Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Perth?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Perth?

Many visitors spend two to four days in Perth during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to lounge on the beach, spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and enjoy an evening out.

Perth is the capital of Western Australia. It's a remote city that many tourists don't make it to, but those who do will enjoy stunning beaches, a laid back atmosphere, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are many parks and botanical gardens and it's easy to fill your time here.

Do you have one or two days to visit Perth? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Perth?

With a variety of sights and attractions, Perth is a fairly popular choice for tourists. One day is probably not enough time here even though it's not the largest of cities. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Perth such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the food, and the nightlife scene. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule two to four days to fully experience the easy-going city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Perth

The beautiful beaches await you in Perth, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There is an 80 kilometer coastline that has beautiful turquoise water and white sandy beaches. Within the city there are 19 beaches that offer snorkeling, swimming, and surfing. Many beaches have any amenity that you might need but it's also very easy to escape the city crowds.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Perth Jet Ski Tour ($140)
  • Rottnest Island Boat Dive Day Trip including Lunch ($172)
  • Swan Valley Gourmet Wine Cruise from Perth ($157)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. There's a good selection of restaurants with many great international options as well as fine dining and casual. Family-friendly restaurants are also very common.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • VIP Swan Valley Wine Tour - Premium Small Group Wine & Gourmet Experience ($134)
  • Half-Day Low and Slow BBQ Food Tour in Perth ($80)
  • Half Day Swan Valley Wine Tour ($64)

Public transit in Perth is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There are buses, trains, and ferries that help you get around the city.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Perth?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Perth. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great beaches and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, shopping, and local culture by staying for a weekend.

Perth Perth

How to spend 2 days in Perth

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Perth, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Perth a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. There are some interesting sights and museums around town like the Perth Mint, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Bell Tower, and Scitech. There's also the Perth Zoo and the Aviation Heritage Museum.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Skip the Line: Perth Video Game Console Museum Ticket ($13)
  • Perth Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour ($4)

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has many nightclubs and music venues. There are also low key pubs and trendy wine bars. Northbridge is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, and this is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars, restaurants, clubs, and cafes.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Perth, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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