Victoria wears its history on its sleeve — but look closer, and you’ll find a city constantly reshaping its story. This guide takes you through art galleries, architectural marvels, and powerful cultural spaces that invite reflection, inspiration, and a little time travel.
Royal BC Museum
An essential stop for understanding British Columbia’s roots — from Indigenous culture to natural history and colonial settlement. The Indigenous language gallery and life-sized longhouse are especially powerful. Plan at least 1–2 hours.
Songhees Walkway + Indigenous Cultural Tours
A peaceful coastal path that begins near the Johnson Street Bridge and traces Songhees territory. Join a walking tour from Songhees Tours to hear stories, history, and knowledge from the local Lekwungen people.
Emily Carr House
Visit the restored childhood home of Emily Carr — one of Canada’s most beloved painters and authors. The exhibits offer insight into her art, struggles, and the landscapes that shaped her legacy.
Craigdarroch Castle
A lavish mansion built in the 1890s by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. Wander four floors of stained glass, oak-panelled staircases, and period furnishings. It’s Victoria’s Gilded Age in one (very grand) building.
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Tucked into a quiet Rockland neighborhood, this gallery blends contemporary and historical art — including the largest public collection of works by Emily Carr, and an authentic Japanese Shinto shrine in its garden.
Chinatown + Fan Tan Alley
Canada’s oldest Chinatown is still a thriving cultural district. Walk past traditional apothecaries and dim sum shops, and don’t miss Fan Tan Alley — the city’s narrowest street, and one of its most photogenic.
