Uncovering the Best Things To Do in Victoria, BC: An In-Depth Guide

This post is all about the best things to do in Victoria, BC and includes an in-depth guide to visiting Victoria.

Victoria, BC is the perfect combination between city life and nature! It’s well known for being the capital city of British Columbia bringing with it a historic charm that can be found just about everywhere in the city. For being such an important city, Victoria still has a small town feel. The beautiful harbour, bike trails, incredible parks, wildlife and plethora of small businesses makes this city such a unique and special place. If you want to read more about Victoria’s history you can check out Tourism Victoria.

In this guide I’ll be covering it all, including some free things to do in Victoria, BC!

What is the best time of the year to visit Victoria, BC?

Visiting Victoria in the shoulder season offers great weather, affordable prices and avoids peak tourist season seen during the summer months.

• During spring (April-June), the weather ranges between 14-20 degrees Celsius with minimal rain. It’s the perfect time of year to go whale watching!
• The fall months (September-October) are just as beautiful offering similar temperatures to spring with perhaps a few more rainy days. You will find beautiful fall colours and excellent weather for hiking.
• Summer (July-August) is also a lovely time to visit although it’s a little busier. The city is alive with activities, and with the perfect weather brings great beach days, cycling, restaurant patios, farmers markets, festivals and kayaking in the harbour!

How To Get There

There are multiple options for getting to Victoria, BC including by sea and plane:

By Sea:

Taking the ferry to Victoria is a great option especially if you’re driving! There are options from numerous access points from both the U.S. and mainland British Columbia. Make sure you book in advance as ferries do fill up quickly as they are a very popular option for accessing Vancouver Island.

How long is the ferry ride from Vancouver to Victoria?

The ferry travel time is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes but the entire journey from Vancouver City to Victoria is a total of about 3.5 hours.

By Plane:

Fly into Victoria International Airport from almost anywhere in the world. If you’re looking for affordable flights to Victoria, check out Hopper.

Know Before You Go

Is Victoria expensive to visit?

Victoria is less expensive than many cities in the United States and has similar prices to visiting other cities in Canada.

Accommodation can range from $75 CAD (budget) – $300 CAD (luxury) per night. Meals range from $10 CAD (budget) – $50 CAD (luxury) per meal. Victoria is a very walkable city so transportation costs are low or non-existent. If needed you can take public transit, rent a bike (budget) or car (luxury) to get around the city. Activities can range from free (yay) to $140+ CAD. Your budget can drastically change depending on which activities you are interested in. 

So, is it worth it to go to Victoria, BC?

Yes! Victoria has so much to offer and can be visited on a very reasonable budget. I am certain you will fall in love with the nature, history and food! This city on Vancouver Island shouldn’t be missed when exploring Canada.

How many days should I spend in Victoria, BC?

3-4 days is an excellent amount of time to get an introduction to the city and visit the main sights. If you’re looking to explore more of the city and surrounding areas such as Mount Tolmie or Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, I would recommend 1 week as the perfect amount of time to visit Victoria. 

Is one day enough in Victoria?

If you’re taking a day trip from Vancouver or Washington, you can easily pack your day full of things to do in Victoria. This is a great way to see the city but if you have time I would recommend you spend a little longer to truly enjoy everything Victoria has to offer.

What should I pack?

What to pack for a trip to Victoria, BC will vary greatly depending on the season. 

Spring and Fall: 

If you’re visiting in the shoulder seasons, I would recommend bringing multiple layers as the days are warm but the mornings and nights are cooler. This includes mittens and a hat. Also bring a waterproof jacket, especially in the fall as there is the possibility of rain. 

Summer: 

In summer weather you can pack a variety of shorts, t-shirts, skirts, dresses and comfortable walking shoes. Don’t forget sun protection such as sunscreen and a hat! 

Winter: 

In the winter months it’s important to have a warm, waterproof and windproof jacket due to the increase in rainy days and cold weather. I would also recommend thermal layers, warm, waterproof shoes, mittens, a scarf, and a hat. 

Where To Stay in Victoria

Most accommodation will fall in the range of $100-$200 per night, although in the high season prices may be more expensive. I would recommend that you look for accommodation closer to the harbour as this area is close to downtown and therefore very walkable. Unless you are driving your own vehicle, staying close to the harbour will definitely save you money on transportation. I’ve included some budget options for those looking to stay under $100 per night but they are limited. Regardless, the two options I’ve listed are great in terms of location and cleanliness but keep in mind the price may go up depending on the season.

Stays under $200/night

Days Inn by Wyndham Victoria On The Harbour: Excellent central location with a year round hot tub

The Embassy Inn: Less than 200m to the Victoria Causeway Harbour, includes free breakfast

Oswego Hotel: A 5 minute walk from the downtown core with a beautiful interior

Hotel Rialto: Pets are allowed at this hotel, it is centrally located in downtown

Robert Porter House Inn: Beautiful heritage home in the heart of downtown, a very unique stay

Royal Scot Hotel & Suites: Excellent location with an indoor pool and hot tub, offers a free shuttle from the Clipper Ferry

Stays under $100/night

Ocean Island Inn: Hostel located in the city centre, full shared kitchen is available along with a laundromat, great for solo travellers

Charming Chinatown Quarters: A unique apartment stay in the heart of Chinatown, includes a full kitchen and washing machine

Best Things to Do in Victoria, BC

1) Victoria’s Chinatown – the oldest in Canada

Wandering through the beautiful alleys in Victoria’s Chinatown is so much fun. The little hidden courtyards, cute shops and delicious food make this a must visit location in Victoria. If you’re a history buff, feel free to read about the history of Canada’s oldest Chinatown here. 

