Looking for a destination with the perfect mix of coastal, Pacific Northwest views, bustling downtown vibes, and Canadian history? Then Victoria is just what you’re looking for! If you’re planning on taking a quick trip to this breathtaking island city, stick to this weekend itinerary and you’ll be sure to enjoy your stay.
Day 1: Explore Downtown, Scenic Views, and Lively Activities
Morning: Get Your Adventure Started!
Fisherman’s Wharf
Start your trip off right and check out this charming gem in the James Bay neighbourhood, right outside downtown Victoria. Fisherman’s Wharf is a pier with bright and colourful float homes, cute little shops, and tons of food kiosks for you to visit. There you’ll also have a great view on the water amongst a variety of docked boats.
Water Taxi
Hop onto the water taxi to get to your next stop, which will take you straight from Fisherman’s Wharf to Old Town. Plus, you get a quick marine adventure into your morning! While soaking up the scenery of Inner Harbour, you might get lucky with a peek of some aquatic friends.
Brunch at Jam Cafe
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Now that you’ve made your way to Old Town, you can’t go wrong with a delicious meal. Head over to Jam Cafe, a cult classic, all-day breakfast and brunch spot located in Old Town Victoria. It has a wide variety of comfort foods, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, and a very cozy atmosphere. The chicken and waffles are a great sweet and salty option, and there are so many more to choose from!
Afternoon: Walk around Downtown
Market Square
To start your adventure through downtown Victoria, explore Market Square for the afternoon. There, you’ll find so many fun spots to explore. For some retail therapy, you can pop into some of Victoria’s best vintage boutiques like Vintage After Death and Victoria Vintage. If that’s not your style, you can also check out the knick-knack shops Paboom and Oscar & Libby’s. Finally, when all this shopping gets you thirsty, head to Hey Happy Coffee or Artemis Whiskey Bar for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Chinatown – Fan Tan Alley
Make your way over to Chinatown, one of downtown Victoria’s most iconic areas. It’s home to one of Victoria’s classic tourist attractions, Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada! If you’re cool with tight spaces, take a walk through the path’s red brick walls (or just take a picture at one end if you get a little claustrophobic like me). If you’re looking for a snack while you’re in the neighbourhood, go to Bao for a bite of traditional Chinese and Japanese street food.
Sunset: Sit and Relax
Head across the Johnson Street Bridge for a moment to slow down. There’s lots of comfortable public seating along the water where you can really take in the day. Relish in the view of the sun setting over one of Canada’s landmark parliament buildings. It’s beautifully lit each night so you can get a great sense of the site’s detailed architecture.
Evening: Dinner, Drinks, and Fun
Interactivity Board Game Cafe
As evening turns into night, have a fun-filled time at Interactivity Board Game Cafe. You can pick from a long list of pizzas and sandwiches for dinner, along with some of their many signature milkshakes and cocktails. Once you’ve ordered, make your way to the shelves which are jam-packed with games for you to choose from.
Day 2: Nature Walks, Tasty Treats, and Music to Feed the Soul
Morning: Another Day, Another Adventure
Breakfast at The Ruby
Now for day two! Get going on the right foot by having breakfast at the The Ruby on Douglas. It’s a locally owned diner decked out in retro décor, backed by catchy tunes on vinyl, and serves tasty breakfast options. Find it on the lot of Hotel Zed Victoria which has an equally eye-catching set up. You’ll be sure to feel like you’ve been plopped right into a groovy 70’s movie.
Stroll Around The Butchart Gardens
After breakfast, take a drive out of Victoria to The Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay. This gorgeous national historic site of Canada spans a whopping 55 acres and is full of some of the most breathtaking foliage you’ll ever see. You can book a walking tour ahead of time or go at your own pace through the Sunken Garden, Star Pond, and so much more!
Afternoon: Teas and Trails
High Tea at The Dining Room
End your visit at The Butchart Gardens with fancy afternoon tea in The Dining Room. Located in the original Butchart family residence, there you can indulge in pastries and fragrant drinks in an airy, whimsical atmosphere. If this experience sounds like your cup of tea (pun very much so intended), then don’t forget to book ahead because it does tend to fill up in the busier months.
Tod Inlet Trailhead
No visit to Victoria is complete without truly getting into nature! So, before heading back down into town, go for a quick hike on the Tod Inlet Trailhead. Now I know you may be sluggish after all the scones and little sandwiches, but don’t fret! This scenic trail is an easy one that’ll only take around an hour to complete.
Evening: Dinner, Drinks, and Live Music
The Irish Times Pub
Make your way back to Victoria and you’ve reached your final destination! To round out your amazing weekend getaway, end the night with dinner and drinks at The Irish Times Pub. Transporting you straight to Dublin itself, The Irish Times Pub offers comforting bites like bangers & mash, shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips—and don’t forget to chase your meal down with a cold pint of Guinness, of course! Beyond the cozy fare, you’ll also be treated to amazing live music which plays every night.
Bonus! Ride the Ferry
Whether you’re arriving or departing, if taking a ferry boat is a possibility for you, definitely go for it. On your picturesque ride to Vancouver Island, you can sit inside and watch the waves roll by or even brave the wind and enjoy the journey right from one of the outer decks! Sometimes, you might even be lucky enough to spot a pod of orcas splashing around the water as well.
And there you have it; a memorable two-day adventure in spectacular Victoria, BC! While a weekend can certainly go by quickly, with this itinerary, you can make the most of your stay. I hope that some time soon you get to enjoy both the natural and urban wonders that Victoria has to offer.
Until next time,
Jacqueline
