Choose from 21 Fun Things to Do in Victoria
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British Columbia Legislature Buildings
Built overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbor, the British Columbia Legislature Buildings form an impressive architectural and historical landmark within a few steps of downtown.
When the provincial legislature outgrew its former home, the provincial government hosted an architectural competition to build the new legislative buildings. Francis Rattenbury, a then 25-year-old recent arrival from England, won with his three-building neo-baroque style plans, but construction didn’t go without its woes; the project soared beyond its original budget, but the new British Columbia Parliament Buildings did open their doors in 1898.
The white marble, massive central dome, and lengthy façade combined to make an innovative and impressive monument for what, at the time, was a relatively young Canadian province. The building remains equally impressive, today, and a few new landmarks exist on its property. A statue of Queen Victoria stands on the front yard, while a figure of George Vancouver sits atop the central dome. There is also a statue of a soldier to commemorate the province’s fallen heroes from WWI, WWII, and the Korean War.
Practical Info
The British Columbia Legislature Buildings are located at 501 Belleville St in Victoria, B.C. Throughout the summer; they are open daily from 9am to 5pm. Throughout the winter, the buildings are closed on weekends.
Address: 501 Belleville St., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Hours: Summer daily 9am-5pm; winter M-F
From $ 48
Fort Street
From historic architecture to contemporary museums, Victoria if filled with plenty for travelers to do, see and experience. But for visitors looking to comb through halls of rare antiques, explore finds at tiny auction houses and finger through Canadian oddities, there’s no place better than the famous Front Street.
This picturesque street is lined with quiet cafes, Asian restaurants, used bookstores and a well-known chocolate shop. A colorful mural of Emily Carr, located on the side of Island Blue Print and Art Supplies pays homage to the city’s most famous female. And Craigdarroch Castle and the Greater Victoria Art Gallery are both within walking distance from Fort Street.
Practical Info
Fort Street is accessible using public transportation. Both the local pus and the regional rail system have multiple stops along this popular destination.
Address: Fort Street, Victoria, BC, Canada, Canada
From $ 36
Victoria Beacon Hill Park
Sheer natural beauty is just the start of the appeal of of Beacon Hill Park, which sprawls across the southern edge of Victoria, British Columbia. It’s a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, with a petting zoo, splash parks, playgrounds, sports fields, seemingly endless footpaths, and one of the tallest totem poles in the world.
The Basics
At 200 acres (75 hectares), this massive green space is an important part of the Victorian landscape, stretching almost from the Inner Harbour all the way to the Strait of San Juan de Fuca. It is full of places to play and explore, or just to sit and relax in the tranquil garden areas.
To maximize your time and orient yourself in the expansive park, a tour that includes a stop at Beacon Hill Park is the best way to visit. Many visitors love the charm of a horse-drawn carriage ride, or the pleasure of a bike tour or pedicab ride, all of which enable you see more of the area in less time than walking. City tours of Victoria generally make time to give visitors a chance to experience this lovely urban escape.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Beacon Hill Park is perfect for families with kids, gardening enthusiasts, and anyone who loves the outdoors.
- The park is generally accessible for wheelchair users, with paved pathways and accessible bathrooms.
- Pack swimsuits for the kids—if it’s hot they’ll want to splash in the water parks.
How to Get There
Just south of the Inner Harbour and near the Royal British Columbia Museum, Beacon Hill Park is an easy walk from downtown and the harbor attractions. Buses 2, 3, and 7 all stop near the park. If driving, park along the roadways in the park.
When to Get There
With Victoria’s mild climate, you can visit the park year-round. Peak season is in summer, when the flowers are in bloom and all the attractions are open. In the cooler months the water features are closed and the blooms are dormant, although a winter walk or ride through the park is still enjoyable.
Sightseeing in Beacon Hill Park
A frolic in the park is always nice, but its sightseeing attractions are what make Beacon Hill Park outstanding. Most popular sights include the 126-foot (38-meter) totem pole that is a tribute to the indigenous people of Victoria, the Mile 0 marker of the Trans-Canada Highway, and the touching monument to young Canadian hero Terry Fox.
