Named after The Strand in London’s West End, this shopping arcade was conceptualized in the mid-1890s by English architect John Spencer and opened its doors in 1892. It was the fifth and last shopping arcade built in Sydney during the Victorian era, and is the only one remaining in its original form. There’s also a restaurant—The Restaurant Pendolino—and an adjacent wine bar/food shop, La Rosa The Strand, both of which focus on Italian-inspired fare.
The Strand Arcade is located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, between George Street and the Pitt Street Mall. It's about a 15-minute walk south of Circular Quay or five minutes inland from Cockle Bay Wharf. The Saint James, Town Hall, and Martin Place Stations are all within a five-minute walk away.
The Strand Arcade is open Monday through Saturday, but only some of the shops here are open on Sundays. It's busy on the weekends and later in the day on weekdays, but tends to get foot traffic pretty consistently all the time owing to its location in the heart of the CBD.
Sydney has plenty of excellent shopping districts, from the CBD that surrounds The Strand Arcade to the hipsterish Newton area, full of independent boutiques and cafes. If you're more into major brands than independent boutiques, the Harbourside Shopping Center and the Birkenhead Outlet Centre are great choices.
