Discover the Charm of Victoria, Canada’s Capital
Nestled at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is one of the Pacific Northwest’s oldest cities. We’re excited to share with you some of our most beloved activities in this charming city.
Victoria holds a special place in our hearts; it’s where our journey began over 20 years ago. For this reason, we make it a point to visit at least once every year.
Located just 100 kilometers (62 miles) from both Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, WA, Victoria makes for an ideal weekend getaway for both tourists and mainland residents.
However, don’t underestimate the city; spending just one day here is hardly sufficient unless you take a floatplane from Vancouver. We recommend planning for at least two days, with three being preferable if your schedule allows.
Top Attractions in Victoria, BC
You can navigate to sections using the Table of Contents above.
1. Experience Orca Whales on a Whale Watching Tour
Vancouver Island boasts some of the finest whale watching in Canada. The Salish Sea and Strait of Juan de Fuca are the best locations to see orcas in their natural environment. This area attracts whales, sea birds, and various marine life to feed, resulting in a remarkable 95% success rate for whale watching tours.
You can spot whales year-round, but the peak season for whale watching in Victoria is during the summer months from May to October, coinciding with the salmon migration.
Whale watching tours commence from the Inner Harbour and are available multiple times per day. We had a fantastic experience with Prince of Whales and highly recommend them. You can reserve your whale watching tour online or simply arrive and board the next available boat.
On our tour, we were thrilled to see over 25 orca whales! It was an unforgettable experience on calm waters under the shining sun, where we encountered an astonishing super pod.
Reserve your whale watching tour in Victoria here, or opt for a thrilling zodiac tour here.
2. Take a Romantic Horse Carriage Tour in Victoria
Discover the historical beauty of the city through a charming horse-drawn carriage ride. These relaxing and informative tours showcase Victoria’s attractions as you pass through quaint residential areas, picturesque waterfront roads, and one of North America’s oldest Chinatowns.
If you’re in the mood for romance, many operators permit you to enjoy a bottle of champagne or wine as you explore the city at night.
For a memorable experience, we recommend Victoria Carriage Tours. The carriage can pick you up directly from your hotel or dining venue, or you can arrange your trip at the carriage operators’ location beside the British Columbia Parliament Buildings.
Tour lengths range from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.
Book your horse carriage tour in Victoria here.
3. Navigate the Inner Harbour on a Ferry
A delightful way to explore Victoria’s Inner Harbour is by taking a small Harbour Ferry. These charming ferries depart from various locations around the harbour, allowing you to enjoy a mini boat cruise as you travel.
Stop at Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub to enjoy a refreshing craft beer, or head over to the vibrant Fisherman’s Wharf to savor Barb’s Fish and Chips.
Tickets can be purchased for Harbour Tours ($30), Gorge Cruises ($30), or one-way trips starting at $7.00 per person. Look for the ‘Ferry Stop’ signs at popular waterfront locations.
4. Visit the British Columbia Parliament Buildings
The iconic British Columbia Parliament Buildings are a must-visit landmark in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Their architectural style is a stunning combination of Neo-baroque and Romanesque design.
Construction began in 1893, and the buildings officially opened in 1898. The grounds also feature several notable sites, including a Cenotaph (a bronze War Memorial to the Unknown Soldier), a statue of Queen Victoria, the Douglas Obelisk, the Knowledge Totem Pole, the Speaker’s Chair, the Front Fountain, and the Premier’s Rose Garden.
Guests can explore the interior of the BC Parliament Buildings, which are open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
You can join regularly-scheduled guided tours or choose to explore independently. The guided tours are free and last approximately 30 minutes.
Related – The Ultimate Road Trip Guide from Vancouver for First-Timers
Above is the picturesque fountain located behind the BC Parliament Buildings.
Find the best deals on Victoria hotels at Booking.com or Hotels.com
5. Enjoy a Bike Ride along Dallas Road
Most of Victoria’s renowned attractions are conveniently located within walking distance from the BC Parliament Buildings and Inner Harbour.
To explore beyond the city center, consider renting a bike and cruising down Dallas Road toward Beacon Hill Park, Clover Point Park, and Ross Bay. The ocean views along Dallas Road are breathtaking, particularly during sunset.