Address: Douglas Street, Victoria V8V 4Z8, Canada
Admission: Free
From $ 31
Church & State Wines
To its owners, the name Church and State Wines represents a balance between the varied elements required to produce the highest quality wines. The name suggests a balance between change – each year’s distinct vintage – and tradition – aging wines in French oak barrels.
Church and State Wines puts plenty of focus on its grapes. Its owner’s belief is the best grapes are only produced on the best land, but also requires unwavering attention to detail throughout the planting, growing, and harvesting processes. The best land is also subject to the right grape varietal, so Church and State Wines has two British Columbia locations: Oliver-Osoyoos and Victoria. The former includes 70 acres of Vineyards BC’s dominant wine region, while the latter houses 11 acres of vineyards on the Saanich Peninsula, just minutes from downtown Victoria.
Their mindfulness is paying dividends, too, as they’ve now been awarded Canada’s best red wine on three occasions.
Practical Info
Church and State Wines’ Victoria winery is located at 1445 Benvenuto Ave. It’s tasting bar is open Friday-Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: 1445 Benvenuto Ave., Central Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
Hours: Tasting bar is open Friday-Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From $ 185
Victoria Cruise Port
Arriving in Victoria by ship is a fantastic introduction to the British Columbian capital city. The cruise ship terminal is at Ogden Point, not far from downtown and Inner Harbour attractions. With growing passenger traffic in recent years, the Victoria Cruise Port is now the busiest cruise ship port-of-call in all of Canada.
The Basics
Victoria’s mild climate and concentration of top attractions along the Inner Harbour and downtown make the city a great spot to explore on foot or by bike. To maximize your time in port, join a tour that hits the points you want to see, be it the Edwardian architecture of the provincial Parliament Buildings or the Fairmont Empress hotel, the lavish gardens of the perpetually green city, or the city’s top foodie haunts via bicycle. Alternatively, temporarily swap your cruise ship with a smaller vessel and head out on a whale-watching expedition.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Tours generally depart from downtown Victoria, not the cruise port.
- Dockside you will find gift shops, a currency exchange, and pay phones.
- The climate in Victoria is mild but tends to be rainy. Bring an umbrella or rain jacket.
- Butchart Gardens, a Victoria highlight, requires a tour or taxi to get there, as it is about a 20-minute drive.
How to Get to Victoria from the Victoria Cruise Port
It is simple to get to downtown Victoria from the terminal, as taxis, buses, shuttles, and even pedicabs and horse-drawn carriages are readily available dockside. To stretch your legs and enjoy more of the seaside city, walk about 20 minutes on wide paved sidewalks to the center of town.
Port Information
The currency is the Canadian dollar, although some stores accept US dollars (change will be given in Canadian dollars.) Major credit cards and bank debit cards are generally accepted. Sales tax is added at the register. Canada’s official languages are French and English, but in Victoria signage and communication are typically only in English.
Address: Ogden Point, Victoria, BC, Canada
From $ 39
Royal British Columbia Museum
Even if you normally give museums a miss, you won’t want to leave Victoria without dropping into the highly acclaimed Royal British Columbia Museum.
From big-screen IMAX movies to the re-created First Peoples village, this imaginative and creatively curated museum will have you thinking and engaging with the past.
The First Peoples Gallery provides insights into life before the arrival of Europeans, while the Modern History Gallery vividly re-creates colonial life. In the Natural History Gallery, seals, grizzly bears and seabirds fill dioramas re-creating the region’s ecosystems.
Big-screen films are screened in the on-site IMAX cinema.The Royal British Columbia Museum is in downtown Victoria, on the inner harbor waterfront opposite the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
Address: 675 Belleville Street, Victoria BC V8W 9W2, Canada
Hours: Open daily except Christmas and New Year's Day
From $ 31
Victoria Chinatown
Although the gold was nowhere close to Victoria, the city was the defacto supply center for the 1858 gold rush on the Fraser River. Thousands of gold miners headed north from San Francisco towards new gold strike claims along the Fraser River, including many Chinese. Soon Victoria grew to become both British Columbia’s biggest city and the home base to Canada’s largest Chinese community.
When Chinatown was founded, in 1858, it was the first in Canada and second in North America, behind the former gold-rush community in San Francisco. Today, it remains a vibrant part of Victoria’s downtown area, even if the local Chinese-Canadian population is considered small compared to many other cities. The impressive Gate of Harmonious Interest marks the entrance to Chinatown and the community reveals itself along Fisgard St.
