Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and is located on Vancouver Island. Compact, colorful, and creative, Victoria is the perfect weekend getaway from Vancouver.
It doesn't matter if you have one day in Victoria or an entire week, there are plenty of fun things to do in Victoria for the entire family.
Victoria frequently features in Top Places to Visit lists from popular travel magazines and websites such as Condé Nast Traveler and TripAdvisor and rightly so: Victoria is a beautiful city and highly worth a visit!
This Victoria itinerary will help you make the most of your trip to Victoria.
Victoria itinerary
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What to do in Victoria: map
Click here for the interactive map
The best things to do in Victoria BC
- Get breakfast at the Crust Bakery
- Tour the British Columbia Parliament Building
- Walk around Victoria Old Town and Chinatown
- Enjoy the famous Tea at the Empress
- Hike around Beacon Hill Park
- Watch the sunset from the Inner Harbor
- Visit the Royal BC Museum
- Stroll around Fishermans's Wharf
- Admire Craigdarroch Castle
- Enjoy delicious tacos at Tacofino
- Take a trip to the Butchart Gardens
- Go on a whale-watching tour
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Where to stay in Victoria
There is plenty of accommodation available in Victoria, ranging from budget hostels to luxury (boutique hotels).
I've written a detailed guide to the best hotels in Victoria, be sure to check it out to make sure you choose the best Victoria accommodation for your stay.
If you are prepared to splurge, I'd recommend staying at the luxurious 5-star Fairmont Empress Hotel (pictured above). As I mentioned above, they serve a wicked high tea and it's one of Victoria's most famous buildings.
If available, book a room overlooking the Inner Harbour. You'll be able to watch the sunset from your window!
There are nice mid-range hotels as well, such as the Oswego Hotel (pictured below) and the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites.
There are a couple of options for budget travelers as well, the Helms Inn and Red Lion Inn are well-reviewed affordable hotels in Victoria.
| Accommodation | Rating (/10) | Stars | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont Empress Hotel | 8.3 | ☆☆☆☆☆ | €422 / US$440 | Click here |
| Royal Scot Hotel & Suites | 8.6 | ☆☆☆☆ | €138 / US$144 | Click here |
| Oswego Hotel | 8.9 | ☆☆☆☆ | €134 / US$139 | Click here |
| Helms Inn | 8.5 | ☆☆ | €103 / US$108 | Click here |
| Red Lion Inn | 7.9 | ☆☆☆ | €76 / US$79 | Click here |
Note: Prices for these Victoria accommodation options depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Therefore, the prices mentioned above are a rough indication of the price per night to help you compare the different options. Press ‘click here' under book to see the latest prices on Booking and book ahead to get the best deal.
How to get to Victoria
Since Victoria is located on an island you either have to take a ferry or a flight to get there.
Take the ferry to Victoria
If you are traveling from Tsawwassen, the ferry terminal closest to Victoria is Swartz Bay (about 30km north of Victoria). With BC Ferries Connector you can effortlessly travel directly from downtown Vancouver to Victoria City Center.
Note: if you are traveling from the U.S.A. you can take a ferry from Port Angeles and Seattle directly to Victoria Inner Harbour!
Book a flight to Victoria
The other option is to arrive by plane. Victoria has an International Airport located about 20km from downtown.
Click here for the best ticket deals on Kiwi.
3 days in Victoria summery
- Day 1: Grab some breakfast at Crust Bakery, take a tour around the British Columbia Parliament Building, stroll through Victoria Old Town, join the famous High Tea at the Empress, visit Beacon Hill Park and watch the sunset from the Inner Harbor.
- Day 2: Visit the Royal BC Museum, explore Fishermans’s Wharf, take a tour around Craigdarroch Castle, and eat your weight in tacos at Tacofino.
- Day 3: visit the Butchart Gardens, go on a whale-watching tour or join a guided 3-hour kayak tour in Victoria’s beautiful harbor.
?Short on time? Check out this 4-day adventure tour to Vancouver Island, including the most popular highlights in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Tofino.
Victoria itinerary day 1
Breakfast at Crust Bakery
On the first day of this Victoria 3 day itinerary, there is no better way to start your day than by getting a coffee from Canada's famous coffee chain Tim Hortons.
For breakfast, pick up some (or a lot;-) of the freshly bakes goodies at the Crust Bakery (which opens at 8 am).
British Columbia Parliament Building
Head to the British Columbia Parliament Building and join one of the free tours.
The British Columbia Parliament is not only an impressive building with unique architecture, but the story about how this building came to be is also a very amusing one…
Back in the 1890s, the British Columbia government held an architectural competition. Whoever won this competition would be the architect of their new legislative building.
There was one requirement though: the architect needed to be Canadian…
But Francis Rattenbury, a young and aspiring architect who had just emigrated from the U.K., entered the competition under a false name and won! To be fair, he designed a beautiful building that’s still in use.
I learned all this on a free tour around the Parliament Buildings which may have been the funniest tour I’ve ever taken…
The tour was led by a young actor playing the role of Francis Rattenbury, complete with a British accent and historic costume.
He led us around the building whilst sharing his life story and telling us more about the construction process.
Spoiler: the life of Francis Rattenbury was filled with scandals. He divorced his first wife and eventually was murdered back in England by his second wife’s lover…
Anyway, not only did I laugh throughout the entire tour, but I also learned a lot about the building. Altogether a highly recommended activity!
You can find more information about the free tours in the British Columbia Parliament Buildings here.
Victoria Old Town
After the tour, it's time to head to Victoria Old Town which is just a short walk from the Parliament Buildings.
