aparthotel is within a 5-minute walk of University of Adelaide Health & Medical Sciences Building and SAHMRI. Lion Arts Centre and Royal Adelaide Hospital are also within 10 minutes. Adelaide Station is 11 minutes by foot and Pirie Street Tram Station is 13 minutes.

Adelaide Rockford

164 Hindley Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Casino, and Rundle Mall. Adelaide Festival Centre and Royal Adelaide Hospital are also within 15 minutes. Adelaide Station is 7 minutes by foot and Pirie Street Tram Station is 10 minutes.

Adelaide Riviera Hotel

31 34 North Terrace

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of SAHMRI, Royal Adelaide Hospital, and Adelaide Convention Centre. Adelaide Casino and Adelaide Festival Centre are also within 15 minutes. Adelaide Station is 9 minutes by foot and Pirie Street Tram Station is 16 minutes.

Adelaide Paringa

15 Hindley St

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this motel is within a 5-minute walk of Beehive Corner Building, Rundle Mall, and Adelaide Casino. Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Central Market are also within 15 minutes. Adelaide Station and Pirie Street Tram Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Oaks Glenelg Liberty Suites

25 Colley Terrace

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Glenelg, this luxury apartment building is within a 5-minute walk of The Beachhouse and Glenelg Beach. West Beach is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) away.

Stamford Plaza Adelaide

150 North Terrace

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Government House and Adelaide Festival Centre. Rundle Mall and Art Gallery of South Australia are also within 10 minutes. Adelaide Station is only a 2-minute walk and Pirie Street Tram Station is 6 minutes.

Breakfree Directors Studios Hotel

259 Gouger Street, 259

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Victoria Square, Adelaide Central Market, and Royal Adelaide Hospital. Adelaide Casino and Rundle Mall are also within 1 mi (2 km). Pirie Street Tram Station is 17 minutes by foot and Adelaide Parklands Station is 19 minutes.

Oaks Adelaide Horizons Suites

104 North Terrace

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Adelaide Central Business District, this luxury apartment building is steps from Adelaide Convention Centre and Lion Arts Centre. Adelaide Casino and Parliament House are also within 5 minutes. Adelaide Station is only a 3-minute walk and Pirie Street Tram Station is 10 minutes.