Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Melbourne?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Melbourne?
Most people spend two to five days in Melbourne during their visit. The progressive city offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the cuisine.
Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria. It's a cultural city that has a great art and music scene. There are also great restaurants and local breweries that keep the atmosphere relaxed and fun.
Do you have one or two days to visit Melbourne? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Melbourne?
Melbourne is a fun city that is somewhat popular with tourists because of its great list of sights and attractions. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the big city activities. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for two to five days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
How to spend a day in Melbourne
Don't miss the Royal Botanic Gardens during your trip to Melbourne, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Southern Gippsland boutique Wine Tour with Tapas from Melbourne ($140)
- Laid back,Small-Group Yarra Valley Wine Tour :Wine,Gin,Cider+more ($93)
- Phillip Island Penguins, Wine Tasting and Dinner from Melbourne ($147)
Melbourne is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Melbourne?
A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the progressive city of Melbourne, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to swim at the beach, explore the museums and famous sights, soak up the big city atmosphere, and dine out at amazing restaurants. Many tourists set aside two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Melbourne below.
Melbourne, Australia
How to spend 2 days in Melbourne
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Melbourne will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
The beautiful beaches await you in Melbourne, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Melbourne City Twilight Kayak Tour ($74)
- Phillip Island Penguin, Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary from Melbourne ($117)
- Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise ($124)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Melbourne Pub Crawl ($17)
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl ($33)
Public transit in Melbourne is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Melbourne, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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