Victoria, British Columbia

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Top attractions in Victoria, British Columbia

See all tours & things to do in Victoria, British Columbia

Top sights in Victoria, British Columbia

Top 10 things to do in Victoria

Located on the southern tip of Vancouver island, Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and one of the oldest settlements in Canada. Enjoy this scenic, historical town's many landmarks on your next vacation to BC!

  • Royal British Columbia Museum

    1. Royal British Columbia Museum

    Bring your magnifying glass for a titillating day exploring natural history at the Royal British Columbia Museum, which houses over 750,000 specimens and artifacts.

  • Craigdarroch Castle

    2. Craigdarroch Castle

    Built in the Scottish baronial style with turrets, pitched roofs, and stained glass, this spectacle of a castle was commissioned by a wealthy Canadian coal tycoon in the late 1800s.

  • Butchart Gardens

    3. Butchart Gardens

    Surround yourself with local flora and fauna at the Butchart Gardens. A perfect daytime or evening activity, the gardens are open from 9:00AM to 10:00PM.

  • Beacon Hill Park

    4. Beacon Hill Park

    The Beacon Hill Park is fantastic for families. You'll find a waterpark, playgrounds, and even a petting zoo inside. Nothing like mini-ponies and goats to distract the little ones!

  • Victoria Bug Zoo

    5. Victoria Bug Zoo

    Home to the largest tropical bug collection in all of North America, the Victoria Bug Zoo is a wonderful (and reassuring) place to interact with all kinds of insects.

  • British Columbia Parliament Buildings

    6. British Columbia Parliament Buildings

    The British Columbia Parliament buildings, massive confections of stone built in the Neo-baroque style, feature beautiful works of art depicting the history of Victoria.

  • Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

    7. Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

    This 19th century lighthouse is a beguiling addition to the coastline. Be sure to visit lighthouse keeper's quarters, which were converted into a quaint little museum.

  • Emily Carr House

    8. Emily Carr House

    Find unique beauty at the childhood home of esteemed artist Emily Carr, whose Modernist paintings are beloved across Canada.

  • 9. Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

    A must on any art lover's list, this gallery houses one of the most significant Asian art collections in Canada, in addition to some of Emily Carr's greatest pieces.

  • Fort Rodd National

    10. Fort Rodd National

    An artillery fort built in the 1870s, this monument offers both fascinating regional history and a great ocean view. Kids will delight in scampering across the ramparts.

Planning Your Visit

  • Getting Around Victoria

    The best way to traverse Victoria is by taking one of 80 bus lines to your destination. You can also take one of several ferries to cross the waterways within the city.

  • What to eat in Victoria?

    Go for a farm-to-table brewpub, where you can sample truly local cuisine. Pair the gastropub fare with a Canadian Indian Pale Ale for the ultimate sensory experience.

Good to know

  • Language
    English
  • Currency
    Canadian Dollar ($)
  • Time Zone
    UTC (-08:00)
  • Country Code
    +1
  • Best time to visit
    Victoria's weather is warmest and sunniest from June to August. To avoid the rain, you really have to come in the summer time. See the city at its most vibrant and enjoy the best of Victoria's offerings when you come in the warmer months.

Top Attractions in Victoria, British Columbia

Things to Do in Victoria, British Columbia

Cities in Canada

Other Sightseeing Options in Victoria, British Columbia

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What people are saying about Victoria, British Columbia

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 728 reviews

Great whale watching experience in Victoria BC

We went on this tour in October and saw a number of humpback whales and large numbers of two types of Sea Lions. The naturalist taking the tour, Leah, was knowledgeable, was able to identify the individual whales that we saw, and provided information about the all the different species including the birds we could see. Above all she was friendly, approachable and clearly loved her job and enjoyed sharing her knowledge of the wildlife with us. The type of boat (covered with an upstairs viewing platform) was perfect for this type of activity and guests could shelter from the elements as we moved from spot to spot.

Victoria: 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour on Covered Boat Reviewed by Kate, 10/19/2019

On time departure... great first time experience in Turbo Otter. We had a great flight and the beautiful scenery was even more amazing from the air! The Gardens were lovely with their fall color, and the entire experience was so well organized and planned. Graham, who drove the bus to Buchart gardens, shared details about the area from his experience growing up on the island.

Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane from Vancouver Reviewed by Anonymous, 11/4/2019

A definitely must do! Orca Spirit adventure was amazing! We saw lots of animals, we were lucky finding our first humpback whale in the first 15-20 minutes of our trip. Our guide Ed was amazing, funny and knowledgeable. I was a bit worried about waves, but you simply cannot feel it in this powerful boat! I will definitely go back and do it again!

Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour Reviewed by Anonymous, 8/19/2020

Even though the ferries closed our day because of high winds you offered refund or rescheduling. We chose rescheduling the next day. Your driver also drove us around Vancouver to see a few sites and dropped us off at our request. Both drivers were friendly and informative. Good work under bad circumstances. A+

Full-Day Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver Reviewed by Mary, 10/29/2019

The organization of the tour was set up wonderfully. Do expect for a very long day ahead of you. Our tour guide, Randi, was very knowledgeable about the city and made the tour fun and exciting. There was plenty of time to tour the gardens and the city of Victoria.

Full-Day Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver Reviewed by Esther, 10/12/2019

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