Victoria On Your Own

Getting Around

Orientation

Your ship will dock at the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal in the Outer Harbour area of Victoria, which is located just over 1 mile from the Inner Harbour and downtown areas. If your ship offers a shuttle to the Inner Harbour area, take it. Otherwise, you can grab a cab or take a very pleasant walk through the James Bay area to get there.

The Inner Harbour/downtown area is where you'll find most of Victoria's attractions, including the Empress Hotel, the provincial Legislative building complex, museums, shops, restaurants and pubs. These sites are an easy walk from one another.

Just to the south of the Inner Harbour/downtown area is Beacon Hill Park. It's not Central Park, but it is a great place to escape and enjoy the scenery. It also has a great view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca from its highest point, the Lookout.

To the west of Beacon Hill Park is the James Bay area, home to some of the oldest homes in the city. These Victorian-era beauties have been lovingly maintained over the last century.

Fisherman's Wharf is located on the western boundary of the Inner Harbour; it's home to harbor seals, fishermen who live on their boats, and Barb's Place, a very popular fish and chips eatery.

Harbor Ferries

Victoria Harbour Ferry A trip aboard a Victoria Harbour Ferry is a fun-filled maritime adventure. You can pick it up in the Inner Harbour in front of the Empress Hotel. They make 15 stops in the Inner and Upper Harbours. Reservations are not required; the fleet of 11 boats travels so often during the busy summer season that there is seldom a wait of more than a few minutes. Tel: (250) 708-0201.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours

Tally-Ho Carriage Tours
Corner of Belleville and Menzies Streets
Tally-Ho is Victoria's original horse-drawn tour company that has been creating unforgettable memories for visitors and locals alike since 1903. Your private carriage tour begins from downtown, near the Victoria Harbour, and continues by some of the most beautiful heritage homes in Southern Vancouver Island. You may also choose to meander through Beacon Hill Park, appreciate the scenery along the Dallas Road waterfront, or discover the second oldest Chinatown in North America. Tours commence from the corner of Belleville and Menzies Streets, just across from the Royal London Wax Museum and beside the Legislative Buildings.
Tel: (250) 514-9257; ask for Larry or Randy

Victoria Carriage Tours
Corner of Belleville and Menzies Streets
Victoria Carriage Tours offers a number of tours that take you on an exploration of Victoria's most interesting and scenic neighborhoods. Tours commence from the corner of Belleville and Menzies Streets, just across from the Royal London Wax Museum and beside the Legislative Buildings.
Tel: (250) 383-2207

Bicycle & Scooter Rentals

Cycle BC Rentals provides bicycle, scooter and motorcycle rentals for those who would like to explore Victoria, Beacon Hill Park and its environs on a two-wheeled vehicle. They have two locations: 950 Wharf Street (Tel: (250) 385-2453), and 707 Douglas Street, at the rear of the Empress Hotel. (Tel: (250) 380-2453). They're open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Shopping

Victoria is a great place to shop. Whether you're looking for locally-made artworks, antiques, British goods, chocolate or a great souvenir, you'll find it in Victoria.

Victoria's British heritage is very much in evidence in the shops along Government Street, located in downtown Victoria between Johnson and Humboldt Streets. Here you'll find English woolens and bone china, Scottish tartans and Irish lace. Government Street also has many stores that specialize in Canadiana, First Nations art, original jewelry and fashions.

If you're looking for European fashions and gift shops, your best bet is Trounce Alley, just off Government Street between Yates and View Streets.

Fort Street is also known as "Antique Alley" or "Antique Row." You'll find a wonderful array of items here, much of it British in origin: silver, military memorabilia, rare prints, fine china, antique furniture and Victorian bric-a-brac. The street is also home to art galleries and auction houses.

Victoria's Chinatown is the second oldest in North America, after its San Francisco cousin. Here you can browse the shops and artists' studios along Fan Tan Alley and imagine them as the illegal gambling dens of yesteryear.

What's Special in Victoria

British goods, First Nations art, antiques, locally made arts and crafts, original artworks and chocolate.

Recommended Shops in Victoria

Below you'll find a few of our recommended shops in Victoria. To see the locations of the recommended shops listed below, see our Recommended Victoria Shops map.

Hill's Native Art
1008 Government Street
Tel: (250) 385-3911
Hill's Native Art bills itself as North America's largest Northwest Coast Native Art Gallery. Located three blocks from Victoria's bustling Inner Harbor, a visit to Hill's is highly recommended, if only to browse some of the beautifully carved masks, totems, bentwood boxes, sculptures, wall panels, hand-carved gold, silver and copper jewelry, original paintings, limited edition prints, glass works, feast dishes, talking sticks, baskets, rattles, drums, world-famous Cowichan knits and much, much more.

