https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/capital/best-things-to-do/10071591349090
Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Capital [2025]
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Inner-Harbour Pathway
4.5
/5
66 reviews
7.0
Based on 5,378 reviews
Downtown Victoria | 40.2 km from downtown
Phone +12509532033
Address: Victoria, BC V8W 3M6, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1.5-3 hours
Featured in 2025 Americas 50 – Night Attractions
Highlights:
Canadian wildlife recreated beautifully
360° view of harbor & mountains
30% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Victoria's Inner Harbour is an iconic attraction in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, with picturesque scenery and vitality. Surrounded by historic buildings, such as the magnificent Parliament Buildings and the classic Fairmont Empress Hotel, the harbor is lit up at night and is romantic and charming. Visitors can explore the bay by small ferries or whale watching boats to feel the ocean. The coastal walkway is bustling with street performers, local food stalls and handicraft markets. The harbor festivals in summer are rich, and the fireworks show is particularly exciting. The surrounding museums and cafes provide cultural and leisure experiences, suitable for family outings. However, during the peak season, the crowds are dense and parking is a little inconvenient. In short, the Inner Harbour is the core of Victoria that cannot be missed, perfectly combining natural beauty and urban charm.
45 minutes drive from British Columbia to Vancouver ferry. very nice view on the way to Victoria.( BC capital)
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The Butchart Gardens
4.6
/5
278 reviews
6.9
Based on 11,776 reviews
35.7 km from downtown
Phone +12506524422
Address: 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1J8, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Featured in 2025 Global 50 – Spring Outings
Highlights:
Centennial Garden: National Historic Site
Summer night lights enchantment show
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It is worth a visit. The garden has different flowers all year round and the scenery is beautiful, especially in spring. It is recommended to go there in the morning when there will be fewer tourists and it takes about an hour and a half to play. Parking is free in the garden.
The Butchart Gardens is a must-see attraction in Victoria. The ticket price is nearly $40. It has a history of more than 100 years and is still owned and maintained by the Butchart family. Although the garden is full of exotic flowers and plants, it still requires a lot of manual maintenance, such as watering, fertilizing, and removing withered flowers. The garden is divided into a sunken garden, a rose garden, a Japanese garden, a Mediterranean garden, etc. None of them are large, but they are very distinctive.
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Victoria’s Chinatown National Historic Site
4.5
/5
35 reviews
6.0
Based on 1,088 reviews
Chinatown | 40.3 km from downtown
Address: 500 Fisgard St, Victoria, BC V8W 1R4, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Hometown-style shops & restaurants
Chinatown gate & ancient architecture
28% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Victoria was the last stop on our Alaskan cruise, and we only had around three hours to explore the city. We found some walking trails from the cruise ship terminal towards downtown and Chinatown (Canada’s oldest), where we grabbed a late night bubble tea snack before heading back to the ship.
Canada is also a place where many Chinese people live. The entire Chinatown is quite huge. Chinese characters are all on the streets. It is also a place with a century-old history. You can also buy some big and good things in Chinatown.
No.
4
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Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
4.7
/5
102 reviews
5.8
Downtown Victoria | 40.1 km from downtown
Phone +12503873046
Address: 501 Belleville St., Victoria, BC V8V 2H2, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
No.3 of Night Attractions in Capital
Highlights:
Parliament lit by thousands lights
3000+ bulbs illuminate building nightly
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The British Columbia Parliament Building is located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is the seat of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The neo-baroque building is located on Belleville Street, facing the Inner Harbour, and is the most famous landmark in Victoria.
The Parliament Building is also the center of the city. You can see very good facilities in many places of this building. There is also a huge square garden structure in front. The overall condition of the Parliament Building is also quite good and it is very suitable for a visit.
No.
5
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Beacon Hill Park
4.8
/5
34 reviews
5.0
Based on 4,113 reviews
Fairfield | 40.7 km from downtown
Phone +12503610600
Address: 100 Cook St, Victoria, BC V8V 4Z8, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
No.2 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Capital
Highlights:
Peacocks & ducks frolic together
Birdsong up close & personal
25% positive reviews
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Beacon Hill Park is Victoria’s oldest and most popular park. It boasts an ornamental lake with a beautiful stone bridge which is home to a vast array of wild fowl including Blue Herons that nest in the old growth trees that surround the lake. Walk up Beacon Hill for spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and the waterfront. You can watch cricket being played on the cricket pitch and stroll through the many flower gardens. If you are lucky you can also enjoy performances at the band shell. The park is a must see for anyone visiting Victoria.
The Canadian lighthouse is also a place worth visiting close to the coastline. The park is also pretty good, with a large green area, some flowers and insects. The green background color can be seen here all year round.
No.
6
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Craigdarroch Castle
4.1
/5
36 reviews
4.8
Based on 3,365 reviews
Rockland | 42.1 km from downtown
Phone +12505925323
Address: 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC V8S 3L5, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Bordeaux's premium wine estates
360° view of Victoria
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A private castle of a wealthy man, modeled after classical style, built just over a hundred years ago. The layout of this castle is also quite simple. Even without going inside to visit, the things you can see are still very surprising. I really like the style here.
Craigdarroch Castle was built in 1890. It was originally the private castle of a coal tycoon. It has beautiful scenery and four floors with complete and exquisite facilities. It was expensive to build. Later, it was converted into a field hospital, school, music college, etc. It is now arranged as a museum for tourists to visit.
No.
7
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Fisherman's Wharf Park
4.3
/5
35 reviews
4.6
James Bay | 39.2 km from downtown
Address: 12 Erie St, Victoria, BC V8V 0B2, Canada
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Trinkets & live performances
Unique houseboats & water community
31% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Victoria Fisherman's Wharf is also a very interesting place. You can see many good projects on this pier. The overall condition of Fisherman's Wharf is not bad. You can also go fishing here, and many hotels can taste seafood.
There is a "Fisherman's Wharf" in San Francisco, USA, but I didn't expect that there is also a "Fisherman's Wharf" in Victoria, Canada. Gradually, I figured it out. Most cities near the sea have "Fisherman's Wharf". First, there are customers (citizens and tourists), second, there are extremely fresh fish resources, and third, it is a new economic growth point and tourist attraction. Why not? Victoria's "Fisherman's Wharf" is only about two kilometers away from the provincial parliament building. The colorful waterside houses add a lot of color and fun to it.
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