Places to Visit

The Fairmont Empress Hotel, opened in 1908, is a grand Edwardian landmark overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour and has long been a symbol of the city’s elegance and history. Famous for its afternoon tea and château-style architecture, the Empress blends old-world charm with modern luxury.

The British Columbia Parliament buildings in Victoria are a striking example of Neo-Baroque architecture overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour. They house the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and are especially iconic at night, when the building is outlined with thousands of lights.

Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest in Canada and second-oldest in North America, founded in the mid-1800s during the Fraser River Gold Rush and later designated a National Historic Site for its deep cultural and historical significance. Today, it’s known for landmarks like Fan Tan Alley and the Gate of Harmonious Interest, blending preserved heritage with shops, food, and ongoing Chinese Canadian community life.

Victoria’s inner harbour is the vibrant heart of the city, where historic landmarks, the waterfront promenade, and floating seaplanes meet against a backdrop of ocean and mountains. Lined with the Parliament Buildings, the Fairmont Empress, street performers, and boats, it’s both a lively gathering place.

The Ogden Point Breakwater stretches roughly 800 metres into the Salish Sea, offering sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains, passing boats, marine life, and Victoria’s coastline. Walk out to the lighthouse at the end and back for a scenic round trip of about 1.6 km.

James Bay is one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods in Western Canada, full of character, history, and local charm. Discover beautiful private gardens, historic houses known as the “Painted Ladies,” intricate stained glass, and old corner stores tucked among its streets.

Fisherman’s Wharf is one of Victoria’s most colourful waterfront spots, known for its floating homes, working harbour, seafood stands, and lively marine atmosphere. It’s a fun mix of local character, harbour history, and playful harbour seals. 

Craigdarroch Castle is a lavish Victorian-era mansion built in the 1890s for coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, showcasing stained glass, intricate woodwork, and sweeping views of Victoria. Today it’s a National Historic Site and museum that offers a glimpse into the wealth, ambition, and social history of British Columbia’s early elite.

Government House is the official residence of British Columbia’s Lieutenant Governor, serving as a centre for ceremonial, community, and constitutional events. Its beautifully landscaped gardens are open to the public and are loved for their peaceful paths, heritage trees, and springtime blooms like rhododendrons and roses.

Beacon Hill Park is Victoria’s iconic 183-acre park, originally set aside as a public reserve in the 1850s and later shaped by landscape architect John Blair. Its diverse landscape features dozens of varieties of trees, flowers and native plants, including towering giant sequoias, Garry oaks, camas wildflowers and colourful seasonal gardens. The park is also home to peacocks, ducks, herons and other wildlife, along with an English-style rose garden, ponds, winding paths and the beloved Beacon Hill Children’s Farm petting zoo.

Thunderbird Park is an outdoor exhibit beside the Royal BC Museum that showcases monumental totem poles and Indigenous carvings from First Nations across British Columbia. It serves as a powerful introduction to the region’s Indigenous cultures, artistry, and history in a compact, walkable space.

Bastion Square is a historic plaza marking the site of the original Hudson’s Bay Company fort, blending old stone buildings with cafés, shops, and public art. Once a courthouse square, it’s now a lively gathering spot that connects the inner harbour to the old town area.

Cook Street Village is one of Victoria’s must-visit neighbourhood spots, loved for its relaxed local vibe, charming shops, and great cafés and eateries. Just steps from Beacon Hill Park and close to Dallas Road, it’s the perfect place to stroll, grab a coffee, browse unique local businesses, and enjoy a true taste of Victoria.

Carr House is where one of Canada’s most famous artists got her start. This historic James Bay home offers a peek into Victoria in the late 1800s and the early life of Emily Carr, whose bold art and writing left a huge mark on Canadian culture. It’s a quiet little landmark with a big story behind it.

Visit some of Victoria’s century-old businesses and beautifully preserved historic storefronts, many with near-original interiors. Along the way, look for a few special honourable mentions: Rogers’ Chocolates, with its 1903 stained glass, woodwork and original tile; Artina’s Jewellery, housed in the remarkably intact former E.A. Morris Tobacconist, whose Edwardian interior dates to 1910; and James Bay’s Birdcage Confectionery, a neighbourhood corner store dating back to 1915 that still retains much of its original character.

Market Square is one of downtown Victoria’s most distinctive historic gathering places, set within restored 19th-century brick buildings surrounding an open-air courtyard. Today, you’ll find local favourites like Oscar & Libby’s, Patchouli’s Vintage, Hey Happy Coffee, Green Cuisine, The Drake Eatery and Whistle Buoy Brewing, along with independent boutiques, restaurants and specialty shops.