Top 10 things to do in Victoria, Vancouver Island

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia sits on beautiful Vancouver Island and is arguably one of Canada’s most picturesque cities, with the surrounding area home to dramatic mountain and ocean vistas. Victoria boasts colourful gardens, a lovely harbour, magnificent architecture and a rich British ancestry that can be glimpsed through its horse-drawn carriages, tearooms and double-decker buses. The city is also a renowned international hub of culture, art and food. With so much beauty, and such a wide range of experiences, it can be hard to know where to begin, but these top 10 things to do in Victoria will give you a great head start for an unforgettable holiday.

#10

Explore the museums

Where: Across the city

What: Victoria is bursting with museums that offer the visitor a chance to get to know the city and the region’s fascinating past as well as its modern delights. Whether you want to learn about aviation, find out about its maritime history, explore the centre of the universe or browse fine art, you’ll find it here.

Highlights: The Royal BC Museum is often named as Canada’s very best museum and one of Victoria’s premier attractions It includes exhibits focused on both natural and human history and boasts some seven million artifacts and three-quarters of a million specimens. it also hosts numerous renowned exhibits including collections from the RMS Titanic, the Vikings, Genghis Khan and Leonardo da Vinci. Its Natural History gallery showcases the province’s rainforest and coastal ecosystems, from the ice age through today, while the Modern History gallery displays Victoria’s frontier town past. The museum also has its own IMAX theatre that presents National Geographic films, and occasionally popular Hollywood titles as well. Those interested in the area’s nautical history should also visit the hands-on Maritime Museum of British Columbia, while the Craigdarroch Castle, Emily Carr House and Helmcken House all provide an excellent look at daily life here in the 19th century.

Royal BC Museum - Credit: Destination Greater Victoria

#9

Eat, drink and be entertained at Fisherman’s Wharf

Where: 1 Dallas Road

What: Picturesque Fisherman’s Wharf sits along the waterfront and offers the chance to take part in all sorts of activities, with many tours, including whale-watching excursions that depart from here. You could easily spend an afternoon just gazing at the boats that come in and out of the harbour, watching for seals, and checking out the unique shops and food kiosks.

Highlights: Some of the best fresh-off-the-boat seafood can be enjoyed here at the wharf, at Barb’s Fish & Chips, which floats in the Inner Harbour. This eatery is renowned for its mouth-watering fish ‘n’ chips, and you can enjoy dining on the open-air picnic tables while you watch the seals splash in the water and the sea planes taking off and landing.

Fisherman’s Wharf - Credit: Destination Greater Victoria

#8

Take a trip to the top of the Malahat Skywalk

Where: On the Trans Canada Highway, half an hour from Victoria – you can either drive or pick up the shuttle from downtown

What: A beautiful construction offering breathtaking views, high among the trees and surrounded by sea, built to honour the environment of the Malahat Nation of the Coast Salish Peoples. The low gradient TreeWalk and Spiral Tower is accessible to most and you can ascend and descend this way. Or you can opt to take the lovely return nature trail which is over more rugged terrain.

Highlights: The Tree Walk is a wooden walkway elevating you 20 metres into the forest canopy, with driftwood art pieces along the 600m route. The Spiral Tower offers completely unobstructed 360-degree views of the Saanich Inlet, Mount Baker,the islands between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia and Washington state. After enjoying the panoramic views you have two options, head back the way you came or take the quick way down on the 20m spiral slide! And you can do it as many times as you like!

Malahat Skywalk - Credit: Destination Greater Victoria & Tyler Cave

#7

Tour the magnificent British Columbia Parliament Buildings

Where: 501 Belleville Street

What: This collection of grand Parliament Buildings located on the Inner Harbour are a sight to see, with their stained glass, domes and turrets. Home to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, this is where the province’s elected representatives meet to shape its future through debates and passing laws.

Highlights: The Parliament Buildings are open to the public for free tours, which you should book online and remember to bring your photo identification. Take the 50-minute guided tour to discover the history of the province and learn about the architectural delights of the beloved heritage building as well as the parliamentary process. You can also enjoy lunch at the parliamentary, Dining Room which offers delicious meals made with fresh B.C. ingredients. Be sure to reserve your table in advance!

 
Victoria Parliament Buildings – Credit: Destination Greater Victoria

#6

Drive the Pacific Marine Circle Route

Where: Highway 1, Highway 14, Pacific Marine Road, Cowichan Valley Highway

What: Pacific Marine Circle Route can be hiked, biked or travelled by car. It features gorgeous beaches and parks, mammoth-sized trees and ancient forests, journeying from Vancouver Island’s east coast through the mountains of Lake Cowichan, along the west coast and then back to Victoria. In between the many sights are plenty of restaurants and interesting shops hosted in charming coastal communities to pop into as well.

Highlight: This 184-mile route can be accomplished in a day, even with the frequent stops you’ll want to make along the way. It features regular sets of steps that lead down to the sea along with multiple scenic viewpoints for those postcard-perfect shots. Travelling west, your first stop should be just outside the town of Sooke to visit Sooke Potholes Provincial Park set along the Sooke River. It’s known for its unique rock formation, formed during the last ice age millions of years ago. Next is Port Renfrew, surrounded by dense forests and famous for its saltwater fishing. This area is also known for its extended hiking trails, including the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail that follows the coast of Vancouver Island and offers breathtaking views of the island-strewn waters as well as the chance to spot all sorts of marine life, including whales, bald eagles and sea lions. At the BC Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan, you can wander the forest and marsh trails of this open-air museum for some outstanding bird watching, and an impressive train collection which were used on throughout the island in the early 20th century.

