Victoria, BC · Things To Do
To see.Have fun.Walk it.
Your no-regrets guide to Victoria: gardens, castles, whales, e-bikes, ocean trails and everything in between.
01 — To see
Postcard-perfect, in real life.
Victoria looks like a painting. Real gardens, real castles, and the whole storied mess of it — one very walkable city. Here's what you can't leave without seeing.
The icons
The Butchart Gardens
55 acres of show-stopping blooms in a former limestone quarry. The Sunken Garden alone is worth the drive — at night, it's something else.
Summer Saturday: Fireworks display on Saturdays
BC Parliament Buildings
Gothic, glowing, and genuinely free to visit. At night, 3,300 lights outline the stone building.
Free to walk by after 8pm for the show
The Fairmont Empress
Even if you're not staying, afternoon tea in the Bengal Lounge is a Victoria rite of passage.
Book afternoon tea — it books up fast
Royal BC Museum
One of Canada's finest natural history museums. The First Peoples gallery alone is worth the trip.
Book tickets online — it sells out
Castles & lighthouses
Craigdarroch Castle
A Victorian stone castle built by a coal baron. Four floors of period rooms, stained glass, and harbour views — plus the most impressive gardens in the city.
Wander the grounds for free by the hour
Hatley Castle
One of the most impressive Edwardian gardens in — dare they say — the world. The Italian, Japanese, and Rose gardens are all free.
Wander the gardens for free by the hour
Fisgard Lighthouse
Canada's first permanent lighthouse on the west coast. Walk the causeway, explore the fort, and watch the ships pass.
Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site
Government House Gardens
The Lieutenant Governor's grounds — rose gardens, native plantings, and sweeping lawns. Free admission.
A genuinely lovely afternoon in summer
Gardens & little worlds
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
A tropical greenhouse packed with free-flying butterflies, flamingos, and exotic birds. Surprisingly magical.
Plan a slow afternoon here
Abkhazi Garden
A hidden gem — a 1940s garden carved into natural rock outcroppings, with perfectly intimate garden café.
Book for a weekend afternoon
Neighbourhoods to wander
Chinatown & Fan Tan Alley
The narrowest commercial street in Canada — lined with indie shops, studios, and hidden courtyards.
A
Fisherman's Wharf
Floating homes, fish and chips, harbour seals, and ice cream. More charming than it has any right to be.
A
Garden city, all year
- ·Spring: Butchart Gardens in full bloom
- ·Summer: Butchart Fireworks on Saturdays
- ·Fall: Abkhazi Garden for autumn colour
- ·Winter: Holiday lights at Butchart & Parliament
Save money
- ·Parliament Buildings are free
- ·Government House gardens are free
- ·Beacon Hill Park, Dallas Road & the breakwater are free
02 — Have fun
Say yes to everything.
Whether it's the morning, somewhere at lunch, a horse-drawn carriage at sunset. Victoria is the grown-up playground you didn't know you needed.
On the water
Whale watching
Orcas, humpbacks, sea lions and eagles in the Salish Sea — near guaranteed in season. Zodiac or covered vessel.
Book the Eagle Wing & Prince of Whales
Kayak or paddleboard
Paddle past the Parliament and floating homes, dolphins, and harbour seals. Rentals and guided tours available.
Don't miss a sunset paddle in summer
Harbour Ferry hop
The tiny, cheerful harbour ferries connect the Inner Harbour, Fisherman's Wharf, and Gorge Waterway.
Board at the wharf — pay on the ferry
Seaplane scenic flight
A 30-minute scenic flight over Victoria, the Gulf Islands, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
An unforgettable splurge on a clear day
Ride & tour
Tally Ho carriage tours
City tour through James Bay and Beacon Hill Park in a horse-drawn carriage. Touristy? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.
Departs downtown near the Empress
E-bikes & e-scooters
The flattest city in BC. E-bikes, e-scooters, and bikes for hire — explore the Galloping Goose Trail and beyond.
Cycle BC downtown · from $45/day
Lime-e bike share
Lime e-bikes are all over the city. Download the app and go — no docking station required.
Download the Lime app before you arrive
Food & ghost walking tours
Victoria has more ghost stories per block than anywhere. Walking tours run nightly through the Old Town.
Discover the history of Victoria's past
Tee it up
Olympic View Golf Club
Scenic 18-hole course with mountain and ocean views. One of the best public courses on the island.
Book tee times online in advance
Bear Mountain
Stunning championship mountain golf with two courses, valley views, and a full resort experience.
Book on their website for the best rates
Cordova Bay Golf Course
A well-loved public course with ocean views and a great clubhouse. Popular with locals year-round.
Walk-ins welcome · twilight rates available
Cedar Hill Golf Course
Victoria's most accessible municipal course — flat, friendly, and great value.
City of Victoria · 9 or 18 holes
With kids
Activities · Harbour · Nature · Beach
Rainy day
Carriage ride · Afternoon · Hillside
Adrenaline
Whale watching · Seaplane · Ghost tours
Sunshine
Walking. Hiking. Biking
Free
Carriage ride · Afternoon · Hillside
Summer
Harbour · Trails · Yoga · Sunny Days
03 — Walk it
Ocean air, forest trails,zero traffic.
Leave the car behind. Victoria is one of the most walkable cities in Canada — and the best of it is on foot — or on a trail. Here's where to go.
By the ocean
Dallas Road & Mile Zero
Clifftop oceanside walk along the rocky shoreline, with light posts and views of the Olympic Mountains.
Start at Mile Zero — the end of the Trans-Canada
Ogden Point Breakwater
Walk 800m out into the strait on a granite breakwater. Divers below, cruise ships alongside, best sunset in the city.
Start at the Ogden Point dive shop
Beacon Hill Park
200 acres of meadows, ponds, and old-growth trees five minutes from downtown. Free, open daily, and home to a very friendly peacock.
Free entry · open year-round
Oak Bay waterfront & Cattle Point
Rocky shoreline with excellent tidal pools, bald eagles overhead, and views across to the San Juan Islands.
Bring binoculars for the best experience
Trails & wild places
Galloping Goose Trail
A 55 km multi-use trail that winds through urban Victoria, farmland, and old-growth forest. Rent a bike or just walk a section.
Trailhead at Johnson St Bridge downtown
Mount Douglas (PKOLS)
Hike to the 230m summit for a 360° view of Victoria, the Gulf Islands, and Mount Baker on a clear day.
30 min from downtown · free parking
Goldstream Provincial Park
Ancient, moss-draped old-growth forest, a waterfall, and a tidal estuary 20 minutes from downtown.
Salmon run in November — worth the trip
Thetis Lake
Two lakes, 17km of trails, and a sandy beach 20 minutes from downtown. Locals swim here all summer.
Free · open year-round · dogs welcome
Lower Thetis Lake
A quieter, more secluded lake with a sandy beach and calm water. Perfect for a summer afternoon.
A very pleasant afternoon, go early
Sooke Potholes
Natural rock pools carved by the Sooke River — locals swim and cliff jump here in summer.
45 min from downtown · bring water
Trail tips
- ·Bring water and snacks on any trail over an hour in summer.
- ·Dogs are welcome on most trails — keep them leashed near wildlife.
- ·Wear layers for coastal trails — signs at every major trailhead.
- ·Park outside the city and cycle in on the Galloping Goose Trail.
LOCAL PICK
Our perfect day.
Coffee — Dallas Road walk · Hatley Party to downtown · Breakwater & Fisherman's Wharf · Hatley Party to downtown · Sunset at Mount Doug.
cohosts.ca · Victoria BC