The recently reopened Dragon Alley, the Chinese Public School and all the many colorful shops will all draw considerable attention, but self-guided visitors shouldn’t miss the opportunity to walk through Fan Tan Alley, which is undoubtedly the most famous part of Victoria’s Chinatown, if not the city itself.
Practical Info
The main entrance to Victoria’s Chinatown is located at the corner of Government and Fisgard Streets.
Address: Government and Fisgard Streets, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
From $ 11
Baie Ternay Marine National Park
The Seychelles is a destination for lovers, and Baie Ternay is its hot spot for adventurers. That’s because this pristine beach is home to some of the island’s top snorkeling and diving, thanks to crystal-clear waters and incredible coral reefs right next to shore. This idyllic beach is an ideal place for relaxation and sunbathing, while also offering travelers picturesque views of Morne Seychellois peak, the island’s tallest mountain.
Those in the know say an excursion to Baie Ternay Marine National Park is an essential part of any Seychelles’ visit, and the turquoise waters, lush mangroves, and secluded stretches of sand offer up some of the best beaches in the area.
Practical Info
The park is located on the west coast of Maje in Port Glaud. The area is inaccessible by road, so travelers will have to use local boat charters or tours.
Address: Port Glaud, Seychelles
From $ 110
Sidney
Sidney, British Columbia, is often called Sidney-by-the-Sea, and it’s an appropriate name. The town is flanked by Haro Strait, which flows directly into the greater Salish Sea. Most of the town’s attractions are either on the water itself or related to it.
Bird watching, whale watching, kayaking and scuba diving are all popular throughout the entire region. The town is also the gateway community to the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. This small park reserve protects a representative sample of the Strait of Georgia Lowlands, considered one of the most ecologically at risk natural regions in southern Canada.
The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, a not-for-profit aquarium and marine education complex focusing on the Salish Sea ecosystem, is located near the Sidney Pier, while both the Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary and Sidney Channel Important Bird Area are located nearby. Sidney is also the only Canadian port of call for the Washington State ferry system. Ferries run to and from Anacortes and the San Juan Islands.
Practical Info
Sidney is located on the Saanich Peninsula, 25 minutes north of Victoria, BC, along Highway 17. It is the closest town to the Victoria Airport and the BC Ferries terminal at Swartz Bay that services the Gulf Islands and the British Columbia Mainland.
Address: Sidney, British Columbia, Canada
From $ 185
Mt Tolmie Park
A popular destination for residents and tourists alike, Mt Tolmie Park is widely recognized as the best place for panoramic views of the city of Victoria. Viewpoints from the summit (approximately 120 meters above sea level) offer 360-degree vistas of the Gulf Islands, Saanich, and the city of Victoria across to the Olympic mountain range and even Mount Baker in the distance on a clear day. Mt Tolmie is located near the University of Victoria, making it an often-visited stop along the Beach Drive coastal route.
Located about a 15-minute drive from downtown Victoria, the park features numerous trails for visitors to walk on. Alternatively, travelers can drive up the windy road to the summit for a fast track to the views. Plenty of picnic tables and places for drivers to pull over offer different viewing areas, and about a mile’s worth (more than 1,500 meters) of trails within the park lead hikers through meadows and up rocky slopes, with many of them going directly to the summit. The adventurous traveler can follow the trails to numerous secluded natural areas and various bird-watching outlooks.
Practical Info
Mt Tolmie is located near the University of Victoria on Mayfair Drive off of Cedar Hill Cross Road. Driving up windy Mayfair Drive will take you past several parking areas with different views, including a few right at the mountain top. From downtown Victoria, the bottom of Mt Tolmie is a short bus ride of about 20 minutes away. The gravel trails running through the park start from the bottom of the mountain and loop around the entire area, passing the giant concrete reservoir near the top as well as several picnic areas with great views. Leashed dogs are allowed, and there are no public toilets.
Address: 3494 Mayfair Drive, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 4P9, Canada
From $ 36
Strait of Juan de Fuca
The stunning, 95-mile long Strait of Juan de Fuca is divided distinctly in half; the international border between Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada, and the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, USA, is drawn down its center.
