21 Tourist Places to Visit and Things to Do in Victoria, BC, Canada

October 25, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 2301 Views

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia province in Canada. Some of the best things to do in Victoria include whale watching, historical sightseeing, museum tours, natural exploration, and learning about the First Nations.

This coastal city sits on the southern coast of Vancouver Island. Named after Queen Victoria, the city’s history goes back to the 1700s. Many of the best places to visit in Victoria, BC hail from the time of First Nations in the region. The collection of communities called Coast Salish First Nations flourished in the region leaving behind many historical and cultural landmarks. The most famous among these are totem poles, which have become some of the most iconic things to see in Victoria.

Around 1843, the first British settlement was established in the region. You will see many of Victoria’s tourist attractions from the colonial period. Among landmarks from this period, the government buildings and private castles still retain much of their original splendors. The historical aspect of Victoria sightseeing also includes a lighthouse, castle, palace, hotels, museums, port area, docks, churches, and cultural centers.

Victoria is also dubbed “Garden City”, owing to its vast and numerous green spaces. You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities to do in Victoria. There are several nature parks and gardens exhibiting wonderful horticulture. These are parks are facilitated for sports, games, picnics, walking trails, and more.

Just outside the city, you can further explore natural landscapes such as forests, coastal cliffs, mountains, islands, marine life, and more. Whale-watching tours and boat cruises are among the biggest Victoria attractions. You can also find interesting ways to explore the city with Seaplane and Helicopter tours. These tours take you on a cruise above the city with a guide who tells you the story of the city and major Victoria tourist spots.

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Table of Contents

The Top 21 Tourist Places to Visit in Victoria, BC in 5 Days (Trip Itinerary)

If you are planning to spend only one day in Victoria, then here I have listed out some of the best tours and activities that you should do while you are in Victoria. You can choose any of the below-mentioned tours or activities as per your interest.

Day 1

1. British Columbia Parliament Buildings / Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Completed in 1898, these government buildings were designed by Francis Rattenbury. It is one of the best places to visit in Victoria, BC to admire the magnificent architecture. The buildings are designed like European palaces blending elements of colonial, neoclassical, and gothic. The building is especially known for various statues that adorn the building including that of Queen Victoria, Chief Maquinna, Captain George Vancouver, Sir Alexander McKenzie, and many more. You will need about an hour or so to tour these government buildings.

2. Royal British Columbia Museum

This museum focuses on the natural and anthropological history of British Columbia. But, it is also considered one of the finest Victoria tourist attractions to learn about the overall culture of Canada. The museum has thousands of artifacts concerning zoology, geology, biology, culture, religion, warfare, politics, lifestyle, art, and so on. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

3. Thunderbird Park

This park exhibits a collection of various totem poles associated with different First Nations People. It is one of the most interesting things to see in Victoria. The park is designed as a reflection of the early culture of the British Columbia region. You will also see two of the oldest buildings in BC inside this park. You will need about an hour to explore this park.

4. Victoria Bug Zoo

This museum houses several insects from 40 species. Besides watching the insects, children can interact with a few of them. It is one of the most fun things to do in Victoria, BC, Canada for family tourists. You will need about an hour to explore this zoo.

5. Fairmont Empress Hotel

The Empress is a landmark hotel and it is one of the oldest hotels in the city. The hotel is known for its iconic architecture, lush interiors, and various celebrities that have lived here. You can visit this hotel for entertainment, leisure, and fine dining. You will need 30 to 45 minutes from Victoria sightseeing to tour this hotel.

6. Inner Harbour

This is definitely one of the most picturesque harbors in the world. The harbor serves commercial ships, small cruises, and boats for recreational activities. It is one of the most interesting Victoria attractions. You can board a ferry or water taxi from this harbor to get to places in the city. You can also take lunch or dinner cruises. You will need about an hour for this place.

Day 2

1. Butchart Gardens

Named after Jenny Butchart, this garden complex has horticulture of different themes. You will see the Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Rose Garden, and more. You will also get to enjoy recreational activities you can enjoy at this garden. It is one of the best Victoria tourist spots to relax and have leisurely strolls. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to explore this entire garden complex.

I suggest you should book a Private Tour of Butchart Gardens in advance.

2. Victoria Butterfly Gardens

This garden has a computer-controlled environment that recreates several terrains. You will get to see more than 70 specifies of butterflies fluttering around in this garden. There is also a nursery where about 400 butterflies hatch every week. You will need about an hour from Victoria travel to tour this butterfly garden.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket to Victoria Butterfly Gardens in advance.

3. Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site

Built between 1895 and 1956, this was an artillery fortress. On the hill, you will also get to tour the secret bunker and military installations. The museum of the fort has a collection of memorabilia items that tells the personal stories of the soldiers. It is one of the most overwhelming places to explore when you visit Victoria, BC, Canada. You will need about an hour to tour this fort hill.