Your biking adventure can commence in the peaceful neighborhood of James Bay, known for its beautiful heritage homes. James Bay is recognized as the oldest neighborhood on the West Coast of North America, north of San Francisco.
After a short stop at Fisherman’s Wharf, continue your ride south on Dallas Road towards Ogden Point, a major pier for cruise ships. Continue along the waterfront road towards Beacon Hill Park, where you can either cycle through the park or head towards Ross Bay and Gonzales Beach.
If cycling doesn’t suit you, consider walking along the Dallas Road Waterfront Trail, visiting Holland Point Park, Fonyon Beach, Finlayson Point, and Spiral Beach.
6. Explore the Royal BC Museum and IMAX
Located between the historic Empress Hotel and the BC Parliament Buildings, the Royal BC Museum specializes in the human and natural history of British Columbia.
The museum features elaborate galleries showcasing diverse environments, making it a fantastic experience for visitors of all ages. Among its highlights are the First Peoples Gallery, Modern History Gallery, Natural History Gallery, and various traveling exhibitions. Our personal favorites include the life-sized woolly mammoth and the remarkable collection of totem poles.
Plan to spend at least three hours in the museum, especially if you want to catch an IMAX film.
Check out the Royal BC Museum’s hours of operation here.
While you’re nearby, don’t miss Thunderbird Park, located right next to the Royal BC Museum. This park features numerous totem poles and monuments honoring First Nations heritage.
7. Discover Beacon Hill Park in Victoria
Located along the shores of the Juan de Fuca Strait, Beacon Hill Park is Victoria’s most cherished and expansive park, covering 200 acres and easily accessible from most downtown hotels.
While exploring Beacon Hill Park, you can stroll through its beautifully-kept gardens, admire the weeping willows at Goodacre Lake, feed goats at the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm, capture photos of the unique Moss Lady sculpture, and take in the view of the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole.
The Dallas Road Waterfront Trail can be accessed from Beacon Hill Park, where you can walk towards Finlayson Point to search for tiny crabs on the rocky beaches. Take a moment to sit on some driftwood and scan the ocean for breaching whales and marine life.
Breathe in the fresh air and savor the stunning views of the Pacific Northwest!
8. Enjoy Beach Volleyball on a Rooftop Bar
Have you ever played beach volleyball on the rooftop of a restaurant? If not, you’ll want to check out the Rooftop Patio at the Strathcona, which features the world’s only rooftop beach volleyball courts.
We fondly remember our university days spent enjoying drinks with friends while playing beach volleyball on the Strathcona rooftop. If you have the time and inclination, we highly recommend giving it a shot!
If beach volleyball isn’t your thing, you can relax with a drink at the Sticky Wicket or Big Bad John’s, two of Victoria’s favorite dive bars. The Strathcona is a long-standing landmark in downtown Victoria, with roots that stretch back to the gold rush era of the early 1900s.
With seven venues, five levels, and over 1,200 seats, the Strathcona is the perfect place to unwind after a full day of exploring.
9. Explore Hatley Park National Historic Site
Located in Colwood, roughly 20 minutes west of Victoria, Hatley Park National Historic Site features Hatley Castle and stunning gardens, including the Japanese Garden and Rose Garden.
Since 1995, the estate has been part of Royal Roads University, where Cameron attended university (read more about that story here).
You can tour the castle and gardens, stroll through the university grounds, hike amidst the forest, and snap a photo with one of the resident peacocks (just remember, some of them can be a bit temperamental).
Hatley Castle has served as a filming location for numerous blockbuster movies, including X-Men 2, X-Men: The Last Stand, Deadpool, and Arrow. View the complete list of films shot at Hatley Castle here.
10. Visit Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse
After exploring Hatley Park, check out the nearby Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse Historical Site—Canada’s first operational lighthouse on the West Coast.
At Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, visitors can view the historical coastal gun batteries, camouflaged searchlight emplacements, command posts, guardhouses, and barracks.
These two historic sites are conveniently located on the same grounds.
11. Stroll Along the Inner Harbour Pathways
Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour is among the city’s most iconic attractions.
Often regarded as one of the most beautiful harbours in the world, we couldn’t agree more.
The bustling marina in front of the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the British Columbia Parliament Buildings is a highlight of the Inner Harbour (as pictured above). During summer, this esplanade buzzes with merchants, artists, street performers, and food trucks.