Irish Linen Stores
1019 Government Street
Tel: (250) 383-6812
Founded in 1910, the Irish Linen Stores stocks hand embroideries from the Madeira Islands, Belgium and Ireland that take months to create. The store has remained in the same location since 1913, and evokes an earlier era.

Rogers Chocolates
913 Government Street
Tel: (250) 881-8771
Chocoholics unite! Victoria is home to Canada's famous Rogers Chocolate Stores. The first Rogers' chocolates were made in 1885 by Charles "Candy" Rogers in the back of his grocery store in Victoria. In 1891, Rogers expanded his chocolate operation to the company's current heritage storefront on Government Street. Today, the company now has 10 retail stores, several hundred wholesale outlets, and a 20,000-square-foot factory.

Vanity Fair Antique & Collectables Mall
1044 Fort Street
Tel: (250) 380-7274
Voted Victoria's favorite antique shop. If you're a collector, you won't be disappointed. If you're looking for a special present to make a special person happy, think Vanity Fair. Open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Restaurants & Bars

When compared to Toronto or Vancouver, Victoria is a good but not great restaurant town. Here you'll find a good selection of restaurants featuring Canadian, American, European, Asian and other cuisines.

To see the locations of the recommended restaurants listed below, see our Recommended Victoria Restaurants map.

Recommended restaurants in Victoria

Fairmont Empress Hotel
High Tea
Indulge in one of Victoria's grandest traditions: Afternoon Tea at The Fairmont Empress. For almost a century, the majestic lobby of this landmark hotel has played host to England's most beloved ritual. With seatings beginning at noon, the High Tea includes raisin scones, fresh seasonal fruit with Chantilly Cream, smoked salmon, mango and chicken and cucumber sandwiches, decadent pastries and desserts and the Empress' special blend tea. A children's menu is also available for the little ones. Reservations are required, and should be made at least 2 weeks in advance; tables are held for only 10 minutes after the set reservation time. The dress code is smart casual--no torn jeans, short shorts, beach wear or flip-flops, jogging pants or tank tops.
721 Government Street
(250) 389-2727

The Bengal Lounge
Indian Curry Buffet
The Bengal Lounge is also set in the Fairmont Empress Hotel. Drawing inspiration from Queen Victoria's role as the Empress of India, this colonial style lounge is known throughout Victoria for its authentic curry buffet and signature martini menu. Overlooking the hotel's stately gardens, the richly appointed Bengal Lounge offers not only a delicious curry lunch and dinner buffet but also an impressive international a la carte menu. Cocktail and martini aficionados will appreciate the vast selection of signature drinks. The dress code is smart casual: walking shorts, jeans that are not ripped or torn and running shoes are allowed. Tank tops, sleeveless shirts, "short" shorts or cut-offs are not allowed. Lunch is served from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.
721 Government Street
(250) 389-2727

Zambri's
Italian Deli-Restaurant
Zagat says Zambri's serves "the best Italian food in the city." As you enter you are greeted by their open kitchen and an ever-changing daily specials blackboard that always includes pasta, meat/fish main courses and hot sandwiches. The atmosphere is casual, sometimes chaotic but always filled with the aroma of authentic Italian cuisine. Open for lunch (from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm) and dinner (from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm) Tuesday through Saturday.
911 Yates Street
Tel: (250) 360-1171

Barb's Place
Fish & Chips
If you've got a hankering for fish & chips, Barb's Place serves the best in Victoria. Barb's Place is located on a floating boat in Fisherman's Wharf, a pleasant 15 minute walk from downtown Victoria, or a short ride on one of the Harbour Ferry Boats, Erie St. Fisherman's Wharf. Open: 11:00 am until dark.
Fisherman's Wharf, at Erie Street
Tel: (250) 384-6515

John's Place
Breakfast & Brunch
Locals and visitors alike like John's Place for its great food with large portions at reasonable prices. Friendly, energetic staff, extensive menu, but it's always crowded--even at 8:00 am. Open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 or 10:00 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and again from 5:00 pm to 9:00 or 10:00 pm.
723 Pandora Ave.
Tel: (250) 389-0711

Rebar Modern Food
Vegetarian
Healthy food in a hippie-like atmosphere. The food preparation is focused on natural, wholesome ingredients and the flavors are pure and simple with some international influences. Locally renown for their great pancakes. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
50 Bastion Square
(250) 361-9223

Activities

Tourist Information Centre

Just to the north of the Empress Hotel is the Victoria Tourist Information Centre. Here you can pick up some free souvenirs and get the lowdown on tourist attractions in Victoria.

