We had a very unique experience when visiting Bastion Square at the start of Summer Solstice. We…read morejust happened to stumble upon a fire dance being performed that evening by The Wandering Artist. I didn't know who they were at the time, but they are very popular in Victoria. It was such a mesmerizing performance. I wanted to keep watching it, but we were in the middle of a tour. I just remember our guide wasn't very happy because she wanted to show us something at the top of the steps. Most likely the beautiful view of the Inner Harbour from that elevated square. Ah, but we did get a very cool local experience in the form of an artistic performance. Everyone was cheering them on. The area is quite historic. There is a line of bricks with names of pioneers and business owners that mark what was once the northeast bastion of Fort Victoria. It would later become a courthouse and a jail complete with gallows. Yes, the prisoners were executed by hanging. That may be why people say that it's haunted. I don't know. The square was full of locals and tourists on a very busy Friday night. There are 2 very well known pubs at the entrance of the alley. Let's just say that everyone was having a great time. We learned a lot that night while walking through the alley & square. It was a very interesting experience. Maybe one day I'll actually see that view of the Harbour that everyone talks about.

Bastion Square is not really a square; it's more like an open-air alley that descends (or ascends,…read moredepending on which way you enter it) for several city blocks and through multiple intersections of lightly-trafficked side roads. On a late Sunday morning, we passed by a handful of pop-up tents from local artists and craftsmen that weren't there the day (and night) before, so depending on when you visit, what you encounter here might be different than another. The "square" itself is clean, well-maintained and attractive, passing by several storied, stately structures built well over a century ago, repurposed and repopulated with nascent businesses, many of them pubs, clubs and restaurants, but also a smattering of others, such as a rare book store, and some satellite offices for regional colleges. At sunset, visitors are afforded a gorgeous view of Victoria Harbor painted in a pageant of dusky and fiery hues that encompass the entire color spectrum: a radiant sky with shades of red, orange, yellow, indigo, violet, framed by green foliage and blue water. Worth a visit for the ambiance and atmosphere alone, particularly when it is buzzing with visitors, tourists and patrons, but Bastion Square is made complete by the quantity and variety of quality dining establishments along its concourse. One of my favorite places to idle away the time in Victoria, and after your visit, I am sure you will agree.

The Victoria City Hall was designed by an architect named John Teague. It's a great example of a…read morebuilding style called "Second Empire." The building has a tall clock tower, which is 105 feet high. The building features intricate stonework, elegant towers, and beautiful stained glass windows. Construction started in 1878 and finished in 1890. It houses the offices of the municipal government. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, City Hall stands as a testament to the city's rich history and serves as a central hub for civic engagement in Victoria.

Beautiful city hall with class and history. There's deer prowling the grounds and it just oozes old…read moreworld care and architecture.

Fan Tan Alley, one of the narrowest streets in Canada and is only three to six feet wide and 240…read morefeet long, that runs between Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue (formerly Cormorant Street). It came into being between 1885 and 1920 as Chinese and Western landowners initially constructed buildings fronting on Fisgard and Cormorant, then over time filled in the spaces behind with new building. "Fan Tan" is named after a game played in gambling dens above the alley. The lower storefronts housed opium dens, restaurants, and shops. Opium was legal in Canada until 1908, but gambling was not. Trap doors to second floors and locked gates at each end of the alley helped slow down police during raids on the illegal gambling dens. Today, Fan Tan Alley is a neat shopping street with several locally owned stores. The shops are small in size, but each offers something different. Products available in Fan Tan Alley range from ice cream and other treats to vintage records and trendy clothing. Another key feature of Fan Tan Alley is its architecture. A significant amount of the exterior has a brick finish. The old buildings appear extra tall thanks to the street's narrow width.

fan tan alley feels like a secret the city almost doesn't want you to find…read more you can wander through victoria's chinatown without noticing it, then suddenly there it is: an impossibly narrow passage wedged between old brick buildings. stepping in feels less like entering an alley and more like slipping behind the curtain of the city. its name comes from fan tan, a gambling game once played in hidden rooms nearby. a century ago, this alley was alive with apartments, businesses, clan halls, gambling dens, and opium rooms, all connected by stairways, courtyards, and passageways mostly invisible from the street. while some activity was secretive, the bigger story is the community that thrived here despite discrimination and exclusion. for generations of chinese immigrants, fan tan alley offered work, friendship, support, and a sense of belonging. the buildings and hidden courtyards weren't just functional, they were the backbone of a community carving out its own space in a world that often shut them out. the narrow alley, tiny doorways, upper windows, and unusual fractional addresses like "1/2" all hint at the dense, layered way life was lived here. today, fan tan alley hums with a quieter energy. independent shops, galleries, studios, and cafés occupy spaces that once hid games, meetings, and everyday life. the history isn't confined to plaques or museum displays, it lingers in the narrow passage, the hidden courtyards, and the oddly numbered doorways. for all the stories of gambling dens and opium rooms, what remains most striking is the sense that this was, above all, a place where people built lives. walking through it feels less like seeing a landmark and more like stumbling across a piece of history that never quite disappeared.