2) Walk through downtown, explore the unique shops, go to Market Square & enjoy the cafe culture

There is so much to see in Victoria’s downtown and that includes both eating and shopping! I would recommend a food tour to fully cover all that Victoria’s food scene has to offer (and it’s a lot). One of my favourite places is Market Square, make sure you stop by Green Cuisine for a delicious vegetarian meal and wander in and out of the shops in the square looking at all of the cute and unique items they have to offer. In addition, the cafe culture in Victoria is amazing! If you love coffee, you’re in the right place. I would recommend you visit Union Pacific Coffee Shop (try the scones) and Habit Coffee.

Tours:

These are great tours that I loved and will help introduce you to downtown Victoria – the walking tour is less than $10 CAD so don’t miss it! In addition, I’ve included a self-guided audio tour that covers both downtown and the harbour area which great for budget travellers or those who like to go at their own pace. Also I added a ghost walking tour which is highly rated and sounds like fun if you’re a fan of haunted stories!

Explore my favourite downtown Victoria tours on Viator ⬇️

3) Walk through the Victoria Causeway Marina and watch for seaplanes

One of the most unique things about Victoria is the island life which includes boats and seaplanes. The seaplane airport is just outside the Causeway Marina. It’s a beautiful walk around the harbour no matter the season and you’ll definitely catch sight of multiple seaplanes. Watching them take off and land is very cool! 

4) Have a picnic in Beacon Hill Park

Beacon Hill Park is famous for being “Mile Zero” on the 8000 km cross-Canada road trip via the Trans-Canada Highway. It is a beautiful and very large park home to a variety of protected plant species. There is so much to explore in this area including many trails and unique gardens. Don’t miss The Moss Lady! By far my favourite thing to do in the park is bring some snacks and enjoy a picnic with friends but this would also be very fun to do on your own. Enjoy an hour or two in the park, find the perfect place to eat and take in the beautiful nature all around you! 

5) Enjoy sunset and fish & chips at Red Fish, Blue Fish

Red Fish, Blue Fish is a somewhat iconic spot right down in the Victoria Causeway Marina. They offer fresh and delicious fish and chips, which in my opinion are hard to beat anywhere else in the world! Keep in mind that this spot is seasonal and only operational from mid-March to the end of October. The best time to go is during sunset because the views of the harbour are so beautiful. If you don’t eat fish, they have yam tempura as an option which is also really delicious! 

6) Rent bikes or e-bikes to explore the city on the amazing bike trails

Victoria is an incredibly bike-friendly city. There are extensive bike trails around the city including safe road crossings and lights dedicated to cyclists. You can find a map of the cycle trails here. In downtown they offer a free and fully staffed bike parking station with excellent operating hours meaning you can safely park your bike downtown and explore the area without worrying about bike locks. This makes cycling a really fun way to explore the city and surrounding area. Check the most up to date information about bike parking here. Below, I’ve listed a few options for exploring Victoria by bike. 

Bike Rentals:

If you’re looking to rent bikes for a day or few days to explore the city check out The Pedaler. They offer a variety of bike rentals including e-bikes and options for families!

Bike Tours:

Taking a bike tour is a great way to explore the city and get introduced to the trail network all while enjoying some exercise and learning about the history of the city!

Explore bike tours on Viator ⬇️

7) Visit the colourful homes at Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is the cutest destination in Victoria with floating homes displaying bright colours and quirky designs. Wander through the unique and colourful homes and enjoy some fresh seafood. Check out the local shops with Canadian-made items and if you have time, hop in a kayak to explore the wharf from the water!

8) Visit Parliament

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia meaning it’s home to very historic, and beautiful parliament buildings. I would recommend you visit at night to view the lights. They are on all year round and it’s a magical experience! If you’re interested in the history of parliament and would like to learn more, they offer free tours! You can learn more about the tours here. 

9) Enjoy dinner at Tacofino

Tacofino is a must visit place to eat when visiting Victoria. The original location was started in Tofino, BC (hence the name). They serve delicious tacos including fish, chicken, yam, bean, steak and more! They also have incredible nachos and burritos so don’t miss them! Definitely pop in for lunch or dinner but note they are very popular, so you might have to wait in line especially for dinner on the weekends. 

10) Visit Rogers’ Chocolates for a gourmet but affordable treat

Rogers’ Chocolates is Canada’s oldest chocolatier beginning back in 1885. They still operate out of the same heritage store in downtown Victoria! They offer so many sustainably sourced chocolates and sweets ranging from solid chocolate bars to the famous Victoria Cream. The best part is that everything is really affordable especially considering it’s gourmet chocolate. I recommend popping in to try a variety of their sweets and taking a few to go. Perhaps enjoy them during a picnic at Beacon Hill Park! 

11) Go whale watching

An unforgettable experience in Victoria is whale watching. Eagle Wing Whale and Wildlife Tours is a leading, longest running, 100% carbon neutral, and 1% for the planet tour company in Victoria. When visiting wildlife it’s important to support companies that protect the environment for future generations and Eagle Wing does just that. The Salish Sea is home to a variety of whales and wildlife including killer whales and humpback whales. You have a 95-98% chance of spotting whales from May-November so make sure to note that when planning this bucketlist item. You can read more about whale watching here.

12) Watch sunset at Spiral Beach with a view of the Washington mountains 

This is one of my favourite spots in Victoria both during the day and at sunset. The beautiful beach has unreal views of the Washington mountains as its backdrop. Many locals come to watch the sunset, enjoy some music and food together. Wander down the spiral staircase, find a piece of driftwood to use as a bench, and enjoy the views! You can bring food as well just make sure you clean up after yourself and pack out all garbage to keep the beach pristine. 

Map

Find everything you need for a trip to Victoria, BC, Canada on the map below.

This post was all about the best things to do in Victoria, BC. I hope this in-depth guide helps with planning your trip!