Explore Victoria, BC: What to See, Do & Eat

Whether you’re looking to go to Victoria for a day trip or a weekend trip, this guide will help you plan your itinerary. We’ve listed out favorite places to visit, eat, and shop at.

We’ve been blessed with being able to stay in Victoria for 5 days and then now live close enough that we can do day-trips out to there. Continue reading for all of our recommendations and we hope you will love this city as much as we do.

You can see a Youtube video of our stay here. If you need recommendations on what to pack, you can check out this post here.

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Best Time to Go

The parliament building in Victoria, BC in the background with lawns of grass before it. Right above the water on the harbor is the world "Victoria" created entirely from vibrant flowers, displayed prominently along the harbor’s edge

he British Columbia Legislative Building in Victoria at dusk, illuminated by warm lights that highlight its grand architecture. The building stands majestically behind a gently flowing fountain in the foreground, whose water reflects a glowing green light. The sky is a deepening twilight blue, adding a serene and dignified atmosphere to the historic scene.

For the most beautiful weather, I’d suggest visiting in Spring and Summer. During these seasons, you’ll enjoy longer daylight hours and a lower chance of rain

We were able to visit in April and experienced great weather the entire time we were there. It was nice and sunny during the day but not too hot, so perfect for walking everywhere.

It also happened to be tulip season (April–May), and we were treated to some of the most stunning urban landscaping I’ve ever seen. The city was dotted with vibrant tulips in every direction, adding even more charm to our walks throughout town.

Tulips of all shapes and colors were everywhere from the hotels to the municipal buildings to the public parks. It really was worth the trip there around that time just to see that. In the spring, their cherry blossoms are also in full bloom.

A patch of tulips of all colors and sizes planted in Victoria, BC with the Grand Pacific Hotel in the background — Tulip Season in Victoria

Seasonal flowers in warm autumn hues—deep oranges, reds, and yellows—bloom vibrantly in front of the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria. Behind the flower beds and stately stone building, the calm waters of the Inner Harbour stretch out, dotted with boats under a crisp fall sky. — Fall Flowers in Victoria

Towards the end of fall and throughout the winter months, the days become shorter and chances of rain increase. However, true to its nickname, the ‘City of Gardens’ continues to bloom with beautiful seasonal flowers.

Victoria is also known to have beautiful decorations during the Christmas season, making it a popular destination for holiday getaways.

How to Get to Victoria, BC

A view of Victoria’s Inner Harbour with the Black Ball Ferry Terminal in the foreground. The terminal building sits near the water’s edge, with the MV Coho ferry docked beside it, its black, white, and red hull prominent. Behind, the cityscape rises gently with a mix of historic and modern buildings, while sailboats and small vessels float in the harbor waters under a clear blue sky.

From Vancouver:

If you’re traveling from Vancouver to Victoria, taking the BC Ferries route from Tsawwassen Terminal to Swartz Bay Terminal is a popular and scenic choice. The 1 hour, 35 minute ferry offers beautiful views of the Gulf Islands and chances to spot seals and whales.

BC Ferries accommodates vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. While it’s best to book tickets in advance, especially during busy seasons, last minute tickets may sometimes be available at the terminal.

Tsawwassen Terminal is about 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver, and Swartz Bay Terminal is roughly 30 minutes from Victoria’s city center. Both are well connected by shuttle services and public transit.

From Seattle:

The first Seattle option is to take the Seattle-Victoria Clipper Ferry from Seattle. Each leg of the trip is 3 hours.

Round trip tickets can be found on their official website and should be booked in advance. You have the option to choose from their three class seating options and if you’d like you can pay a premium for a window seat.

The other option from Seattle is to fly directly to Victoria, BC. Check both the sky and sea options because there are times where it might be more economical to fly into Victoria than to take the ferry.

From Port Angeles:

The interior of a ferry with rows of brown leather chairs and a light sage green interior paint — Black Ball Ferry

Another ferry you can take is the Black Ball Ferry to Victoria from Port Angeles. This is a cheaper option than the Victoria Clipper and only a 2.5 hour drive from Seattle.

This is a great choice if you’re traveling with a larger family or group. You can save significantly per person by driving most of the way and then taking the ferry. There’s a small parking lot just across the street from the Port Angeles ferry terminal that charges a flat rate of $15 per day.

The ferry ride from Port Angeles to Victoria takes about 1.5 hours each way. It’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance through their website, especially during peak seasons, but same-day tickets are also available for purchase at the terminal office.

Black Ball Ferry offers special deals if you buy any of the purchase packages that they offer. There are some fun add-ons such as renting an e-bike, whale watching boat tours, afternoon tea, or tickets to Butchart Gardens. It’s worth considering if you’re looking to save a bit of money.