love visiting victoria, and one of my favourite things to do is simply wander along the waterfront…read morewith nowhere in particular to be. for me, the inner harbour and the david foster harbour pathway have always felt like the same experience. i honestly couldn't tell you where one ends and the other begins, and i don't think most people walking there care much either. you're not following a trail so much as soaking in everything that makes victoria feel like victoria. you start near the parliament buildings and the empress, surrounded by overflowing hanging baskets bursting with colour. horse drawn carriages roll past, double decker buses glide through downtown, and tourists stop every few steps to snap photos from every possible angle. everyone seems to be moving at their own pace, with nowhere urgent to go. out on the water, there's always something happening. seaplanes skim across the harbour and lift gracefully into the sky, while others drift back in and settle onto the water as naturally as birds returning home. little harbour ferries weave back and forth between fisherman's wharf, songhees, and the inner harbour, their captains waving to people along the shoreline. the path itself quietly ties everything together. one moment you're listening to a busker, the next you're leaning against the railing watching pleasure boats and kayakers pass by. maybe you grab an ice cream, maybe a coffee, or maybe you simply stop because the view across the harbour is too beautiful to rush past. and if you stay long enough, one of the best moments comes after sunset. the parliament buildings slowly light up, every dome, window, and architectural detail outlined with incredible precision. i've always found myself admiring not just how beautiful it looks, but the patience and craftsmanship it must have taken someone to get it exactly right. thousands of lights, perfectly placed. by then, people are lingering on benches, couples are strolling hand in hand, and visitors are still taking photos as the sky turns from gold to deep blue. it's one of those places where nobody seems to be in a hurry, and honestly, that's exactly the way victoria should be experienced.

This is a fun place to visit on a Sunday morning around 10:15am when the water taxis do their boat…read moreballet. It last about 20 minutes and the little boats dance around the inner Harbour to music while the crowds gather along to dock area to watch. There is a nice marina too where there are big and small boats as well as a whale watching boat. On some days, there are vendors that setup along the harbour to sell there arts and crafts. There is no elevator to the lower level but there is plenty to see from to upper area too.

Hatley Castle, tucked away on Victoria Island, was a serene and picturesque stop on a crisp…read moremorning. Even though the air was chilly and the castle didn't open until 10 a.m., wandering the grounds beforehand felt like a moment out of a storybook. The expansive, beautifully kept gardens and coastal views made the stroll well worth it, offering a quiet and peaceful way to take in the surroundings. Paid parking is available, making it an easy stop to add to a morning itinerary.

Cool to view but tours are closed in the winter, so we were able to wander the grounds only. Not…read morethe size expected for a castle, it's part of the university and classes are held in the winter which is why there weren't any tours available.

The walking gardens are sooo nice and beautiful open to public - public grounds and parking…read moreavailable onsite .. Loved sunken, herb and rose garden and the fountains around particularly

incredible gardens! Open daily with free access and free parking, great for a picnic spot or just a…read morenice wander through all the different areas. Huge and so underrated!

Fun alleyways to discover in this small town within the beautiful Victoria. The grocery stores are…read moreespecially interesting to us, and some of the entrances to private residences were charming and quaint. It's especially pretty at night with the city lights. Be prepared for shops and restaurants to close early. Plan for an afternoon visit so you can check the ambiance to your heart's desire.

Standing 38 feet tall and spanning a full city street, the Gates of Harmonious Interest is an…read moreeye-catching red and gold beauty. Featuring three arches, each of the pedestrian pathways is guarded by a stone lion. It was erected in 1981 and marks the entrance to Victoria, B.C.'s Chinatown. Victoria's Chinatown is the second oldest in North America, behind San Francisco and is Canada's oldest Chinatown. We were surprised that it was only about three or so blocks in downtown Victoria. We thought it would be bigger. Even being that small, it had a vibrant mix of restaurants, shops, and colorful architecture. It offers a unique cultural experience with its rich history and lively atmosphere. You can explore the area's local cuisine, charming boutiques, and immerse yourself in the dynamic energy of this historic site. Whether it's indulging in delicious food or admiring the distinctive architectural charm, a visit to Victoria's Chinatown promises an enriching and enjoyable experience for all.

I've visited Victoria more times than I can count and somehow the Parliament Buildings still manage…read moreto stop me in my tracks every single time. The exterior alone is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in British Columbia. During the day, the grand dome, and maintained grounds make it feel like something you'd expect to find in a Europe than in BC. I highly recommend taking one of the free guided tours. Stepping inside reveals craftsmanship with soaring ceilings, beautiful woodwork and historic artwork. The tours are informative without feeling overwhelming and offer a fascinating look into both British Columbia's political history and the building itself. One of my favourite aspects of the tour was seeing the various royal connections and items related to the monarchy. As someone who enjoys learning about the Royal Family, I loved seeing portraits and hearing stories about visits from members of the royal family over the years. I honestly think it becomes magical at night. When all of the lights illuminate the exterior, the entire building seems to glow against the harbour. It feels almost storybook-like.

Definitely a must see. Totally worth going around any demonstrations to come in as my mother was…read morehesitant. Very historic and nice design with great artwork, ceilings, and stained glass windows. Did the self guided rather than guided tour but got to see a committee in session.