Three Days in Victoria
Welcome to Victoria!
Well there you are! You've finally made it to the capital of British Columbia, also known as Victoria. You have three days in Victoria, but what will you do? Luckily we are here to help you out!
Day 1: Downtown Attractions
If this is your first time in Victoria, why not start off by exploring the major tourist spots?
On the first of three days in Victoria, step back into Victoria’s rich history at the inner harbour. Here you can find the famous Empress Hotel and the magnificent Legislature Building. But if you are really into history, visit the Royal BC Museum for the natural and human history of British Columbia. As one of the top ten museums of Canada, the Royal BC Museum will surely entertain you for a big part of the day.
Enriched with new information, continue your day on to the Fisherman’s Wharf. This funky place is home to some unique floating homes and it’s a great place to eat some lunch and watch all kinds of sea animals. Walk back along the harbour to downtown Victoria for a little bit of sightseeing. Check out Bastion Square and Trounce Alley before heading to Canada’s oldest Chinatown where you can see its ornate gate and the very narrow Fan Tan alley (one of the most narrow alleyways in Canada)
It also boasts many options for dinner such as Bao and Varsha. And may we suggest the QV cafe & bakery for dessert? Insider tip: finishing their Mount Everest cake gives you the same satisfaction as climbing the real thing.
Day 2: Whale Watching & Beacon Hill Park
On your second of three days in Victoria, get yourself a good breakfast because you will need the energy for outside activities! Book a Whale Watching tour with us and explore the waters to find orcas, humpback whales and other marine life. Go for brunch after your tour to discuss your adventures in restaurants such as The Blue Fox, Floyd's Diner and The Jam Café. After all those calories, you can either work-out or go for a stroll in Beacon Hill Park.
Grab an ice cream cone at the Beacon Hill Drive Inn and check out peacocks in tree tops or make your way to the beach and enjoy stunning views of the Olympic Mountains. Walk back via Cook Street Village and if you’re hungry (emphasis on the “if” after your big brunch!) and check out many of their great restaurants. We love the Empire Donut shop as well as Moka House for a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
Alternatively, you can come back to the hostel and have your free dinner here! After all that outside activity you deserve some great drinks! You can check out the Ocean Island Lounge or go to the CRAFT Beer Market which is located by the water. But, if you are here in summer we totally (like, totally) recommend the Rooftop Patio, which offers great views of downtown Victoria.
Day 3: Mount Douglas & Goldstream Park
The city of Victoria is beautiful, but outside of the city boundaries is where the beauty of Vancouver Island really starts. Vancouver Island is known for its beautiful nature and areas around Victoria are not an exception. Start your day with a yummy breakfast at our hostel or go to one of the breakfast kingdoms such as John’s Place, which is just located at the other corner of this block. You’ll be busy all day, so make sure to pack some lunch! The Market on Yates can provide you with great sandwiches and healthy salads, but if you want more choice, visit the Victoria Public Market.
Easily accessible by both public transport and a car is Mount Douglas Park. You can choose to hike to the top, or drive to the top. Either way, Mount Douglas will provide you with great views. Preferably go there on a clear day so you can not only see downtown Victoria but also the surrounding mountains.
Additionally, you can soak up the sun on Mount Douglas Beach, which is adjacent to the park’s entrance. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, check out Goldstream Park which is set in a temperate old growth rainforest and is home to the Niagara Falls (you know, the little brother of the other Niagara Falls). Take the Goldmine Trail to see several old mines and to go up the railway trestle, which gives you a stunning view of the park. After a day of hiking and exploring, you must be feeling a lil’ worn out.
The best way to combat this with? Great food! End your day on a high note and go to one of the many great restaurants Victoria has to offer. Get some big burgers at the Bin 4 Burger Lounge or if you are running low on $$$, go to El Furniture Warehouse for some cheap but enjoyable eats!
In short, this is what we would recommend if you're three days in Victoria. Keep a close eye on this blog as we will update it with any new things we discover.
