The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is a charming city that’s home to 90,000 residents. However, millions of visitors are drawn to its spectacular shores annually, and it’s not hard to see why. An urban enclave with quaint, European-style architecture, the city is surrounded by the vast blue ocean and also blessed with a great view of the Olympic Mountains in the far distance. It’s also small enough that you can visit most of its attractions on foot and come home to one of the beach house rentals or hotels with pool by evening. Explore the many natural wonders of Canada, learn about the city’s rich history, or mingle with friendly locals in its many bars. There are so many things to see and do here; daytime exploration isn’t enough. Here are the top things to do at night in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
1. Journey to the Past in St. Ann's Academy
Although St. Ann’s Academy doesn’t open past 4pm, you can always request for a customized tour for a more intimate exploration of the place. It’s an impressive building with a very rich history. Once a Catholic chapel, walking around the colonial church will bring you on a journey back through time. At night, the place is dimly lit, which makes it hard to fully admire the well-kept grounds - it’s best to come in the evening and enjoy the tranquility of the gardens in the sunset before heading in for your night tour of the convent.
St. Ann's Academy National Historic Site
Address: St. Ann’s Academy, 835 Humboldt Street, Victoria, BC, Canada
Website: St. Ann’s Academy
Opening hours: Summer hours (Mid-May - Labour Day): 10AM - 4PM from Tuesday - Sunday, closed on Monday. Winter hours (September - Mid-May): 1PM - 4PM from Thursday to Sunday.
Price: Call to enquire
2. Wander down the Historical Streets of Bastion Square
Although most of the shops in Bastion Square close after dinner, it’s still well worth a walk down its cobbled streets at night. Hop into a bar for some evening entertainment or if you prefer, wander around and soak in the European-style architecture. There are often events going on in the square as well - if you’re lucky, you might be able to catch some street performances or art exhibitions.
Bastion Square
Address: 50-60 Bastion Square, Victoria, BC, Canada
Website: Bastion
Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily
Price: Free!
3. Road trip along the Pacific Marine Circle Route
No trip to Canada is complete without a road trip! One of the quintessential drives in British Columbia, the Pacific Marine Circle Route is a loop that cuts through much of the Canadian wilderness. You can finish the route in a day, or if you so prefer, make a few stops along the way to take in the amazing scenery. You can hike through the park (if you intend to go hiking, it’s best to bring a physical map!), go camping at Sookes River Campground, take a relaxing stroll along the beach, or visit the wineries in Cowichan. It might be better to do this in the day, when you can admire the changing landscape and rugged coastline, but we reckon that a night drive along in the ocean breeze will be a uniquely therapeutic experience like no other.
Pacific Marine Circle Route
Address: Pacific Marine Rd, BC, Canada
Website: Tourism Victoria
Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily
Price: Free!
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4. Tour the historical Victoria Grand City and Craigdarroch Castle (from USD 338.0)
Discover the nightlife in Victoria, a stunning city renowned for its ancient sites and picturesque settings, with a three-hour tour. Explore the galleries, exhibits, and artifacts of the natural, contemporary, and human history of British Columbia at the Royal British Columbia Museum. After that, pay a visit to the Fairmont Empress Hotel, one of Victoria’s oldest and most well-known hotels with a hot tub, then take a leisurely stroll through the same gardens of the Government House, which serves as the temporary residence for visiting royalty.
A visit to Craigdarroch Castle marks the conclusion of your trip. Go through the 25,000-square-foot (2322.5-square-meter), 30-room ancient stately home, showcasing famed stained glass windows, world-class woodworking, and original extravagant furniture from the 1890s.
Historical Landmarks Tour of Victoria Grand City and Craigdarroch Castle
Duration: 3 hours
5. Go on a wine tour at Saanich Peninsula (from USD 146.0)
A scenic journey in a cozy passenger van and wine tastings at four different local vineyards are included in this exclusive tour. The expedition will start with pickup from any lodging area in Greater Victoria. Infants and young children are welcome to ride in a stroller or pram, and service animals are also allowed to join.
Discover family-run wineries and locally produced wines on Vancouver Island while you’re there. There are also numerous meals available throughout the day, as well as numerous opportunities to soak in the spectacular views.
Private Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
6. Explore Beacon Hill Park on a horse-drawn carriage tour (from USD 150.0)
Of the many interesting places to visit at night in Victoria, Beacon Hill Park features at the top of the list. You can explore Victoria’s oldest park on a horse-drawn carriage. This 45-minute tour will bring you on a relaxing excursion around the park, past famous landmarks such as the Church of Our Lord - Victoria’s oldest church - and the Empress Hotel, the most famous hotel in the city. At night, it might be hard to admire the scenery and spot the elusive wildlife in the park; however, the dimly lit streets make for good mood lighting with a date.
