Free things to do · Victoria · Canada
7 free things to do in Victoria
Victoria without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Victoria without paying an entry fee: BC Parliament Buildings, Beacon Hill Park, Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley and Fisherman's Wharf are all free. Hotel rates fall sharply from November to March; winter is mild enough for walking and gardens.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Architecture · Inner Harbour and James Bay
1.BC Parliament Buildings
Come back after sunset to see the building lit up, reflected in the harbour.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Free
- After dark
- History
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Park · Inner Harbour and James Bay
2.Beacon Hill Park
Walk up Beacon Hill itself for a view across the strait, then down to the Mile 0 marker on Dallas Road.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Neighbourhood · Downtown and Old Town
3.Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley
Walk Fan Tan Alley early in the day when it is quiet enough to notice the old doorways and narrow courtyards.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Food
- Photo spot
Waterfront · Inner Harbour and James Bay
4.Fisherman's Wharf
Get there by harbour ferry from downtown, and eat fish and chips on the dock.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Kids
- Photo spot
Waterfront · Inner Harbour and James Bay
5.Dallas Road waterfront and Ogden Point Breakwater
Walk the breakwater at sunset, then continue east along the cliffs to the Mile 0 marker.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Nature · Vic West and Songhees
6.Galloping Goose Regional Trail
Rent a bike downtown and ride out to the Selkirk Trestle and back for an easy first taste.
- Time needed
- 2 hours to a full day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
- Nature
Viewpoint · Saanich
7.Mount Douglas (PKOLS)
Go at sunrise or sunset on a clear day, when Mount Baker glows on the horizon.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Harbour and James Bay | BC Parliament Buildings, Beacon Hill Park, Fisherman's Wharf and Dallas Road waterfront and Ogden Point Breakwater | 1 hour + 1–2 hours + 1 hour + 1–2 hours |
| Downtown and Old Town | Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley | 1 hour |
| Vic West and Songhees | Galloping Goose Regional Trail | 2 hours to a full day |
| Saanich | Mount Douglas (PKOLS) | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Inner Harbour and James Bay
Victoria Harbour Ferry
Buy a harbour tour rather than a single hop for the full loop, including the Gorge waterway.
- Time needed
- 15–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Iconic
Historic site · Colwood
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse
Bring a picnic; the grassy grounds and views of the Olympic Mountains suit a long afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Castle · Colwood
Hatley Castle and Gardens
Walk the old-growth forest trails on the estate after the gardens.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Nature
- Couples
Garden · Cook Street Village and Fairfield
Abkhazi Garden
Visit in April or May, when the rhododendrons and azaleas flower against the rock.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Historic site · Inner Harbour and James Bay
Emily Carr House
Pair it with a walk to Ross Bay Cemetery in Fairfield, where Carr is buried.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Off the beaten path
Aquarium · Sidney
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
Combine it with Butchart Gardens or a ferry arrival at Swartz Bay; it is a short, easy visit for young children.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
More ways to save
- Hotel rates fall sharply from November to March; winter is mild enough for walking and gardens.
- Parliament tours, Beacon Hill Park, the Dallas Road waterfront and Chinatown are free.
- Butchart Gardens admission is lower in winter and early spring than in summer.
- Taking the bus to Butchart Gardens costs far less than a tour or taxi.
- Remember that GST and PST are added to most prices, and accommodation carries extra taxes.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Victoria expensive to visit?
Victoria is expensive for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Victoria?
BC Parliament Buildings: Come back after sunset to see the building lit up, reflected in the harbour.