Again and again, visitors to Victoria say
‘we wish we were staying longer. There’s so much to do here.’

Here is a brief summary of the many attractions of Victoria BC, suggesting some of the things to see and do on your visit to southern Vancouver Island.

So do not stay here just for one or two nights just to visit the The Butchart Gardens. Take a look below and plan accordingly – remember that a two-night stay only allows for one full day here. See our Victoria attractions map (link) for locations.

Downtown Victoria attractions

(All here are within easy walking distance of downtown except for nearby Craigdarroch Castle.)

The excellent Royal BC Museum deserves several hours for its displays on the history of Vancouver Island from the Ice Age to the 20th century, for the aboriginal exhibit and for its IMAX theatre.

Tour the BC Legislative (Parliament Buildings).

Wander round the Inner Harbour and browse through shops as far as China Town.

Savour high tea. Many plan to go to the expensive Empress Hotel but we suggest either the Butchart Gardens or the White Heather Tearoom in Oak Bay.

Go under the Inner Harbour at Undersea Gardens.

Take a harbour ferry or taxi to Fisherman’s Wharf to see the houseboats, feed seals and have fish and chips.

Check at the Tourism Victoria Info Centre for special events and festivals.

Spend an hour admiring the restored interior of Craigdarroch Castle, a splendid late Victorian mansion.

Victoria-area attractions

Outside the downtown area, Victoria has much to offer so explore the Saanich Peninsula (link) and Sidney to the north and the Sooke area to the west.

The Butchart Gardens is the principal attraction on Vancouver Island, if not British Columbia.

Nearby is Butterfly Gardens with more than 3,000 butterflies, moths and birds in a tropical jungle.

Next door is The Raptors, a birds-of-prey display at Church and State Winery.

Go star-gazing at the Centre of the Universe (Dominion Astrophysical Observatory).

Sidney is known for its peaceful atmosphere, its bookshops and its wharf. Visit the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre.

Drive west for parks, beaches and the natural rugged scenery around Sooke, eg oceanside walking trails in East Sooke Regional Park or the popular beach at Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin. En route, walk through Fort Rodd Hill Park to the Fisgard Lighthouse.

Gardens in Victoria

The Butchart Gardens is famed for its massed displays but several other gardens in Victoria are guaranteed to delight you. Here are five examples.

• the Gardens at HCP (Horticultural Centre of the Pacific) has over 100 acres in themed displays including the Takata Japanese garden.
• Hatley Gardens – over 500 acres which took over 100 gardeners 10 years to create.
• Finnerty Garden, at the University – woodland paths with 3,000 trees and shrubs, rhododendrons in spring.
• Abkhazi Garden – charmingly created over 40 years by a Russian prince and princess.
• Playfair Park – walk among the rhododendrons in bloom in May and early June.

Victoria wineries

Vancouver Island wineries have experienced significant growth in recent years now offering over 40 varieties of grapes. Take a driving tour and sample their wines – what better souvenir of your visit to Victoria? All these are within an easy drive of your bed and breakfast so ask us for directions to:

• Muse Winery
• Church and State Wines
• Dragonfly Hill Vineyard
• De Vine Vineyards
• Starling Lane Winery

And don’t miss:

• Sea Cider
• Victoria Spirits (gin, vodka)
• Tugwell Creek Meadery

Recreation

On Vancouver Island:

• Golf is a year-round pursuit on many courses.
• Tour Saanich Peninsula for its farms, fruit stands, forested hills, parks, beaches and small communities.
• The Galloping Goose Trail has 60 km of good trails for cycling (rentable) or hiking.
• Parks – there are 160 the municipality of Saanich alone! Favourites are Gowlland Tod, East Sooke, Sooke Potholes, Goldstream Park.
• Beaches - try Cordova Bay, Island View, Witty’s Lagoon or Willows Beach.
• Zip-lining for thrills flying through the hills of Sooke.
• Horseback riding for a more peaceful way to enjoy our scenery.

On the waters surrounding Vancouver Island:

• Whale-watching will be a memorable experience – see orcas (killer whales), humpback whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions and marine birds.
• Kayaking is a great way to explore the shore. Brentwood Bay is ideal for this.
• Sailing, such as on the tall ship Thane.
• Fishing, join a charter.
• Scuba diving - the Strait of Georgia is one of the best places in the world to explore underwater.

Victoria Events Calendar

See our calendar of local events in Victoria

You can tour Victoria and southern Vancouver Island by car of course but also by horse-drawn carriage, airplane, motor scooter, kabuki cab, bus, kayak, sailboat, classic car, bicycle, or… on foot. Do ask your bed and breakfast hosts for more information about these Victoria attractions.