What to do in the cruise port of Victoria, BC Canada?
There are many things to see and do in the cruise port of Victoria.
This port is a beautiful part of the world in Canada and is usually on an Alaskan cruise itinerary in the summer months and many cruise ships go to it.
The beautiful city of Victoria is on Vancouver Island, located on the west coast of Canada. It is the capital city of British Columbia.
It has a British influence and reminds me of my home in the UK a lot. Including the weather!
Victoria is very easy to get around and most places you can walk to from the Empress Hotel.
Here is what to see in the Victoria cruise port:
The Empress Hotel
The Empress Hotel is in downtown Victoria and this is where most of the cruise line shuttle buses from the Victoria Cruise Terminal will drop you off.
The Fairmont Empress Hotel has been open since 1908 and is one of the feature buildings in the inner harbor. It has beautifully manicured gardens surrounding it.
You can go inside and take a look in the lobby or hotel shops or make an afternoon of it as it is a great place to have afternoon tea.
British Columbia Parliament Buildings
The Parliament Building is next to the Fairmont Empress Hotel in the harbour. This building is very grand and was built in 1897.
If you are there in the evening you will see it all lit up, which is stunning at night time.
You can walk around the grounds and visit inside for free on self-guided tours.
This is a government building, so you will have to put your belongings through an x-ray machine and walk through a metal detector, like when you arrive onboard the ship.
The parliament building is interesting to walk around and it does not take too long. This is a perfect place to visit if it is raining.
Coastal Walks
There are some beautiful walks to go on from Victoria’s inner harbour, one is a coastal walk towards West Bay.
This walk can start from the Empress Hotel, cross the street towards the water and walk to the right.
Follow the path until you reach the Johnson Street Bridge, cross the bridge and follow the path all the way to West Bay Marine Village.
This walk is around an hour walk to West Bay and an hour back to downtown.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Another lovely walk to go on is down to Fisherman’s Wharf Park. Instead of going to the right you go to the left.
This short walk is a quicker walk that takes around 15/20 minutes to get there.
Once you reach Fisherman’s Wharf it is a little village of floating house boats.
It is a residential area and tourist spot as there are restaurants/snack bars, a gift shop and tour booths.
It doesn’t take long to have a walk around, but the bright colours of the houseboats on the waterfront is gorgeous.
The food is very good you have the choice of fish and chips, seafood, Mexican seafood, pizza, meat, ice cream, and doughnuts.
We went to ‘The Fish Store‘ and the food was delicious and very fresh.
We tried the halibut, salmon, tuna and oyster tacos which were fantastic.
Also, the fried salmon and chips and fresh oysters. As I am writing this they do a buck a shuck (CA$1 for an oyster) every day between 4 – 5 pm.
Fisherman’s Wharf closes early around 6/7 pm.
Government Street Shopping
Government Street is straight across from the Empress Hotel to the right.
This street is full of shops, pubs and restaurants and it is a pretty street to walk up lined with trees.
Beacon Hill Park
Beacon Hill Park is very close to downtown to walk around.
There are duck ponds, lots of birds to see and it is very peaceful.
There is a petting zoo for small children and peacocks wandering around the park.
Victoria’s Chinatown
Victoria’s Chinatown is just up from Government Street. It is Canada’s oldest Chinatown.
Fan Tan Alley is a fun walk-through, it is an alleyway with quirky shops.
Originally this alleyway could be closed up so the police could not stop illegal activity.
Chinatown is fun to walk around and there are Chinese supermarkets, restaurants and tea shops.
Butchart Gardens
The famous Butchart Gardens is in Brentwood Bay, around a 40 drive from the cruise ship terminal.
The Butchart Gardens are stunning and have been in bloom for over 100 years.
There are 55 acres of gardens to walk around to see different themed gardens.
From the rose garden to the sunken garden to the Japanese garden they have it all.
Victoria BC Weather and Information
Other things to see in Victoria’s downtown area are:
- Royal British Columbia Museum
- Craigdarroch Castle
- Whale-watching tour
The weather here is very similar to the UK, so always bring a rain jacket or umbrella.
- Spring: Sun/Wind/Rain – 8*C – 17*C
- Summer: Sun/Wind/Rain – 13 *C – 20*C
- Currency: Canadian dollar
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY READING for your Alaska Cruise
MUST DO TOURS IN JUNEAU ALASKA – MENDENHALL GLACIER & WHALE WATCHING
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DAY IN SKAGWAY ALASKA
WHAT YOU MUST SEE IN KETCHIKAN ALASKA
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK AN ALASKAN CRUISE
HOW TO PACK A CAPSULE WARDROBE FOR A 7-DAY CRUISE TO ALASKA
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I hope you have found this information helpful and now know what to do in the cruise port of Victoria, BC Canada.
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Happy Cruising!
