Where to Stay in Perth – A Guide to the Capital of Western Australia
Perth is the capital of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in the country. Located on the Swan River, this Australian metropolis is famous for being the most isolated major city in the world. In this post, we will explore the best areas to stay in Perth, WA.
Many tourist attractions in Perth are located in the city’s centremost districts. The CBD is home to the main cultural institutions, museums, historic buildings and city parks. Some of the most visited sites in Central Perth include the Bell Tower, the WA Museum Boola Bardip, AGWA Art Gallery, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, the Perth Mint, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, and the Western Australia State Buildings. See accommodation in the CBD.
On the other side of the Swan River, centrally-located South Perth offers incredible views of the city skyline, as well as a few landmarks such as Perth Zoo and Sir James Mitchell Park. See accommodation in South Perth.
Further south, the port town of Fremantle is home to Swan Valley, Fremantle Prison and the popular Fremantle Markets. See accommodation in Fremantle.
Due to its location next to the mouth of the Swan River and west of the Indian Ocean, this city has a Mediterranean climate and has more sunny days a year than any other city in Australia. During the summer, the temperatures can reach 36ºC. Meanwhile, winters are mild but rainy, temperatures typically oscillate between 18 and 21ºC in the day. The best time to visit Perth is during the winter (December – March) to avoid the suffocating heat waves.
To get to Perth by air, the city is served by Perth Airport. Located some 10 km east of the city centre, Perth Airport is the fourth-busiest in Australia. It offers daily connections to virtually every corner of the country, as well as medium and long-haul international flights to New Zealand, South Africa, Asia and Europe.
To move around town, Perth offers regular urban buses and a central Free Transit Zone with buses running in loops around the city. A network of commuter train services also serves Perth. All lines intersect in the Central Business District and connect the outlying suburbs.
The city also offers regular taxis and mobile apps like Uber. You can also choose to rent a car during your stay.
The best area to stay in Perth is the Central Business District. This Historic area is home to Perth’s main cultural attractions, best public transport connections and some of the best hotels and apartments in town. See accommodation in Perth CBD.
On the other hand, Northbridge, Perth’s hipster neighbourhood, is a good area to stay if you want to enjoy the city’s lively nightlife, hang out at the coolest cafés or enjoy international cuisine. See accommodation in Northbridge.
Other great areas to keep in mind when choosing the best location in Perth include Subiaco & West Perth, East Perth, South Perth and Scarborough.
Keep reading to find out more about the best areas to stay in Perth, WA.
Best Location in Perth, Australia: A Quick Guide
Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in Perth according to your travel style and preferences during your trip. Keep reading this article to find out more info about each particular area mentioned here.
- Best location in Perth for sightseeing: Perth CBD
- Best location in Perth for nightlife: Northbridge | Perth CBD
- Best location in Perth for families: South Perth | East Perth
- Best location in Perth without a car: Perth CBD
- Best location in Perth for first-time visitors: Perth CBD
- Best location in Perth for business travellers: Perth CBD
- Best location in Perth for surfing: Scarborough
- Best location in Perth for hipsters: Northbridge
- Best location in Perth for LGBTQ travellers: Perth CBD
Best Hotels in Perth, Australia by Theme
If you have a specific theme in mind, we bring you a list of some of the best accommodations in Perth. No matter your reason for visiting the city or style, you’ll find it here!
- Most unique hotel: QT Perth
- Best mid-priced hotel: Pensione Hotel Perth
- Best budget hotel: Ibis Perth
- Best luxury hotel: Crown Towers Perth
- Best boutique hotel: European Hotel
- Best resort: Quality Resort Sorrento Beach
- Best hotel with a pool: The Westin Perth
- Best inn / B&B: Luxe on Kensington
- Best backpackers hostel: Spinners Hostel
The Best Areas to Stay in Perth, Australia
1. Recommended area: Perth CBD
The Central Business District (CBD) of Perth is, as the name implies, the financial and commercial epicentre of the city. Walking through its streets, you will find different office complex and important tourist attractions.