Tour Operators

Victoria Tours
Victoria Tours offers 16 tours of Victoria and environs. They also offer discounts if you purchase your ticket over the internet.
Tel: (888) 848-0742

Royal Blue Line Motor Tours
Royal Blue Line offers a "hop-on/hop-off" tour of Victoria in their double decker, open-top bus. Informative and highly entertaining, this tour has been painstakingly routed to include the most interesting and lovely aspects of the city.
Tel: (250) 360-2249

Discover the Past
John Adams, one of Victoria's foremost historians and a renowned storyteller, offers a range of fun and interesting walking tours of Victoria, including trips through Chinatown, a Ghosts tour and neighborhood tours.
Tel: (250) 384-6698

Victoria Bobby Walking Adventures
Victoria Bobby offers a walking tour of Victoria, where you'll be informed and amused as you learn about the Old Town, when Victoria was Queen and gambling was king. You'll also learn about the First Nations people, Captain James Cook, the arrival of Gold Miners and the days of wine, women and song. The terrain is flat and friendly.
Tel: (250) 380-2797

Walkabouts Tours
Walkabouts Tours specializes in historical walking tours that highlight heritage buildings, unique areas and amazing characters from Victoria's past. The walking tours last approximately 90 minutes. Explore the city's Inner Harbour, Old Town, Market Square, heritage homes, Antique Row and Chinatown. Walkabout's experienced guides love telling the stories of the city's amazing history and can engage audiences of all ages.
Tel: (250) 592-9255

Hidden Dragon Entertainment & Tours
Explore Canada's Chinese heritage first hand on a visit to Victoria's Chinatown, the second oldest such settlement in North America. On a "Hidden Dragon Tour," you will be treated to a myriad of sensations and experiences as interpreted by their expert local guides; the tour also includes a banquet lunch.
Tel: (888) 443-3369

Parks & Gardens in Victoria

Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto Avenue
Brentwood Bay

Located 30 minutes from Victoria, Canada's most famous public garden was created at the turn of the 20th century by Jennie Butchart to conceal exhausted limestone quarries near their house. The gardens have been expanded over the years, and now comprise over 50 acres. Today, more than one million people visit the gardens each year. The atmosphere is tranquil and the views are spectacular. To get to the gardens by public transportation, take the bus #75 for "Central Sahnich" from downtown Victoria. There are also regular shuttles during the summer from May through October leaving every half hour from the main bus terminal. Tickets cost around CAD$25 and are purchased from a separate Gray Lines desk, not the main ticket office. The price includes garden entrance and a return trip.

Butterfly Gardens
1461 Benvenuto Ave.
Brentwood Bay

Stroll amid hundreds of free flying butterflies and visit with the friendliest birds anywhere, all in an enchanting tropical garden. See over 30 species of exotic butterflies including the brilliant Blue Morpho and the delicately patterned Giant Owl. Truly a photographer's paradise and a wonderful place to learn. A gift shop, restaurant and delicatessen are on site. Located near the entrance to the Butchart Gardens at the intersection of West Sahnich and Keating Cross Roads.

Beacon Hill Park
East of Douglas Street, 2 blocks south of downtown

Named for the beacons that were once lit as a navigation aid, tranquil and welcoming Beacon Hill Park features streams, duck ponds, a cricket field, wading pools, playgrounds, a bandshell and a children's petting zoo. In the spring, the 150 acre park explodes with the color of hundreds of thousands of daffodils and blue camas. From the Lookout, aka Victoria's Lover's Lane, you can get a great view of the Juan de Fuca Strait. The park is also home to the official Mile Zero marker of the Trans-Canada highway. It's a great place to enjoy a picnic in Victoria.

Museums

Craigdarroch Castle
1050 Joan Crescent
Victoria
Tel: (250) 592-5323

The Craigdarroch Castle historic house museum is a "must see" on your visit to Victoria. The wealthy Dunsmuir family saga and the mansion they built is a key piece of British Columbia's history. Designated as one of Canada's National Historic Sites, this Victorian Castle is a legendary tourist attraction.

