Perth Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Food & Sunset Spots

Perth is the most isolated million-plus city in the world and at the same time one of the most relaxed places in Australia. The capital of Western Australia surprises visitors with a perfect mix of big-city vibes, dream beaches on the Indian Ocean, huge parks, and a great food scene.

Whether you are currently planning your road trip or coming from our Western Australia Roadtrip Guide (where we cover the entire route), we are diving deep into our Perth experiences here. We’ll share the best sights, cool events, our favorite food spots, and where to find the most beautiful sunset in the city.

Perth City Center: Shopping, Parks & Football

The city center (CBD) is relatively compact and easy to explore on foot or using the free CAT buses:

State Buildings & Shopping:
Downtown Perth is great for shopping. The neighborhood around the historic State Buildings has become especially cool. Here, old architecture meets hip cafés, boutiques, and upscale restaurants.
Kings Park:
One of the largest inner-city parks in the world. Be sure to pack some snacks and have a picnic on the huge lawns overlooking the skyline.
AFL Football at Optus Stadium:
If you are visiting during the right season, you absolutely have to watch a “Footy” match at the stadium. Australian Rules Football is the sport that is totally in here, and the atmosphere in the massive Optus Stadium is a real experience.
Events & Markets:
Perth has a vibrant event scene. Be sure to check the Visit Perth website or the Western Australia Instagram page before your trip. The evening Twilight Market in the city or the Subi Night Market in Subiaco are super cool.

Perth Experiences for Foodie Lovers

We often had a hard time choosing because Perth simply has a huge selection of good food. Here is an overview of our food highlights in Perth:

East Victoria Park / Albany Highway: Absolute recommendation for foodies, especially if you like Asian food. There’s a cool street food vibe here. We had ramen at Hokkaido and it was super delicious.
Malaga Markets: A bit outside, but the Sticks Korean Restaurant there is an absolute hidden gem for authentic Korean cuisine.
Karrinyup Shopping Center: Don’t expect a classic mall food court here. Outside, there are truly great, rather upscale restaurants. It gets very busy and cozy in the evening. We can recommend Arirang Korean BBQ.
Dessert Tip: Yo-Chi for delicious frozen yogurt you can assemble completely yourself.

The 5 Best Sunset Spots in Perth (Insider Tips)

Location is everything for the perfect sunset, so here are a few popular spots in Perth:

1. Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe is Perth’s upscale “high society” neighborhood. After browsing the stores on Napoleon Street, you can treat yourself to a drink at the Ocean Beach Hotel bar with an ocean view and watch the sunset from there. Avoid the overcrowded main beach in front of the Indiana Tea House. Our tip: Sit on the elevated, grassy terraces a little further north. From there, you have a fantastic, unobstructed view of the ocean and the old pylon in the water. If it’s very windy, the short walk onto the stone pier (groyne) is worth it.

2. Kings Park (DNA Tower):
Most tourists gather at the War Memorial for the sunset. Our tip: Go up the DNA Tower instead. From the top, you get a perfect panoramic view: to the west, you can watch the sun sink into the sea, while to the east, the city skyline glows in the golden light.

3. South Perth (Sir James Mitchell Park):
The absolute classic for photographers. Grab a picnic blanket and sit on the banks of the Swan River. You look directly at the city skyline, whose glass facades spectacularly reflect the pink-orange evening light over the water.

4. Reabold Hill (Bold Park):
The highest natural point on the coast near City Beach is a real local insider tip. From the wooden viewing platform, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view: the vast sea on one side, and the first lights of the city on the other.

5. Zig Zag Scenic Drive (Perth Hills):
Only accessible by car, but the drive to Gooseberry Hill is worth it. You park in one of the turnouts on this single-lane winding road and overlook the entire coastal plain of Perth. Timing tip: Be sure to stay 20 to 30 minutes after the actual sunset.

Markets and Events in Perth

There are numerous events and markets in Perth. You can always find the latest events, times, locations of the markets, and more on the Visit Perth page. Here is an overview of the markets:

Twilight Food Market: Early October to late April from 4:30 PM, the largest food market in the city.
Subi Night Market: Every Saturday from late Sept. to late March (5 PM to 7 PM), night market in the Perth suburb of Subiaco.
Scarborough Sunset Market: Every Thursday there is the famous Sunset Market in Scarborough. Overall, we found it a bit overhyped.

Excursions and Tours Perth

Neighborhoods & Suburbs of Perth

Perth delights with extremely diverse neighborhoods: from historic harbor districts to vibrant coastal towns. Each neighborhood has its own unique character and is ideal to explore on a day trip.