From Everywhere Else:

Unless you plan on driving to Victoria from Canada, all other flights to Victoria goes through some of the major cities in Canada into Victoria International Airport.

Places to Stay

Beautifully curated tulips are planted in a flower bed before a statue of a soldier and the Legislative Building of British Columbia during sunset

Fairmont Empress

If you’re seeking a luxurious stay, the Fairmont Empress is unmatched. Easily one of the most iconic and beautiful buildings in Victoria, its stunning interior lives up to its grand exterior.

From here, you’ll enjoy direct views of the harbor, which is especially breathtaking at sunset. You won’t be disappointed by the ornate rooms and elegant touches that the Fairmont brand is renowned for.

Hotel Grand Pacific

This was the hotel we stayed at, and we absolutely loved it. Not only is it in a fantastic location, but our room also offered views of the harbor, including the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the exquisite British Columbia Parliament Building, which lights up beautifully at night.

The rooms are spacious, with most offering lovely views of the city. The design is classy and minimal, featuring plenty of furniture to ensure a comfortable stay.

Just keep in mind that the hotel has undergone renovations in the past few years, so it’s brighter and more modern than many of the photos you’ll find online.

Airbnb/Vrbo

There are some great Airbnb and Vrbo options if you’re looking for a larger space or traveling as a group. You will likely be further out from the downtown scene than the major hotels.

Also, book early and as far in advance as you can because the places get snagged up quickly.

Getting Around Victoria

A small yellow water taxi or pickle boat glides across Victoria Harbour under a cloudy sky in the calm water. The boat’s rounded shape and bright color stand out against the backdrop of a white yacht, with heritage buildings and boats visible along the shoreline. — Pickle Boats or Water Taxi

A brown horse with white face and legs is strapped to a carriage that gives people a ride around Victoria, BC, it is standing along the street with a blooming cherry blossom behind it — Horse Carriage Rides

One of the best ways to get around Victoria is by walking. The city is completely walkable and many things are within a 20-30 minute walk from Downtown Victoria.

Another great way is by bike. You can rent bikes from local shops and explore further out that way. Victoria has great bike paths just for bike. There is also a fun counter near the inner harbor that shows you how many bicyclists came through there that day.

If you are unable to walk far, there many modes of public transportation you can take. However, there are many other fun ways to get around. For instance, you can take a horse carriage or even a water taxi to get from one place to the next.

Places Worth a Visit

Victoria Inner Harbor

After indulging in the delicious foods around Victoria, take a nice and leisurely stroll around the Victoria harbor. There are great paths and walkways designated for pedestrians to really enjoy the views.

As you walk along the Inner Harbor, you’ll pass some of Victoria’s most iconic landmarks, including the impressive Fairmont Empress Hotel and the British Columbia Parliament Buildings. Just a short distance away is the Royal British Columbia Museum, recognizable by its striking totem poles displayed out front and the nearby bell tower.

Our favorite time to walk there is around sunset as the sun sets right along the horizon toward the water. The wind dies down and the water turns glass-like reflecting the beautiful lights and buildings of Victoria.

As you walk around, you can enjoy many photo-op sites such as the large “Canada” name sign or “Welcome to Victoria” in flowers along the waterfront. You can watch the seaplanes take off and land as well as watch the water taxis “pickle boats” take passengers back and forth across the water.

Victoria’s Inner Harbour at sunset, with glass-like waters reflecting the deep, dark blue sky. The calm surface mirrors the silhouettes of historic buildings, docked boats, and soft evening lights along the waterfront. The scene is tranquil and moody, with rich twilight tones creating a serene, reflective atmosphere

Government Street

Government is the main street running through downtown Victoria. It is a vibrant street with charming boutiques, pubs, and local restaurants. The creative window displays are inviting and draw you in.

Here you will find many eateries, including some of our favorites, which you can read more about below.

Just off Government Street, you’ll find charming plazas like Bastion Square and Trounce Alley, both filled with unique shops and inviting places to eat.

Beacon Hill Park/Children’s Farm

A sign saying "Beacon Hill Park" across it stands on a lawn above a bed of pink and white flowers with trees towering behind it

A grass path perfectly groomed is surrounded by fall flowers bloomed in all colors and height, they are all beautifully curated and aligned to look neat and uniform

Beacon Hill Park is a MUST visit in our books. This free public park is gorgeous with perfectly manicured lawns and beautiful landscaping.

There are charming bridges and ponds scattered throughout the park. Flowers of all colors are planted neatly throughout the park.