Located west of Kings Park (a 400-hectare park offering incredible views) and southeast of the Swan River, this district is considered the heart of the so-called city of lights.
Mandatory stops within the perimeter of the Perth CBD are the St. Mary Cathedral, with its Gothic-style architecture, and the Bell Tower.
Because of its relevance to Perth’s economy, the CBD is also the best connected area of the city, with rail stations such as Perth just a few steps away.
The CBD is one of the best areas to stay in Perth for shopping, with streets like King Street that put at your disposal designer shops and boutiques of all kinds. However, accommodation in the CBD is not exactly the cheapest in the city.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, WA:
- Central location
- Shopping area
- Kings Park
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Mercure Perth
Located in the heart of CBD (Central Business District), the Mercure Hotel Perth is perfectly located to enjoy all the shopping, nightlife and entertainment that Perth has to offer.
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Budget
ibis Perth
Located in the heart of Perth CBD (Central Business District), the Ibis Hotel offers a modern bar with live music and modern rooms with flat-screen cable TV.
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Luxury
Parmelia Hilton Perth
The Parmelia Hilton offers a pool, a restaurant and a well-equipped gym with 24-hour access. All rooms have air conditioning, flat screen TV with 10 cable channels and in-room movies.
2. Northbridge
Northbridge is located north of the CBD in Perth and is one of the liveliest neighbourhoods in the city thanks to its wide cultural offer, its alternative entertainment options and, especially, its vibrant nightlife.
In addition, Northbridge is also considered the hipster district of Perth par excellence, as it features William Street, where a large number of vintage stores are located.
Northbridge is also home to the Perth Cultural Centre, where art galleries, theaters and museums coexist. In the same way, in the cultural center there are live presentations that will show you the artistic movement of Perth.
This neighbourhood connects with the rest of the Western Australian city through rail and bus. On the other hand, it is a pedestrian-friendly area and, due to its central location, it is easy to move to other attractions and districts.
Northbridge is one of the best areas to stay in Perth, Australia, if you want to know the alternative facet of the city without sacrificing a good location and transport connections.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, WA:
- Great food
- Nightlife
- Perth Cultural Centre
- Pedestrian-friendly
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Doubletree By Hilton Perth Northbridge
Doubletree By Hilton Perth Northbridge is located in the heart of the cultural, gastronomic and nightlife district of Perth city and offers modern rooms. The hotel has several facilities that include a swimming pool, a gym, a restaurant and a bar.
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Budget
City Perth Backpackers Hostel
City Perth Backpackers Hostel is a 15-minute walk from the Perth Financial District and offers free Wi-Fi. It also has shared living and kitchen areas and a tour desk with an activity reservation service.
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Luxury
Attika Hotel
Located in the heart of Northbridge, Attika Hotel offers a boutique accommodation experience. All the luxury apartments are independent, have all services and include free Wi-Fi.
3. Subiaco & West Perth
Subiaco (called “subi” by the Perth people) and West Perth are located, as its name suggests, west of the CBD. It is a quiet, mostly residential area, but it has a privileged location, just minutes from the main attractions of the city.
This district stands out for its great gastronomic and cultural offer that includes the Regal Theatre, an impressive building of Art Deco architecture that is the venue for comedies, musicals and all kinds of plays.
All of western Perth (especially Subiaco) stands out as one of the greenest districts in the city, as it has different parks and gardens that contribute to the peaceful vibe that is perceived in this area.
As far as transportation is concerned, Subiaco has its own rail station, from which you can move to other suburbs. Other West Perth stations are Daglish and City West.
Subiaco and West Perth are among the best areas to stay in Perth if you want peace of mind during your stay, but without getting too far away from the most popular points of interest.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, Western Australia:
- Peaceful
- Great food
- Regal Theatre
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
The Sebel West Perth
The Sebel West Perth offers an outdoor pool, a gym and air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free Wi-Fi. A terrace is available for guests of The Sebel West Perth for their use.