In 2008, Chemainus First Nation in Canada proposed the name be changed to Salish Sea. Initially met with a positive public response, the request went through a lengthy bureaucratic process that involved different government departments in both the USA and Canada. Eventually, it was decided the Strait of Juan de Fuca would keep its name; however, the Salish Sea would be used to describe the entire area, which stretches from Desolation Sound south through the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound to Hammersley Inlet.
Practical Info
On the Canadian side, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail stretches 47 kilometers between China and Botanical Beaches. Aside from stunning coastal scenery, this entire hike is lined with plenty of beaches that offer outstanding – albeit, absolutely freezing – surf breaks. Pods of resident Orcas call the strait home, so whale-watching is popular from April to October. Along with killer whales, it’s common to see humpback, minke, and grey whales, seals, sea lions and porpoises, depending on the season.
Address: Victoria, Canada
From $ 88
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
A mix of styles come together at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, from Asian and Latin American, to contemporary and ethnic artworks.
The gallery exhibits a wide range of sculptures, textiles, prints, paintings and weaving, focusing in particular on Japanese and Canadian works.
An Asian garden surrounds the gallery, underscoring the gallery’s highly prized collection of Asian art inside.
Guided tours, events, classes and educational programs round out the gallery’s cultural calendar.The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is a few streets east of Victoria Harbour.
Buses run here from downtown, or it’s around a 20-minute stroll from the waterfront.
Address: 1,040 Moss Street, Victoria BC V8V 4P1, Canada
Hours: Open daily, closed Easter Monday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
From $ 31
Old Town Victoria
Victoria’s Old Town has enough things to do and sights to see to keep the curious visitor occupied for an entire day, from horse-and-carriage rides and walking tours to chalk artists and buskers. With many side streets and small squares to duck into, the area offers plenty of big shops and restaurants as well as smaller, independently owned boutiques and eye-catching street art. Old Town’s cobblestone streets wind together through alleyways where some of British Columbia's oldest and grandest architecture can be found. Curious pedestrians can begin at the Fairmont Empress Hotel (Insider’s tip: For a truly spectacular experience, indulge in a full English afternoon tea session at the hotel) and head down the Victoria Inner Harbour Walkway toward Government Street.
When the weather's nice, Government Street is lined with musicians and performers, in addition to the cafes, specialty stores, gift shops and numerous pubs for the thirsty traveler. Look into the Canadian town's naval and shipping history at the Maritime Museum in Bastion Square, which was once the site of a Fort Victoria gun bastion, or stop for refreshments in Market Square, a beautifully restored historic site that long ago housed supply stores and shipping offices and now features more than 40 shops and restaurants.
Practical Info
The historic area of Victoria's Old Town is located just north of the Fairmont Empress Hotel and includes the north-to-south-running Wharf, Government and Douglas streets, crossed by Johnson, Yates, View and Fort streets running east to west.
Address: Wharf St. to Douglas St. and Fort St. to Johnson St., Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1J2, Canada
From $ 36
Fairmont Empress Hotel
The grand lady of Victoria, the Fairmont Empress Hotel was built in over-the-top French chateau style by the Canadian Pacific Railway company, opening in 1908.
Victoria’s first hotel is still the grandest, and one of the most highly awarded hotels in the country. Over the last 100 years, all manner of famous people have stayed here, including Edward Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth and Shirley Temple.
Taking afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel is an experience not to be missed, complete with Edwardian style service, clotted cream, scones and pots of tea. Bookings are essential.
The style is more subcontinental colonial in the Bengal Lounge restaurant, where the menu features a curry buffet.Practical Info
The Fairmont Empress Hotel has a grandstand location on Government Street smack bang in the city center, with front-seat views of the inner harbor.
Address: 721 Government Street, Victoria BC V8W 1W5, Canada
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 169
Emily Carr House
The Emily Carr House was the childhood home of Canadian painter and author Emily Carr and had a long-lasting impression on much of her work. Today, it is an Interpretive Centre for Carr’s artwork, writing, and life.
Emily Carr’s work reads like an adventure. It carried her from remote native settlements throughout British Columbia to major cities like San Francisco, London, and Paris. But her childhood home continually appeared throughout all of her work, especially her writing.
