How to Spend the Perfect Evening Near the Cruise Port in Victoria, BC

If you’re one of the lucky folks cruising to the magnificent land of Alaska, there’s a hidden gem waiting for you on your Alaskan itinerary: the charming cruise port of Victoria, British Columbia. As your ship gracefully glides through the cool waters of the Pacific Northwest, a stop in this Instagram-worthy Canadian city is a delightful treat.

Victoria, known for its captivating blend of British heritage and natural beauty, offers a unique experience for its visitors. From stunning gardens to historic architecture, this will be one of your favorite port cities.

So, hop aboard as I take you on a journey to explore this coastal wonder. It’s perfect for adults and families alike and will top off your Alaskan adventure.

Victoria, BC Cruise Port

After seeing that your stop at the cruise port in Victoria, BC, is most likely only for a few hours, you may question why you even stop.

For that, you can thank the Passenger Vessel Services Act from 1886, which dictates that all ships leaving the U.S. must make a foreign stop.

Regardless of what leads you to Victoria, BC, you should not miss the opportunity to explore and make the most of your visit to this picturesque city.

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Where is Victoria, BC?

Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. It is located in British Columbia, Canada, on Vancouver Island, off Canada’s west coast and south of Alaska.

Victoria, BC is a popular cruise port stop for ships leaving the US because it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Canada and is easy to reach from Seattle.

Victoria is a waterfront city with lots of history and natural beauty. The lovely city is a popular weekend getaway for Vancouver and Washington residents, and it’s easy to see why.

Restaurants, activities, and shopping are all easily accessible without a car. The waterfront is gorgeous, and the summer weather is moderate.

English is the primary spoken language, and the currency is the Canadian dollar. You can use the U.S. dollar, but the exchange rate will likely not work in your favor.

The stores happily accept your credit cards; most credit card companies will compute the exchange into U.S. dollars.

Is Victoria, BC, a Walkable City?

The short answer is yes!

A marked, painted path guides cruise passengers on a short ten-minute walk from the Breakwater District Ogden Point cruise ship terminal in Victoria, BC, to Fisherman’s Wharf Park along scenic Dallas Road.

You can walk another fifteen minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf along the picturesque water’s edge to the Inner Harbor and the Downtown areas.

The path is relatively flat and an easy walk during the summer. There are benches along the way if you need to rest.

Getting Around Victoria BC

Besides walking, many other well-marked transportation options exist when you exit the cruise terminal.

Passengers who don’t want to walk can rent bikes, take a pedicab, hop on a bus or shuttle, or even take a carriage ride.

Your cruise ship will most likely try to convince you to book a shuttle for $15 each way per person before you leave the ship. Save your money!

Taxis are readily available when you disembark and cost only $15 each way for up to four to six people. They are much faster since the line to catch the taxi is only a fraction of the line to board the shuttle.

If you walk to the Fisherman’s Wharf, a water taxi can take you to the Inner Harbor if you don’t want to walk the rest of the way.

What to Do in Victoria BC Cruise Port

Fisherman’s Wharf Park

The first stop on your walk around the cruise port in Victoria, BC, is Fisherman’s Wharf Park.

Fisherman’s Wharf is a lively, bustling neighborhood in Victoria BC that’s chock full of restaurants and shops.

It’s also home to the city’s floating homes, which are an attraction in their own right.

The wharf is busiest during the summer months when visitors come to enjoy the restaurants and shops—but it’s still worth a visit year-round!

Many restaurants have outdoor seating so you can eat outside with your friends or family and watch the boats in the harbor.

This is an excellent place to stop and have dinner if you want fresh seafood.

The Victoria Harbour Ferry and Tours have a location in Fisherman’s Wharf. You can join a guided tour of the Inner Harbour or take a water ferry to several spots, including the Fairmont Empress Hotel or Chinatown.

TRIP TIP: The ferry only runs until 9:00 pm. If your cruise ship leaves later in the evening, you must walk back to the terminal or find another option.

A map marks the location of the ferry stops. Tickets can be purchased online at the harbor using your smartphone and the provided QR codes posted on the map.

Inner Harbor at the Cruise Port in Victoria BC

The waterfront walk from Fisherman’s Wharf to downtown Victoria is beautiful. The route is entirely pedestrian-friendly and surrounded by gorgeous harbor views and sailboats.

It’s a sheer delight to be able to take in such an incredible view, and it’s even better when you know that there are plenty more adventures waiting for you in Victoria.

You will know you are getting close to downtown when you round the corner and see the majestic Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Continue to the street level, where you will head toward the hotel. On the way, you will find the Confederation Garden Court and Fountain.

This plaza was dedicated in 1967 and includes shields representing Canada’s thirteen territories and provinces.

The flowing fountain and wall of shields are a nice entrance to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Parliament Buildings across the street.

British Parliament Legislative Building

The British Parliament Legislative Building and grounds in downtown Victoria, British Columbia, are beautiful places to visit.

The Legislative Building is impressive, with large domes and columns on the outside.

The grounds are equally as beautiful as the building itself.

Abundant flowers bloom throughout the spring and summer months, creating a colorful backdrop for visitors who wish to wander through the gardens.

The Legislative Assembly Fountain is a beautiful focal point in front of the Legislative Building. It’s a popular photo spot for tourists, who can take photos of themselves and their friends posing near the fountain’s large, round pool.

It’s not uncommon to see a wedding photo shoot occurring on the grounds.

The Legislative Assembly grounds are a spectacular place to take a walk. A giant Sequoia tree and The Knowledge Totem Pole are in the middle of the grounds.

The pole depicts symbols from the oral traditions of Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples.

Our ship arrived too late in the evening to take advantage of the free guided tours offered, but if you visit during the day, you should check them out.