Do not be alarmed if you see peacocks resting or walking amidst the flowers. If you don’t see them, you’ll surely hear their call ringing from a distance.

Also located in the park is a wonderful Children’s Farm. Admission is donations based so you pay what you can.

All the animals there are absolutely adorable. We especially loved the miniature pigs and enjoyed petting the donkeys. The goats and alpacas were hilarious to watch, eagerly anticipating their caretakers passing by, hoping for a snack. Children especially delight in petting the docile goats.

St. Andrew’s Cathedral

St. Andrew’s Cathedral is well worth a visit for its stunning Gothic architecture and soaring spire. Inside, the beautiful stained glass windows create an atmosphere of serenity and peace.

You can tell that it is a thriving community by skimming through their bulletin, which highlights numerous opportunities to receive the sacraments and participate in various groups and activities.

As you approach the entrance, Gregorian chants play from speakers, welcoming you into the vestibule. Each time we visited, a kind and helpful usher was there to answer questions and guide us. The cathedral offers daily confession, and we were fortunate to receive the sacrament during a visit.

Our Lady Queen of Peace

This Catholic church is next on our bucket list in Victoria, BC. They offer Mass in the Traditional Latin Rite.

The Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens is another MUST see attraction if you are going to Victoria. The garden is about a 30-minute car or taxi ride from Victoria, but you can also take one of the many shuttles that depart directly from the city or opt for the public bus, which takes about an hour each way.

The Butchart Gardens changes with the seasons, making a visit beautiful and unique any time of the year. We happened to go during tulip season, and the curated tulip fields were absolutely stunning.

The garden is also enchanting around Christmas, adorned with festive decorations. The year I visited, they featured a “12 Days of Christmas” theme.

A vibrant view of the Italian Garden at The Butchart Gardens in spring, filled with rows of colorful tulips in full bloom. The neatly manicured flower beds are arranged symmetrically around a central fountain, framed by clipped hedges and a cottage-like restaurant in the back. Bright orange tulips amongst blue and violet flowers create a vivid tapestry under a clear blue sky, evoking a serene, elegant atmosphere.

Light orange tulips are plant amongst a bed of small blue flowers in an order and neat fashion

A large row of tulips is planted down a lawn leading right to a blooming cherry blossom at the end, on the other side of the cherry blossom tree is a cottage-like building

Touring the entire garden will take at least 2-hours with many opportunities for great photos. The garden is broken up into various parts and one of my favorites was the charming Italian Garden.

It feels like you are in the garden of a grand Italian villa in the countryside. They also have a popular gelateria there that many people stopped at for some gelato after touring the garden.

The Oldest Chinatown in Canada

A chinese architectural arch or gate is erected over a street in Victoria, BC with a red lantern street light in front of it on the sidewalk

North of the harbor, you can visit Victoria’s historic Chinatown. It is hard to miss with its traditional Chinese architectural gate and the red streetlights and lanterns throughout the streets.

People love to visit Fan Tan Alley because it is known as the narrowest commercial street in Canada. Boutique shops line both sides of this lane.

You can also find some great restaurants in Victoria’s Chinatown from fine dining to more casual spots. There is more than just Asian food here, you can easily find something delicious to eat as you stroll through.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Having explored the Fisherman’s Wharfs in San Francisco and Monterey, we had to stop by the Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria. The colorful and vibrant floating houses are fun to see. We watched many river otters swim around this area.

There are plenty of quirky and charming shops and food stalls to try around here. The items sold are unique and fun – makes you feel as though you’re at a state fair on the water.

Places to Eat

Brasserie L’école

The interior of a restaurant with tables on the left and a bar on the right, the walls are painted red with modern art displayed. Ceilings are painted a dark brown

A tabletop at a French restaurant with silverware arranged on the plates and a chimay bottle of beer poured into a gauntlet

A wooden table with two dinner plates on top with the one in the front having a steak sliced sitting in sauce and the back plate contains steamed mussels

If you have the time and are planning in advance, I highly recommend you book a reservation at Brasserie L’école. This is a reservations only restaurant. I was able to snag a table for us at the last minute by emailing them but you’d have to be flexible with the time if doing so.

If you love French food, you will love Brasserie L’école. They do such a wonderful job on French classics such as the steak frites and moules frites. The sauce on the mussels was the best I’ve ever had and my husband said it is as good as what you’d find in France.

This eatery is in Chinatown and got its name from the building it currently is in, which used to be a school for Chinese children. The staff were all so kind and attentive. They also are very passionate about the food served there.

