Although I am biased from having lived there, Victoria is a great city to visit. Whether on a cruise or visiting nearby cities like Seattle or Vancouver, there is no shortage of things to do in Victoria. One of the challenges, however, is the limited time that many cruise ships stop there. Some visits are just a few hours long. Very few cruises stop for longer than a day. If you are visiting British Columbia’s capital, this guide will help you decide what to do during a cruise stop in Victoria BC.
Absolute Must Sees – Top of the List
Inner Harbour: No matter how much time you have, the one thing you must do is visit Victoria’s Inner Harbour. This is iconic Victoria, from the Parliament Buildings on the south end to the Empress Hotel and the Causeway. This should top your list of must-sees in Victoria no matter how much time you have.
Getting to the Inner Harbour is fairly easy. A taxi from the cruise terminal will have you there in about 5 minutes at a cost of roughly $10. However, if you are taking a taxi, why not pay an extra $10 to $20 and have the driver give you a little tour. I recommend the scenic route through Beacon Hill Park and out to Clover Point.
Shortest route from the cruise terminal to the Inner Harbour.
If have the time, why not walk to the Inner Harbour. Taking Dallas Road, the route is just under 2km (1.3 miles) or about a 20 minute walk.
Take a Side Trek to Fisherman’s Wharf: Along the way to the Inner Harbour, I recommend taking a stop at Fisherman’s Wharf. They have ice cream and coffee shops along the wharf, and it gives you a good glimpse of west cost culture. Not everyone lives in a houseboat, but they are fun to look at. Think of this as a subdued and more authentic version of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf.
Route to walk from the cruise terminal to the Inner Harbour via Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf.
Victoria City Tour: If you only have a few hours and want to see the highlights, take a city tour of Victoria. There is a large selection from luxury charter buses to converted double deckers from England. Strong recommendation: do not take the double deckers without a roof. The weather is too unpredictable in Victoria, and even if the peak of summer, there’s a good chance you will be cold.
The city tour will likely take you through the Inner Harbour, China Town, along the coast (Beach Drive and Dallas Road) with a trip through Oak Bay Village and back into town. I do not generally recommend taking a horse-drawn carriage. They are expensive, smelly, and provide poor coverage if you want to see the highlights.
Cruising from Vancouver or Seattle? If you are using Priceline or Hotwire for your hotel, you might want to see what hotels other travelers are getting.
If You Have More Time
If your cruise stop in Victoria, BC, is longer than 2 to 4 hours, here are some additional things you might want to consider.
Pub Crawl: Victoria has lots of great pubs. Some of the best spots for tourists are:
- Bard and Banker, and the Irish Times: both of these on government street and within walking distance from the Inner Harbour. Both have a very similar vibe and decor. Worth checking out, but since they are essentially carbon copies of each other, there is no need to check BOTH of them out.
- Swans Pub: Another great pub and micro-brewery. The former owner (Michael Williams) was an art collector and graced this pub with some beautiful original works of art from Northwest artists. The place is essentially a museum that serves drinks.
- Spinnakers: You will need to take a cab or water taxi to get to Spinnakers but its worth it. Another brewpub on the opposite side of the Inner Harbour with spectacular views of the coastline.
Craigdarroch Castle: You will either love it or hate it. I love it. You can easily catch the city bus to the Castle from the downtown core if this is not covered on your tour.
Butchart Gardens: If you have the time, I recommend Butchart Gardens. The easiest way to get to Butchart Gardens is to take a tour but depending on your cruise ship schedule, this may not be possible. Taking a taxi can be quite cost prohibitive because its about a $70 cab ride each direction. Alas, there is BC Transit, the city bus will get you there for just a few dollars.
Victoria Events and Festivals: If you are cruising into Victoria, summer time is when the city comes alive with events and festivals. Pretty much every day of the week, there is something cool happening in Victoria.
Consider Skipping These Attractions
If time and or money are a constraint, I would consider skipping these tourist attractions.
Tea at the Empress: Some people love the experience. If you are short on cash or time, skip the tea and just meander through the Empress hotel. Its impressive.
Victoria Chinatown: If you have seen others, you’ve seen Victoria. It is a great place to grab a bite to eat if you have the time, but I do not recommend making Chinatown your destination.
Additional Questions About Your Cruise Stop in Victoria BC?
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