Famed for its restaurant and coffee scene, Melbourne is popular with the backpacker crowd (hence why I vibe with it so much!). It has charming, funky neighborhoods, and streets lined with inspiring shops and cafés. You can tap into its amazing nightlife, from a sedate evening at a wine bar to dancing until sunrise at a thumping club. It’s also near the wine-centric Yarra Valley. There’s a lot to see and do here.

Melbourne is considered the “cultural capital” of the country and the best way to find out why is to take a walking tour.

I love walking tours. You’ll get to see the highlights and connect with a local guide that can answer all your questions. There are tours for every niche too, so regardless of your interests (or budget), you’ll be able to have fun and learn a lot about the city.

1. Melbourne Street Tours

Street art has become a worldwide phenomenon in the last decade or so. Every big city on the planet has incredible street art and murals to admire — and Melbourne is no exception. In addition to taking you down some lesser-known alleyways, this tour finishes in an artist’s studio warehouse, so you can learn how these amazing works are created.

2. Depot Adventures Hidden Bar Tour

Melbourne is littered with tiny, sometimes concealed lanes that house some lesser-known establishments. And this, of course, includes bars. This three-hour tour takes you to the backstreets to discover four hidden pubs. The expert local guide will not only regale you with tales of the bar scene in Melbourne but also tell you about the history of the city. Just be sure to come thirsty!

3. Melbourne Walks

For over three decades, Melbourne Walks has been leading tours. No matter what your interests are, there’s probably a tour that appeals: there’s a crime-focused tour, for example, a back lanes and arcades jaunt, and tours that focus on topics such as architecture, literature, social justice, historic pubs, and individual historical figures. If you’re looking for something niche, start here.