A dessert plate of white chocolate ganache piped beautifully with strawberries cut in half arranged neatly on top. Sprinkled over it are also toffee bits all over a strawberry syrup on the bottom — White Chocolate Ganache with Strawberries

We also ordered a dessert from there, one we never heard of before but absolutely loved it. It was a white chocolate ganache with strawberries. I didn’t have high expectations for it but it exceeded all expectations. Even our waitress said, “I always recommend it to people but they think it sounds boring!”.

It was one of the best and most surprising desserts I’ve ever had from a restaurant. The ganache was decadent but so airy, light, and not too sweet. Together with the strawberries it made a delicious strawberries and cream dessert. You get a variety in texture from the toffee bits scattered over the ganache.

Overall, we cannot recommend Brasserie L’école enough. There is a reason they are so popular and it is because of their high quality and delicious food. My husband and I both agree it is one of the best French restaurants we’ve been to in North America, along with La Bonne Table in San Diego.

Red Fish Blue Fish

A plate of fish and chips and a plate of a wrap are on a table that looks out towards the Victoria inner harbor. A hand is holding one of the fried fish with a bite taken from it. In the middle of both plates is a cup of chowder and a small container of coleslaw and tarter sauce

This outdoor-only restaurant is a local favorite, and we can see why. It was also one of our favorite restaurants in Victoria.

They are famous for their grilled and fried fish entrees and serve them in a variety of ways including as Fish & Chips, in a tortilla wrap which they call “Tacones”, as well as in sandwiches.

We ate there a few times and our favorite dish is the Fish & Chips. You cannot go wrong with any of the fish options for that dish. I personally love the flakiness of the pacific cod and their tartar sauce is a must.

Be prepared for a long line at all times of the day, especially if there are cruise ships in port as it is close to the harbor and easy to get to.

Pagliacchi’s

We ate at this restaurant twice and loved it both times. Their menu offers many unique dishes as well as Italian dishes we are familiar with.

We had their more popular dishes such as The Big Easy and the Hemingway Short Story and thoroughly enjoyed everything we’ve had from there.

It is a popular restaurant so be prepared to be sitting in close quarters with other diners. During our meal, the live band showed up and so we were squeezed even further together.

It is a great place to dine in if you’re looking for a lively and upbeat environment with a cozy interior.

Tea at the Empress

A wide view of the Fairmont Empress Hotel from across Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The iconic brick building stands majestically with its grand, château-style architecture, framed by trees and marina boats in the foreground. The still harbor water reflects the hotel and surrounding lights, adding to the elegance of the scene under a dusky sky.

You cannot talk about places to eat in Victoria without mentioning Tea at the Empress. This is a unique experience worth trying out at least once in your lifetime.

The afternoon tea takes place in an elegant and ornate Lobby Lounge. When we went, there was an excellent pianist playing classical music from the grand piano.

Once seated, you get to select the tea you’d like to be served. There are so many options, it was quite hard to decide. They then bring you your tea of choice in a fancy teapot on a little candle burner so your tea stays nice and hot throughout your meal. We loved the Blue Suede Shoes tea and today it is still one of my favorite teas ever.

An afternoon tea stand with two levels containing sweet tarts and desserts on the top followed by sandwiches and croissants on the tier below.

On a white marble table are two fancy china teapots sitting on teapot warmers as well as a teacup on a saucer with green tea in it that is opaque with a bit of cream. On the table is also a silver teaspoon and silver pitcher for the cream

While you begin brewing and sipping your tea, the tier of intricately prepared pastries and sandwiches are brought out before you. It was really fun trying all the different items. Despite how small they look, it is quite filling and we had leftovers.

We really enjoyed this experience and would highly recommend it to anyone coming to Victoria. You will be spoiled by the environment, service, as well as the food. There you will truly feel the British influence.

Murchie’s Tea & Coffee

This famous establishment was one of our favorite places in all of Victoria. Murchie’s is a charming and quaint tea shop offering a huge variety of teas. You can order drinks and pastries from their café and then enjoy it in their dining section.

A teapot is pouring tea into a white mug and on the same silver tray is a mug of coffee and a small silver pitcher of cream

The inside of a store selling tea ware with mugs displayed in the middle of the floor and teas and coffee in the shelves along the wall.

We went to Murchie’s at least once a day either for a snack or for some refreshments.

They also have a cute little tea shop in this building where you can buy prepackaged teas or loose teas in bulk. They sell very cute British-inspired teaware. If there are any teas you particularly liked, you can buy them as tea sachets in boxes or as loose tea from the counter in whatever quantity you’d like.

