Royal Arcade

The Royal Arcade sits on Bourke Street in the heart of the Melbourne CBD. One of the city's oldest and most beautiful shopping arcades — dating back to the 1860s — it's a genuine heritage landmark, lined with charming boutiques and shops beneath its gorgeous glass roof, and famous for its statues of the mythical figures Gog and Magog above the clock.

The appeal is that combination of stunning heritage architecture and characterful shopping: wandering the gorgeous Victorian-era arcade, browsing its charming boutiques and admiring the famous Gog and Magog statues is a delightful, only-in-Melbourne experience. It's as much a heritage attraction as a shopping destination, a beautiful slice of the city's history right in the heart of the CBD.

With a 4.4 rating from more than 4,700 reviews, it's clearly a much-loved landmark. The shops, opening hours and any events vary, so it's worth checking current details if you're after a specific store — though for a wander through one of Melbourne's most beautiful heritage arcades, you can simply head to the Royal Arcade off Bourke Street.