One of the things I love about the city of Melbourne is that it has really interesting buildings. Beautifully preserved heritage buildings coexist with modern constructions in perfect harmony. Wide streets lined with plane trees are intersected by narrow alleys and laneways, while the ever-present sound of tram bells clanging ring through the city linking past to present.
The main streets in Melbourne are intersected by laneways and covered arcades. Melbourne city tourism promotions are claiming that without visiting Melbourne laneways & covered arcades, your trip is not complete! You will discover a lot of character in these places, so be sure to take a detour from the main roads. Let’s have a quick look at some of what there is to see.
A trip to Melbourne is not complete without a visit to its laneways and covered arcades! Click To TweetMelbourne’s Covered Arcades
Cathedral Arcade
Found in the Nicholas Building, this arcade connects Swanston Street to Flinders Lane
This is a small arcade that boasts a spectacular domed stained glass and leadlight ceiling. The floors are covered with ceramic tiles and the shopfronts have wooden panelling. Built in 1925, the features are all original. This arcade is easy to miss, because it doesn’t have a big flashy entrance.
Cathedral Arcade 
Cathedral Arcade
The Block
One of Melbourne’s 19th Century covered arcades. The entrance catches your eye with sculpted stone work and colourful mosaic tiled floors. Built in 1892, inside this beautiful arcade you will find boutique shops, cafes and restaurants.
The Block 
Block Mosaics 
Mosaic tiled floors in The Block 
The Block Dome 
Look up in The Block 
The Block Arcade roof 
The Block Arcade
Royal Arcade
Another 19th Century covered arcade, the Royal Arcade is Melbourne’s first covered arcade, completed in 1870. The high glass roof brings natural light into this sunlight arcade. Full of specialty shops, this arcade is a t shape with entrances from Bourke St, Elizabeth St and Little Collins St.
The Royal Arcade along with The Block arcade buildings are both listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Melbourne Laneways
Block Place
This is a small semi-covered laneway that leads to the block arcade.
Bank Place
Bank place is a quirky laneway between Collins St and Little Collins St. It’s like the land that time forgot when you walk in there. In the middle of all these modern multi-storey buildings sits The Mitre Tavern – a pub in a small historic 19th century building, complete with beer garden.
Degraves Street
Degraves St opens up off Flinders St near Flinders St Station. It is lined with cafes that share the centre of the street for alfresco dining.
Centre Place
Nearby Centre place also has character, lined with hole-in-the-wall cafes, and the prices are good too!
Centre Place 
Three Little Monkeys
Street Art in Melbourne Laneways
The city of Melbourne has recognised the attraction of the creativity of street art for both local and overseas visitors. For this
Melbourne laneways & covered arcades
So you can see that there is an abundance of culture to be found in the laneways & covered arcades of Melbourne. When do you have your next visit planned?
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