Union Pacific Coffee Company

Union Pacific Coffee Co written in metal is attached onto a sign made up of horizontal wooden planks, under the words is a star inside of a circle symbol

Two large round scones arranged on a napkin with the top one containing raspberry and white chocolate and the bottom one containing cheddar and onions

For the best scones we found in Victoria, head over to Union Pacific Coffee Company. This coffee shop was a hidden gem, and to this day, we still talk about how those might have been the best scones we’ve ever had.

We tried both a sweet and a savory scone, and loved them both. They were perfectly flaky, as a good scone should be, yet surprisingly moist in the center. Plus, they were generously sized, which made them even more satisfying.

The coffee shop is a little off the beaten path (near Chinatown), but the walk there is charming. It gets very crowded inside but there are plenty of seats including a little outdoor patio.

L’Authentique Poutine and Burgers

A poutine dish with smoked meat, cheese curds, gravy, and fries on a checked mat on top of a wooden table. In the background is a parking lot with boat masts in the back

This snack shop is a great spot to grab some authentic Canadian poutine. They offer a variety of unique options, but we especially loved the Montréal Poutine topped with smoked meat.

The fries come out piping hot and they are generous with the toppings. The gravy is so savory and the cheese is nicely melted. I particularly loved the shoe string fries that were cooked to a golden perfection. They were perfectly seasoned and crisp too, which is important when smothered in toppings.

It is such a comfort food and is perfect for a quick snack when shared or as a meal of its own. There is a little covered outdoor seating area that provides a nice view of the harbor.

This shop is not too far from Red Fish Blue Fish so if you cannot afford to wait in that line, head on over to L’Authentique Poutine and Burgers for another delicious meal.

Blue Fox Cafe

This popular breakfast place is a bit further out from the harbor but was a fun find and worth trying out if you have the time.

I went on a weekday and still had to wait in line to be seated. The line does move fast though.

They serve huge portions along with decadent drinks. I personally love breakfast foods so this was right up my alley. All their breakfast items looked delicious and I liked what I ordered.

However, if I could go back, I’d get their class breakfast of what looks like a full English spread, which I’ve always wanted to try. Maybe one day when I go to England!

A steaming bowl of ramen topped with sliced green onions and savory ground pork, nestled in a rich broth with noodles visible beneath. The vibrant green onions add freshness and color contrast to the hearty, flavorful pork and warm soup. A halved soft-boiled ramen egg with a slightly runny yolk floats on top

Bao

We stumbled upon this restaurant while exploring Chinatown, and it turned out to be a great find—especially since, by that point in our trip, we were craving some Asian food.

Bao offers a variety of dishes inspired by different regions of Asia. We tried the ramen and bibimbap, and both hit the spot. As the name suggests, they’re known for their signature baos, so we definitely recommend giving those a try as well.

Our Favorite Places to Shop and to buy Souvenirs

Along Government Street are tons of souvenir shops selling all forms of goodies to bring home. There you can find Canadian maple syrup, apparel, and lots of other knick-knacks.

However, below, I’ve listed other great stores to check out for more unique and practical souvenirs.

Souvenirs from Victoria, BC laid out on top of a white table with items such as a box of tea, wooden toast tongs, linen tea towels, a small maple swig top container, a Baggu reusable bag on top of cotton handkerchiefs

Souvenirs from Victoria, BC on a table including linen tea towels, reusable bag, maple syrup in a swig top bottle, and a box of tea in the background.

Fairmont Empress Retail Store – Shop for popular teas and fancy china from the high tea experience offered at the Fairmont Empress. They also sell items used in their hotel rooms such as robes and bedding.

I love the exclusive Blue Suede Shoes tea from here.
Murchie’s Tea & Coffee – Shop for a variety of teas and teaware from this iconic teashop. They offer teas of all kinds in various quantities. They make great gifts for loved ones. You can buy a bit of each to try or load up on your favorite ones.
The Good Planet Store – Non-toxic, zero-waste, sustainable goods store with everything you can think of from children’s toys to beauty items to kitchenware. I purchased a Baggu reusable bag in a design no longer sold online and wooden toast tongs from here as gifts.
Roots – A popular Canadian apparel brand known for their premium quality and classic designs. Their logo is a recognizable cute beaver.
Whisk – Great shop for kitchenware items at great prices – it is also very fun to look around if you love cooking.
Irish Linen Stores – Find some of the best linen from Europe at this store. We saw items from France, Sweden, Italy and Ireland. They sell high quality table linens, tea towels, aprons, scarves, and so much more. You really can feel the quality in the products that they source.

Hoping this post helps you better plan your trip to the beautiful city of Victoria, BC. It really makes the perfect getaway and is perfect for solo travelers and families alike.

Yours in Christ,
A & D