Three new lanthanide coordination polymers, [Ln(Ad)3/2(Phen)] n ·2nH2O (Ln = Eu, 1; Pr, 2; Ad = adipate; Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) and [Yb(Ad)3/2(Phen)] n ·nH2O 3, were prepared by hydrothermal reactions. The structures of 1, 2 and 3 are reported. In compound 1, Eu(III) ions are bridged by adipate ligands in two modes into 2-D polymeric layers. Adjacent layers are assembled by hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking between 1,10-phenanthrolines into a 3-D supramolecular structure. Compound 2 is isostructural with 1. In compound 3, the Yb(III) ions are connected by adipate ligands in three modes into a 3-D network.