Victoria, BC, is a city that feels like a perfect blend of history, nature, and coastal charm. With its picturesque harbor, beautiful gardens, and walkable downtown, it’s a great destination for a short getaway when in Canada.
I spent three days in Victoria with my family, and while we didn’t pack our schedule too tightly, we got to experience some of the city’s best sights. Here’s how our trip went!
Day 1: Arriving in Victoria & Exploring Downtown
We took the morning ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and arrived around lunchtime. The ferry ride itself was a nice experience—calm waters, scenic island views, and the occasional seagull following along. From Swartz Bay, we took the bus to Victoria and got to check in early at our hotel.
With only half a day to explore, we decided to focus on downtown Victoria.
Inner Harbour
We started at Inner Harbour, which is one of the most beautiful waterfront areas I’ve seen. Boats and seaplanes came and went, and we took our time strolling along the promenade, taking in the views.
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| Inner Harbour |
Parliament Buildings
Right across from the harbor, we stopped by British Columbia’s Parliament Buildings. The grand architecture is impossible to miss. While we didn’t do a full tour, we did walk around the grounds and even stepped inside for a quick look. It’s open for self-guided tours during the day, but we were content just taking in the impressive details and atmosphere.
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| the Parliament Buildings up close |
Government Street
From there, we wandered along Government Street, the main shopping area, where we explored little alleyways and admired the historic buildings. The mix of local boutiques, souvenir shops, and charming cafés made it a fun area to stroll through.
Then, after dinner, we made our way back to the hotel, but not before stopping outside the Parliament Buildings one more time. At night, the entire building is illuminated with hundreds of lights, making it even more striking than during the day. The warm glow against the dark sky gave it a completely different atmosphere, and it was a great way to wrap up our first day in Victoria.
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| the Parliament Building at night |
Day 2: Butchart Gardens & Chinatown
We woke up early and had a complimentary breakfast at the hotel before heading out. Our main plan for the day was to visit Butchart Gardens, one of Victoria’s most famous attractions, before exploring more of downtown Victoria.
Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens is one of Victoria’s most famous attractions. The gardens are enormous, with 55 acres of beautifully designed landscapes, from the vibrant Sunken Garden to the peaceful Japanese Garden. We spent a few hours here just taking it all in.
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| the Italian Garden at Butchart Gardens |
Chinatown
In the afternoon, we headed to Chinatown, home to the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Walking through Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in the country, was a highlight. It’s lined with unique little shops, and the whole area has a cool historic feel.
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| Fan Tan Alley |
After wandering through the streets, we had some time to just relax, enjoy the atmosphere, and do some souvenir shopping before calling it a day.
Day 3: Ocean Views & Fisherman’s Wharf
For our last morning in Victoria, we wanted to soak in a few more ocean views before heading back to the mainland. Since the weather was nice, we decided to do a walking tour. Plus, the area we were staying at was quiet and peaceful, making for a relaxing start to the day.
Ogden Point Breakwater
About a 30-minute walk from our hotel, Ogden Point Breakwater is a long, scenic walkway that stretches out into the ocean and ends at the Breakwater Lighthouse. The views were nice, with the ocean on both sides, and in the distance, we could even see the mountains.
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| Breakwater Lighthouse |
Fisherman's Wharf
From there, we headed to Fisherman’s Wharf, a floating village with colorful houseboats and food stalls. This was probably my favorite spot in Victoria because it had such a unique atmosphere. With several food stalls open for early lunch, we decided to grab a quick bite here while enjoying the waterfront views.
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| Fisherman's Wharf |
By early afternoon, it was time to make our way back to Swartz Bay for the return ferry to Tsawwassen.
Victoria is one of those places that’s easy to love. From historic streets to stunning gardens and coastal views, there’s a lot to see and experience. Three days felt just right - not rushed, but not too slow, either. If you ever find yourself in British Columbia, it’s definitely worth making the trip over!
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