Victoria

Victoria, located on the southern end of Vancouver island, is the seat of British Columbia’s government. As a city brimming with vibrant nature, lively shorelines, Victorian architecture, and a rich history, Victoria is a popular local hotspot and tourist destination.

Overview Attractions / Activities Adventurous Activities Food Final Comments

Victoria, named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, is also known by another name—The Garden City. While Vancouver has parks and mountains, Victoria has gardens and flowers. Not only is the nature spectacular, but the city itself is also a generally fun place to visit.

Victoria is one of my favorite places to visit. You can spend a day or a week here, and many of the attractions might just draw your attention for much longer than you would expect. This adventure guide will help you get the most out of your Victoria experience.

Note: I highly recommend looking at Canada’s main destination page. It has an overview of the entire country (various cities, some history, synopsis, climate, communication, navigation, costs, ratings on cost/food/popularity, attractions/activities, special considerations, etc.) alongside some interesting facts about the country as a whole.

Recommended Duration of Visit

3 days (ideal), 2 days (doable), 1 day (difficult)

Click for some interesting facts about Victoria

Victoria’s Chinatown, founded in 1858, is the second oldest in North America (second to only San Francisco’s Chinatown, founded in 1848).
Similar to Vancouver, Victoria is one of the top cities in the world when it comes to quality of life. Understandable, because it’s basically located on an island paradise.
Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the pacific northwest, with British settlement beginning in 1843.

Before You Go

Flights / Getting There: Flying directly to Victoria is not ideal. It’s better to fly to Vancouver, rent a car there, and then drive it on the ferry to Victoria. Ferries are the best (and most fun) way to get on and off the island. That way, you’ll also be able to see both Vancouver—the more centralized and popular destination with a more diverse range of activities—and Victoria.

Overview

Climate: Victoria’s climate intuitively follows the normal pattern of North America. There is one distinction: winters (December, January, February) are colder and summers (June, July, August) are less warm compared to the United States. Summer temperatures average 52 °F to 68 °F (11 °C to 20 °C) while winters average 39 °F to 46 °F (4 °C to 8 °C).

Communication: English is the official language. Chinese is prevalent as well mostly due to the large Chinese population visiting from Vancouver.

Navigation: Victoria is in a nice compact area, so there is nothing inherently difficult with navigation. A car is the best way to get around. If you’re having trouble with parking, Beacon Hill Park has many parking spots that are within walking distance of many attractions.

If you plan on driving around, it’s helpful to download the paybyphone app. Many parking meters only accept coins, so paying via the app is more efficient.

Lodging: This really depends on your mode of transportation. You can stay anywhere inexpensive if you have a car. If you do not have a car, then staying near downtown is the best bet. Note that Butchart Gardens is far to the north of Victoria.

Activities Planning: Here is Victoria’s official tourism site for your activity planning purposes. I have a comprehensive and detailed list of some of the best attractions in this guide as well.

Special Considerations

The best way on and off the island is by ferry. You can either bring a car on the ferry or simply go without (although you will have to drive to the Ferry or get dropped off via car).

BC Ferries: Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay

Make sure to check the BC Ferries Schedule for the time and ports. As shown on the schedule, there are multiple routes heading to Victoria. However, the easiest route is from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.

Who: You and maybe your car. In 2019, the cost was about $17.20 CAD per adult and $57.50 CAD per 2-axle vehicle.
What to Do: Check the BC Ferries schedule for when to arrive and leave. Just show up before departure. You do not make reservations.
When to Arrive: Ideally arrive 30 minutes before your departure time. I did manage to make it 10 minutes before departure, but don’t count on it.
Where: The ferry at Tsawwassen (the southernmost tip of Vancouver) will take you to Swartz Bay (north of Victoria).
Why: Because you’re adventurous and crazy. That’s why.
How: Go to the “Vehicles” lane if you’re planning to drive a car onto the ferry. Go to the “Drop Off” lane if you wish to just ride the ferry. Afterward, enter the “Victoria” lane. You can’t miss it.

After that, you will cross a ticket booth where you will pay and be told which lane to be in (i.e. lane 40). There will be people guiding you. It should be smooth sailing after that. It’s a 1.5-hour ride so go explore the ship (it has restaurants, an arcade, and multiple floors for a good view).

Other Option: You can also take Black Ball Ferry to/from Port Angeles, Washington. However, since you’re crossing international waters, you will have to book your trip in advance and arrive 1.5 hours earlier for processing. I actually took the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and then the Black Ball Ferry Line (in Victoria) to Port Angeles.

Pro Tip: Don’t fall off the ferry.

General: Similar to Vancouver, student IDs help tremendously when it comes to reducing attraction costs. There is also a younger college student population here as well due to the multitude of colleges within the region.

Peak Seasons: Summer is definitely the peak season. From June to August, the ideal warm weather and festivities make Victoria a vacation hot spot. You might have a hard time with lodging if you do not book in advance. Despite all this, the gardens and nature are at their best during the summer.

Currency: Canadian Dollars (CAD). Currency Converter.

Things to Do: Attractions and Activities

Victoria’s appeal and uniqueness stems from its architecture, gardens, ecotourism, and little quirks. The tourism website lists many of the attractions/activities and their ticket prices. You can show up and buy tickets as well. Currency: Canadian Dollars (CAD).

The Butchart Gardens: Envelope yourself in verdant and vibrant scenery as you tour a garden that has been in bloom for over 100 years. During the summers, there are even live performances and fireworks in the evenings. With 55 acres of land, hundreds of plant varieties, and dozens of fountains and gardens (Rose, Japanese, and Sunken, among others), you’ll find yourself delightfully lost in this multicolored, majestic, and mesmerizing maze of fields and flowers.

