Located on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, and with the mildest climate in Canada, Victoria is a beautiful port city where you’ll find nature and wildlife in abundance – including birds, seals, dolphins and whales – along with exciting attractions just waiting to be explored.
Discover the capital of British Columbia in your rental car, with its delightful harbour area, vibrant Downtown district and scenic wonders beyond. Named for Queen Victoria herself, take in the city’s unique British and colonial history through its many museums, as well as the striking architecture in the celebrated James Bay neighbourhood.
We’ve narrowed down the best things to do in Victoria to help you make the most of your stay. From whale watching tours to spectacular castles, don’t miss out on these highlights.
Royal BC Museum
Internationally renowned – with good reason – the Royal British Columbia Museum explores the region’s rich, cultural history through interactive displays, movies and artifacts.
Learn about the First Nations in the First Peoples gallery, which takes you through detailed tales and tribal relics, including masks and totem poles. Then, marvel over replicas of typical scenes from the Colonial-era as well as prehistoric mammals, including a life-size Woolly Mammoth.
On top of the three permanent galleries, the museum regularly welcomes guest exhibitions with themes of art, history, science and international culture. Meanwhile, for something more current, you can also spend the evening inside the exciting IMAX Victoria cinema.
To reach the museum, drive from Downtown Victoria towards James Bay via Wharf Street. The Royal BC Museum is on Belleville Street, and you can find parking nearby.
British Columbia Parliament Buildings
Taking pride of place overlooking the Inner Harbour, the grand British Columbia Parliament Buildings are well worth visiting. Outside, the neo-baroque architecture is particularly impressive.
In the daytime, you can see the intricate detail in the stonework, while in the evening the structure truly comes alive, when it is illuminated with more 3,000 twinkling lights. Spend time on the large lawn overlooking the waterfront – it’s a great spot for a picnic.
You'll also have the option to take a guided tour of the buildings. Find out more about the fascinating political heritage of the region and take a look inside the impressive dining room. There’s no parking at this attraction, but there are plenty of parking lots scattered around the harbour.
Craigdarroch Castle
A must-see landmark when visiting Victoria, Craigdarroch Castle is one of Canada’s most prestigious mansions.
First constructed in the 19th century by famous coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, it was later restored to depict how the privileged lived. With Victorian style architecture, stained glass windows and dark wooden fittings, this mansion lifts the lid on luxury living in the 1890s.
Park near the Inner Harbour and enjoy a stroll through the city to reach the castle, which is situated on a mound in the residential Rockland neighbourhood. You’ll be in awe as you explore the 39 extravagantly decorated rooms, then stop off in the visitors' centre to see the modest museum.Whale Watching
There are several local tours in Victoria that can take you through the waves on a whale watching adventure. The city has great conditions for year-round sights of the majestic animals, with a number of species calling these waters home.
On a boat tour, you have the opportunity to spot three species of Orca Whale as well as Humpback and Grey Whales. Dolphins and the smaller Minke Whale also reside in the waters around Victoria.
The best way to observe these magnificent mammals is in their natural habitat. Most of these tours will depart from Downtown Victoria, where you’ll then catch a cruiser from the harbour.
Galloping Goose Regional Trail
Experience the Galloping Goose Regional Trail with this natural corridor, which flows from Johnson Street Bridge in Downtown to the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, around 40km away.
This famous track offers up exceptional hiking and biking opportunities among nature, where Maple trees and Douglas fir thrive.
Enjoy walking or riding through the changing landscape as you move from the city, into the trees, under fern canopies and alongside breath-taking spots such as Thetis Lake.
Miniature World
For a very different sort of activity, visit Miniature World, situated inside The Fairmont Empress Hotel. The hotel itself is impressive, with its iconic grand Château architectural style, but it is inside that far more microscopic wonders await.
With fictional themed dioramas and scaled-down replicas of key historical periods, the exciting Miniature World museum is fun for the whole family.
Feel like a giant as you escape to a galaxy far far away in Space 2201, travel back in time in Frontierland, or journey to England to see Buckingham Palace in the London exhibit. See the amazing detail on the intricate models and learn more about the stories behind these diminutive re-enactments.
Butchart Gardens
Victoria is known as ‘The Garden City’ for a reason. And the exquisite Butchart Gardens, located around 20km north of the centre, provide a stunning setting with plenty to offer all year round.
In late spring, the flowers are in full bloom, while in summer The Rose Garden is embellished with bursts of colour. Wander through more than 200,000 square metres of rare and exotic plant life, fountains and idyllic fish ponds.
Amazingly, this site was once a quarry until the Butchart family transformed it into a horticultural hotspot in 1904. With plants from England, Japan and the Mediterranean, there’s a lot of natural beauty to admire.
Within the relaxing sunken gardens, there are places to grab something to eat too, including a restaurant with a vintage carousel. Drive less than 30 minutes from Downtown Victoria to reach the gardens, with parking onsite.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is an unwaveringly delightful area of the city that effortlessly shows off the laid-back lifestyle of Victoria. With colourful floating houses, shops and seafood restaurants, this picturesque area is a treat for all the senses.
Park up and enjoy the atmosphere as you wander through the docklands, checking out the fishing boats bringing in the catch of the day.
You can take a water taxi to explore the waterfront further, or join on an eco-tour to venture out to sea. Alternatively, take a kayak or paddleboard across the gentle waves; you’ll be able to spot birdlife and marine life here, including seals.
These are just some of the many amazing sights you can see in Victoria. But, with so much more to explore, the best way to get around the rolling landscapes is to rent a car.
We have several convenient pick-up spots across the city, while a wider British Columbia adventure can also be enjoyed with car rental in Vancouver and from Vancouver International Airport. Start planning your trip now.