Top things to do in Melbourne
Attractions, tours and activities in Melbourne
Recommended museums in Melbourne
Where to discover culture and the arts in Melbourne
Melbourne: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Melbourne
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St Kilda
3.5 miles from city centre
This beachside area is undergoing a gentle gentrification. Budget backpackers and chilled-out stick jugglers are giving way to trendsters and urban profs. Known for its laid-back liveability, you’ll stick to its cool cafes and clubs like a barnacle – try Hannah Café for lush breakfasts, or The Espy, Big Mouth and Republica after-hours.
Places to stay from £8 per night
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South Yarra
2.4 miles from city centre
The Gucci handbag of Melbourne. This swish and stylish neighbourhood is unabashedly upmarket and filled with continental eateries. Hit “Two Birds One Stone” for their creative breakfasts, shop for nibbly bits at the Prahran Market and beloved Chez Olivier for a typically French bistro. Why not visit them all?!
Places to stay from £16 per night
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Melbourne CBD
In the city centre
Expect the unexpected. Hipster haunts have shot up between the suit-and-tie hustle to give the area edge. Caffeinate at “Bowery to Williamsburg”, then connect the dots from café to hip café. Shop for fabulously original womenswear at LIFEwithBIRD. At night, try pang-busting Mexican at Mamasita, Supernormal for Karaoke, or the Rooftop Cinema.
Places to stay from £7 per night
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Docklands
1.1 miles from city centre
Fancy a permanent Sunday? Everything in The Docklands is low-key and chic, including its residents. May your coffee be hot and your pastries delicious at Hortus or Halyard Café. Spend a languid afternoon in the Docklands Park, then evening beers at relaxed Bar Nacional. Sunday markets occur regularly on the waterfront – check online for details.
Places to stay from £52 per night
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North Melbourne
1.2 miles from city centre
Always trendy, suburban “N.M” is known for its wealthy working parents who juggle new-borns with laptops, then take to the flat terrain by bike! It’s also known for its coffee-centrism. For proof, try Auction Rooms, Code Black or Pocket. At night, sip on cocktails amid Prudence's laid-back vibe.
Places to stay from £14 per night
About Melbourne
Including tips for the best time to visit Melbourne
While Melbourne may not be Australia’s state capital, there are few who would argue against its claim as the nation’s cultural capital. It blends historical architecture with examples of contemporary design.
The city's Federation Square is overlooked by St. Paul’s Cathedral and Flinders Street Station, whose green and yellow facade matches the colour of the historic Melbourne trams that still run around the world’s longest tram network. Federation Square is also home to the Ian Potter Centre, which houses the Australian art collection of the National Victoria Gallery, and the cutting-edge ACMI (Australian Centre of The Moving Image), which documents the country’s cinematic history.
Melbourne’s artistic prowess is not only displayed in galleries and museums but also in the form of marvellous street art across the city, from Croft Alley to Hosier Lane. While you’re out graffiti hunting, be sure to sample the renowned coffee culture with a cup of your favourite blend at cafés like Axil Coffee Roasters or Seven Seeds.
South of the Yarra River are St. Kilda, a wide and sandy beach that’s popular for its picturesque promenade, and Brighton, a longer stretch known for its colourful bathing huts. From rollerblading and cycling to windsurfing and yachting, there are plenty of things to do around these beaches.
Melbourne Airport offers flights to Sydney and destinations across the world.
Tonight
From £96 per night
This weekend
From £208 per night
Next weekend
From £155 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | AUD 10 = £5.20 |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | £131 per night |
| Average weekday price | £142 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Melbourne
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Melbourne
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Crown Casino Melbourne
0.7 miles from city centre
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Rod Laver Arena
1 miles from city centre
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Melbourne Cricket Ground
1.2 miles from city centre
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Eureka Tower
0.5 miles from city centre
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Princess Theatre
0.6 miles from city centre
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Flemington Racecourse
3.5 miles from city centre
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St Paul's Cathedral
0.3 miles from city centre
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Southbank Promenade
0.4 miles from city centre
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Federation Square
0.4 miles from city centre
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Arts Centre Melbourne
0.5 miles from city centre
Melbourne reviews
What other travellers say about Melbourne
Vibrant, cosmopolitan city where there is always something...
26 April 2024
Vibrant, cosmopolitan city where there is always something fun to do or see. A foodie paradise boasting some of the best coffee, pastries and all manner of delicacy generally within walking distance anywhere in the CBD. World class museums and venues. A must visit destination.
The restaurants are next level.
26 April 2024
The restaurants are next level. Melbourne is super busy and there are pedestrians everywhere but everyone seems to move with ease and everyone is friendly. Loved the food and the shopping. Bring good walking shoes - so much to see and do. Loved the free trams around the CBD. Public transport is very good.
We commented daily on receiving incredibly kind and...
23 April 2024
We commented daily on receiving incredibly kind and courteous assistance wherever we went and on the friendliness we encountered. Perhaps it had something to do with our white hair but it seemed very spontaneous and natural. The trams and trains are amazing, easy to access and incredibly cheap. Our good fortune with the weather was a huge plus.
A great city with friendly people, great cuisine, and lots...
23 April 2024
A great city with friendly people, great cuisine, and lots of entertainment. There are also many options for walks along the river, parks or the beach. The public transport is good but you must buy a MyKi card/pass pre-loaded with credit before you can access it.
Melbourne is my heart.
21 April 2024
Melbourne is my heart. It’s a vibrant city with so much to do. It is a cultural hub that will keep you entertained until you are exhausted and it’s multi-cultural aspects are it’s highlights. No end of delicious foods from all cultures and many unique shops originating from a variety of cultures. I leave but my heart doesn’t!
Unfortunately Melbourne is following hot on the heels of the...
21 April 2024
Unfortunately Melbourne is following hot on the heels of the 'gouge' economy when it comes to attending public entertainment venues with crazy prices for simple junk foods. That said, snack at happy hour at your hotel before going out and you are sure to find a good little eatery somewhere later on in the night.
Popular places to stay in Melbourne
Stay in some of the best accommodation Melbourne has to offer
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Modern, Quiet 1 Bed Apt on Fitzroy St, Opposite Albert Park St Kilda, Melbourne
From £96 per night
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Melbourne Lifestyle Apartments – Best Views on Collins Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
From £197 per night
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Fawkner Executive Suites & Serviced Apartments Melbourne, Australia
From £115 per night
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Boutique Abode 316 Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
From £189 per night
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The Motley Hotel Richmond, Melbourne
From £112 per night
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Other accommodation in Melbourne
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Melbourne
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Apartments
From £33 per night
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Villas
From £396 per night
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Cottages
From £63 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From £36 per night
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Holiday Homes
From £63 per night
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Guest Houses
From £31 per night
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Hostels
From £7 per night
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Motels
From £29 per night
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B&Bs
From £45 per night
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Homestays
From £26 per night
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Self Catering Accommodation
From £34 per night
