With summer right around the corner, travel season is essentially here and that means it’s time to start planning some fun adventures.
Victoria, B.C. is arguably one of the most stunning cities in Canada with the ocean and mountains surrounding it. It’s not all about the scenic views either, Victoria will also transport you to Europe with its British influences, including its landmarks and historical sites.
The summer season is the best time to visit Vancouver Island as there’s less rain at this time of year and the cool air from the ocean means it’s rarely humid.
Even if you’re spending your summer vacation elsewhere in B.C. but can make it to Victoria for a day, there are plenty of recommended spots you should visit to see some of the best attractions the city has to offer.
Here’s how we recommend spending a 24-hour trip to Victoria to make sure you’re experiencing as much as possible during your stay.
Start your day with a walk along the Ogden Point Breakwater
Start your day bright and early with a walk along the Ogden Point Breakwater.
This area tends to get busy during the afternoons with people cycling, rollerblading or walking their dogs so the morning is a great time to see it while it’s nice and calm.
The breakwater leads you out towards the Juan de Fuca Strait and ends at a lighthouse.
It’s a beautiful spot to take in the scenic ocean views and if it’s a clear day you might even get a glimpse of the beautiful Mount Baker.
If you want a longer walk oceak walk, you can continue along Dallas Road which just gets more and more beautiful.
Seriously, it’s tough to beat the views from this spot!
Grab a coffee and brunch at Nourish Kitchen & Cafe
Ok, it’s time to fuel up for the day so following your oceanside walk, it’s time to head to a nearby cafe for breakfast/brunch and coffee.
Victoria is Canada’s brunch capital so it seems like the perfect opportunity to head to one of the city’s most popular spots.
Nourish Kitchen & Cafe has an incredible menu with a variety of options like Sleeping Beauty pancakes, a Golden Benny, Grain Bowl or Sourdough Tartine. The brunch drinks are equally as delicious so don’t skip out on those.
It’s also located inside of an adorable Victorian house, which is a bonus!
Take a walk through Beacon Hill Park
Now that you’re fuelled, it’s time to take a walk through Beacon Hill Park, which is one of the most popular parks in Victoria.
The park is filled with colourful flower beds, trees, and footpaths. It also has a lot of wildlife, including peacocks which you will most likely run into during your walk. If you don’t see them, you’ll definitely hear them!
Make sure you also find The Moss Lady, a favourite tourist attraction inside the park. The statue depicts a woman made entirely of moss with her arms outstretched over her face.
You can also swing by the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm which has pigs, budgies, parakeets, chickens, guinea pigs, goats, alpacas and donkeys. Bonus points if you get there at 10:10 a.m. because that’s when they have their daily goat stampede!
Explore downtown Victoria
Downtown Victoria is one of the most picturesque spots on Vancouver Island so it’s worth spending a bit of time exploring the beautiful buildings, shops and activities happening around the Inner Harbour.
The B.C. Parliament Buildings are open for free guided tours seven days a week during the summer. The Fairmont Empress Hotel is another spectacular building that overlooks the water and is an iconic spot to take a few photos out front.
You’ll most likely see and hear horse carriage tours around the area as tourists take in the sites that way.
Government Street is also filled with cute cafes, souvenir shops and boutiques if you want to do some shopping.
If you want to see the views from the water, you could take a water taxi from one end of downtown to the other or go check out Fisherman’s Wharf.
Get lunch at Red Fish Blue Fish
Vancouver Island is filled with an abundance of hidden gems, especially when it comes to cafes and restaurants. Some of those restaurants happen to be just slightly bigger than a food truck.
Red Fish Blue Fish is a dockside seafood restaurant that any local will tell you is worth going to for a delicious meal.
With a 4.6-star rating and over 4,700 reviews, it’s safe to say you won’t be disappointed by the food offered here.
The eatery offers a variety of hand-roll style tacos, fish and chips, seafood chowder, sandwiches and jerk fish poutine.
This place is popular so be prepared to stand in line, but we assure you it’s well worth it.
It’s also a good opportunity to take a break from all the walking and enjoy the ocean views while you eat.
Stroll through Fan Tan Alley and explore Chinatown
You’ll find Fan Tan Alley between the 500-block of Fisgard Street and the 500-block of Pandora Avenue. This unique spot is the narrowest street in all of Canada, so it’s one you’ll want to add to your Victoria itinerary.
The alley is a cute shopping street with locally owned stores. You’ll find everything from bath products to clothes and vintage records in these shops.
The Chinese Canadian Museum is also in Fan Tan Alley so you can go inside for a quick self-guided tour.
Fan Tan Alley will also lead you to Chinatown, which is full of Chinese restaurants, shops and heritage buildings. You can grab a full meal here, try some Chinese barbecue pork buns or stock up on a few souvenirs.
This is the oldest Chinatown in Canada and the second oldest in North America so don’t skip this stop!
Grab dinner at a waterfront restaurant
If you’re starting to wind down from all the walking and ready to sit down for dinner, it’s worth checking out one of Victoria’s many oceanside restaurants as they have the best views of the harbour.
Some of the best waterfront dining options include LURE Restaurant + Bar, Aura Waterfront Restaurant, Finn’s Seafood, Glo Restaurant + Lounge and Boom + Batten.
Enjoy live music at the Bard & Banker
Victoria is just as beautiful at night as it is during the daytime so we recommend taking another stroll around the downtown core once all the buildings are lit up.
If it’s still too light out after dinner, you may want to go check out one of the most beautiful pubs in the city, the Bard & Banker. This pub is located on Government Street in a stunning brick building and the decor inside is just as nice.
You’ll find an extensive beer and cocktail menu and best of all they have live music.
While it’s tough to pack all the best things to do in Victoria, B.C. into one day, this list is a great start.
Vancouver Island is home to many other beautiful attractions and areas, including Canada’s best beach, so it’s worth coming back again soon.
Enjoy your trip!
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
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