 
Botanical Beach – Credit: Credit Destination Greater Victoria & Matt Shannon

#5

Explore Butchart Gardens

Where: 800 Benvenuto Avenue

What: The Butchart Gardens are one of the reasons Victoria is often referred to as the “City of Gardens.” Considered one of the world’s top display gardens, it was started by Jenny Butchart who wanted to beautify the barren pits her husband’s limestone mining company had left on their property. Owned by the same family today, the majority of its 55 acres are open to the public. All total, there are 700 varieties of plants that are in bloom between March and October.

Highlights: Butchart includes sections of various styles and an especially breathtaking rose garden that contains some 300 different species. The Rose Garden is at its peak from late June through September, and if you arrive earlier in the summer you’ll see the extraordinary delphiniums that provide a dramatic backdrop to the blooming roses where butterflies flitter about in between. Visit the gardens in the spring to witness the stunning first blooms, which come earlier than most other places in Canada due to Victoria’s favourable climate.  Come on a Saturday evening during summertime, and you’ll not only get to view the colourful array of flowers, but a fabulous fireworks display.

 
Butchart Gardens – Credit: Destination Greater Victoria

#4

Check-in to (or just check out) the Fairmont Empress

Where: 721 Government Street

What: The Fairmont Empress Hotel is popular for both its romantic, colonial setting on the banks of the Inner Harbour, boasting spectacular bay views as well as its interesting history. Numerous big-name celebrities and members of royalty have stayed at The Fairmont Empress over the years, enjoying modern amenities like an indulgent spa and Q at the Empress & Q Bar, considered a culinary experience, as well as its historical charms.

Highlights: Experiencing the hotel’s historical grandeur will provide you with an excellent taste of what the city was like when the hotel opened back in 1908. It was designed by Francis Rattenbury for Canadian Pacific Hotels as a terminus hotel for the Canadian Pacific Railway and boasts lavish guest rooms that perfectly blend the hotel’s history and the natural beauty of the west coast for the epitome of modern luxury. If you’re just visiting as a day guest, be sure to take advantage of Afternoon Tea, visitors arrive from far and wide to enjoy this tradition that began when the hotel opened, well over a century ago.

 
Fairmont Empress – Credit: Destination Greater Victoria

#3

Browse, window shop & pick up souvenirs

Where: Government Street and LoJo

What: Victoria offers an excellent shopping scene and one of the best spots is on historic Government Street between Humboldt and Johnson Streets – with Lower Johnson Street known locally as “LoJo”. Browse souvenirs, peruse high-quality retail shops and see the remnants of the city’s early days as Fort Victoria.

Highlights: The setting alone makes taking a stroll along Government Street an unforgettable experience – you’ll see the city’s British heritage in the many shops that feature items like Irish lace, Scottish tartans, English wool and bone china, and, whenever you need a break, a cup of tea is only steps away. There are also stores specializing in First Nations art, fashion, jewellery, Canadian goods and more.

Johnson Street - Credit: Destination Greater Victoria

#2

Savour the cool culinary scene

Where: Inner Harbour and Downtown Victoria

What: Victoria is well-known for its exciting craft cocktail and microbrew pubs which you can enjoy pre or post a delicious dinner.

Highlights: Reputedly the best seafood spot in Victoria, Blue Crab Seafood House is an Inner Harbour gem where you can enjoy fresh-daily seafood either in the cozy interior or out on the terrace with great views of the harbour. The unique Ugly Duckling Restaurant is all about the rich cultural heritage of North America's second oldest Chinatown – Their fine dining setting and ever-changing menu will certainly impress. . The ingredients used at 10 Acres Kitchen are mostly sourced from their organic farm in North Saanich, and if not from local like-minded farmers – the best way to enjoy the superb food is the five-course tasting menu. Victoria is also home to the best new restaurant in Canada in 2024; Marilena Café & Raw Bar.  


 
Marilena Restaurant - Credit: Destination Greater Victoria & Alison Kuhl

#1

Get out on the water to see myriad wildlife

Where: Across the city

What: There are numerous boat excursions that can be taken from Victoria, and getting out on the water is really a must while you’re here. In fact, it may be the highlight of your entire holiday. You can take a guided tour of the harbour by kayak and spot eagles, seals and seaplanes as well as learn about the buildings along the historic waterways. Even through the winter, you can enjoy a wildlife cruise in a semi-covered boat which thoughtfully provides extra hats and blankets for those particularly chilly days.

Highlights: Eagle Wing Tours is one of the best if you hope to see the area’s whales and other wildlife. It offers a number of exciting options that include the chance to view majestic orcas in the wild and possibly migrating humpback whales too. From March to October every year, thousands of whales migrate through the waters that surround Victoria, making it one of the best locations on Earth for whale watching. During the peak of the season, from mid-May through the end of October, sightings are guaranteed, which means if you don’t see whales, you’ll be invited back free for another try – this rarely happens, but that means you may want to book your excursion earlier during your holiday, just in case. We’re huge fans of Eagle Wing Tours who are Canada’s first 100% carbon neutral whale-watching company, with a fun team who work hard to protect the marine ecosystem.

 
Credit: Destination Greater Victoria