Arriving in Victoria feels a bit different from most cities in Canada. It’s smaller, easy to get around, and everything seems to centre around the harbour. You’ve got the water right there, floatplanes coming and going, and plenty of spots where you can just slow down and take it in for a bit.
What I liked most is how walkable it is. You can spend the morning wandering around the Inner Harbour, head over to Fisherman’s Wharf, and then be out along the coast or in a park not long after. At the same time, Victoria works really well as a base, as you can get out on the water for whale watching, or head off on a day trip without needing to plan anything too complicated.
In this guide about things to do in Victoria BC, I’ll walk you through the best things, from the main highlights to a few easy add-ons.
Best Things to Do in Victoria (Quick List)
- Whale Watching
- Inner Harbour Walk and Victoria Sightseeing
- Butchart Gardens
- Beacon Hill Park
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Day Trips from Victoria
Top Experiences in Victoria
Go Whale Watching
One of the most popular activities in Victoria is going on a Whale Watching tour. These tours are available from a number of companies; I used Eagle Wing Tours. You can read about my experiences on a Victoria Whale Watching tour, where I saw Humpbacks, a family of Orcas (one of the best places in Canada to see them), and Sea Lions. It was an amazing day on the water.
Walk Around the Inner Harbour
For visitors to Victoria, the Inner Harbour is the center of things. There are many hotels, heritage carriage rides, restaurants, the Royal BC Museum, Thunderbird Park with totem poles located next door, and most tours depart from there.
While there are restaurants located on the Inner Harbour, they can get busy, so it is best to have reservations. And leading off the Inner Harbour is Government Street, which is the main shopping area and has lots of restaurants.
Visit Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens is the number one attraction in the Victoria area. After entering and taking a photo opportunity by the colourful display, I headed left and down some stairs to the sunken gardens, with crowds of other people, to see some of the 900 varieties of plants in the gardens.
I continued following the wide sidewalk in a clockwise direction to the Rose Gardens, and through some arches to the Japanese Gardens on a hillside. Then over to the Italian and Mediterranean Gardens. I stopped for gelato along the way and visited the massive gift shop. There is also a cafe on the grounds.
This is a must-do if visiting the Victoria area. If you do not have a car, you can take the Butchart Gardens Express, which offers various departure times.
Explore Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is located further down, in the harbour, and I took a pleasant walk to reach it, but most people drive; there is a paid parking area. Another option is to take a ferry (also known as pickle boats) from the Empress Dock (on the Inner Harbour) for the 10 to 15 minute ride.
The area is very colourful and casual, and it’s where my whale-watching tour departed from.
Explore Downtown Victoria
Take a guided Victoria Food and History tour, which, besides the tastings, includes highlights such as the Parliament Buildings, the Inner Harbour, Fan Tan Alley, and the Victoria Public Market. In the evening, there is the Ghostly Walking Tour with chilling stories about the history of Victoria.
Another way to get around is the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus with commentary, which stops at the major sights around the city.
Walk Through Beacon Hill Park
Beacon Hill Park is located close to downtown and just off Dallas Road. There are natural areas, manicured flower beds, footpaths, and a 127-foot totem pole. It is also the site of Mile Zero of the Trans Canada Trail. It is included on the Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing tour.
Outdoor Activities in Victoria
Cycling in the Victoria Area and along the Coast
The Inner Harbour Pathway is a 5 km walking and cycling route from Ogden Point to Rock Bay and includes Fisherman’s Wharf along the way. Bicycle and e-bike rentals are available.
There is a guided city highlights and coastal bike ride tour available with an eBike option.
The Seaside route goes along the Inner Harbour, towards Beacon Hill Park, through Oak Bay to the Uplands and on to Cordova Bay. If you want to travel further, the route connects to the Lochside Trail and the Galloping Goose Trail.
The Lochside Trail is a picturesque, 29 km-long, multi-use rail trail stretching from Swartz Bay to Victoria, with coastal views along beaches, farmland, and wetlands.
Meanwhile, the Galloping Goose Regional Trail is a 55 km trail connecting Victoria to Sooke, passing through scenic rural areas and rugged coastal landscapes near its western end. Part of the Trans Canada Trail, it goes through forests and includes trestle bridges.
Coastal Walks
The main coastal walks include the 5 km one around the Inner Harbour. Also popular is the Dallas Road Waterfront Trail, which is known for its sunsets. Most of the cycling routes above are also pedestrian-friendly.
Best Day Trips from Victoria
- Gulf Islands – just off Vancouver Island, a group of islands that can be reached via BC Ferries. You will want to visit the Saturday Market in Salt Spring, do some hiking, and see the local wineries and artisan markets. Many of the islands are part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
- Malahat Skywalk – located north of Victoria, the Malahat Skywalk includes an elevated forest walk followed by a winding ramp up the tower for superb views of the islands and even parts of Washington State on a clear day.
- Wine Tour and Charcuterie – while I didn’t take this particular wine tour, I went to a nearby cider house, also on the Saanich Peninsula, and was surprised by the quality.
- Sooke – can be reached along a cycling trail or a 38 km drive. Once there, enjoy the rugged coastal scenery while hiking the trails.
- Panoramic Seaplane Tour – soar on this seaplane tour over Victoria’s stunning coastline with breathtaking views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Olympic Mountains, Saanich Peninsula, and the city from the sky.
- Cathedral Grove – at 176 km, is a bit further for a day trip to see the rainforests of Vancouver Island.
- Outdoor Adventures – some of the best opportunities to view nature and the scenic coast. There are other Victoria Day Trip tours for a more enjoyable stay, and even a tour to see Grizzly Bears from Campbell River.
Where to Stay in Victoria
When visiting Victoria for a short stay, you will want to stay in the Inner Harbour area so you have easy access to everything. You can find accommodation with booking.com.
Best Time to Visit Victoria
Summer: is the peak season, and you may find restaurants and hotels busy, so book early.
Spring/Fall: there are fewer crowds, but still with a mild climate. Some of the tours, especially the whale watching, operate on a reduced schedule.
Tips for Visiting Victoria
- Walkability – most places in Victoria are a short walk (or cycle) away.
- Book tours early – my tour was full during my September visit, so book early to avoid disappointment
- Reserve restaurants – I did not have a restaurant on my first day and had difficulty finding availability, so make reservations
- Plan around ferry/arrival – if coming from Vancouver, you may want to head right to Butchart Gardens, as it is on the way from the ferry terminal to Victoria
- Island tour – it is easy to include these activities during a Vancouver Island tour.
Final Thoughts
Victoria is a great starting point for visiting Vancouver Island, with so much to offer, including whale watching and the ability to walk around.
I continued on a one-week tour of the rest of Vancouver Island, including Cathedral Grove, Tofino, Ucluelet, and Campbell River.
