Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Canberra?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Canberra?
Most people spend two to three days in Canberra during their visit. The under-rated city offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, the hiking, and the big city activities.
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. While it's often overlooked by tourists, it actually has a number of interesting museums and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. There are some vineyards in the area as well as a local food and festival scene.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Canberra? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Canberra?
Canberra isn't a particularly popular city for tourists, despite having some sights and attractions worth seeing. Three days is just right for checking out pretty much everything in Canberra. Most visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Canberra is popular with families and students which enjoy visiting because the city offers activities specifically for them.
How to spend 3 days in Canberra
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Canberra, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Museum Highlights Tour | 1pm Daily ($13)
- Ultimate Museum Experience | Dine + Tour + Shop (1pm daily) ($40)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 2 People - Indulgence Wine Tasting with Matched Elements Canberra ($84)
The public transit in Canberra is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Canberra is the Australian War Memorial, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.
Known for it's hiking, Canberra sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour ($97)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Canberra.
Is 4 days enough time in Canberra?
Four days is more than enough time to see everything that Canberra has to offer. After all, it's not such a huge city. Many visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, the hiking, and the big city activities at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Canberra (Tourism Australia)
How to spend 4 days in Canberra
Having 4 days in Canberra will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Canberra is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. It's the capital city of Australia and the largest inland city.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Personalised Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing in Canberra, with John ($36)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Canberra.
Is 5 days enough time in Canberra?
Five days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Canberra, as it's not as large as some other cities. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. Explore the museums and famous sights, dine out at amazing restaurants, go hiking, and soak up the big city atmosphere. You could also use Canberra as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend 5 days in Canberra
With 5 days in Canberra, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in Canberra is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Canberra.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Canberra, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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