The public tours run every twenty to thirty minutes daily. Visit the Legislative website for more tour information.

The Royal BC Museum

Next door to the Parliament Building is the Royal BC Museum. Again, unfortunately for us, our ship arrived too late to enter the museum. But, for an affordable $18 entrance fee, I would add this stop to my itinerary if I had more time.

The Royal BC Museum is a must-visit for any visitor to British Columbia. The museum’s collections tell the stories of the province, and its exhibits are fun for kids and adults alike.

The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM daily.

The Fairmont Empress Hotel

A stop at the cruise port in Victoria, BC, would not be complete without visiting the Fairmont Empress Hotel downtown. The iconic The Castle on the Coast hotel overlooks the Inner Harbor. The Fairmont Hotels are impressive hotels to visit, but they offer so much more when you book a stay. I was fortunate to stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Banff, and I highly recommend them.

A highlight in Victoria is partaking in the afternoon tea at the Empress. It’s a tradition dating back over 100 years.

Afternoon tea is served Monday through Wednesday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM and Thursday through Sunday until 5:00 PM.

They even serve honey from their onsite bee hives and lavender from their rooftop garden.

Victoria’s Chinatown

Visiting Victoria’s Chinatown is another fifteen-minute walk from the Fairmont Hotel along Government Street if your schedule affords it.

When the weather is delightful, a walk to Chinatown is quite easy. You will pass many shops and restaurants along the way, and it is a straight route.

Victoria’s Chinatown is the second oldest Chinatown in North America, behind San Francisco. The entrance alone is worth the walk.

However if you aren’t quite up for the extra steps, you have other options.

You can use the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus, which stops in front of the Fairmont, and makes Chinatown one of its first stops. I’ve used the Hop-On, Hop-Off buses in Chicago, New York, and Toronto, and they are a great way to see many places in a short amount of time.

Another option is to take a guided food and history tour. You can see many historical sites, taste the local products, including those in Chinatown, and have a guide to point out the highlights along the way.

Finally, it is not uncommon for pedicabs to take cruise passengers from the port to Chinatown during a Victoria tour.

Entertainment at the Inner Harbour

You don’t have to walk far from the cruise port in Victoria, BC, for entertainment.

The Inner Harbour is a hub of activity with a wide selection of waterfront restaurants serving fresh seafood and local cuisine.

After your meal, I recommend stopping for a sweet treat at either Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe or treating yourself to a huge, dark chocolate ice cream cone at Chocolats Favoris.

The rich, creamy ice cream and the crispy chocolate coating make it a delicious delight.

You’ll see many folks enjoying theirs on Government Street, so don’t be surprised if the line is out the door.

As you indulge in your ice cream, grab a spot along the picturesque promenade and listen to the live music that often fills the air as street performers and local bands showcase their talents.

When you are finished, enjoy walking around the town as the sun sets. It is such a lovely way to spend the evening.

Before leaving the area, check out the quaint shops and boutiques along Government Street. You will surely find unique Canadian souvenirs, art, and handcrafted treasures.

Nearby, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through Beacon Hill Park with its scenic beauty and recreational activities. The beautiful area has flowers and greenery adorning every twist and turn.

With its blend of food, music, shopping, and cultural attractions, Victoria promises you won’t be bored during your visit.

Give The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority’s Instagram page a follow for highlights on more to see and do in this area.

Full Day Itinerary for Cruise Port in Victoria BC

You are in luck if your cruise allows you more time than a few hours.

Explore Victoria BC’s Food Scene

Victoria BC is a food lover’s paradise. It offers abundant fresh seafood, nearby farms, and optimal weather for gardening. Consider making reservations at one of the many restaurants near the cruise port or booking this guided food and history tour.

Whale Watching in Victoria, BC

With deep water surrounding its banks, whale watching off the coast of Victoria, BC, is another excellent tour option.

Experience the thrill of a lifetime with Victoria’s Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure. This tour is perfect for cruise passengers seeking an unforgettable excursion.

The highly-rated tour takes you through the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca aboard a semi-covered vessel designed for whale-watching. Marvel at orcas, humpback whales, and minke whales in their natural habitat while the informative, friendly, and professional guides share fascinating insights.

Visit Beautiful Butchart Gardens

Finally, a trip to Butchart Gardens should be on your radar if you have more than a few hours in port. The Butchart Garden Experience picks up from the Fairmont Empress Hotel. A 45-minute narrated tour and bus ride will deliver you to the 55-acre gardens.

Family members who were able to make this trip raved that the Butchart Gardens were a must-see for anyone visiting Victoria, BC.

Sunset at Cruise Port in Victoria, BC

The best part of a visit to Victoria, BC, is the unforgettable scenery at night.

As the sun dips below the horizon, a golden hue casts a warm glow over Victoria BC’s Inner Harbor, and a magical transformation occurs before your eyes.

The city lights come to life, and The Parliament Building, with its stately architecture, takes center stage. Its majestic lights cast a glow upon the calm waters below.

This captivating scene creates a breathtaking reflection as if the building’s brilliance is mirrored in a liquid mirror.

The setting sun, city lights, and the shimmering waters of the Inner Harbor at this golden hour are a sight to behold. It’s a moment so pretty and peaceful that you’ll remember it for a long time.

As the night falls over the charming cruise port of Victoria, BC, I urge you to take in every moment.

Whether you’ve savored a giant ice cream cone, explored local shops, or admired the Parliament building’s reflection, the magic of this coastal city will stay with you.

As you return to your cruise ship, carry these cherished memories with you, knowing that your brief visit to Victoria was a slice of coastal paradise under the stars.

I know that I took time for a moment of reflection and gratitude for the beauty and experiences discovered on our Alaska cruise and the picturesque ports.

I hope your journey at sea also leaves you with a heart full of lasting impressions.