Perched gracefully on the southern tip of Victoria, this coastal gem feels like a love letter to old-world charm and Pacific Northwest beauty. 

Founded in 1843 as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post and later named for Queen Victoria, the city still carries a distinctly British flair—afternoon tea, manicured gardens, and stately architecture—yet it hums with modern West Coast creativity. 

Stroll the Inner Harbour where street performers entertain against a backdrop of seaplanes and sailboats, and the iconic Fairmont Empress presides like royalty over the waterfront. 

Wander through the grand halls of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, then lose yourself in the floral wonderland of Butchart Gardens—a former limestone quarry transformed into one of the most breathtaking gardens in the world.

But Victoria isn’t just pretty—it’s delicious. Food lovers flock here for ultra-fresh seafood pulled straight from Pacific waters, Dungeness crab that tastes like the ocean breeze itself, and inventive farm-to-table cuisine shaped by Vancouver Island’s rich agricultural landscape. 

Reserve a table at Il Terrazzo for candlelit Italian in a tucked-away courtyard, savor refined West Coast flavors at 10 Acres Bistro, or grab globally inspired tapas at Tapa Bar overlooking Bastion Square. 

Between craft breweries, artisan chocolate shops, bustling markets, and cozy cafés perfect for lingering conversations, Victoria feeds both your appetite and your soul. It’s the kind of place where history, harbor views, and handmade pasta coexist beautifully—and where one visit quietly turns into a plan to return.

What to do in Victoria, British Columbia
Suggested activities for your trip

Use this link to find activities in and around Victoria, British Columbia

Suggested activities:

Whale Watching

Fan Tan Alley (Victoria's China Town Historic District)

Trounce Alley

Food and Wine Tours

Butchart Gardens

Victoria Butterfly Gardens

Horse Drawn Carriage Tours

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress

Live Music at Irish Times Pub