Victoria is one unbelievable metropolis to go to when exploring Vancouver Island in British Columbia. There are heaps of one of the best issues to do in Victoria, crammed with thrilling locations all throughout the town.
We completely liked our journey to Victoria and Vancouver Island. It’s such an exquisite a part of British Columbia and considered one of our favorite locations in Canada.
Best of all, Victoria might be visited as a part of a day journey (when visiting on a cruise) or as a standalone metropolis, simply reached by flight or ferry.
So, that will help you get probably the most out of your time visiting, check out our high locations in Victoria to go to. You’re going to have a good time!
1.) Butchart Gardens
Perched in Brentwood Bay, Butchart Gardens is likely one of the hottest gardens in all of Canada to go to. Dating again to the early 1900s, visiting Butchart Gardens is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Victoria throughout any season.
Once right here, ensure that to go to the Ross Fountain, the Bog Gardens and the Rose Garden. Finally, if you happen to’re hankering for a chunk to eat, reserve a desk at The Dining Room that’s so unbelievable. Their High Tea is so good.
If you need to go to from Vancouver, ensure that to e-book this tour and switch that may take you from Vancouver City through ferry for a Gulf Islands cruise and Butchart Gardens. It makes issues really easy.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Vancouver
2.) Whale Watching In Victoria
The space round Vancouver Island is likely one of the greatest areas on the West Coast to identify whales. We noticed so many humpbacks while on this whale-watching tour from Victoria. It was unbelievable.
Now, this tour takes round three hours and is a lot enjoyable. Now, we at all times e-book these zodiac boat excursions. The purpose is, that they’re extra agile and quick to react to sightings if you’re out on the open ocean. Larger boats, take time to show and are a lot slower – which might imply you miss the sightings in the event that they’re not shut by.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Vancouver
3.) Craigdarroch Castle
We have one thing of a comfortable spot for castles, even when Craigdarroch Castle is one thing of a folly.
Known for its beautiful Victorian structure, the fortress has artefacts and structure relationship again to the nineteenth Century. Best of all, Craigdarroch Castle is straightforward to go to.
Once right here, you’ll be capable of discover 4 flooring of the fortress that was constructed by Robert Dunsmuir. Visits take round 30-45 minutes and it’s effectively value popping in.
Afterwards, you may go to the close by Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. It’s among the finest issues to do in Victoria if you happen to’re concerned with native and regional artwork from this space of British Columbia.
Read extra: Best issues to do in British Columbia
4.) Victoria Legislative Assembly (Parliament Building)
There are heaps of locations to go to in VictLegislative Assemblyoria, however none fairly so effectively often known as the Victoria Parliament Building.
Designed in 1897 by Frances M. Rattenbury, it’s one of many metropolis’s most famous buildings and straightforward to go to if you happen to’re already strolling by means of the interior harbour.
Once right here, you may head inside on a self-guided tour when the Legislative Assembly constructing is open. Best of all, you may obtain this free guided tour information from the Legislative Assembly themselves. It’s printed in a wide range of languages, so makes it good and straightforward for worldwide guests.
Read extra: Best hikes in British Columbia
5.) Victoria’s Chinatown
Whenever we journey to Canada or West Coast cities in wider North America, we attempt our greatest to go to the Chinatown neighbourhoods. They’re at all times unbelievable and the meals decisions are nice if you happen to’re on the lookout for genuine Asian dishes.
Not solely that, Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest in all of Canada; beginning again within the 1800s.
Oh, and don’t overlook to go to Fan Tan Alley for a little bit stroll by means of. It’s the narrowest avenue in all of North America and used to accommodate illicit playing and factories a number of centuries in the past. Nowadays, it’s crammed with little retailers and Chinese eating places.
Pop by Dumpling Drop for his or her scrumptious do-it-yourself dumplings and spot the Gate of Harmonious Interest that’s firstly of Fisgard Street. Oh, and don’t overlook to pop into Wah Lai Yuen Bakery for a few of their scrumptious treats, too. It’s among the finest issues to do in Victoria, particularly if you’re hungry.
Read extra: Best issues to do in British Columbia
6.) Hatley Park National Historic Site
Built again within the 1900s, visiting the Hatley Park National Historic Site is definitely among the finest issues to do in Victoria while exploring the realm round Colwood Waterfront.
Now, not solely are the gardens and home itself so stunning to go to, however you’ll additionally get to see the filming places for X-Men and Deadpool, too.
You would possibly even spot peacocks within the grounds.
7.) Beacon Hill Park
A stunning shoreline park, Beacon Hill Park is a stunner of a spot with the best views from the Flagpole viewpoint.
Once right here, take a stroll alongside the Stone Bridge and observe the Beacon Hill loop to move for the views.
Afterwards, stroll additional to the coastal components of Beacon Hill Park and spot the tallest Totem Pole in your entire world. You’ll get to see the carved Kwakwaka’wakw construction and figures that make it so particular.
For an unfussy chunk, cease at an area establishment, Beacon Drive-In. They make a few of the greatest scorching canines in British Columbia. Oh, and don’t overlook their ‘screaming hot burger’; it’s so good.
Read extra: Best hikes in British Columbia
8.) Victoria Inner Harbour
Located proper subsequent to the Fairmont Empress Harbour, take a stroll alongside the Inner Harbour that’s so beautiful and vibrant to go to.
In a number of methods, it’ll really be the place it’s best to start on the journey, particularly if you happen to’re arriving by cruise. Throughout the yr, the Inner Harbour hosts festivals and different enjoyable actions occur – which implies there’s at all times one thing happening.
Hungry? Make certain that you simply cease at Ithaka Greek Restaurant. It is a terrific restaurant with one of the best seafood that’s freshly caught on the day.
9.) Baynes Beach, Victoria
On the japanese shores of Victoria, visiting Baynes Beach is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Victoria when strolling the shoreline.
You can get some gorgeous views from Easternmost Point, and also you would possibly even spot whales on the shores, too.
Now, one factor to know is that there’s not an enormous quantity of services or eating places round this little bit of shoreline. So, ensure that to move throughout after meals.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Vancouver
10.) Victoria Hiking Trails
Even if you’re not a hiker, you must stroll a few of the mountain climbing trails round Victoria. They are so particular.
Known as one of the vital scenic cities in British Columbia, ensure that to affix the paths that vary from straightforward trails, just like the Dallas Road Waterfront Trail to the Galloping Goose Regional Trail that’s a little bit more durable. Each path gives totally different scenic views throughout Vancouver Island and the shoreline itself.
If mountain climbing isn’t your factor, head over to Fort Rodd Hill that’s a historic naval base. If you’re concerned with navy historical past, head across the grounds and discover the armoury that was used from 1895 to 1956. Just you’ll want to take some comfortable strolling sneakers.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Vancouver
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