Cost: $34 CAD per adult. Buy Butchart Garden tickets here. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Butterfly Gardens: This garden features over 70 species of butterflies within a 12,000 ft² (1,100 m²) simulated rainforest. In addition to thousands of butterflies, you’ll also see iguanas, frogs, tortoises, and birds.

Cost: $16.50 CAD per adult. Buy Butterfly Gardens tickets here. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

The best time to go is before 11:00 am (ideally before 10). With most of the garden empty in the early morning, you’ll have an easier time getting excellent photos while seeing the park.

Similar to Butchart Gardens, the best time to go is any time before 10:00 am. Prepare for trouble if you arrive after 11 am. Make it double if you arrive in the afternoon.

Craigdarroch Castle: Gaze in bewilderment at some dead rich guy’s attempt at conspicuous displays of wealth. All kidding aside, this National Historic Site of Canada features exquisite detailing in stone, wrought iron, stained glass, and fine woods. Completed in 1890 using materials from all over North America, it marked a new age in construction made possible by transcontinental rail systems.

Cost : $14.60 CAD per adult. Buy Craigdarroch Castle Tickets here. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

Beacon Hill Park: Located in downtown Victoria is Beacon Hill Park—a 200-acre park with trees, flowers, and ponds, among others. Sometimes, you might even find some peacocks wandering about. Keep in mind that the park is quite massive, so there is a lot to see and do. You can look at totem poles, visit the gardens, hang around the playgrounds, etc.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 – 30 minutes.

In terms of walking distance, the castle is quite far from most other attractions (many of which are within downtown Victoria), so it should be one of the first or last visits of the day.

Many excellent attractions are within reasonable walking distance of the park. Leave your car in the park to greatly alleviate your parking troubles.

Royal BC Museum: This world-class natural and human history museum covers a diverse range of attractions such as archeology, modern history, First Nations history, Mayan history, IMAX movies, and much more. Definitely visit this museum for an exceptionally engaging, entertaining, enriching, and educational experience.

Cost: $27 per adult. Buy Royal BC Museum tickets here. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Parliament House and Street: Home to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, this marvel of Victorian architecture is one of the defining features of Victoria. And although Parliament House and its campus are impressive in their own right, Parliament Street and its vicinity has other spectacular structures, sights, and even the occasional street shows.

Cost: Zilch, Zero, Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

I highly recommend getting the one/two day admission + IMAX combo. The link has all the details. This was one of my favorite places in Victoria. Even before entering the main parts of the museum, I was already thoroughly enjoying my time in the lobby. There are even food trucks in the museum patio area.

Unless you really love annoying tourists photobombing you, arriving any time before 10 am would be ideal. Fun Fact: If you look closely at Parliament House, atop the central and highest dome is a golden statue of Captain George Vancouver—Vancouver city's namesake.

Inner Harbour: The Inner Harbour is a beautiful harbor within walking distance of Parliament House. During the summer, the harbor is the focus of festivals, shows, whale watching activities, and tourism, among others.

Cost: Variable depending on the activity. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

Fisherman’s Wharf: Around the corner of Inner Harbour is Fisherman’s Wharf—a unique marine destination offering fresh sea food, ferry services, whale watching tours, kayaking experiences, boutique shops, and much more. So stroll along the walkway, enjoy the sights and sounds, admire the colorful floating houses, or even see the occasional seal that drops by.

Cost: Variable depending on the activity. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

You can pay a small fee to ride in one of the water taxis cycling in and out of the harbor. These taxis provide tours and transportation to Fisherman’s Wharf.

Definitely eat at Barb’s Fish & Chips if you get the chance. Whale watching is a great activity as well. Fun Fact: The “pleasure vessles” are not what you think they are.

Street Shows: Catch one of the many wonderful street shows commonly found near Inner Harbor and along Parliament Street. During the summers, many talented performers flock to this region—all in an effort to entertain and dazzle curious bystanders. And their enthusiasm and energy are contagious.

Cost: However much you want to tip. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

Miniature World: Miniature World will bring you into “the little people’s Wonderful World of Smallness”. Over 80 miniature-themed diorama and displays depict factual (WWI, WWII, and the American Revolution, among others) and fictional worlds (Snow White, Santa’s Workshop, and Cinderella, among others). Here, you can immerse yourself in each world’s history or fantasy.

Cost: $17 CAD per adult. You can buy Miniature World tickets here, but walk-ins are simpler. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

I’ve seen street performers from all over the world, but one performer here was among the best I’ve ever seen (click the photo to enlarge). He juggled giant sharp knives while dressed up as fat batman on a unicycle—and that was only one of the acts. I know. That’s a lot of awesomeness in one sentence.

Easily one of the most unique attractions I’ve seen anywhere, miniature world really is “the greatest little show on earth”. You just can’t find something of this scale anywhere else. And the refined details and movements within each miniature world will astound you—in no small measure.

Things to Do: Attractions and Activities

Cost: $34 CAD per adult. Buy Butchart Garden tickets here. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

The best time to go is before 11:00 am (ideally before 10). With most of the garden empty in the early morning, you’ll have an easier time getting excellent photos while seeing the park.

Butterfly Gardens: This garden features over 70 species of butterflies within a 12,000-square-foot (1,100 m²) simulated rainforest. In addition to thousands of butterflies, you’ll also see iguanas, frogs, tortoises, and birds.