Victoria has one of the largest historic areas in British Columbia with many beautiful old buildings. There are three distinct areas in Victoria Old Town:
- Chinatown
- The old commercial district
- The Inner Harbor (the buildings along the waterfront from the Gold Rush era)
A quick tip: pick up a free map of the historic area at the Visitor Center which contains lots of information about the Old Town and makes it easier to find the must-see historic buildings.
Or join this great walking tour to learn more about Victoria's history and sample local products along the way.
The area belonging to Victoria's Old Town is located in the area between these streets: Chatham Street (north border), Humboldt Street (south border), Douglas Street (east border), the Wharf and Store Streets, and Waterfront (west border).
You can easily spend the entire afternoon here as Victoria Old Town is a really nice area to wander around.
Take a stroll along Government Street, visit Market Square, and grab a bite to eat at one of the many (Chinese) restaurants!
Enjoy a high Tea at the Empress
Circling back to the Inner Harbour it's time for a traditional Victoria activity: Tea at the Empress at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
Fun fact: this building was also designed by the ‘presenting to be Canadian architect’ Francis Rattenbury!
Another fun fact: during the summer months, the Empress serves more afternoon tea than most hotels in London!
The Fairmont Empress Hotel opened its doors in 1908 and is a city icon. Their famous high tea is served in the beautiful Lobby Lounge, and over 21 different kinds of teas are available (all of which are ethically produced).
The tea is accompanied by freshly prepared scones and other pastries made with locally sourced ingredients.
For example, the strawberry jam is made in-house from local berries, the honey comes from the Empress Hotel beehives, and the lavender from their own rooftop garden.
Altogether, Tea at the Empress is a unique tea-drinking experience and one that cannot miss when you visit Victoria BC!
Beacon Hill Park
If you feel like burning off some calories after your sumptuous high tea, head to Beacon Hill Park for some of the best walking tracks in Victoria.
Within the park, there are several hiking trails, a lovely pond, and beautiful gardens. You will also find the world's tallest free-standing Totem Pole and the best views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Quick tip: visiting Victoria with kids? In Beacon Hill Park you can find two playgrounds as well as a petting zoo!
Inner Harbour
After all this walking it's time to relax. Head back to the Inner Harbour and have a pint at one of the cafes or watch the sunset from the grassy field in front of the British Columbia Parliament Building.
Victoria itinerary day 2
Royal BC Museum
On your second day in Victoria, it's time to visit the Royal BC Museum, which was founded in 1886. In this great museum, you can learn about the history of British Columbia.
There are three permanent galleries (about the First People, Natural History, and Modern History) and several temporary exhibitions. Check the website for more info about the current exhibitions.
Fisherman's Wharf
The next item on your ‘things to see in Victoria list' is Fisherman's Wharf, a very colorful and fun neighborhood.
In this floating village, you can admire the beautiful houseboats, explore quirky shops, and grab some lunch at one of the cute (floating) restaurants.
Craigdarroch Castle
A short drive from downtown Victoria (3.5km from Fisherman's Wharf, 2.5km from the Inner Harbour) you'll find Craigdarroch Castle.
This impressive mansion was built by self-made millionaire Robert Dunsmuir, who made a fortune from Vancouver Island coal.
Throughout the years the mansion served as a house, institutional school board office, the Victoria Conservatory, movie set, and wedding location.
Tacofino
After all this walking you are probably getting hungry! There are lots of great restaurants in Victoria, but if you like Mexican food you will love Tacofino.
This lively taco bar with super helpful staff serves delicious tacos, burritos, and nachos for very reasonable prices.
Victoria itinerary day 3
Butchart Gardens
On your third day in Victoria, it's time to leave Victoria's city center and visit the famous Butchart Gardens.
Located only 20km north of Victoria these beautiful gardens are a great place to spend a day!
The Butchart Gardens are a National Historic Site of Canada and the result of the vision, passion, and dedication of Jenny Butchart.
There is the Sunken Garden (the first garden planted by Jennie Butchart, back in 1904!), the Japanese Garden, the Italian Garden and Mediterranean Gardens, and the fragrant Rose garden.
Another highlight, especially for families with kids, is the Rose Carousel with 30 hand-carved wooden animals. A ride on the Carousel is only 2 CAD!
Furthermore, there are also a coffee shop, restaurant, and gift store (where you can buy lots of seeds!). Read more about the Gardens and how to get there here.
The easiest way to visit (if you don't have your own transport) is by booking this tour. Transportation a comfortable shuttle and entrance to the gardens are included.
Click here to book your Butchart Gardens tour
Whale watching tour
Staying in Victoria a bit longer? If you have four days in Victoria I highly recommend adding a whale-watching tour to your Victoria BC itinerary!
Victoria is a great spot to see killer whales (orca) but you're also likely to encounter humpback and gray whales.
Click here to book your whale-watching tour
Kayaking
If your schedule allows it and you have time for another great outdoor activity, consider taking a kayaking trip.
Here are some of the most popular kayaking options in and around Victoria:
- Victoria Harbour Kayak Tour (3 hours)
- Discovery Island Kayak Tour (6-7 hours)
- Broken Islands Kayaking Expedition (5 days)
Victoria things to do: printable checklist
Victoria trip: in conclusion
I hope you will love Victoria as much as I did! Below you can download the Victoria things to do checklist.
For more Vancouver Island travel tips, check these posts:
- 20 things to do in Campbell River
- 20 things to do on Pender Island
- 20 things to do in Ucluelet
- 21 things to do in Nanaimo
- 25 things to do in Port Alberni
- Vancouver Island road trip
If you are looking for more Canada travel inspiration, check out my Canada page where you can find all the posts I've written about this wonderful country.
