Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Why Visit Victoria, British Columbia?
I chose to visit Victoria, British Columbia on a whim following a successful trip to Vancouver in September of 2015. A few weeks after my Vancouver trip, I was browsing airfares and found a flight on Alaska Airlines from Las Vegas (my home at the time) to Victoria for $231 with a connection in Seattle.
My trip to Victoria was long before I purchased my current camera, so all of my photos are taken with my iPhone 5. These descriptions were written years later, as I had not planned on starting a travel blog when I went on this trip.
I was extremely pleased with my time in Victoria as there was plenty to see, and the people had the same inclusive Canadian charm that I experienced in Vancouver.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada - Table of Contents
- Why Visit Victoria?
- Getting to Victoria
- Inner Harbor
- Parliament of British Columbia
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Breakwater Pier, the Waterfront Trail and Beacon Hill Park
- Royal BC Museum
- Meals
- Victoria Area Tours and Packages
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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How to Get to Victoria, British Columbia
To get to Victoria, I flew Alaska Airlines from Las Vegas with a stopover in Seattle-Tacoma. Both my Seattle to Vegas and Vegas to Seattle legs were on a 737-700. The Victoria legs were on a Bombardier Dash 8 Q-400, which is quite bumpy. Thankfully, the flight from Seattle to Victoria is under 30 minutes from takeoff to landing.
Clearing passport control and customs in Victoria was straightforward despite having only one kiosk open. I would guess that when a larger plane arrives, there would either be a long wait, or they would have to open additional kiosks. Victoria Airport does not have Pre-Clearance, which meant that I had to go through customs and immigration in Seattle instead of being cleared before leaving Canada.
A unique way to travel to Victoria, BC is by Sea Plane. Sea Planes run daily routes between Vancouver and Victoria and provide stunning views of upon approach. The ride takes around 35 minutes.
 Victoria to Vancouver Seaplane Flight - $182.12 This 35-minute seaplane flight is a quick and easy way to travel from Victoria to Vancouver, and adds a little excitement to boot. In Victoria, capture prime aerial views of Inner Harbour, Fairmont Empress hotel and BC Parliament Buildings. Fly north over the Salish Sea and the Gulf Islands, and then make a splashy ending at Vancouver’s Coal Harbour. |
 Vancouver to Victoria Seaplane Flight - $191.97 You could take the ferry or a bus to Victoria, but with all the transportation and traffic involved, it could take hours. Get to your destination in 35 minutes with this one way seaplane flight from Vancouver. As you fly over Vancouver, capture prime aerial views of Canada Place, Burrard Inlet and Stanley Park. Fly south over the Salish Sea and the Gulf Islands, and then land downtown at Victoria’s Inner Harbour near the Fairmont Empress Hotel and BC Parliament Buildings. |
There are also high-speed ferries that go from Seattle to Victoria and Vancouver to Victoria. Ferry rides take around 3 hours each way.
 Vancouver to Victoria by Seaplane and Ferry - $254.50 Add a little excitement to your day trip to Victoria from Vancouver without blowing the budget. Take a scenic seaplane flight to the famous island for a leisurely day of sightseeing before returning to Vancouver by ferry. This is a small group tour with a maximum of 14 passengers. |
Walking Around Victoria, British Columbia's Inner Harbour and Coast
Victoria, BC - The Inner Harbour
I began my sightseeing in Victoria by walking from my hotel, the Quality Inn Downtown to the beginning of the Inner Harbor. The Inner Harbor is a great place to start as there is a visitor’s center at the corner of Government Street and Humboldt Street.
For touring the Inner Harbor, the best bet is to begin on Government Street and follow it to Belleville Street. This route will take you around the Inner Harbor passing the Fairmont Empress, Royal BC Museum, and the Parliament of British Columbia building.
Parliament of British Columbia - Victoria, BC, Canada
My first stop was the Parliament Building of British Columbia. Victoria is the provincial capital of British Columbia, and the parliament building serves as the province’s legislative assembly. Although I only observed the building from the outside, visitors can tour the inside of the building Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The tours are free and last around 35 minutes. Be sure to observe the parliament building at night as it covered year-round in spectacular white lights.
For detailed information on touring the Parliament of BC, check out Allison’s article from tipsforfamilytrips.com by clicking HERE.
Walking Around Victoria - Visiting Fisherman's Wharf
I continued onward to Fisherman’s Wharf. The Wharf offers food kiosks, shopping, and tours of Victoria Coastline via boat. If you time your visit right, you might see fishermen offloading their daily catch. I was unlucky in my timing, as there was no fisherman in the harbour. Despite the lack of boats in the harbour, I did see quite a few seals. Fisherman’s Wharf marks the end of the Inner Harbor, and many tourists choose to retrace your steps to return. I decided to keep walking down Dallas Street towards the Breakwater Pier.
