A guide to Greater Victoria's neighbourhoods
Whether it’s your first visit or your fortieth, our guide to Victoria’s neighbourhoods make it easy to explore the city. We’ll take a stroll through the city’s many neighbourhoods, showing you how to find them, what to do, and what makes them so special.
Victoria proper
What better place to start your Victoria vacation than well… Victoria. Here, you’ll find the city’s must-see neighbourhoods and a few hidden-gems for those looking to build a trip that’s completely their own.
Inner Harbour
Think of the Inner Harbour as the heart of Victoria, BC. The Inner Harbour connects downtown Victoria with the Salish Sea. Take a walk along the Lower Causeway, a great place to catch an evening sunset, and watch harbour ferries and seaplanes zip across the serene water, and if you're really lucky perhaps even catching a glimpse of otters, harbour seals, or even orcas. Along the Inner Harbour you'll find landmark attractions like the BC Parliament Buildings, Royal BC Museum, and Fairmont Empress hotel.
Explore the Inner Harbour
Downtown Victoria
Just footsteps from the Inner Harbour is downtown Victoria. Downtown Victoria is renown for its walkability, putting much of the region's top attractions, shopping, and dining within minutes of the city's top hotels. In downtown Victoria, you'll find places like Government Street, known for it's lively foodie and shopping scene, Lower Johnson Street, known for its quirky colours and boutique shops, as well as Bastion Square, famed for summer markets amongst historic architecture.
Explore Downtown Victoria
Chinatown
Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest in Canada and the second oldest in all of North America. Within Chinatown, you'll find Fan Tan Alley - Canada's narrowest street, the longest continually operated Chinese owned business in North America, and the picture-perfect Gate of Harmonious Interest. Chinatown is a great stop for travellers looking to explore the local food scene, dive into the rich cultural history of our region, and shop for souvenirs you won't find anywhere else in the city.
Explore Chinatown
James Bay
James Bay is the city's oldest residential neighbourhood, established in the 1840s. Throughout James Bay you'll find a fantastic blend of Edwardian-era, Victoria-era, and contemporary architecture, making it a great neighbourhood to explore on foot, by bike, or even by horse-drawn carriage. In James Bay, you'll find landmarks such as the National Historic Site of Canada Emily Carr House - once home to one of Canada's most famous artists and writers, the quirky floating community of Fisherman's Wharf, and the Ogden Point breakwater, known for it's breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains across the Salish Sea.
James Bay
Vic West
Vic West is just opposite the Inner Harbour from downtown Victoria and offers a great blend of urban amenities and connection to the outdoors, without the bustle of downtown. In Vic West we recommend a walk along the Songhees Walkway, where you can watch the sun rise above the city or watch the city transform into twinkling lights at sunset. Vic West is home to Canada's oldest brew pub, and is also the starting point for many of the region's top cycling paths, connecting Victoria to the many municipalities of Greater Victoria.
Explore Vic West
Fairfield
Fairfield is a favourite local hangout. The neighbourhood feels like a quaint community tucked away in the city. Located just blocks fromdowntown, Fairfield offers a mix of cozy coffee shops, eclectic eateries, and locally-focused shops. Due to it's proximity to Beacon Hill Park, it's common to see peacocks strolling around the neighbourhood, making for quite the sight to behold, and a wonderfully unique photo op. Locals love to stop by their favourite Cook Street restaurant taking their food to go to be enjoyed in Beacon Hill Park or down the road at Clover Point.
Explore Fairfield
Rockland & Gonzales
Art, history, and nature collide in Victoria's Rockland and Gonzales neighbourhoods, where you'll find landmarks such as Craigdarroch Castle, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, and Government House and it's famed gardens. Rockland & Gonzales makes for a great day in any itinerary, the neighbourhoods boasts an array of heritage homes, parks & beaches, and their major attractions are all walkable from one another, allowing you to explore some of Victoria's top cultural experiences at an unhurried pace.
Explore Rockland & Gonzales
Download Victoria's Vacation Guide
Navigate our map of Greater Victoria
Victoria Visitor Centre
812 Wharf Street
Victoria, B.C.
More Greater Victoria
Corporate Hub
