Victoria, BC is full of beautiful places to see, from harbour views and historic buildings to gardens, parks, shops, and scenic coastal stops. If you’re searching for things to do in Victoria, this guide will help you plan a visit that feels enjoyable, practical, and not overly rushed.
For travelers coming from Alberta, Victoria is also a wonderful destination for a guided bus tour. You can enjoy the scenery, ferry crossings, attractions, and free time in the city without having to organize every detail yourself.
Best Things to Do in Victoria, BC
Victoria offers a wealth of opportunities to experience history and culture, thanks to its well-preserved historic districts, museums, galleries, and heritage sites.
Read further as we break down some of the most notable historic and cultural sites that can provide valuable context and bring the past to life during your stay in Victoria.
1. Walk Around the Inner Harbour
Victoria has a rich history as the oldest city in the Pacific Northwest, founded in 1843. Visitors can explore this heritage at the Inner Harbour, the heart of the city which boasts the stately Empress Hotel and impressive Parliament Buildings.
2. Explore Victoria’s Chinatown
Chinatown offers a glimpse into Victoria’s multicultural past as the oldest Chinatown in Canada and second oldest in North America. Fan Tan Alley is also reputedly the narrowest street in Canada.
3. Tour Craigdarroch Castle
Bastion Square contains many restored historic buildings, including Craigdarroch Castle, a beautiful Victorian-era mansion exemplifying late 1800s architecture and opulence through its intricate woodwork and stained glass. Guided tours are available of the castle.
4. Visit the BC Parliament Buildings
Other architectural highlights are the Parliament Buildings, an impressive Neo-baroque design facing the Inner Harbour, with free guided tours of the interior.
5. Unique Cultural Attractions
Additional cultural attractions that are must-sees include the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the Maritime Museum of BC, the Robert Bateman Centre’s nature paintings, and the First Nations totem poles in Thunderbird Park.
Victoria’s Parks and Gardens
Victoria is renowned for its lush gardens and scenic parks, from the world-famous Butchart Gardens to smaller hidden gems that delight visitors year-round.
1. Visit The Butchart Gardens
Victoria lives up to its “City of Gardens” nickname with abundant lush public gardens and parks to explore. The Butchart Gardens is likely the most famous, spanning 55 acres and displaying over a million bedding plants across several themed gardens, including the dramatic Sunken Garden, fragrant Rose Garden, serene Japanese Garden and lively Italian Garden.
Smaller gems like the 1-acre Abkhazi Garden enchant visitors with majestic Garry oak trees, vibrant rhododendrons, rock formations and tranquil ponds.
For royal grandeur, the 36-acre gardens of Government House, residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, are open to the public. You can wander through cottage gardens, a winter garden and Garry oak meadows.
2. Spend Time in Beacon Hill Park
Urban green spaces provide natural beauty and recreation, like Beacon Hill Park’s 75 hectares of gardens, woodlands and walking trails perfect for picnicking and cycling.
3. Scenic Parks and Specialty Gardens
For scenic parks with ocean vistas, visit Uplands Park and Hatley Park, part of Royal Roads University.
Specialty gardens like the native species of Finnerty Gardens and the diverse themed gardens of Horticulture Centre of the Pacific showcase Victoria’s love of horticulture.
Why Victoria Is a Great Bus Tour Destination
Victoria is a wonderful place to visit, but getting there from Alberta does take some planning. There’s the drive through the mountains, ferry schedules, hotel bookings, sightseeing stops, and figuring out how to make the most of your time once you arrive.
That’s where a guided bus tour from Edmonton can make the trip feel a lot easier.
Instead of managing every detail yourself, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery along the way. The route to Vancouver Island is part of the experience, with mountain views, small-town stops, ferry crossings, and plenty to see before you even arrive in Victoria.
Once you’re there, Victoria is a great city for a perfectly paced tour. Many of the main attractions, like the Inner Harbour, Parliament Buildings, Chinatown, and local shops, are easy to enjoy without needing a packed schedule. You can take in the highlights, enjoy some free time, and still have room to relax.
For travelers who want the beauty of Vancouver Island without the stress of planning every piece on their own, a bus tour from Edmonton to Victoria is a comfortable and practical way to go.
Visit Victoria with Pro Tours
Victoria is a favourite destination for Pro Tours travelers, and it’s easy to see why. With ocean views, beautiful gardens, historic buildings, local shops, and a relaxed coastal feel, it’s the kind of place that works well for a guided group tour.
Pro Tours offers Victoria tours regularly, with pick-up locations across Alberta and planned stops along the way. The route west is part of the experience, with mountain views, ferry crossings, scenic stops, and plenty to enjoy before arriving on Vancouver Island.
Once in Victoria, travelers can enjoy highlights like the Inner Harbour, The Butchart Gardens, local sightseeing, shopping, and free time to explore the city at a comfortable pace.
With transportation, hotel stays, sightseeing, ferry crossings, and planned stops included, a Victoria bus tour makes it easier to enjoy the trip without organizing every detail yourself.
Interested in visiting Victoria with Pro Tours?
Visit our tours page to see what Victoria tours are currently available.