I highly recommend taking a look at travelingislanders.com’s experience at Fisherman’s Wharf. You can access it by clicking HERE.
Walking Around Victoria, BC - Breakwater Pier, the Waterfront Trail, and Beacon Hill Park
After a brief stop at the Wharf, I decided to venture out of the Inner Harbor and followed Dallas Road to the Breakwater Pier. This route eventually took me to Holland Point Park. It was a very windy day, and it was fun to watch the waves crash up against the shoreline and the Breakwater Pier.
Be sure to walk out onto the Breakwater Pier to get a great view of the Pacific Ocean. The day I visited, there were 20-30 mph winds, which made the water even more beautiful. The roundtrip walk from one end of the pier to the other took around 30 minutes to complete.
After my walk up and down the Breakwater Pier, I continued towards Holland Pointe Park. At Holland Pointe Park, I left the road and followed the Waterfront Trail towards Beacon Hill Park.
Once arriving at Beacon Hill Park, I walked some of the trails, sat on a bench, and watched the sun set. To return to the Inner Harbour, I walked north through the park until I ran into Douglas Street. I arrived back at the visitor’s centre completing my loop around Victoria.
Although this was well over 5 miles of walking I really enjoyed following the Pacific Coast of Victoria. There was so many picturesque views that I saw along my walk. In addition to the beautiful scenery, Victoria is full of interesting art. I saw everything from totem poles, to a giant watering can during my walk.
Visiting the Royal BC Museum
My final day in Victoria, I visited the Royal BC Museum. Featured throughout the museum were exhibits on the First Nations. It was fascinating learning about the indigenous people who once lived in this area. Other exhibits I enjoyed featured fishing and hunting gear, the 2010 Winter Olympics, which was hosted by Vancouver, and an informational exhibit on the difference between weather and climate. The hours of the Royal BC Museum are typically 10 am to 5 pm.
Fellow blogger Josie from josiewanders.com has the best guide to the Royal BC Museum. You can access here Royal BC Museum page by clicking HERE.
The cost to enter the museum is as follows:
My Meals in Victoria
I enjoyed a few different meals during my time in Victoria. In addition to my normal Canadian breakfast at Tim Horton’s, I had some poutine and a wonderful dinner at Pig BBQ. Unfortunately, a reader told me that Pig BBQ is no longer open.
Victoria Area Tours and Packages
A tour is not necessary to enjoy Victoria. On this page, all of the sights listed are free except for the Royal BC Museum. That being said, there are some tours that could enhance your time visiting Victoria. I have listed a few tours below that caught my eye. I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.
Prices are accurate as of May 2023.
 Zodiac Whale Watching Marine Wildlife Excursion from Victoria - $101.43 Enjoy a 2.5 hour marine wildlife tour on a zodiac vessel! Every tour is led by a certified marine naturalist with a high-degree of knowledge and passion for Vancouver Island’s marine wildlife. Your vessel is equipped with hydrophones to bring the underwater experience to light. |
 Private Photo Session with a Local Photographer in Victoria, Canada - $277.67 Want to capture your amazing honeymoon? Family vacation while the kids are still little? Your perfect couples retreat from everyday busy life? A solo trip without asking strangers to take pictures of you? Stop searching, we got you here! |
 The Ultimate Group Package Deal of Victoria - $586.47 "City Highlights, The Butchart Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, Wine Tasting, and the Craigdarroch Castle" |
 Pedicab Tour of Victoria from Cruise Ship Terminal - $119.65 This 3 hour tour is specifically designed for cruise ship guests arriving to Victoria, BC, Canada. It includes easy and convenient pick up directly at the cruise ship terminal in Victoria and guaranteed on time return to the terminal from your local guide. Early morning and evening arrivals tour start times are also available, see our website for more options. Fall in love with the city by seeing its beauty, charm and friendly character. |
 Victoria Guided Food and History Tour - $67.72 This 2-hour tour begins at the Victoria Public Market and includes stops at The Harmonious Gates of Interest, Fan Tan Alley, Market Square, Bastion Square, Trounce Alley, Government St., the Inner Harbour Causeway and Parliament Buildings. Depending on the day, there are between 6-8 tastings along the route as we discuss the history and quirks of beautiful Victoria, B.C. Tastings include a bread, olive oil, cheese, tapas, seafood, tea, chocolate, craft beer, and much more! |
 Victoria Welcome Tour: Private Tour with a Local - $29.24 With our walking tours, you’ll skip the mundane historical tours and discover the city through a local’s eyes. Experience a tour that will transform the way you travel to make it as much about the people you meet, as it is the places you see. Our local guides (Lokafyers) are passionate about their city and eager to share their knowledge and perspective. Since Lokafyers are not professional guides and tour occasionally, they provide an experience that’s authentic and personal, like a friend showing you around their city. By the end of the tour, you'll feel comfortable navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay. |
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