The house itself was built in 1863 and Carr called it home from her birth, in 1871, until she left to pursue artist training overseas. Her father’s death triggered ownership changes and, after years of passing through the Carr Family, the house was sold off. Although it was once scheduled for demolition, the house made its way back to the Emily Carr Foundation before being purchased by the provincial government and restored. It is now considered a prime heritage example of Italianate villa style popular in that era. It’s also the second National Historic Site of Canada designed by the local architects Wright and Saunders, who also built the Fisgard Lighthouse.
Practical Info
The Emily Carr House is located at 207 Government Street, just six blocks south of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The interpretive center within the house is open throughout the summer and for special events throughout the remainder of the year.
Address: 207 Government Street,, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Hours: Vary
Admission: Adults $6.75, Youth $4.50, Seniors/Students $5.75
From $ 92
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Fluttering butterflies and moths flit amid a rainforest environment at the popular Victoria Butterfly Gardens.
The indoor butterfly house is a tranquil tropical retreat for butterflies and visitors alike, with a waterfall and stream, exotic plants and warm humid atmosphere.
Around 75 species of butterflies and moths live here, and you can even see the young butterflies fluttering into life in the nursery.
The tropical orchid gardens here are also justifiably famous, with ponds filled with golden carp and tropical birds like parrots and flamingos in residence.
Practical Info
The Victoria Butterfly Gardens are 20 km (14 miles) north of downtown Victoria, on the Saanich Peninsula. The Butchart Gardens are just five minutes away.
It’s a 30-minute drive from Victoria if you’re driving. Buses run here from downtown Victoria, as well as from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
Why not combine two of Victoria’s major highlights on an organized tour taking in both the Butterfly Gardens and the Butchart Gardens?
Address: 1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay BC V8M 1J5, Canada
Hours: Open daily
Admission: CA$12.50
From $ 185
Victoria Inner Harbour
Victoria Inner Harbour is perhaps best known as a picturesque port frequented by more than a two hundred cruise ships each year, pouring a quarter of a million passengers, charmed I'm sure, onto shore. Their first view of the pretty city is dominated by the Olympic mountain range in the distance, and 1908 Fairmont Empress Hotel in the foreground, overlooking the magnificent yachts moored in the marina. Reflected in the crashing Pacific, this romantically lit Victorian masterpiece is famed for its afternoon high tea.
Though it's hard to top the bay's natural beauty, the dramatic coastline is aptly framed with more delightful Victorian homes, watched over by winsome Craigdarroch Castle, completed in 1890 by a Scottish coal billionaire with a taste for luxury. There's plenty of culture (and even more tourist claptrap, including a wax museum, aquarium, IMAX theater…you get the idea) to keep you busy. Consider strolling vividly landscaped Buchart Gardens, or taking a whale watching (April through October) cruise, then finishing your day with a meal in Victoria's vibrant Chinatown.
Though it's hard to top the bay's natural beauty, the dramatic coastline is aptly framed with more delightful Victorian homes, watched over by winsome Craigdarroch Castle, completed in 1890 by a Scottish coal billionaire with a taste for luxury. There's plenty of culture (and even more tourist claptrap, including a wax museum, aquarium, IMAX theater…you get the idea) to keep you busy. Consider strolling vividly landscaped Buchart Gardens, or taking a whale watching (April through October) cruise, then finishing your day with a meal in Victoria's vibrant Chinatown.
Practical Info
Enormous Vancouver Island (about the size of the Netherlands) is an impossibly scenic spot and the gateway to its spectacular snow-capped fjords and pristine beaches is the city of Victoria. You'll probably arrive here on the southern tip of the island by sea: a cruise ship, private vessel, or public ferry (two lines cross the Straight of Georgia to Vancouver; five serve Washington State in the USA.
Though the Pacific Northwest is notably rainy, Victoria is generally sunny and dry, in summer at least. It gets chilly and wet in winter, but temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
There's a useful tourist bureau InfoCentre with maps and brochures galore on the inner harbor; you can download a free phone app with maps and information at their official website.
Though the Pacific Northwest is notably rainy, Victoria is generally sunny and dry, in summer at least. It gets chilly and wet in winter, but temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
There's a useful tourist bureau InfoCentre with maps and brochures galore on the inner harbor; you can download a free phone app with maps and information at their official website.
