Located at the end of Vancouver Island, mainly wild, Victoria is a wonderful city on the west coast of Canada. Known for the abundance of outdoor activities and breathtaking Victorian architecture, it is a place where colonial history is intertwined with indigenous culture. I lived in Victoria, British Columbia for a year and was able to explore all the great things it has to offer. These are all my personal recommendations.
Stop at the snack bar for brunch, then head to Chinatown for dinner, stopping at the port to observe the seals and the gigantic cruisers. Victoria is a city that has something for everyone, because it has everything from excellent art galleries to exciting zip lines and hiking trails.
The best things to do in Victoria BC
1. guided walking tour of Victoria
Victoria is a beautiful city with many breathtaking buildings. Of course, if this is your first visit, you will not know the purpose of many of these buildings and you may miss some gems open to visitors.
Arrange a guided tour with a local and you will not only be taken to the best places in the city, but you will also learn the history behind some of the best architectural gems. Most of the walks through Victoria pass through the best neighborhoods and streets of the city, including the famous Government Street and Fan Tan Alley.
My favorite walks through Victoria also allow you to discover the city’s culinary scene. Walking around the city will burn calories, and what could be better than indulging in Victoria’s specialties in the best Restaurants?
2. Royal British Columbia Museum
The Royal BC Museum is the best and most popular museum in Victoria. If you have time to visit a museum or gallery while you are in town, make it this one. It has three main galleries: Natural History, the First Peoples Gallery and Becoming BC.
Come here to learn more about the Indigenous peoples of British Columbia, as well as the general history of the state and its evolution over the years. Younger visitors are more likely to enjoy the natural history gallery, which features dinosaur skeletons and different animal models.
Plan to spend at least a few hours in this museum, and that’s when you rush into the place. If you take your time at each exhibition, the visit can easily take 3-4 hours. In addition, I should mention that the museum has a beautiful IMAX cinema, where you can visit screenings of nature documentaries, as well as blockbuster films.
3. visit the fantastic Craigdarroch Castle
Visit the castle and take a guided tour of the premises to see opulent antique furniture, beautiful decorations and beautiful stained glass windows. Beautiful inside and out, the building is one of the best places to visit Architecture in Victoria.
The castle is located in Rockland, about a 30-minute walk (or 10 minutes by bike) from downtown Victoria.
4. rent a bike
Known as the cycling capital of Canada, Victoria BC is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the Pacific Northwest. Bicycle rental is available throughout the city, and many accommodations offer them to their guests.
Cycling through Victoria is not only ideal for getting around the city quickly for very little money, it is also a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Not to mention that it’s usually faster than taking the bus, and you don’t have to worry about rush-hour traffic.
If you are in good body shape, you may even be able to cycle to sites well outside the city center and you will see beautiful landscapes along the way. And if spending several hours on a bike is not so attractive, at least think about it for a quick visit to downtown Victoria.
