St Kilda is one of Melbourne’s great ambassadors of summer, with its beach alongside Port Philip Bay. But the popular suburb doesn’t hibernate in the cooler months; it offers plenty to see and do within a very walkable radius.

That’s why it’s a prime spot for cafes, restaurants, galleries, apartment blocks and modern retirement communities like Europa on Alma.

With that in mind, here’s an itinerary for a cosy autumn day in St Kilda. The options span airy outdoor hangs, enriching indoor experiences and seasonal dining to bring the whole family together. When sunset finally rolls out, you might find you don’t want to leave.

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Morning: Stroll along the Esplanade

Parallel to the beach, St Kilda’s iconic Esplanade is a long ribbon of green space stretching into the suburb’s main street. It’s perfect for a rugged-up morning stroll and even leads right to palm-dotted O’Donnell Gardens – with St Kilda’s community gardens and botanical gardens both close by. On Sundays the Esplanade thrums with a weekly market from 10am, which has been a Melbourne institution for half a century. Even if the market’s not on, this is an ideal introduction to this beachside stretch of the neighbourhood; landmarks sit casually in nearly every direction – Luna Park or Palais Theatre anyone?

Mid-morning: Brunch at Pini & Co

Pini & Co is a new cafe inspired by the freshness and communal vibe of European delis and general stores. Besides top-notch coffee, expect local and seasonal offerings that include upscaled versions of familiar breakfast and lunch classics. (Think cured ocean trout and cream cheese on an everything bagel, or heirloom zucchini-ricotta gnocchi for a light midday pasta.) Because it’s a new addition to local retirement community Europa on Alma, there’s no closer (or better) spot to meet up with family members living there. Pini also offers refills of fresh milk in take-home glass bottles in its market section, and plenty of outdoor and open-air seating. The cafe, part of the Europa on Alma retirement community, is open from 7.30am until 3.45pm Tuesday through Friday and 8am until 4pm Saturday and Sunday (closed Monday).

Afternoon: Visit the Jewish Museum of Australia

Just across Alma Road from Pini & Co, the Jewish Museum of Australia has more than 20,000 historical and contemporary items. The current exhibitions – Nina Sanadze’s clay sculpture series Hana and Child, and Harry Nankin’s multi-media Instructions for Mending the World – run through early June, and there are kid-friendly programs during the autumn school holidays and beyond. The museum also hosts both guided and self-guided tours around specific parts of Melbourne with a focus on the cultural contributions of Jewish Australians.

Evening: Embrace sunset, St Kilda style

It’s not a grand revelation to say that sunset over Port Philip Bay can be pretty spectacular. One of the best viewpoints is from the St Kilda Ferris Wheel, which stands 35-metres high and overlooks the beach, city and beyond. Located in Catani Gardens, the observation wheel closes for the season on April 28. If you can’t make it there in time, don’t worry: the nearby St Kilda Breakwater hosts a permanent colony of miniature penguins, which have been drawing devoted witnesses for decades. Just at the end of the St Kilda pier, you can gather at dusk to watch the adorable birds emerge and explore. The event is monitored by assigned guides (there’s no flash photography or touching allowed) and it’s a signature activity in this unique suburb.

This story is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Europa on Alma.