Why You Should Visit Victoria, Vancouver's Little Sister with a Big History
British Columbia’s capital, Victoria, offers a unique blend of grand architecture, vibrant First Nations art, and Canada's oldest Chinatown, all set against a backdrop of easily accessible wilderness. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria boasts a serene harbor filled with sailboats, chateau-style buildings, and leafy parks. Its gentle pace and compact size add to its charm, yet the city is anything but a sleepy provincial town.
An easy journey from Vancouver, Victoria features excellent neighborhood restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops. The city's museums and galleries highlight the region's Indigenous heritage, while its surrounding wild landscapes make it a natural jumping-off point for whale-watching.
Iconic Landmarks and Cultural Experiences
At the heart of Victoria’s harbor stands the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, an 1890s icon with marbled interiors open for free daytime tours. Across the street, the Fairmont Empress, one of Canada’s grandest hotels, has hosted notable guests like Elizabeth II and Rudyard Kipling. Enjoying afternoon tea in the opulent Lobby Lounge is a quintessential Victoria experience.
The Royal BC Museum delves deep into the province’s natural past and First Nations heritage. Highlights include a life-sized woolly mammoth and more than 225,000 artifacts, such as Haida masks and Nlaka’pamux clothing. Adjacent to the museum, Thunderbird Park features some of the museum’s most spectacular totem poles.
In lively Downtown Victoria, bibliophiles will love Munro’s Books, housed in a former bank with a coffered ceiling and artworks by local artist Carole Sabiston. The Mark Loria Gallery specializes in contemporary Canadian Indigenous art.
Historic Chinatown
Victoria’s Chinatown, the oldest in Canada, is home to retro neon signs and long-standing restaurants like Don Mee, which has served dim sum for over 80 years. Fan Tan Alley, one of the world’s narrowest streets, is lined with quirky boutiques like Saltspring Soapworks and Just Matcha. Nearby, Habit Coffee offers local art on its walls and serves beans from Bows Coffee Roasters and teas from Earth’s Herbal.
Culinary Delights
Wind Cries Mary is a moodily lit spot in Downtown Victoria offering BC produce like oysters, mussels, and salmon on a menu of sharing plates and cocktails. On the harborfront, Red Fish Blue Fish is renowned for its jerk fish poutine. For brunch, John’s Place serves up waffles, pancakes, and unique dishes like ‘Bat Out Of Hell meatloaf and eggs,’ while Floyd’s Diner offers a surprise dish known as ‘The Mahoney.’ Citrus & Cane mixes tropical cocktails, and Boomtown boasts a selection of BC porters and pale ales.
Outdoor Adventures
Victoria is surrounded by natural beauty, with the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, Goldstream Provincial Park, and The Butchart Gardens within easy reach. Dallas Road offers a scenic drive or cycle, starting at Fisherman’s Wharf Park and winding past beaches and bays to Beacon Hill Park, home to the world’s tallest freestanding totem pole. The Oak Bay Beach Hotel provides an elegant stop for a glass of wine with views of the Chatham Islands. For whale-watching, Eagle Wing Tours offers trips from June to October, the best time to spot marine wildlife.
Three Wildlife Spotting Adventures in Victoria
- Juan de Fuca Marine Trail This 29-mile trail offers a chance to spot black bears while hiking through dense forests, over river gorges, and along secluded beaches. The trail takes three to five days to complete, with opportunities to refuel at rustic diners.
- Goldstream Provincial Park Known for its quiet forest walking trails, plunging waterfalls, and the challenging climb to the top of Mount Finlayson, this park is a naturalist’s paradise. The autumn salmon run is a spectacular sight.
- Eagle Wing Tours This family-run company offers whale-watching trips in the Salish Sea, where you can spot orcas, humpbacks, ospreys, sea otters, and elephant seals. These three- to four-hour trips provide a highlight of any visit to Victoria.