Address: British Columbia, 100km (62mi) south of Vancouver, Canada
Hours: Open daily
From $ 12
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Encompassing 15 islands, scattered around the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands National Park is one of Canada’s most recently established National Parks and among the top attractions of British Columbia’s Gulf Islands.
Reachable only by boat, the larger islands of Mayne, Saturna and Pender serve as the main basecamps for holidaymakers, but it’s easy to hop between the islands by boat or kayak, and there are ample opportunities for hiking and cycling. Highlights include the sandy beaches of Sidney Island, the historic Mahoi House on Russel Island and the abundance of Orca whales, sea lions and waterfowl that can be spotted around the coast, while adventurous types can enjoy climbing the summit of Mount Norman on Pender Island or exploring the hidden coves of Portland Island.
Practical Info
The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is located in British Columbia’s Gulf Islands and is reachable by ferry from Victoria, Nanaimo and Vancouver.
Address: 2220 Harbour Road, Sidney BC V8L 2P6, Canada
From $ 337
Gulf Islands
British Columbia’s Gulf Islands include both the major populated islands and hundreds of small islands in the archipelago at the southern end of the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the BC Mainland. The Strait of Georgia is part of the larger Salish Sea, which owes its name to the islands’ original inhabitants: the Coast Salish First Nations.
The region, known for its stunning combination of unique culture and beautiful coastlines, are most popular throughout the warm BC summer. The climate is sub-Mediterranean, which means warm and dry summers with plenty of sunshine. This also makes the region rich in agriculture; so organic farms, hobby fromageries, and wineries are all common sights along the rolling terrain of the islands.
While it is possible to tour one, and sometimes two, islands in a single day, many visitors opt to spend a weekend or more hopping between different islands. The communities are renowned for their eclectic lifestyles of artists, musicians, and retirees; however, each of the major islands – Galiano, Mayne, North and South Pender, Saltspring, and Gabriola - has its own unique personality.
Practical Info
Ferries to the main islands are all managed by BC Ferries from ports in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Vancouver.
Address: Canada
From $ 134
Craigdarroch Castle
In 1890 Scottish coal baron Robert Dunsmuir built Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, British Columbia, to showcase his inordinate wealth. This 39-room hilltop mansion is rich with opulent details, including multiple turrets and chimneys, a red slate roof, stained-glass windows, wood carvings, antique furnishings, and gold-framed paintings.
The Basics
A National Historic Site, Craigdarroch Castle is one of the most prominent—and certainly the most eye-catching—of Victoria’s historic houses. Experiencing the castle provides insight into the history of Victoria and the life of turn-of-the-century wealthy industrials in Canada.
You can see the castle during walking, biking, pedicab, and driving tours of the city, which typically include Victoria’s other most well-known attractions, such as Butchart Gardens, Beacon Hill Park, and the Emily Carr House. Some sightseeing tours even include admission to the castle. Once inside, you take a self-guided tour around the property.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Allow at least one hour to properly explore.
- Volunteers are stationed throughout the castle and can answer questions regarding its history.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as there are lots of stairs to navigate.
- Craigdarroch Castle is not accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
Craigdarroch Castle is east of the inner harbor, just off Fort Street in the suburbs of Rockland. Take bus line 11, 14, 15, or 22 from downtown Victoria and get off at the Eastbound Fort at Fernwood stop, which is just a block from the castle.
When to Get There
The castle is open year-round. If visiting during the peak period of mid-June to early September, arrive soon after opening (9am) or an hour or two before closing (5pm to 6pm) to beat the crowds.
Trials and Tribulations of the Dunsmuirs
Exhibits in the house reveal more about the tempestuous Dunsmuir family dynamics. Though it was Robert Dunsmuir who ordered Craigdarroch to be built, he himself never got that chance to live in the mansion, as he passed away several months before the building was completed. His family took up residence here in 1890, though Robert’s death—or more specifically, his will—sparked conflict within the family regarding the distribution of his estate. Robert’s first son, Alex, passed away in 1900, and his death ignited yet more tension regarding the distribution of assets and wealth, with Robert’s second son, James, instigating legal action against his own mother, Joan Dunsmuir.
Address: 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria BC V8S 3L5, Canada
Hours: Open daily 10:00am - 4:30pm, Extended hours from June 15th to Labor day: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Admission: CA$14.25
From $ 31