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Budget
Rita’s Retreat
Rita’s Retreat in Perth offers accommodation with free Wi-Fi. This property offers access to a balcony. The apartment has air conditioning, consists of 1 bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Flat screen TV.
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Luxury
Tribe Perth
Tribe Perth features free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can enjoy a drink in the hotel bar. Private parking available on site.
4. East Perth
East Perth is located, as its name suggests, east of the Central Business District of Perth and has become one of the favorite areas of tourists, thanks to attractions as important as Perth Mint, where you can witness the whole production process of gold coins.
In East Perth you will also find the Cathedral of St. Mary of Perth, a Neo-Gothic building located within the Victoria Square. In addition, this district hosts Queens Gardens, an English-style park containing a replica of the famous Peter Pan statue of Kensington Gardens in London.
The leisure options in eastern Perth include a wide range of bars and restaurants that make it one of the best areass to stay in Perth for nightlife.
The closest rail stations are East Perth and Claisebrook. However, the central location of the area and its pedestrian-friendly streets makes it possible to walk to other points of interest.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, WA:
- Perth Mint
- Connected through rail
- Cathedral of St. Mary of Perth
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Pan Pacific Perth
Pan Pacific Perth overlooks the Swan River and greenery from the shore, and features a state-of-the-art fitness center and a choice of 2 restaurants.
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Budget
Baileys Motel
Baileys Motel Perth offers a seasonal outdoor pool. All non-smoking rooms have air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, seating area, desk, free Wi-Fi for 1 device, microwave, fridge and toaster.
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Luxury
Hyatt Regency Perth
This 5-star luxury hotel offers a 19-meter heated pool and views of the Swan River and is located in the heart of East Perth, just minutes from Perth’s financial district. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and public areas.
5. South Perth
Technically, South Perth is considered an independent city in Perth, called City of South Perth. However, it is a district that gathers the southern suburbs of the city and is only 4 kilometers from the CBD.
In this district you will find the Perth Zoo, with more than 1000 species of animals from different corners of the world, including Asian elephants, lions and giraffes, among others.
On the street Angelo Street of South Perth are restaurants and shops that make this area a good accommodation choice if you are aiming for shopping or leisure.
Although this district does not have a central location, it has several bus stops that make moving to other suburbs not a complicated task.
South Perth is among the best areas to stay in Perth, as it has incredible views of the Swan River and the CBD.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, Western Australia:
- Perth Zoo
- Great views of the city
- Connected through bus
6. Scarborough
Scarborough is one of the best areas to stay in Perth for those who want to visit the beaches of the capital of Western Australia. It is known as the favorite district of surfers and anyone visiting the city to enjoy the sun, the sea and the sand.
In Scarborough you will also find some of the most important nightclubs and pubs in Perth, making the area a good accommodation option if you want to enjoy the nightlife of the city. Similarly, the district is ideal for shopping, with shops with all kinds of clothing and beach items.
This area is located northwest of the CBD and, although it is a little away from the rest of the city, has many bus stops that keep it connected to the main attractions of Perth.
Scarborough is also one of the best areas to stay in Perth to discover the cuisine of the city since it has a large number of restaurants of all kinds.
The cost of accommodation in Scarborough suits your budget and includes hotels in international chains, cheap hotels and apartments.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, WA:
- Beach area
- Great nightlife
- Amazing food
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When we visited Perth before we moved here, once we stayed in Fremantle, twice in the city, and once in South Perth. Of those three locations, I preferred South Perth, as parking wasn t an issue (provided free at our accommodation) and because it s just across the Swan River from the CBD. This made access to the CBD, busport and Esplanade train station a piece of cake. You can get from South Perth to the CBD via a short ferry ride, quite easy if your accommodation is within walkiing distance to the Mends Street ferry. The ferry is part of Transperth, so it s cheap and runs frequently.