The vibrant city of Fremantle is a truly unique WA destination, where cosmopolitan bars, world-class restaurants and charming cafes meet laid-back vibes and salty beach culture.

Add to that the colourful tapestry of colonial, convict and Indigenous history, heritage buildings, vibrant street art and the fact that Rottnest (and its famous quokkas) are only 25 minutes away,  and you’ve suddenly got a lot to choose from.

To help you map out an unforgettable Fremantle experience, here are 20 things to do in the preeminent port city.

1. See the Fremantle Markets

No trip to Fremantle would be complete without a visit to the iconic Fremantle Markets. The building originally functioned as a wholesale food market selling an eclectic mix of fresh produce, reflective of the many migrants who had moved to the port city.

Today, you can soak up the market’s vibrant atmosphere with over 150 stalls, selling fresh produce, coffee, jewellery, homewares and clothes, as well as having a bustling food hall section where you can get breakfast or lunch.

2. See the Fremantle Roundhouse

The Roundhouse is the oldest public building in WA. Opened in 1831, just 18 months after settlement, it was built to hold convicts. Today, the Round House is a tourist attraction that is free to enter for the public. Don’t miss the firing of the cannon at 1pm each day.

3. Sip sunset drinks at Bathers Beach

Bathers Beach is where the heritage of Fremantle meets the ocean, with the stretch of white sand just a sandy-footed stroll from some of the oldest public buildings in Western Australia.

It also happened to become Australia’s first licensed beach in 2016 – meaning you can take a seat on one of the inviting sun loungers and order a drink right on the sand.

4. Enjoy the sunset at Monument Hill

Monument Hill is home to the Fremantle War Monument, which commemorates World War I and II, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War. It’s surrounded by beautiful rose gardens and sprawling lush lawns, and offers (almost) 360-degree views of Fremantle and even out to the Perth CBD. It’s a beautiful spot for an evening picnic to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

5. Have Little Creatures experience

If you like your beer, then a tour of the iconic Little Creatures brewery is a must. You’ll learn about all things brewing, the legendary Little Creatures story, and what ingredients they use. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of all the Little Creatures beers and ciders.

Once you’re done, take advantage of the brewery’s free bike hire and explore Fremantle on two wheels. Bikes are available outside the main brewhouse.

Tours are every day at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm and Fridays at 6pm.

6. Freo Farmers Market

The Fremantle Farmers Market runs every Sunday morning from 8am – 12pm at Bruce Lee Reserve in neighbouring Beaconsfield. Expect stalls from local farmers, bakers, small producers and local artists; as well as live music, coffee stalls and activities for kids.

7. Go book-shopping

Fremantle is home to arguably some of Perth’s best bookstores. New Edition on High Street is a sophisticated store housed in a heritage building, The Chart & Map Shop has every travel book you could imagine, while Bill Campbell Books and Elizabeth’s both sell extensive ranges of second-hand books. And if you’ve got little ones, WA’s most magical children’s bookshop Paper Bird is tucked away in a delightful heritage building in the west end. It’s Perth’s only specialist children’s bookshop, and is a whimsical, imaginative space for little ones to explore.

8. Explore Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison was built as a convict barracks in the 1850s and remained in use until 1991. It’s the most intact convict establishment in the nation and the first building in WA to be included on the World Heritage list.

When it was in use, Fremantle Prison was a place of hangings, dramatic convict escapes and prisoner riots – making for a fascinating history lesson for visitors.

You can take part in several captivating tours led by experienced tour guides who bring the intriguing folklore of the prison to life.

9. Explore the WA Maritime Museum

Perched right on the waterfront, the Museum houses several unique galleries that explore WA’s maritime history. Exhibits range from leisure boats and handcrafted sailing boats to commercial pearl luggers. For sporting fans, the Museum is also home to the winning America’s Cup yacht, Australia II.

10. Embrace the cappuccino strip

Thanks to the strong Italian influence brought to Fremantle by European migrants, the stretch of South Terrace between Bannister and Parry Streets is famously known as the ‘Cappuccino Strip’ – a busy cosmopolitan mix of cafes, restaurants and bars.

