Its compact size, planned orderliness, abundant parks and gardens, Mediterranean climate and undeniable elegance make Adelaide something of a boutique capital compared to the brasher and bolder cities of Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. This imbues it with a gentle charm that the others sometimes lack. Here are five great reasons to visit Adelaide.

The first great reason to visit Adelaide is to experience the pleasures of its location. Adelaide stands on the Torrens River between the Adelaide Hills and the Gulf of St Vincent. In this setting of great natural beauty, William Light laid a planned city in 1836. The result was a square mile grid of wide boulevards and lovely buildings in the midst of 930 hectares of verdant parklands.

Adelaide's planned nature means that it is the best preserved of all the Australian state capitals. It's also a compact and easily-navigated metropolis which makes sightseeing a joy, especially on foot or on bicycle.

Next, this glorious location and the balmy climate weave a certain magic on the city and its inhabitants. The result is a relaxed and hedonistic lifestyle that delights in the good things in life. You can see this festive attitude to life in the multitude of pubs, cafes, and restaurants serving fine food and local wine.

The Adelaide calendar too is peppered with festivals celebrating the pleasures of life including everything from the arts to wine to food to car races and horses.

The fact is, you'll never be short of things to see and do in Adelaide. If sport is your passion you can enjoy test cricket or Aussie Rules Football, or spend a day on the golf links or view horse trials in the city parks.

Culture buffs can delve into the fascinating world of Aboriginal Dreaming at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum or the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute - Tandanya.

If wining and dining are you pleasures, you're spoilt for choice. The climate makes al fresco dining a special pleasure whether by the river, at the beach, or at one of the city's host of sidewalk cafes. You can sample the local wines and learn about winemaking at the National Wine Centre.

There are nearby beaches offering all manner of water sports, and there's even a casino. The SkyCity Adelaide Casino is right downtown and is one of the largest casinos in South Australia.

The final reason to visit is the superb accommodation available. Adelaide offers a remarkable variety of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. You can choose to stay in and around Adelaide city centre, while other popular tourist hotel areas include Adelaide's many suburbs such as North Adelaide and the seaside resort of Glenelg.