How to Spend 1 Day in Victoria, British Columbia
Located on Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. Known for it’s Victorian architecture and outdoor adventure activities, it’s a popular stop on any Vancouver Island visit as well as a popular start of end point for cruising. I recently found myself here for a day during my Vancouver Island road trip and fell in love with its charm. So, if you, like me, find yourself with only 1 day I Victoria, British Columbia, here’s my suggestions on how to spend it.
Morning: Parliament & Government Street
Most shops and attractions around the city don’t open until 10am, so there’s no need to wake up super early. But once 10am hits, it’s time to get going.
If you are visiting during the week, I suggest a visit to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. This beautiful building is free to visit and at certain times of the day offers free guided tours. You can check the times here but when I visited there was one right at 10am. The tours only last about 45 minutes but it’s a great way to explore the beautiful building and learn a little about Canadian history and politics here in British Columbia.
Afterwards, head up to Government Street which is the main shopping area. There are plenty of places to find souvenirs but a few of my favourites are:
Makers: This shop features a diverse range of products all made by Canadian artisans. From jewellery to artwork, stickers to soaps, there’s something for everyone to be found here. Plus, you are supporting local.
Munroe’s Books: This beautiful bookstore was originally founded by famous Canadian writer, Alice Munroe. While the Munroe family no longer has anything to do with the business, it’s a great place to go if you are a book lover.
Roger’s Chocolates: Those with a sweet tooth will want to pop into this BC chocolate shop. The business dates back to the late 1800s and the heritage shop can be found in Victoria on Government street. There’s lots to choose from, but the Victoria creams are always a favourite (I love the raspberry and cherry flavours).
Lunch
Given that you only have 1 day in Victoria, I suggest a quick (but delicious) lunch at Murchies Fine Tea and Coffee. This local business has been importing and blending fine teas in British Columbia since 1984, making it one of Canada’s oldest brands, and the storefront on Government street is part café and part cute shop. The menu includes a variety of warm and cold tea and coffee drinks as well as a large selection of sandwiches, salads, scones, cakes, and pastries. You can take your meal to go or eat on site.
Afternoon: Whales, Gardens, or Museums
How to spend your afternoon will depend on the time of year you visit but if you are visiting between May and October I highly suggest you hop on an afternoon whale watching tour. Tours last about 3 hours (although you often need to check in half an hour early) and you have the chance to see several types of whales plus the local sea lions. May to October is prime humpback season but there are also orcas year-round. We had an incredible experience when I visited in late September and saw several humpbacks lunge feeding; one even breached twice. Book the tour we did here.
If whale watching isn’t your thing, consider heading to Butchart Gardens. The gardens are open year-round though some sections are seasonal. Spring, summer, and early fall are typically the best times to visit though they do also have Christmas activities. Note that the gardens are outside of the city centre, so if you don’t have a car you can take a bus, hire a taxi, or call an uber. Or, you can book this tour which includes a Victoria city tour plus the gardens.
If the weather isn’t great or the above options aren’t appealing to you, no worries. There is still lots to do in Victoria. Here are a few other activities that may be of interest:
- A food and history tour
- China Town Food Tour
- Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel (reservations required)
- A visit to the Royal BC Museum
- A visit to Craigdarroch Castle
- Visit Fisherman’s Wharf to see the floating houses and take a kayak tour
Evening: Illuminated Walks and Ghost Stories
For dinner I’d recommend a waterfront restaurant; after all the views are beautiful and Victoria comes alight at night. We grabbed a meal at Steamship Grill and Bar which was delicious.
Afterwards, take a walk around the waterfront and government street. Both the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and the Fairmont Empress Hotel are lit up with string lights at night. While many of the shops on Government street are close around 6pm, it’s also very pretty to walk down at night as you make your way to China Town. Victoria has the oldest China Town in Canada and it’s very pretty to visit at night.
Fan Tan Alley especially is a favourite; this small red brick lane is the smallest commercial street in North America and is strung with lanterns and lines with various shops. It’s fun to walk down and take some photos.
You can also explore the city at night by joining a local ghost tour where you’ll learn various spooky stories of tragic accidents and true crime. It’s a spooky, but fun, way to end your 1 day in Victoria.
Where to Stay in Victoria
If you need a place to stay overnight in the city, I suggest staying in the downtown area close to the legislative building. That way everything I shared is within walking distance (or easy to grab a bus/uber). Some recommendations include:
- Helm’s Inn (We stayed here, great location)
- Strathcona Hotel
- Fairmont Empress Hotel
Victoria is a beautiful coastal city with quite a bit to see and do. Whether you are looking for history, shopping, food, or wildlife, there’s something for everyone here. This 1-day Victoria guide hits some of my favourite highlights but don’t hesitate to spend longer if time allows!
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Don’t forget travel insurance!
Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.
Book your accommodation
I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save.
Book your tours
My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers.
Get connected
If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I have used esims around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA- they are super easy and you don’t risk losing your home sim! There are two brands I have used and recommend so I suggest comparing both.
Airalo: download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.
Truely: This one is easier in that it’s a one-time download instead of downloading an esim for each country. It also allows you to hotspot and tether- which not all esims do. Check out options here.
Not sure what to pack?
I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas.
Looking for a travel buddy?
Check out my group trips!