Things to do in Victoria, BC for first-time visitors
You’ve got your eye on Victoria, and we can’t blame you. From blooming gardens and scenic waterfront strolls to history woven through the city’s streets, we wish we could go back and experience it all again for the very first time. Lucky for you, this guide shares the must-see spots and things to do in Victoria, BC for first-time visitors looking to make the most of their time in our beautiful coastal city.
Wander Victoria’s iconic gardens
Victoria is proud to be home to Canada’s mildest climate and the early spring blooms have given it the nickname, The Garden City. Built on the legacy of the Butchart family, the world‑renowned Butchart Gardens have been captivating visitors for more than 150 years, showcasing over a million bedding plants across dozens of themed gardens; a must-see stop for first-timer's year-round. For a garden rooted in romance, visit Abkhazi Garden, a short 10-minute drive from the city centre, where the love story of a prince and a commoner unfolds among manicured paths and colourful roses.
Stroll along the waterfront
One of the most scenic spots in the city, Dallas Road traces Victoria’s rugged coastline, revealing hidden coves, driftwood‑lined beaches, and windswept bluffs just minutes from the city centre. Snow‑capped Olympic Mountains create a dramatic backdrop as you stroll or cycle past paragliders and kite surfers catching the ocean breeze.
Local tip: After exploring on foot or by bike, settle in at Breakwater Bistro, where locals and visitors gather over a drink to savour nature’s curtain call as the sun dips below the horizon.
Discover the First Peoples of this region
With its temperate climate, natural harbours, and abundant resources, this region has long been a trading centre for a diversity of First Peoples. For an immersive introduction to local Indigenous history, Songhees Tours offers Indigenous‑led canoe and walking tours through the heart of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Guided by Lək̓ʷəŋən hosts, guests learn about oral histories, language, and place‑based knowledge that have shaped this land for generations. Paddle along the ancestral waterways of the Lək̓ʷəŋən People or follow a self-guided walking tour past the Seven Signs of the Lək̓ʷəŋən, honouring the artistic, historical, and cultural contributions of the Lək̓ʷəŋən People who continue to steward this land today.
Explore Fisherman’s Wharf
Colourful float homes, the smell of fresh seafood and the potential of seeing an underwater friend; yes, were talking about harbour seals and otters. Fisherman’s Wharf truly is your gateway to the Salish Sea. Try your hand at kayaking, paddling through bull kelp forests as you keep an eye out for local marine life with Kelp Reef Adventures, or step across Fisherman’s Wharf Park to savour fish and chips caught by fisherman that morning at Finest at Sea Seafood Boutique. For a scenic journey to Fisherman’s Wharf, book a Victoria Harbour Ferry and cruise along the Inner Harbour to your seaside destination.
Pedal through charming neighbourhoods
Regarded as Canada’s most cycle‑friendly city, Victoria is perfectly explored on two wheels. Pedal through charming neighbourhoods where quiet streets and scenic routes reveal the city’s local character. We recommend cruising through James Bay, passing heritage homes and stopping at neighbourhood cafés, or head to Oak Bay to roll through the colourful village lined with delis, pubs, and galleries. Join a guided tour with The Pedaler Cycling Tours or rent an e-bike from Pedego Electric Bikes as you explore the city at your own pace.
Uncover the stories of British Columbia
A must-see visit during your first time in Victoria, the Royal BC Museum hosts extensive galleries and interactive displays across four floors and over 26,000 square feet. Explore beautifully preserved Indigenous artifacts and the stories that shaped them, life-size woolly mammoths that once roamed BC’s icy plains, and human history galleries sharing lived stories of British Columbians through the years. With rotating exhibits and over seven million artifacts, there’s something new to explore every time you visit.
Visit Victoria’s green heart
A green oasis in the heart of the city, Beacon Hill Park invites visitors to slow down and wander through lush gardens, quiet ponds, and winding pathways just steps from the Inner Harbour. Keep an eye out for the park’s resident peacocks, often seen strutting through the grounds, before making your way to the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm, a favourite with families. Here, little ones can meet alpacas, donkeys, chickens and spend time petting the playful goats in their pen.
Discover Victoria’s craft beer scene
Victoria’s craft beer scene runs deep, earning the city a reputation as one of Canada’s original craft brewing hubs. Sip a pint at Spinnakers, Canada’s oldest brewpub, or sample a flight of bold, creative beers at Phillips Brewing & Malting Company, a local favourite. With more than a dozen breweries throughout the city, it’s easy to explore a variety of styles in one afternoon.
Local tip: Rent a bike and explore Victoria’s neighbourhoods as you stop in for a few well‑earned pints along the way.
Sip and savour afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is a cherished ritual in Victoria, woven into the city’s history since the arrival of early European settlers and lovingly preserved today with a modern West Coast twist. Settle in for the iconic Tea at the Empress, proudly known as Canada’s Castle on the Coast, for exclusive Empress Blend tea with thoughtfully crafted vegetarian and vegan options. Or enjoy a classic service inside the historic Pendray Inn & Tea House overlooking the Inner Harbour. Built in the 19th century, this Victorian-era home is the perfect place to take in our cities old-world charm.
Adventure on the water
For unforgettable adventures on the water, start with whale watching, one of Victoria’s most iconic experiences. Set out into the Salish Sea in search of orcas, humpbacks, and other marine wildlife while taking in sweeping coastal views you just can’t see from shore. For a closer‑to‑shore experience, South Island SUP and Ocean River Sports offer guided paddleboard and kayaking adventures through calm harbours and along scenic shorelines that reveal Victoria’s natural beauty from a truly unique perspective.
Step into Canada’s oldest Chinatown
As Canada’s oldest Chinatown and the second oldest in North America, Victoria’s Chinatown is an essential stop for first‑time visitors. Step beneath the striking Gate of Harmonious Interest into a remarkably intact historic streetscape, then wind through narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards that reveal more than 150 years of living history. Head down Fan Tan Alley (pictured), the narrowest street in North America, before visiting the Victoria Chinatown Museum, where powerful exhibits bring the stories, struggles, and resilience of early Chinese‑Canadian settlers vividly to life.
A true taste of the west coast
Greater Victoria offers a wide variety of trails and hikes for every age and skill level. Goldstream Provincial Park is perfect for an easy outing, where short forest trails lead to stunning, moss‑covered waterfalls, while more experienced hikers can challenge themselves on the climb up Mount Finlayson. Venture farther west to Aylard Farm in East Sooke Regional Park (pictured), where rugged coastal paths wind past arbutus groves and untouched shoreline with marine life often visible just offshore. Closer to the city, PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park) delivers a rewarding short hike with sweeping views over Victoria and the surrounding Salish Sea, blending wild landscapes with an urban backdrop.
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Victoria Visitor Centre
812 Wharf Street
Victoria, B.C.
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