Downtown Victoria
Downtown Victoria is a lively mix of mouthwatering restaurants, must-see attractions, boutique shopping, and historic charm. It’s compact and walkable scale makes it easy to explore, but a wealth of things to do will keep you coming back. Victoria has one of the best-preserved collections of Edwardian-era and late Victorian-era architecture in North America, and its on full display in the downtown core, offering a splash of classical elegance almost anywhere you look.
About Downtown Victoria
At a glance
Downtown Victoria begins less than a block from the Inner Harbour. Downtown, you'll find a wide variety of boutique shops, vibrant eateries, cozy coffee shops, attractions, breweries, and more all situated amidst historic architecture. Downtown Victoria is compact and highly walkable, yet each pocket of the city feels distinctly its own. While exploring Downtown Victoria we recommend visiting Government Street, LoJo (Lower Johnson Street), Bastion Square, Old Town, Market Square, and Antiques Row (Fort Street).
What it feels like to be here
Downtown Victoria feels vibrant and alive. Think al fresco dining on a patio framed by floral hanging baskets, live music spilling from local pubs, and eye-catching Edwardian-era architecture just about everywhere you look. While the energy of Downtown is undeniable, it's easy to slip into an alleyway and find quiet moments as you wander from one area to the next. Keep your eyes peeled as you explore, you'll find beautiful public art in the most unexpected places.
When Downtown Victoria shines
There's never a bad time to visit Downtown Victoria. Foodies will dig the city's brunch scene, making mornings the perfect time to visit. By the afternoon, local shops are buzzing and street performers are putting on a show. By the evening theatres take centre stage, farm-to-table dining fills plate after plate, and the cheers of friends can be heard from the local axe-throwing joint. By nightfall, it's cocktail bars and live music at the neighbourhood pub. During spring and summer expect to see greenery and floral displays, fall is cozy season, with coffee spots and bookshops stealing the show, and in winter, expect twinkling lights and holiday charm.
Shopping
Forget the box stores, Downtown Victoria puts local first. Here, you'll find a selection of local and boutique shops that feel curated to your tastes. One moment you might be shopping for Indigenous Artwork, the next combing through shelves at Canada's largest independent bookstore, then meeting the maker of hand-crafted jewellery in a local market. Grab your reusable bag and shop 'till you drop in a city like nowhere else.
Shopping
What you’ll love doing
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia
When you're surrounded by water it's no surprise that you have a deep maritime heritage. Dive right into the ships and stories that shaped our province at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, the oldest maritime museum in Western Canada. Through their collection you'll explore humankind's relationship with sea, ranging from Indigenous stories, to settler journeys of exploration and adventure, to turn of the century steamships that sailed the Salish Sea. With intricate displays and hands-on exhibits, this museum is perfect for mariners big and small.
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia
The Royal & McPherson Theatres
Catch a show at one of Victoria's heritage theatres. The Royal Theatre is an architectural marvel with its Rococo/Renaissance Revival style décor and hosts a medley of performances that range from local ballet troupes to internationally acclaimed comedians and musicians. Located in the heart of Old Town, the McPherson Playhouse has evolved from its vaudevillian roots to host professional, community, and amateur performers throughout the year, and is one of the finest examples of theatres from it's era still standing in Canada.
The Royal & McPherson Theatres
Victoria Bug Zoo
Truly the talk of the town, the Victoria Bug Zoo is a mini zoo that specializes in... you guessed it... bugs! The Bug Zoo has over 50 different species of animals to see; everything from arachnids to insects. As you explore, educators from the zoo will help you learn about our tiny multi-legged friends, and maybe even let you handle a few of them. The Bug Zoo strives to combat misinformation about bugs big and small, help visitors overcome their fears in a safe and controlled environment, and create a new generation of folks with a lifelong passion for insects.
Victoria Bug Zoo Inc.Walking tours
Don't know where to start? No need to worry, Victoria's best walking tour guides have you covered. They know all the top sights to see and the best kept secrets too. Along the way, you'll learn the history of the city and the many stories of the people who help shape Victoria, British Columbia, and Canada. These tours provide a perfect sample of the city, giving you enough information to help you navigate the city, helping you decide where you want to go next and where you want to go back to.
Walking tours
What to do in Downtown Victoria
The best part about being in Downtown Victoria is that there's always something to do. Whether you're celebrating your sixth birthday, your sixtieth, your stagette, or simply a night out with friends, you'll find a seemingly endless list of activities and attractions in Downtown Victoria. From ghostly tours, to toy museums, hot tub boats, and more, a day spent in Downtown Victoria is a day well spent.
Local tips
Downtown is best experienced on foot
Downtown Victoria is compact and highly walkable, making it easy to explore at a relaxed pace. From the edge of the Inner Harbour to the far side of Old Town, the journey takes as little as 15 minutes. Between them, you'll find enough eateries, shops, and attractions to fill your itinerary on this trip and the next one. As you walk, keep your eyes peeled for vibrant public art, flower beds, and street performers, which invite you to linger in the moment.
Look up, Downtown Victoria rewards it
Downtown Victoria is an architectural wonder; you'll see the city's character everywhere you look. Filled with Victoria-era, Edwardian-era, and modern buildings, Victoria is home to dozens of heritage buildings and National Historic Sites. While it's easy to get lost in the bustle of the shops and restaurants, take a moment to look up and admire the stunning urban scenery of Downtown Victoria, you'll be glad you did.
Duck into laneways, they're part of the city's social fabric
Connecting many of Downtown Victoria's hot spots are a series of laneways, alleys, and squares, filled with off-the-beaten track finds. Places like Nootka Court, Market Square, Helmcken Alley, Bastion Square, Trounce Alley, Commercial Alley, Waddington Alley, and Fan Tan Alley (a hidden gateway to Chinatown). Throughout these laneways you might find tucked away eateries, boutique shops, public art, and even a few must-see attractions.Where to eat
You're in for a treat. Victoria is home to the highest number of restaurants, eateries, pubs, and bars per capita in Canada. With that designation comes a culinary masterclass serving up everything from fresh-caught seafood to farm-to-table fare, sweet treats, sticky fingers, and just about everything in between. You're going to need your stretchy pants for this one.
Getting to Downtown and getting around
How to get to Downtown Victoria
It shouldn't be hard to find Downtown Victoria, it's where the action is. Via public transit and the region's cycling network, it's accessible from just about anywhere in the region. If you're arriving from Washington State, Downtown is just a couple minutes walk from seaplane and ferry terminals. For those travelling from Vancouver, it's just a 30-minute drive from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, or a couple minutes walk from the Inner Harbour's seaplane terminals. For those bringing their vehicles, there is ample street parking as well as paid parking in private and city-run parkades.
Getting here
Getting around
Getting around Downtown Victoria couldn't be easier. It's highly walkable, meaning whatever activity you have planned, you're not more than a couple minutes' walk away. Victoria is also one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the country, a network of bike paths making getting around by bike as easy as can be. For those choosing to cycle, be sure to take advantage of the City of Victoria's Bike Valet service located just behind City Hall at Centennial Square. You can also explore the city by pedicab, golf cart, e-bike, and hop-on, hop-off bus tours.
Getting aroundWhere to stay
Downtown Victoria is where you want to stay if you want world-class dining, attractions, and shopping at your fingertips. Whether you're looking for budget-friendly hostels or elegant penthouse suites, Downtown Victoria has the perfect accommodations for your stay. Find your homebase Downtown.
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