Queen Victoria Building

The Queen Victoria Building — the QVB — occupies an entire block on George Street in the heart of the Sydney CBD, a magnificent Romanesque Revival landmark dating from 1898. Beautifully restored, this grand Victorian-era shopping arcade is as much a destination for its architecture as its shopping, with its soaring central dome, stained-glass windows, intricate tiling and famous hanging clocks.

The appeal is that combination of heritage grandeur and elegant retail: several levels of boutiques, cafes and specialty stores beneath one of the most beautiful interiors in the city. Whether you come to shop, admire the architecture or simply pass through, it's a genuine Sydney icon and a serene, ornate escape from the busy streets outside.

With a 4.6 rating from more than 20,000 reviews, it's overwhelmingly admired. Store and cafe opening hours, seasonal trading and any events vary, and it gets busy on weekends and during sales, so it's worth checking current details before a special trip — though for a wander to admire the building and browse the shops, you can simply stroll in any time and take in one of Sydney's most beautiful interiors.