Weaving a maze through the city grid, Melbourne’s laneways uncover hidden treasures and a charming, intimate atmosphere. Al fresco eateries, one-off shops and bars that are off the beaten track, all nestle side-by-side in laneways winding in all directions throughout the city.

For a bite to eat, hit Hardware Lane, Degraves Street, Centre Place, Block Place or The Causeway. There’s also hidden lanes on either side of Chinatown. To find a bar that’s tucked away try Meyers Place, Bennetts Lane, Cohen Place, Sniders Lane and Market Lane. 

Looking for retail therapy? Then brace yourself and enter into the realm of 260-plus boutiques set within Melbourne’s historic and ornate arcades, all within walking distance of each other.

Apart from the eclectic range of quality shops and cafes, each arcade has its own individual charm. From Block Arcade’s (1891) Italian interior splendour to Melbourne’s oldest trading Royal Arcade (1869), strolling through these historical icons will not only give the architectural admirer a fix, but the serious shopper a chance to uncover many hidden gems.

Read more in our City Laneways itinerary and take our Melbourne Walk: Arcades and Lanes which also has a podcast.

If you love shopping, eating and exploring fascinating places full of character you would also love Melbourne's cultural precincts