Sights Overview

Victoria's iconic buildings are clustered around the Inner Harbour. To the south, Beacon Hill Park and James Bay extend to Dallas Road, which runs along the shore of Juan de Fuca Strait. A short walk north along the shop-lined Government Street leads to historic Bastion Square, Market Square, and Chinatown -- which are sometimes collectively called Old Town. From here, the Johnson Street bridge, which separates the Inner Harbour from the Upper Harbour, leads to the waterfront walkways of Vic West. About a mile east of downtown are the gardens and mansions of Rockland, Fairfield, and Oak Bay, the city's older residential districts. Running parallel to Government Street are Blanshard Street, which becomes Highway 17 and leads to the Saanich Peninsula, and Douglas Street, which leads to Highway 1 and the rest of Vancouver Island.

Making the Most of Your Time

You can see most of the sights in Victoria's compact core in a day, although there's enough to see at the main museums to easily fill two days. An extra day allows time to explore Oak Bay and Rockland, visit Hatley Park and Fort Rodd Hill, or take a boat tour of the gorge and stop for tea at Point Ellice House. It rains often in Victoria, so if you get a fine day, consider heading outside for garden touring, whale-watching, kayaking, or cycling. You can save time by pre-booking tea at the Empress and buying tickets to the Royal BC Museum online. To avoid crowds at Butchart Gardens, visit early in the morning or on weekdays in the late afternoon and early evening.