Maritime Museum of British Columbia
28 Bastion Square
Tel: (250) 385-4222

The three-story Maritime Museum of British Columbia features nautical exhibits chronicling the maritime history of the province. Among the vessels on display are the 38-foot Tilikum, the Trekka and the Dorothy. The museum is open every day except Christmas Day, and admission ranges from CAD$3.00 (child) to CAD$8.00 (adult).

Royal British Columbia Museum

This natural history museum, founded in 1886, was given the "Royal" title upon a visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986, and merged with the British Columbia Provincial Archives in 2003. The museum is one of the centerpieces of Victoria's tourist industry. It includes three permanent galleries and an IMAX theater. In addition, it often hosts touring exhibits from around the world. The museum is located in Victoria's Inner Harbour, between the Empress Hotel and the Legislature Buildings.

Royal London Wax Museum
470 Belleville
Tel: (250) 388-4461

This wax museum brings a little bit of England to Victoria. It contains over 300 wax figures of royal, political and historic personages, as well as copies of the Crown Jewels of England. Open daily 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Attractions in Downtown Victoria

Crystal Gardens
713 Douglas Street
(250) 953-8800

Located just in back of the Empress Hotel, Crystal Gardens is a glass-roofed structure that used to contain the largest swimming pool in the British Empire when it was built in 1925. Today, it is filled with tropical flowers, with exotic birds and butterflies flitting about.

Miniature World
649 Humboldt Street
Tel: (250) 385-9731

Located on Humboldt Street, just north of the Empress Hotel, Miniature World features a large display of dioramas featuring miniature models. The miniatures include "the World of Charles Dickens," scenes from old London, a miniature circus, castles, dollhouses, Space 2201, Fields of Glory and the world's smallest operational lumber mill. Young and old alike will be captivated by the model of the Canadian Pacific Railway. A great place to take the kids. Open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm daily.

Undersea Gardens
490 Belleville Street
Tel: (250) 382-5717

Located in the beautiful Inner Harbour of downtown Victoria, the Pacific Undersea Gardens provides the world with an exciting and convenient way to view the marine life of the British Columbia coastal region. Visitors to the lower level display area of the vessel descend 15 feet (5 meters) beneath the ocean to watch a variety of marine plants and animals. More than 5,000 animals of different species inhabit the aquariums around the vessel in a natural but protected environment. Through the many viewing windows, visitors can look right into the underwater world of the Pacific Northwest. Open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.

Whale Watching Tours

Five Star Whale Watching
651 Humboldt Street, adjacent to the Empress Hotel
(250) 388-7223

Five Star Whale Watching is Victoria's catamaran whale watching company. Established in 1985, Five Star was instrumental in establishing Victoria, British Columbia, as a world famous whale watching destination. Five Star is a family business offering unparalleled service and location. Five Star Charters Whale Watching is proud to help you discover the picturesque West Coast of Canada, and Vancouver Island, home to the largest population of Killer Whales in the world. The water surrounding Southern Vancouver Island, Victoria, and the Gulf Islands, is the home of pods "J", "K", and "L" numbering approximately 90 whales in total. The Five Star crews are waiting to introduce you to these magnificent mammals and share with you the myriad of other natural wonders abundant in this pristine marine environment.

SeaFun Safaris
950 Wharf Street
(877) 360-1233

Enjoy a 3-hour adventure, where you can encounter Orcas (aka "killer whales") in their natural habitat. You will also encounter other wildlife, including the sea-lion population at Race Rocks, many harbour seals, bald eagle nests, the abundant cormorant population and other sea birds of interest, porpoises and baleen whales. The SeaFun whale watching boat has extra-comfortable seats, dry baggage lockers, a washroom (not found on all whale watching boats), underwater microphones to actually listen to the whales, and free loan of sunglasses, binoculars and gloves. Their departure location can't be beat--it's right on the Inner Harbour, just a 2 minute walk from the Empress Hotel.

Prince of Whales
In front of the Empress Hotel
Tel: (888) 383-4884

Prince of Whales is the largest and safest environmentally friendly year round whale watching & eco-adventure company in Victoria. They offer Zodiac Adventure Tours and "Ocean Magic Cruiser" Tours.

Golf

Olympic View Golf Club
6450 East College Road
(305) 294-5232

Olympic View Golf Club is located just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Olympic View Golf Club boasts tranquility and nature with a variety of golf holes that constitute individual masterpieces. The magnificence of the Olympic Mountains, roar of two spectacular waterfalls, harmony of eagles soaring and deer grazing, calmness of twelve lakes and the stylish rock outcroppings deliver an award winning golf experience.