It was the first place in the state to introduce alfresco dining back in the 1970s, which visitors can now enjoy by dining at one of the many eateries with tables and chairs spilling out into the street.

11. Sample the state’s best conti rolls

Thanks (again) to the Italians, Fremantle is home to Perth’s best Italian delis and consequently, the best continental rolls. Galati & Son’s on Wray Avenue is a neighbourhood green grocer serving daily handmade continental rolls. Lo Presti & Sons in East Fremantle have been serving continental rolls since the ’60s, and South Freo Continental on South Terrace is an Italian gourmet grocer and café.

12. Go beach-hopping

When it comes to white sand and turquoise waters, Fremantle has arguably more choice than any other area in Perth. To the north, Leighton Beach and Port Beach are low-key, family-friendly stretches of sprawling sand.

In the centre of Fremantle is the iconic Bathers Beach, a much smaller but still very appealing location. And the bustling South Beach is a huge expanse of white sand, with dog-friendly sections and ample foreshore grassland.

13. Get fish and chips at Fishing Boat Harbour

Fishing Boat Harbour is a working harbour cushioned by restaurants boasting water views and seriously good fish and chips.

Kailis is a stunning venue with a raw bar and BBQ fish counter; while Twin Fin offers a more casual, relaxed experience – or takeaway boxes enjoyed on the foreshore for sunset.

14. Learn about distilling at the Republic of Fremantle

The Republic of Fremantle creates expertly crafted gin and vodka using WA ingredients, and they offer a range of tours, workshops and hands-on learning sessions for those keen on distilling. You can distil your own gin at Gin School, sip and learn at Cocktail School, take a guided tour of the distillery (with tastings) or book a gin or negroni tasting flight in their bar.

15. Visit Fremantle Arts Centre

Fremantle Arts Centre is a hub of creative and cultural activity, and a place for artists, musicians, writers, thinkers, and curators to share their art with the world. Check their website to see what exhibitions they have on at any given time. And during summer, they transform their lush outdoor courtyard into a live music venue, offering free Sunday music with food trucks and pop-up bars.

16. Pop over to Rottnest Island

WA’s island paradise Rottnest is only a 25-minute ferry ride from Fremantle. Ferries depart from Northport at Rous Head in North Fremantle and B Shed at Victoria Quay in Fremantle.

Set sail in the morning, hire a bike to explore, enjoy a pub lunch with a view at Hotel Rottnest, and jump on the late afternoon ferry home.

17. Take in a festival

Fremantle might well be the festival capital of the state, with its year-round program of music, theatre, visual art, food and cultural festivals. Annual highlights include the Fringe Festival in February, the Perth Festival in March, the Fremantle International Street Arts Festival over the Easter long weekend, 10 Nights in Port held each winter, the Blessing of the Fleet in October, Beerfest and Fremantle Running Festival in November, and the Fremantle Christmas festival in December.

18. Go touring

Fremantle is a colourful tapestry of colonial, convict, and Indigenous history, paired with heritage buildings, vibrant street art and hidden laneways (that likely were used for horse-and-cart.) As such, there are a lot of tours on offer.

Take a self-guided walking tour, book a food-lovers walking tour, take a rickshaw bar crawl or get in touch with the Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre to find out when their next cultural tour is.

19. See the famous rainbow shipping containers

At nine metres high, 19 meters long and 66 tonnes heavy, Fremantle’s much-loved Containbow is not your average public art piece. Renowned Perth artist Marcus Canning constructed the piece from nine recycled sea containers, acknowledging Fremantle’s artistic as well as maritime heritage. Perched high on the hill on Canning Highway, the artwork overlooks the Swan River and the port, welcoming visitors to Fremantle whether they’re arriving by train, car or boat.

20. Grab dinner at Sunshine Harvester Works

Nestled in the east end of Fremantle, Sunshine is a food hall with a difference. There’s a diverse collection of local food stalls serving everything from burgers and pizzas, to dumplings and Asian street food. There’s even a craft brewery and distillery.

Stay the night in one of Fremantle’s best hotels.