While the promenade in front of the Empress Hotel is the most popular, several pathways loop around the Inner Harbour, including the David Foster Harbour Pathway and Songhees Walkway. These are fantastic spots to watch floatplanes take off and land on the lively harbor.
To access the waterfront path, cross the new Johnson Street Bridge and pass the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort. The 3 km trail is flat and paved, making it accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and bicycles.
Enjoy breathtaking views of Victoria’s Inner Harbour along the Songhees Walkway.
The former Johnson Street Bridge, which was replaced in 2015.
12. Enjoy a Brewery Pub Crawl
Downtown Victoria is the ideal location for a brewery pub crawl. The city’s walkable layout ensures that many brewpubs, bars, and microbreweries are conveniently close to one another.
Some of our favorite spots include:
- Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
- Swans Brewery and Pub
- Irish Times Pub
- Bard & Banker
- CANOE Brewpub
- Driftwood Brewery
- Vancouver Island Brewing
- Phillips Brewing Tasting Room
- Hoyne Brewing Company
If you’re up for the challenge, you can visit them all on foot as they are located within a 2-3 km radius of each other.
Check out this interactive map of Victoria featuring hotels, restaurants, and attractions. For those preferring a guided tour, click here or here.
Spinnakers Brewery, a long-time favorite, is located along the Songhees Walkway.
Enjoying a flight of beer at the Irish Times pub in Victoria.
13. Tour the Magnificent Craigdarroch Castle
The Victorian-era Craigdarroch Castle is a National Historic Site in Victoria, constructed in 1890 by a prosperous coal baron during Queen Victoria’s reign. This fairy-tale castle boasts over 20,000 square feet of luxurious interior space. Learn more about the castle’s rich history here.
Check out ticket prices for entry into Craigdarroch Castle here.
Craigdarroch Castle is open from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily.
14. Explore the Victoria Bug Zoo
If you’re visiting Victoria with children, be sure to stop by the Victoria Bug Zoo, also known as the Bug Museum. This charming two-room mini-zoo is located just one block north of the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
The zoo offers an exciting chance to observe and interact with live tropical bugs from around the globe, featuring approximately 50 different species, including giant walking sticks, praying mantises, glow-in-the-dark scorpions, hairy tarantulas, and Canada’s largest ant colony.
Find the Victoria Bug Zoo’s hours of operation and entrance fees here.
15. Experience Miniature World Victoria
After visiting the Bug Zoo, take a short walk south to Miniature World, one of Victoria’s top attractions.
Miniature World is proudly known as “The Greatest Little Show On Earth!”, showcasing more than 85 miniature dioramas and displays, including the World’s Smallest Operational Sawmill and an extensive model railway.
Find the hours of operation and ticket prices for Miniature World here.
16. Visit the Maritime Museum of British Columbia
Following your trip to Miniature World, cross the street to the Maritime Museum of British Columbia. This museum features various historical artifacts, artwork, photographs, and models that look into the maritime history of the Pacific Northwest.
Check the hours of operation for the Maritime Museum of British Columbia here.
17. Wander Through Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown
Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest in Canada and the second oldest in North America, following San Francisco. Begin your visit at the Gate of Harmonious Interest, an intricately designed archway located on Fisgard Street at the entrance to Chinatown.
Fan Tan Alley is a beloved attraction within Chinatown.
Once a hub for brothels and opium dens, Fan Tan Alley derives its name from the Chinese gambling game of Fan-Tan.
Today, it is lined with a variety of unique local shops selling everything from vintage records to hand-crafted jewelry and organic snacks.
Modern-day, Fan Tan Alley is regarded as the narrowest street in Canada, and we appreciate the historic architecture and red-brick buildings that line this charming alley.
The Gate of Harmonious Interest welcomes visitors to Victoria’s Chinatown.
18. Enjoy Time at Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria is a delightful place to spend an hour or two. Indulge in Barb’s famous fish and chips while watching playful seals swim around this vibrant floating village.
At the pier, you’ll find various shops and food stalls offering freshly caught seafood, ice cream, milkshakes, mini donuts, pizza, and authentic Mexican cuisine.
The wharf is best reached via the Inner Harbour water taxi (see point #3), but you can also walk or bike along the scenic Harbour Pathway. It’s an easy 15-minute walk from the BC Parliament Buildings to Fisherman’s Wharf.
