Victoria in a few hours

What can you do in Victoria in 1 hour?

Walk the Inner Harbour causeway, look at the Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Empress, and grab a coffee.

Those three sit around the same waterfront, so an hour is enough to see them from outside and take photos without rushing. If it is a weekday, or summer, a free guided tour of the Parliament Buildings takes about 40 minutes, but that would use most of your hour.

Can you go inside the Parliament Buildings?

Yes. The Legislative Assembly offers free guided tours of about 40 minutes, with no advance registration.

The buildings are open for tours on weekdays, and seven days a week in summer. Arrive about 10 minutes before a tour time; self-guided tour books are available at the Tour Desk. At night the buildings are outlined in lights.

Is the Fairmont Empress worth a stop?

For photos, yes; it is the grand hotel on the harbour, and it is known for its traditional afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea is a sit-down affair, so it suits a 3-hour stop better than a 1-hour one, and you should reserve. Otherwise, the view of the Empress from the harbour walkway is the classic Victoria photo.

Is Victoria's Chinatown worth seeing?

Yes, and it is a short walk up Government Street: Tourism Victoria calls it the oldest Chinatown in Canada, established in 1858.

Do not miss Fan Tan Alley, which runs between Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue and is described as Canada's narrowest commercial street, about 70 metres long and lined with small shops and the Victoria Chinatown Museum. Discover Canada's itinerary passes Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley; on the other tours, walk there in your free time.

Prefer a guide to the sights? The Discover Canada mini-coach passes the Empress, Parliament, Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown.

★ 4.8 650 reviews · 13 to 14 hours · from $255

Explore the mini-coach Victoria tour →

Should you visit the Royal BC Museum with limited time?

Only with about 3 hours: it is right by the Inner Harbour, but you need at least an hour inside to make the paid ticket worthwhile.

The museum says admission includes its Natural History of BC gallery and the feature exhibitions on the day. Tickets and today's hours are on the museum's own site. One guest on the Christmas tour spent their free time in the shops and the museum.

How far is Fisherman's Wharf from the Inner Harbour?

About a 15-minute walk along the waterfront, according to Tourism Victoria.

The wharf has food kiosks, shops and colourful float homes; the float homes are private residences, so admire them from the docks. Allow at least an hour for the return walk and a snack, which makes it a 3-hour-stop idea.

Where is Mile Zero?

By Beacon Hill Park, south of the Inner Harbour, where the Mile 0 sign stands.

It is a little far to walk on a short stop, but the combo tour passes it on its Beacon Hill Park drive. It makes a good photo stop if you have a car or a longer stay.

What if you have a whole afternoon in Victoria?

Stay the night, and see the gardens from the city instead: the island tour picks you up downtown.

The island tour from Victoria ($105, about 5 hours) pairs a short city tour with photo stops and about two and a half hours in the gardens, admission included. It is the easier choice for cruise passengers and anyone who wants Victoria without the 13-hour ferry day. See Vancouver to Victoria in a day for the trip over.

Already in Victoria? A city tour and about two and a half hours at Butchart, with hotel pickup.

★ 4.9 687 reviews · 5 hours · from $105

Explore the tour from Victoria →

Frequently asked questions