45-Minute By The Park Tour
Duration: 45 minutes
7. Spot some whales in the Salish Seas
British Columbia is a beautiful place teeming with wildlife, but to see all of it you’ll have to go off the coast. Marvel at the amazing whales with these tours, organised by this locally-owned, family-operated agency. With guaranteed sightings during winter seasons (or you’ll get another free tour!), Eagle Wing Tours promises to get you up close and personal with the incredible wildlife off the coast of BC. You’ll also be pleased to know that 1% of tour fees go towards conservation efforts, so just by signing up for the tours, you’re also helping save these magnificent creatures and their environment. After this once in a lifetime experience, you’ll definitely gain a newfound appreciation for the wonders of nature.
Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours
Address: 12 Erie St #15B, Fisherman’s Wharf, Victoria, BC, Canada
Website: Eagle Wing Tours
Opening hours: Open daily from 7AM - 11PM
Price: 70 - 120 USD per person
8. Catch the sunset at Mount Tolmie Park
Mount Tolmie Park is located in the heart of Victoria, and offers a beautiful vantage point of the city. On clear days, you can even spot Mt Baker and the Olympic Mountains all the way in Washington. At an elevation of 45 meters (147 feet), you can easily hike to the peak in the late afternoon and watch the evening view as the sun sets over the cityscape. However, take note that parking can be limited (especially during sunset), so be sure to head up early if you want to secure a good spot.
Mount Tolmie Park
Address: 3486 - 3492 Mayfair Dr, Victoria, BC, Canada
Website: Victoria Trails
Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily
Price: Free!
9. Tour around Historical Chinatown (from USD 15.0)
Being the oldest Chinese enclave in Canada, Victoria’s Chinatown is steeped in history. This 90-minute walking tour through the vibrant, decorated streets of Chinatown will immerse you in the culture and history of the Chinese immigrants who first set foot in the city more than a century ago. At night, the streets of Chinatown come alive, with the Chinese lanterns suspended above providing a lively atmosphere.
Historical Chinatown Walking Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
10. Explore Fisherman's Wharf Park
Amongst the many fun evening activities in Victoria is exploring Fisherman’s Wharf Park. It harbors great views of the wharf itself and the ocean. There are several trails and verandas for you to sit in and enjoy the view beautiful, brightly-lit night view of the wharf, as well as a children’s play area and even an herb garden where you can try various locally-grown herbs. After strolling through the park, head on over to the wharf for a delicious seafood dinner, and admire the quaint, colorful boathouses by the docks.
Fisherman's Wharf Park
Address: 12 Erie St, Victoria, BC, Canada
Website: Fisherman’s Wharf Park
Opening hours: Open from 11AM - 6PM from Sunday to Wednesday, 11AM - 8PM from Thursday to Saturday
Price: Free!
11. Go shopping at Johnson Street
If you’re looking for more fun things to do, go shop till you drop along Johnson Street! Although it spans merely one block (it ends at Government Street), it’s a vibrant street lined with fashion boutiques, cafes and cosmetics shops, and you can easily spend a whole day here looking for things to buy. At night, it comes alive with live music and other street performances at Market Square, an open courtyard that’s also a nice place to rest from the walking. Architecture buffs can also admire the vibrant, Victorian-style buildings along the way.
Johnson Street
Address: Johnson Street, Victoria, BC, Canada
Website: Johnson Street
Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily
Price: Free!
12. Take a romantic stroll down Ogden Point Breakwater
Ogden Point is actually a popular date spot for lovebirds. It doesn’t get more romantic than a slow stroll into the sunset, with the salty ocean breeze all around you! At the end of the trail, there’s a lighthouse where you can sit and admire the view. There’s also a ton of wildlife that you can see during the walk, including sea lions resting on the rocks nearby.
Ogden Point Breakwater
Address: 211 Dallas Rd, Victoria, BC, Canada
Website: Ogden Point Breakwater
Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily
Price: Free!
Have a whale of a time in Victoria, BC
Victoria, BC is a beautiful city. Friendly locals, rugged wilderness, historical landmarks, night markets, stunning coastline, and even sweets and dessert spots - Victoria has it all. There’s a plethora of things to do in the evening in Victoria, British Columbia, and views for you to enjoy. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to BC’s capital city now.
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Top 10 Things To Do At Night In Oslo, NorwayRae Marielle
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