Carlton

Melbourne

The leafy suburb just north of the CBD, known for Lygon Street's Italian restaurants, the Royal Exhibition Building and the University of Melbourne.

Best for Families · Budget

Transport: 4/5
Sights: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Quiet: 4/5
Food: 4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$145/night · 10 min to Flinders Street

See hotels in Carlton

Why stay here

Calm streets close to the CBD
Carlton Gardens and the Melbourne Museum
Italian cafés and restaurants

Who should stay here

Families
Couples
Value-minded travellers

Not ideal if…

You want nightlife
You want river or beach views
You want luxury hotels

What it's like

Carlton was the heart of Melbourne's Italian community, and Lygon Street still serves espresso, pasta and gelato. The World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Museum stand in the Carlton Gardens, and the university campus keeps the area young.

It's a calm, pleasant base a short tram or walk from the CBD, with good-value hotels and serviced apartments. It's quiet at night, and Lygon Street's restaurants can be touristy at the southern end.

Best streets and sub-areas

Lygon Street
Italian cafés, restaurants and gelato shops.
Carlton Gardens
Victorian gardens around the Exhibition Building.
Rathdowne Street
Quieter village of cafés to the north.

Getting around

Nearest stations: Trams along Swanston, Lygon and Nicholson streets, and Melbourne Central station a short walk south.
To Flinders Street: About 10 minutes
From Melbourne Airport: About 50 minutes: SkyBus to Southern Cross station, then a tram along Swanston Street.

Nearby attractions

Royal Exhibition Building
World Heritage-listed 1880 hall in the Carlton Gardens.
Melbourne Museum
Natural history, a living forest gallery and an IMAX cinema.
University of Melbourne
Historic campus and the free Ian Potter Museum of Art.

Where to eat and drink

Lygon Street
Pasta, pizza and espresso.
Pastry shops
Old-school Italian bakeries along Lygon Street.

Where to stay in Carlton

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Best value

Downtowner on Lygon

Why we like it: Large hotel on Lygon Street, a short walk from the CBD.

Typical mid-range rate in Carlton: ~$145/night

Check availability

Boutique pick

Hotel Lincoln

Why we like it: Historic pub with a few rooms in a quiet Carlton street.