Fremantle (“Freo”): Street Art, Surf Shops & Line Dancing

Just a short drive from the center lies Fremantle. A completely different, super relaxed harbor vibe prevails here. A selection of activities and highlights in Fremantle includes:

Street Art & Culture: Stroll through the surf shops, admire the street art in the city center, and watch the sunset at the harbor. Around Easter, there are also cool city festivals here.
Freo Markets: Legendary market halls that you shouldn’t miss (open Fri–Sun).
Pub culture & Line Dancing: Stop by craft beer breweries (like Little Creatures) or experience live music and line dancing in local pubs in the evening.
The evening highlight: Honky Tonk in Freo! Definitely take a line dance class here. Even if you’re a complete beginner and have never done it before, the atmosphere is amazing and it’s a unique experience (Note: bar is strictly 21+ only and make sure to wear sturdy shoes!).
Whisper Wine Bar: Cool bar with antipasti platters, great wine, and music.
Viet PHO Freo: Our restaurant recommendation for really good Banh Mi and Pho.

Scarborough

Scarborough is Perth’s most dynamic coastal suburb and is considered a modern hotspot for surfers, active travelers, and families. The redesigned beach promenade connects wide sandy beaches with a vibrant food scene and diverse events directly on the Indian Ocean:

Livid Skate: A cool skater-café-bar with delicious banana bread. (Toasted banana bread with butter is a total thing in all of WA, by the way!).
Surfing & Watersports: Use the good waves at the wide, white sandy beach for surfing or bodyboarding.
Scarborough Beach Pool: Swim in the heated geothermal saltwater pool right on the coast with a view of the ocean.
Scarborough Sunset Market: In summer (every Thursday evening), stroll through the market, try street food, and enjoy live music.
Promenade & Bayside Vibe: Stroll relaxedly along the redesigned coastal promenade, visit the skatepark, or linger in the beach cafés.

Cottesloe

Cottesloe is Perth’s most elegant beach suburb and world-famous for its pylon, the Norfolk pine-lined promenade architecture, and crystal-clear water. The neighborhood combines an upscale lifestyle and exclusive boutiques with relaxed Western Australian beach life:

Boutique Strolling: Stroll through the chic shops, fashion boutiques, and small cafés along Napoleon Street.
Swimming & Snorkeling: Cool off in the crystal-clear water at Cottesloe Beach or explore the protected area around the historic pylon.
Drinks with a Panoramic View: Have a drink at the Ocean Beach Hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Sunset Terraces: End the day on the elevated grass terraces north of the main beach or with a walk on the stone pier (groyne).

Excursions Near Perth

Swan Valley: Western Australia’s oldest wine region is only 30 minutes from the center. Guided wine tastings and visits to small artisan producers are well worth it here.
Rottnest Island: Only a 30-minute ferry ride from Perth, the completely car-free island awaits you with pristine white beaches and the famous quokkas.
Pinnacles Desert (Nambung National Park): Fascinating limestone pillars in a yellow desert landscape and ideal as a day trip north of Perth. If you are doing a Western Australia road trip toward Exmouth, this is on the way and you don’t need a separate trip from Perth.

Campground Recommendations in Perth & Surroundings

There are quite a few campgrounds in and around Perth, but not many with high ratings. Additionally, campgrounds in Perth are often more expensive. Here is an overview of different options we put together for you:

🚐 Sightseeing & Comfort: Karrinyup Waters Resort

Highlight: Perfect starting point for explorations in and around Perth. Own bakery right on site.
Amenities: Powered sites, top sanitary facilities, fully equipped camp kitchen.
Price: approx. 44 € per night (70 AUD)

⛺ Budget & Proximity to the City: Cherokee Village Tourist Park (Kingsley)

Highlight: Solid base in the north of Perth, close to public transport and sights.
Amenities: Powered sites (water/electricity at site), pool, camp kitchen.
Price: from 30 € per night (50 AUD)

🦘 Pure Nature & Family: Sandalwood Downs Farm Stay (Toodyay)

Highlight: Approx. 90 minutes from Perth. Large farm with rescued animals like alpacas and emus. Absolute recommendation to really unwind.
Amenities: Unpowered bush camping (no electricity, rustic rain showers & portable toilets available).
Price: from 41 € per night (67 AUD), animal feeding can be booked additionally (approx. 10 €).

FAQ & Practical Tips for Perth

Currently, there are no non-stop flights from Germany.
However, you can use very convenient 1-stop connections (e.g., with Qatar Airways via Doha, Emirates via Dubai, or Singapore Airlines via Singapore).
We flew to Perth with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Singapore.
To find cheap flights from Germany to Perth, it helps to remain flexible with travel days.

Perth has over 300 days of sunshine a year.
Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are ideal, as temperatures range between a pleasant 22 and 28 degrees Celsius.
In summer (December to February), it often gets over 35 degrees hot.

Yes, swimming and surfing in the Indian Ocean at Perth’s beaches is possible. The water is clear and has a water temperature of about 20 to 22 °C in summer.
When swimming, watch out for the red-and-yellow flags and swim exclusively in patrolled beach areas.
You can use the Shark Smart app for current shark sightings at beaches.

For orientation on-site, we recommend creating a digital Perth sights map on Google Maps.
In the city center (CBD), you can use the free CAT buses (Central Area Transit), which run on fixed routes to all main attractions.