An easy ferry ride (or seaplane ride if you’re feeling fancy) from Vancouver and Seattle, is the small, quaint and beautiful capital city of British Columbia, Victoria. Located on Vancouver Island, Victoria is a popular holiday destination or weekend break for British Columbians, Pacific Northwesterners and travellers alike.
As the city is quite small in size, most of the main attractions are all within walking distance of each other. Unsure of where to start though? We’ve got you covered; here is our list of the top sites you need to see in Victoria, Vancouver Island.
Butchart Gardens
With over 55 acres of gardens, it comes with little surprise that Victoria’s Butchart Gardens receive over 1 million visitors a year! There are many different landscapes within the gardens including the Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden and Mediterranean Garden. There’s also a restaurant onsite that offers high tea as well!
Bastion Square
Looking onto the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square and its ceremonial arch located at View and Government Streets welcome visitors to the original site of Fort Victoria. The area is home to some of the best restaurants, pubs and cafes in Victoria.
Thunderbird Park
Established in 1941 when a display of totem poles from the provincial museum’s collection was set up in Victoria, Thunderbird Park is the perfect spot for a lunchtime picnic or a little reflection time.
Royal British Columbia Museum
Founded in 1886, the Royal British Columbia Museum is one of the best museums in Canada. A great place for kids and adults alike, the museum is home to three permanent galleries; modern history, natural history and First Nations history.
Tea at the Empress Hotel
Recognised as one of the Top 21 Iconic Hotels in the world by National Geographic, it’s impossible to miss the Empress Hotel when visiting Victoria. Overlooking the gorgeous Inner Harbour, a must-do here is to indulge in High Tea – a timeless experience that has been enjoyed by travellers and Victorians alike since the hotel opened in 1908!
Whale watching
Home to orcas (killer whales), grey, humpback and minke whales, Victoria is the perfect destination for whale watching. There are countless local tours that can be booked; most of which include trips to the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, the southernmost point of Vancouver Island, which is Canada’s first Marine Protected Reserve and home to numerous rare marine life.
Interested in exploring British Columbia’s capital, Victoria for yourself? Check out our Cosmos Canada tours here!