4. Fisgard Lighthouse

This is one of the oldest lighthouse on the western coast of Canada. The lighthouse gives you an amazing view of the coast and the ocean. It is one of the best historical places to see in Victoria. You can participate in role-play activities at this lighthouse. Though you cannot get to the very top, you can still play the role of a mariner at this lighthouse. You will need 30 to 45 minutes for this lighthouse.

5. Hatley Park National Historic Site

This historic park has a castle, gardens, walking trails, and more. The castle features classical Scottish and romanesque architecture. It is one of the most interesting historical and recreational tourist places in Victoria. You will need 2 hours to tour this area.

Day 3

1. Beacon Hill Park

Spread over 200 acres, this oceanside park is one of the largest in the city. It is best known for its shoreline trails, sports facilities, picnic areas, and recreational activities. The park is home to the fourth-largest fountain in the world. The park also has ponds, a pebble bridge, a fountain lake, a totem pole, birds, animals, and more. You can enjoy several fun activities to do in Victoria at this park. You will need about an hour to explore this park.

I suggest you should try a Heritage Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Beacon Hill Park.

2. Emily Carr House

This museum is dedicated to the life and work of Canadian artist Emily Carr. The house once used to be the residence of Emily. Aside from her life, you will also get to learn about the First Nation culture and her influence on other artists. It is a nice downtown Victoria, BC attraction for those interested in art and culture. You will need about 30 minutes to tour this museum.

3. Craigdarroch Castle

This iconic castle was built by Robert Dunsmuir. The 4 story structure exhibits romanesque architectural elements and is also known for its lush interior decor and woodwork. As you tour this castle you will see period pieces and original artifacts from the Victorian period. The castle is also known for its stained glass windows. It is one of the best things to do in Victoria, BC, Canada for those interested in history and antique items. You will need 2 hours to tour this castle.

I suggest you should try a Pedicab Tour of Craigdarroch Castle.

4. Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

This museum features a collection of modern and historical artworks created by several artists from the Victoria region. It also has a few Canadian and International pieces of art. It is one of the best places to visit in Victoria, BC for art admirers. The museum has more than 20,000 pieces of art, making it one of the largest art collections in British Columbia. You will need 2 hours to tour this art museum.

5. Christ Church Cathedral

This church was built around 1856 and is known for its Gothic architecture. Each pillar of the cathedral has a sculpture of a nested robin bird. It is said that during construction, a robin bird was nested on the pillars, and the construction was halted until the bird abandoned the site. The church has several architectural features that make it one of the most beautiful things to see in Victoria. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this cathedral.

Day 4

1. Goldstream Provincial Park

This large nature park has ponds, forests, rivers, waterfalls, rock cliffs, and more. You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities to do in Victoria at his park. It is popular for nature trails, hiking, wildlife, birdwatching, nature photography, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this park.

2. Maritime Museum of British Columbia

This is the oldest maritime museum in western Canada. It has more than 35,000 artifacts including, charts, photographs, maritime equipments, vessels, weapons, ship models, flags, uniforms, and more. It is one of the most interesting Victoria tourist attractions. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

3. Miniature World

This museum has 85 miniature models of real locations and scenes from fiction. You will see exhibits of the Canadian Railway, Wonderful Circus, Buckingham Palace, Old London, King Arthur’s Lancelot, and more. You will need 2 hours from Victoria sightseeing to tour this museum.

Day 5

1. Whale Watching Adventure

Whale watching is one of the best things to do in Victoria, BC, Canada. You can take a boat to venture into the ocean to see whales galloping. You will get to see killer whales peeping through the waves and occasionally sprouting water in the air. You will need about 2 hours for a whale-watching tour.

I suggest you must book a Tour of Whale Watching Adventure in advance.

2. Seaplane Tour

After exploring the ocean, it is time to take to the air. You can enjoy Victoria sightseeing with a seaplane ride. The guided tour takes you to major landmarks of the city and tells you about its history of the city. You will also get to fly over the coastal region of the city. You will need at least an hour for this aerial tour.

I suggest you should try a Panorama Tour of Victoria by Seaplane.

If you are looking for more places to see in Victoria, BC, then check out the sections below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of attractions and activities you can explore in and around the city.

Things to do in Victoria

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Victoria

British Columbia Aviation Museum
Emily Carr House
Legislative Buildings
Miniature World
Royal British Columbia Museum
Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum
Royal BC Museum
Legislative Buildings of British Columbia
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Maritime Museum of British Columbia
Government House
Thunderbird Park
The Bateman Gallery
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens
Madrona Gallery
Ross Bay Cemetery
Mile Zero Monument
Christ Church Cathedral
Helmcken House Pioneer Doctor’s Residence
Fort Rodd Hill
Fisgard Lighthouse NHS
St. Andrew’s Cathedral
Legacy Art Gallery
Hatley Castle
Wentworth Villa Architectural Heritage Museum
World’s Tallest Free Standing Totem Pole
Ross Bay Villa
CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum
Craigflower Manor & Schoolhouse

