The scenic Inner Harbour of Victoria is the main attraction and the best starting place for visitors. Many of the city's most popular attractions are either on the waterfront or within walking distance. On sunny days, you may wander down the waterfront, passing past the Empress Hotel and Parliament buildings, or stop in at a restaurant for a bite to eat.

Wide pedestrian streets frame the harbor, which is home to a variety of fishing boats and colorful floating homes. Street vendors and buskers frequent the area. The sidewalks are lined with cafés and restaurants where you may have an afternoon cup of tea while keeping an eye out for whales playing in the open water. The Royal British Columbia Museum and the Parliament Buildings are among the most popular sights in Victoria's Inner Harbour.

With numerous three-dimensional displays offering a feast of views, scents, and sounds, British Columbia's provincial museum and archives is one of the top museums of natural and cultural history in Canada.

Walk through a rainforest, observe wildlife on West Coast beaches and in tidal wetlands, sit among aboriginal ceremonial poles and masks, and hear about the challenges of First Nations people following European settlement. A replica of the HMS Discovery, the ship that carried Captain Vancouver to these shores, and a street of shops in Old Town are also interactive features. Thunderbird Park has a traditional carved memorial and house poles outside. Helmcken House, a small mid-nineteenth-century home nearby, is British Columbia's oldest residence still standing on its original site.

Follow Highway 17A north for 22 kilometers to Brentwood Bay on the Saanich Peninsula to visit Butchart Gardens. Although the garden is only a short drive from downtown Victoria, it is one of the area's most popular tourist attractions and well worth visiting. It's also a site you may go to many times a year to see how the seasons change. Even in the winter, the gardens are beautiful, featuring an outdoor skating rink and a spectacular light display around Christmas.

Jennie Butchart, the wife of a wealthy quarry owner, founded the garden in 1904. In an abandoned limestone quarry, she created a fragrant garden. The gardens have subsequently been developed into a 20-hectare horticultural tour de force in Canada, partly thanks to the mild climate. They're the most beautiful are the Italian garden, rose garden, Japanese garden, and sunken garden. And summer at The Butchart Gardens is breathtaking from dawn to dusk, with vibrant flower displays throughout the day. Don't forget to check out the Night Illumination displays at the Gardens when you come here.

The Fairmont Empress Hotel on the Inner Harbour, like the Château Frontenac in Québec City, was built in 1908 for Canadian Pacific. It is one of Victoria's most well-known landmarks. Throughout the decades, this historic hotel has hosted celebrities and famous people, including members of the British Monarchy.

The Empress was designed by Francis M. Rattenbury, and entering the vast lobby of this luxurious hotel is like going back in time to before World War I. One of the most popular things to do in the city is to have Afternoon Tea, which is served in style in the Lobby Lounge. If you want to be sure of a spot, make a reservation. Miniature World is a collection of several dozen miniature scenes located on the north side of the Empress Hotel. Models of historical events, castles, and dollhouses attract both children and adults.

The Parliament Buildings, the imposing seat of British Columbia's provincial government, dominate the south side of the Inner Harbour. The imposing stone buildings, designed by Yorkshire architect Francis M. Rattenbury and completed in 1897, feature neat, orderly gardens and are exceedingly attractive in appearance, especially when lit by festoons of lights in the evening.

The Centre Block is situated in the heart of the hill, near a steep escarpment. The East and West blocks are on opposite sides of the Centre Block, creating a public plaza facing the city's central business district. Monuments to important political figures are dispersed over the surrounding open grounds. Free guided tours of the building are offered daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Market Square is one of Victoria's most distinct shopping districts. The market is an open-air space hidden from view from the street among beautifully restored historical buildings. The multileveled area is lined with patios, and the sunny main square hosts a regular roster of performances.

Market Square is a collection of unique stores, restaurants, and services with over 30 retailers. Wander around and visit a few shops to find unique items such as local art, jewelry, and crafts. You'll probably want to stay awhile because of the pleasant vibe and relaxing atmosphere. A bite at one of the unique restaurants is a great way to satisfy your hunger. Johnson, Pandora, and Store streets are the three main entrances to Market Square. Il Terrazzo, one of Victoria's most enduring and popular dining establishments, is located across Johnson Street and down a small cobblestone alley.

Cook Street Village is one of Victoria's most popular locations due to its pedestrian-friendly streets and small-town atmosphere. This funky little area, just down the street from Beacon Hill Park, has good restaurants and nice shops. This stop shows both Victoria's history and contemporary life. The main area is compact, stretching three blocks from Oliphant Avenue to Oscar Street.

Restaurant patios are packed with guests for most of the year. Under a large tree, food trucks have their own little space with picnic tables. Having lunch on a patio, exploring the village, and then walking 10 minutes down Cook Street to the Dallas Road Waterfront Trail makes for a really pleasant afternoon. This path stretches for kilometers, and on a clear day, the views across the Juan de Fuca Strait to the Olympic Mountains are breathtaking.

Beacon Hill Park, which is green and well-kept, is a popular outdoor space near the city center. Beautiful views across Juan de Fuca Strait to the snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Peninsula may be seen from the top.

Huge trees, gardens, and ponds may be seen throughout the park. Walking trails make their way around the park, offering quiet benches and rest places. You may see a variety of species here, including deer, peacocks, ducks, and even an otter. Paths also lead to high points with panoramic views of the ocean and mountains. Baseball, tennis, cricket, and lawn bowling are among the other activities available at the park. Summer fun for kids is provided by two water parks. Mile 0, a landmark on the park's southwest edge, marks the western end of the continent-spanning Trans-Canada Highway. A monument of Terry Fox, who attempted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research in 1980, is nearby.

Craigdarroch Castle is a stunning old Victorian-era castle located just off Fort Street at 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC, Canada, just a short drive or leisurely stroll from the downtown waterfront. This Victoria's fairy-tale mansion is a National Historic Site and is regarded as a gem of Victorian architecture. Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who built his wealth in coal mining, commissioned the house in the 1880s but died before it was finished.

The property is located in one of Victoria's most wealthy neighborhoods. Government House, the official residence of Her Majesty's representative in British Columbia, is located on Rockland Avenue, which is lined by grand heritage mansions. The ceiling in the Drawing Room is hand-painted and stenciled with lions' heads, garlands, birds, and bouquets. Rich golden oak from Chicago is used to panel the Entrance Hall and Dining Room. The Castle's windows feature Canada's largest and most beautiful in-situ collection of residential stained glass. The mansion is accessible to the public, however, there are no ramps or elevators.

Victoria is one of Canada's most beautiful cities and visiting the parks and hiking trails will allow you to fully appreciate some of the sights. Hiking trails in and around the city make use of the natural beauty of the area and provide quick access to mountaintops, waterfalls, and even historic sites. Some of the trails are within walking distance of Victoria, while others are up to 1.5 hours away. The trails will rapidly transport you from the rush and bustle of the city to the quiet and serenity of the wild, no matter where you go.

The Coastal Trail in Sooke is a wonderful seaside trail with views of distant mountains for coastal scenery. Another great hiking trail is Mount Work, which leads to a high point with views of the Olympic Mountains and Saanich Inlet. You can visit the Trestle Bridge Hiking Trail in Goldstream Provincial Park for a touch of history, and stop by Niagara Falls along the way. Or, if you want to look for something easier, try the Kinsol Trestle Bridge Trail, perfect for all abilities.