While tempting, please do NOT feed the seals or other marine wildlife.
Many travel guides may recommend feeding seals, but this activity is now prohibited by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority due to a frightening incident involving an aggressive seal. You can watch the video of the incident here.
Enjoying Barb’s famous fish and chips while at Fisherman’s Wharf.
19. Visit The Butchart Gardens
One of Victoria’s top tourist attractions, The Butchart Gardens attracts over 1 million visitors each year. Originally a limestone quarry, the gardens have since been transformed into a designated National Historic Site of Canada.
The Butchart Gardens are located just 30 minutes north of downtown Victoria. For more information on getting to The Butchart Gardens, click here.
If you don’t have your own transportation, consider joining a tour that offers daily trips from downtown Victoria to the gardens.
The summer hours of operation for Butchart Gardens are from 8:45 AM to 9:00 PM, and Christmas hours are from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Be sure to check the website for the most updated hours.
Find an interactive map of Butchart Gardens here.
Join a Butchart Gardens tour here.
20. Experience Goldstream Provincial Park
Goldstream Provincial Park, located just 16 km north of Victoria, feels like a world away from the city’s hustle and bustle. This expansive park features a variety of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels, from easy forest walks to the more challenging Mount Finlayson trail leading to the highest point in Greater Victoria.
Goldstream Park is famous for its annual salmon runs in the Goldstream River during the fall, drawing hundreds of bald eagles eager to feed on the spawning salmon. Learn more about this impressive natural spectacle here.
Goldstream Provincial Park features its own Niagara Falls.
No, not the famed falls in Southern Ontario—a smaller waterfall that cascades 48 meters from Niagara Creek. The waterfall is accessible via a short 1.3 km round-trip hike (find more info here).
The park also features Goldstream Falls, located in the southwestern area, near the campground.
A popular hiking option is the Goldstream Railway Trestle Bridge. The 3 km hike typically takes about 2 hours to complete. However, it is crucial to avoid walking on the trestle bridge as it lacks safety sidings and can be quite slippery between the beams.
Parking in Goldstream Park can become hectic during weekends. To avoid the rush, aim to arrive before 10:00 AM or after 3:00 PM.
This Goldstream Park map indicates the hiking trails, parking areas, and campgrounds. As the campground fills up quickly, it’s advisable to make reservations well in advance.
Where to Stay in Victoria?
We highly recommend the Magnolia Hotel, Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort, Fairmont Empress, and Best Western Carlton Plaza—all family-friendly options located centrally.
More family-friendly hotels in Victoria:
Check for last-minute deals on Victoria hotels at Booking.com or Hotels.com
Victoria offers an increasing number of short-term apartment rentals, providing a convenient and affordable accommodation option, especially for larger families. Search for Victoria apartment rentals here.
The stunning Fairmont Empress Hotel has been recognized by National Geographic Traveler as one of the most Iconic Hotels in the World.
Where to Dine in Victoria?
In Victoria, you’ll be spoiled for choice with countless dining options to suit every taste. Being located on the West Coast, we highly recommend indulging in seafood among the local offerings. The region is also celebrated for its high-quality sushi and Japanese cuisine.
How to Reach Victoria from Vancouver
Most travelers catch the ferry from the Tsawwassen BC Ferries Terminal (and vice versa). You can also take a bus from downtown Vancouver that will transport you directly to downtown Victoria, including the ferry crossing in the ticket price.
It’s recommended to arrive at the ferry terminal at least one hour before departure. Make sure to book a reservation in advance, especially during holiday weekends, as ferries can get busy. If you miss one, you’ll wait another two hours for the next.
The entire journey takes about four hours, including travel and waiting times.
Each ferry crossing from Vancouver to Victoria lasts approximately 1.5 hours. The drive from Vancouver to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal takes around 45 minutes, depending on traffic, while the drive from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal to downtown Victoria is about 30 minutes.
For a faster journey, consider taking a float plane or Helijet from downtown Vancouver. If you only have one day to spend in Victoria, the float plane or helicopter is the most efficient and convenient option.
Have you explored the enchanting city of Victoria?
We would love to hear your recommendations for things to do in Victoria in the comments below.
For more adventures, check out these posts from British Columbia:
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