Carlton

Melbourne

Carlton Gardens featuring a castle, a park and a pond
Carlton Gardens featuring autumn leaves and a square or plaza
Carlton Gardens featuring a sunset and a garden
Melbourne Museum which includes interior views
Carlton featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture

Take an inspiring journey through this exciting suburb, which features gorgeous parklands, heritage architecture and a supreme coffee culture along vibrant Lygon StreetOpens in a new window.

Spend a few days experiencing eclectic Carlton, which seamlessly blends heritage sights with youth-oriented culture. Located just north of Melbourne's central business district, this suburb is an easy and entertaining addition to any Melbourne sightseeing itinerary.

Begin your Carlton journey in its beating heart, the eclectic Lygon Street. Grab a morning coffee and a delectable pastry at Brunetti’s, a large-scale Italian cafe. The area's student population, owing to the neighbouring university, has supported a growing market of trendy book stores, artisanal shops and niche cafés along the main strip.

Walk east through streets lined with Victorian terrace cottages to the Carlton GardensOpens in a new window, one of Melbourne's finest inner-city parklands. Take the kids to the playground or picnic under sprawling Moreton Bay figs. In the gardens' centre, the huge Royal Exhibition Building cuts a photogenic figure. Next door, the Melbourne MuseumOpens in a new window, with its ultra-modern design, houses a range of entertaining and educational exhibits.

Venture to Carlton north to explore shady residential streets. Both Nicholson Street and Rathdowne Street feature charming “villages" collections of intimate coffee houses, furniture stores and convenience shops.

Carlton's west is dominated by the massive Royal Park, a 72-hectare (181-acre) stretch of lawns, bushland and sporting fields. Take the kids to the Melbourne Zoo, which houses a collection of animals, birds and insects in the park's centre.

At dinner time, follow the crowds back to Lygon Street. Thanks to the suburb's rich Mediterranean heritage, this street features boundless options for Italian dining. Choose from excellent sit-down meals to late-night takeaway pizza. Other dining options include Vietnamese soups, Indian cuisine, French bistro-style meals and Turkish bakeries.

After a hearty meal, take a walk with ice cream or a frozen yoghurt treat the street remains lively until well after dinner. The Nova Cinema is a great place to sit and relax after your meal, with cheap tickets to a range of art house movies.

Get into Carlton and navigate the suburb using efficient tram, bus or train services from most areas of the city.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Carlton Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
4 out of 5
589-599 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ¥16,191 per night from Jul 28 to Jul 29
¥16,191
¥17,810 total
Jul 28 - Jul 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,508 reviews)
"The property is clean, quiet and has a great views of Melbourne CBD skyscrapers from our room, super convenient location closer to southern cross station prime location, the breakfast was very nice, I know few hotels provide breakfast just name sake , but holiday inn provides super big breakfast, ..."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
4 out of 5
300 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ¥10,166 per night from Jul 29 to Jul 30
¥10,166
¥11,348 total
Jul 29 - Jul 30
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly motel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,004 reviews)
Convenient and honest and affirdable
"Location over the street from Spencer St Station is very convenient esp if coming from the airport by airport link bus. Trams can take you places. Is fairly basic and not pretentious but efficient, clean, basis but cheap and fine breakfast."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Dorsett Melbourne
Dorsett Melbourne
4 out of 5
615 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ¥15,381 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
¥15,381
¥16,920 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,347 reviews)
Harryo
"Weekend away"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Dorsett Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ¥7,751 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
¥7,751
¥8,526 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,143 reviews)
"Conveniently positioned and affordable."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
5 out of 5
123 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ¥23,341 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
¥23,341
¥25,675 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Exceptional"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Pegasus Apart'Hotel
4 out of 5
206 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ¥11,734 per night from Jul 3 to Jul 4
¥11,734
¥12,907 total
Jul 3 - Jul 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (7,938 reviews)
"Very clean, modern and quiet. Will stay here again."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Carlton

Fitzroy which includes a house and signage

Fitzroy

Gardens, bars, and museums are just a few things travelers enjoy about Fitzroy. Check out Brunswick Street or Smith Street while you're exploring the area.

Fitzroy
Melbourne CBD showing outdoor eating

Melbourne Central Business District

4.5/5(1,080 area reviews)

Discover a blend of contemporary and Victorian architecture, vibrant street art, and literary culture in this bustling city center. Explore famed alleyways, visit the State Library, and enjoy easy access to public transport hubs.

Melbourne Central Business District
Southbank showing city views, a city and a river or creek

Yarra Riverfront

The stunning river views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Yarra Riverfront. Make a stop by Crown Casino or Collins Street while you're exploring the area.

Yarra Riverfront
Fitzroy Gardens featuring a house, heritage architecture and a garden

East Melbourne

Known for its abundant dining options and colorful gardens, there's plenty to explore in East Melbourne. Top attractions like Melbourne Cricket Ground and Collins Street are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Jolimont Station or Parliament Station to see more of the city.

East Melbourne
Docklands featuring a bay or harbor, night scenes and a skyscraper

Docklands

Striking contemporary architecture meets heritage buildings in this area, where visitors can shop at The District Docklands, ride the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, and explore public art. Diverse dining options, sports courts, and various transport options make it a convenient choice.

Docklands
Southbank featuring a bridge, a sunset and a river or creek

Southbank

High-rise development dominates this inner-city suburb, featuring the Southbank Promenade and Southgate Restaurant and Shopping Precinct. Enjoy the art and craft market on Sundays, and explore the area via tram lines or the Capital City Bicycle Trail.

Southbank


Carlton