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Victoria

Beacon Hill Park
Gonzales Hill Regionals Park
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
Mount Tolmie
Thetis Lake
Esquimalt Lagoon
Galloping Goose Trail
Francis Regional Park
Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Mill Hill Regional Park
Mt Doug
Durrance Lake
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Beaver Lake Regional Park
West Shawnigan Lake
Cordova Bay Beach

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Victoria

Butchart Gardens
Victoria Bug Zoo
Abkhazi Gardens & Teahouse
Children’s Farm at Beacon Hill
Topaz Park
Esquimalt George Park
Holland Point Park
Macaulay Point Park
Victoria Golf Club
Finnerty Gardens
Uplands Park
Mount Tolmie Park
Cadboro Gyro Park
Willows Park
Wildplay Victoria
The Gardens at HCP
Cattle Point Dark Sky Urban Star Park
Beckwith Park
Elements Casino

Shopping in Victoria

Fort Street
Lower Johnson Street
Fan Tan Alley
Victoria Public Market
Cook Street
Ship Point Market
Bastion Square Public Market
The Bay Center
Mayfair Shopping Center
Market Square
Lo Jo Shopping District
Chinatown
Store Street

Beaches & Islands in Victoria

Clover Point
Willows Beach
Gonzales Bay
Saxe Point Beach
Macaulay Point Beach
Cattle Point Beach
McNeil Bay
Cadboro Bay
Trial Island
Discovery Island
Cadboro Gyro
Island View Beach
Arbutus Cove

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Victoria

Seaplane Tour
Helicopter Tour
Hiking
Trekking
Whale Watching Tour
Boat Cruise
Horse Carriage Tour
Wine Tours
A Taste of Victoria Food Tours
Lake Swimming
Kayaking

Sightseeing in Victoria

Chinatown
Inner Harbour
Government Street
Fisherman’s wharf Park
Fan Tan Alley
Bastion Square
Dallas Road
Johnson Street
Fort Street
St. Ann’s Academy and Auditorium
Ogden Point Terminal
Johnson Street Bridge
Downtown Victoria
Centennial Square

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Victoria

10 Acres Bistro
Red Fish Blue Fish
Aura Waterfront Restaurant
Willows Galley Fish & Chips
Brasserie L’Ecole
Oak Bay Seafood
Saveur
Flying Otter Grill
Nubo Japanese Tapas
Irish Times Pub
II Terrazzo
Bard & Banker
Fishhook
Finest at Sea
Cafe Brio
My Chosen Cafe
Blue Fox Cafe
Frankie’s Modern Diner
Ithaka Greek Restaurant
Chocolate Favoris
Jam Cafe
John’s Place Restaurant

Where to Stay in Victoria?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Victoria. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Victoria.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Victoria

How to Reach Victoria?

By Air

The city is served by Victoria International Airport. You can get direct flights to reach Victoria from Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Seattle, Ottawa, and many more. You can take a bus or cab to get to the city from the airport.

By Road

As Victoria sits on an island, there are no direct trains to get to this city. You can get buses for Victoria travel from several cities on the island including Sidney, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port McNeil, and more. You can also get a direct bus from Vancouver International Airport to get to this city. The route takes a combination of a bus ride and a ferry ride. There are also several interstate buses that connect Victoria to cities in neighbouring states of British Columbia.

If you are planning to reach Victoria by road, you should head for routes Trans-Canada Highway 1, BC 14, or BC 17.

By Water

There are quite a few options to visit Victoria by sea route. You can get direct ferries from Vancouver, Seattle, Washington, San Juan Islands, Anacortes, and Sidney. Several small and large cruise ships also dock at this city’s harbour and include Victoria sightseeing in their itinerary. People can also use sailing boats, yachts, and private cruise boats to tour between Vancouver and Victoria.

Image Reference

British Columbia Parliament Buildings / Legislative Assembly of British Columbia – faungg’s photos / Flickr
Royal British Columbia Museum – Michal Klajban / Wikimedia Commons
Thunderbird Park – Jasperdo / Flickr
Victoria Bug Zoo – gehat / Flickr
Fairmont Empress Hotel – Oriol Salvador / Flickr
Inner Harbour – Janusz Sliwinski / Flickr
Butchart Gardens – abdallahh / Flickr
Victoria Butterfly Gardens – Lotus Johnson / Flickr
Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site – Jacques Beaulieu / Flickr
Fisgard Lighthouse – cmh2315fl / Flickr
Hatley Park National Historic Site – Oriol Salvador / Flickr
Beacon Hill Park – Federico Moroni / Flickr
Emily Carr House – dronepicr / Flickr
Craigdarroch Castle – Tracy O / Flickr
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria – Joe Mabel / Flickr
Christ Church Cathedral – Joe Mabel / Flickr
Goldstream Provincial Park – J Jackson / Flickr
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia – Otto Rapp / Flickr
Miniature World – markni123 / Flickr
Whale Watching Adventure – Kevstan / Wikimedia Commons
Seaplane Tour – Janusz Sliwinski / Flickr