7 historic sites to see in Victoria

Historic sites in Victoria

Architecture · Inner Harbour and James Bay

1.BC Parliament Buildings

After dark the building is outlined in more than 3,000 light bulbs. Free tours visit the legislative chamber and the stained-glass rotunda.

Time needed

1 hour

Cost

Free

• Iconic
• Architecture
• Free
• After dark
• History

Museum · Inner Harbour and James Bay

2.Royal BC Museum and Thunderbird Park

It is midway through a long modernisation, and some older galleries have closed. Outside, Thunderbird Park displays carved totem poles and a carving shed, next to Helmcken House, one of the oldest houses in the province.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• History
• Rainy day
• Kids
• Art

Castle · Rockland

3.Craigdarroch Castle

Four floors of Victorian rooms are filled with stained glass, carved woodwork and period furniture, and the tower gives views over the city to the Olympic Mountains.

Time needed

1–1.5 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• History
• Architecture
• Rainy day
• Views

Neighbourhood · Downtown and Old Town

4.Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley

The Gate of Harmonious Interest spans Fisgard Street, and Fan Tan Alley, little more than a metre wide in places, once hid gambling dens and opium factories and now holds small shops and cafés.

Time needed

1 hour

Cost

Free

• History
• Free
• Food
• Photo spot

Historic site · Colwood

5.Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse

A causeway leads to Fisgard Lighthouse, built in 1860 as the first permanent lighthouse on Canada's west coast.

Time needed

2 hours

Cost

Low cost

• History
• Kids
• Views
• Outdoors

Castle · Colwood

6.Hatley Castle and Gardens

Its Italian, Japanese and rose gardens are open to visitors, and the castle has appeared in many films, including the X-Men series as Professor Xavier's school.

Time needed

1.5–2 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Architecture
• History
• Nature
• Couples

Historic site · Inner Harbour and James Bay

7.Emily Carr House

The restored rooms and garden tell her story, and work by local artists is often shown.

Time needed

45 minutes

Cost

Low cost

• Art
• History
• Off the beaten path

Grouped by area

Booking and timing

Of these 7, 2 free, 3 low cost, 2 mid-priced. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Royal BC Museum and Thunderbird Park; group the rest by area to save travel time.

How to fit them into 3 half-days

Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.

• Half-day 1 (Inner Harbour and James Bay): BC Parliament Buildings → Royal BC Museum and Thunderbird Park → Emily Carr House, at least 4 hours.
• Half-day 2 (Rockland, Downtown and Old Town and Colwood): Craigdarroch Castle → Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley → Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse, at least 4 hours.
• Half-day 3 (Colwood): Hatley Castle and Gardens, at least 2 hours.

The quietest months for queues

• February: highs of 8°C (46°F), about 14 rainy days, very quiet crowds. The first cherry and plum blossoms and crocuses often appear, weeks ahead of the rest of Canada.
• January: highs of 7°C (45°F), about 18 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Mild but wet and grey; snow is rare.
• November: highs of 9°C (48°F), about 18 rainy days, very quiet crowds. One of the wettest months, but chum salmon spawn in Goldstream River, a short drive away.

The neighbourhoods they are in

• Inner Harbour and James Bay — Parliament, the Empress and seaplanes on the harbour, with heritage houses behind
• Downtown and Old Town — Victorian brick shopfronts, Chinatown and the LoJo boutiques
• Fernwood — Bohemian village square with a theatre, cafés and painted heritage houses

More of Victoria

All things to do in Victoria · Where to stay · When to go.

Questions travellers ask