Is a city break in Melbourne calling your name? Whether it’s the arts and culture scene, the world-class dining or a sporting event (there’s plenty of them on the cal) that’s caught your interest, there’s plenty of reasons to head to the city—and we know just how to make the most of your time.
Of course, there’s a little website called Urban List Melbourne where you can dig deep and research every topic for your trip, but if that sounds like too much hard work, we’ve put together a weekend-long itinerary that has you covered for eats, things to do and most importantly, where to stay.
Day One
12pm Arrive And Check In At Le Meridien
Image credit: Le Meridien | Urban List
In 2023, Melbourne city's iconic entertainment hub the Palace Theatre was transformed into the five-star Le Méridien Melbourne. Located in the heart of the theatre district, this sleek mid-century modern hotel is the perfect base for a long weekend spent exploring the city. Not only are you walking distance (or a quick tram ride) from some of the best things to do in Melbourne, but you can also make the most of the hotel’s sunny rooftop pool, gym, sauna, gelateria (yes, gelato whenever you want it), and sleek underground European restaurant, Dolly.
The 235 rooms are spacious and boast all the mod cons, plus a few unique touches like signature bottled cocktails in the mini bar and a dreamy collection of coffee table books lining the desk, but we recommend booking a premium suite to score Parliament House views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. If you’re lucky, your room will be ready to go early, but if not, drop your bags and start exploring—the team here are more than willing to help.
12.30pm Grab Lunch At Hector’s Deli
Image credit: Hector's Deli | Urban List
You’re probably hungry after your journey, so it’s lucky then that Hector’s Deli is right around the corner from Le Meridien with a two-hander sandwich menu awaiting you. Sangers, sandos, toasties—whatever you want to call them, Melbourne’s sandwich scene is unmatched, and Hector’s is slinging some of the best. Don’t worry if the line is long, because things move fast, and you’ll be smashing a hot honey salami number loaded with stracciatella on fresh focaccia in no time.
2pm Explore The Melbourne Museum
With only 48 hours in town there’s no time to waste, so it’s lucky that you’re only a 15 minute walk from the Melbourne Museum. This place is immense, and honestly, surprisingly fascinating, even if you’re not a history or science buff. Dinosaurs, bugs, indigenous culture, local history—they’ve got it all covered, and you’ll find yourself going deep into those information placards and interactive experiences. Later this year the museum will even play host to LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition, if that’s more your style.
5pm Have A Poolside Cocktail
Image credit: Le Meridien | Urban List
Once you’re historied out, head back to Le Meridien and settle into your room—before ditching it to nab yourself a day bed by the Le Splash rooftop pool with breathtaking 360-degree views over Melbourne’s iconic skyline. You can order drinks and bites right to your poolside perch, and of course the pool is heated—this is Melbourne after all. If you’ve landed in town in summer, you can take advantage of their Au Soleil Programme—a summer series that takes place in Le Meridien properties across the globe. Too cold for the pool? Pop down to Dolly for a pre-dinner cocktail instead.
7pm Settle In For Dinner At Dolly
Image credit: Dolly | Urban List
One of the CBD’s best restaurants being in the hotel makes your dinner choice easy. Dolly harps back to the glory days of glamour with its 1930s fitout and menu of classic European dishes, but the real showstopper is dessert. After you’ve eaten through entree and main (the porterhouse grassfed steak with French fries is *chef’s kiss*), feast your eyes on their signature Bombe Alaska, which arrives at the table via trolley and is doused in rum and set alight in front of you.
Day Two
10am Get Cultured At The NGV
Image credit: NGV | Urban List
After gorging on a buffet breakfast at the hotel (can we normalise having a three-course breakfast outside of holidays?), it’s time to get cultured. Two short tram rides will deposit you at the NGV, Melbourne’s home of world-class art. Until 21 April you can catch the largest exhibition of Yayoi Kusama ever presented in Australia, complete with multiple infinity and obliteration rooms—if you can get down there to catch it, we 100% recommend, because it’s incredible.
1pm Grab Lunch At CDMX Melbourne Central
Image credit: CDMX | Urban List
Hop on the tram and head straight up to Melbourne Central, where on the Lower Ground level you’ll find CDMX, a cheap and cheerful hole-in-the-wall spot for tacos and quesadillas. The birria tacos are our pick, which come with free consomme top ups if you go a little overboard on the dipping, but the al pastor tacos are also a good pick.
2pm Explore The Laneways And Malls
Image credit: Monopoly Dreams | Urban List
Now that you’re refreshed, it’s time to shop ‘til you drop again, across Melbourne CBD’s many laneways and shopping centres—and probably get completely lost along the way. Stick around in Melbourne Central to peep the iconic heritage-listed Coop’s Shot Tower under the glass roof, and then just see where the tunnels take you. If shopping isn’t for you, you could hit Monopoly Dreams for a nostalgic life-sized Monopoly experience instead, or seek out the best street art laneways that crisscross the CBD. Either way, a stop by The Paperback Bookshop on your route back to Le Meridien to pick up some reading material for the flight home is a must.
5pm Plan A Pre-Theatre Dinner & A Show
Image credit: Fancy Hank's | Urban List
Now you’ve got some decisions to make—you’ve got one last night, but a dozen top notch restaurants within a few blocks, AND you’re in the middle of Melbourne’s theatre district, so you obviously have to catch a show. Let’s talk dining options first—our top picks are Gimlet, Chin Chin, Grill Americano, Farmer’s Daughter, Fancy Hank’s and Embla, but you’ll find even more of the best CBD restaurants here. As for the show, scope out what’s playing at the Princess Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Comedy Theatre for starters, you’re bound to find a show that calls to you.
Day Three
8am Buffet Breakfast And Check Out
You’ve got one more chance to make the most of that buffet, so maybe get an extra course in this morning, then it’s time to check out. Hopefully you’ve opted for a later flight so that you can get in another half day of activities—there’s plenty we haven’t even touched on, but a visit to the Melbourne Gaol and the next door State Library of Victoria, or a wander through the Queen Victoria Markets (take your appetite) would be our top picks.
Image credit: NGV | Urban List
Editor's note: We visited Melbourne as a guest of Le Meridien—plan your stay here.