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10 Romantic Things to Do in Victoria BC

Victoria, BC, is the capital of this stunning province and has one of the mildest winter climates in all of Canada, making it the perfect destination year-round. Although it is known to be sunny, its coastal location can bring in some wild weather. 

The city is filled with well-preserved Victorian architecture, blooming gardens, galleries, history, and plenty of local shops. About 4 million visitors flock to Victoria to experience this fantastic city. Couples can relax at the spa, enjoy a garden walk, shop in boutiques, visit art galleries and enjoy nature all in one place! 

Victoria paints a romantic, picturesque scene wherever you look, which makes the perfect atmosphere for a romantic getaway. If you are considering taking your sweetheart to Victoria, BC, here are 10 things you can do with your significant other.

Walk through Beacon Hill Park.

Beacon Hill Park is a large park and garden in Victoria’s city center. This park is a popular choice for locals, but the trails, ponds, and gardens attract plenty of visitors. The Beacon Hill Children’s Farm has a petting zoo for small farm animals like goats that are sure to entertain and delight couples and visitors of all ages. 

There are many scenic places within the park where couples can bring a picnic or take photos, like The Moss Lady, The stone bridge, Totem Poles, and the Rose Garden. For couples who like to stay active, there are tennis courts, a cricket field, a ball field, and plenty of green space for lawn games. It is very easy to spend a whole afternoon enjoying everything Beacon Hill Park has to offer. 

Enjoy a historical walk through Chinatown.

Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest in Canada, founded over 150 years ago by many Chinese immigrants that came to Canada for work. It feels like traveling to another country as you walk through Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada and one of the most popular locations in Chinatown. Fan Tan Alley is a narrow alley that is home to many shops and businesses to explore. 

Chinatown is home to many authentic businesses and restaurants that are friendly and welcoming to visitors. Treat your partner to some authentic dim sum and a souvenir as you explore the history and culture in Chinatown.

Image Credit: Amanda Lawrence

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. 

Walk along Government street and Belleville street to get the best view of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. This building has a neo-baroque architecture style and is well maintained all year round. The Empress Hotel, another historic building, is also right across the street, facing the harbor. For couples that love history and architecture, this is the sight for you! Free guided tours of the building are offered all year round! 

Image Credit: Amanda Lawrence

Check out the local Castle.

Who knew Victoria was home to a Victorian-era castle? Craigdarroch Castle was built in the late 19th century by a wealthy coal baron, but sadly he passed before he could see it completed. Since then, the building has been used as a military hospital, college, and conservatory before becoming a National Historic Site of Canada. 

You can visit Craigdarroch Castle any time of day if you want to walk around the grounds, and tours are open from Wednesday to Sunday.

Image Credit: Amanda Lawrence

 Spot seals at Fisherman’s Wharf Park.

Fishermans Wharf Park is a floating pier near downtown Victoria that is home to seals and other marine life. There are many shops and food vendors along the dock that serves some of the best fish and seafood in Victoria.

Many events are held at the Wharf year round, like the Blues and Roots Festival and Boat festivals, so be sure to check their events calendar when planning to visit to see what is coming up next. 

Don’t fret if there aren’t any great events happening during your visit. You can always take a Victoria Waterfront Tour that departs from Fishermans Wharf daily! These tours cover history, architecture, wildlife, and more. They also offer other tours like the Victoria Gorge Tour and the Pickle Pub Crawl that make very unique date ideas.  

Become a history expert at The Natural History Museum of BC.

The Natural History Museum of BC is the perfect way to connect with the history and culture of Canada. The museum boasts over 7 million historical artifacts. It has many intriguing exhibits on natural history, the origin of British Columbia, and Indigenous culture.

This is perfect for couples looking to take a quiet break from the city or spend a rainy afternoon. The Natural History Museum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

Take a romantic walk down Dallas Road.

Take a break from the busy downtown core and take a romantic walk on Dallas road. This is a famous coastal route for pedestrians and cyclists with amazing views of the coast and the ocean landscape. 

Stop at some exciting landmarks like the Dallas Road staircase, a staircase that leads directly to the ocean, or Steve Fonyo beach for a quick swim. You can easily walk along Dallas road or rent a bike from Victoria Bike Rentals nearby. 

Image Credit: Amanda Lawrence

 Get a couples massage

The Saphire Day spa downtown offers wonderful and relaxing couples massages for you and your partner. The spa has a relaxed atmosphere, and the helpful staff are excellent if you are new to couples massages. A calming massage is an excellent way to relax and unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. 

Couple’s massages are known to helo ground and bond individuals with their partner and can be a fun activity to try while on vacation.

 Get in touch with nature.

Victoria is a lovely city for many reasons, one of those reasons being its prime location! Victoria is located next to many stunning drives, like the drive to Port Renfrew and provincial parks like Goldstream and Potholes. If you are extending your stay in Victoria, it is worth renting a car and checking out some of these places! 

Driving along BC Highway 14, you will pass through many beautiful towns like Sooke, where you can check out the local shops or the nearby Potholes Provincial Park. Further along the road, you will find a Meadery where they turn local honey into a delicious drink. 

There are many beaches to check out as well, like Mystic Beach, China Beach, and Sombrio Beach (this one has a hidden waterfall!) that make a relaxing yet adventurous day trip! 

Heading North to Goldstream Provincial Park, you can find many hiking trails and park facilities for picnics. There are many exciting sights here, like towering waterfalls and old mining tunnels. Perfect for the adventurous couple! 

Image Credit: Amanda Lawrence

See whales up close.

Saving the best for last, the must-do activity for couples in Victoria is to take a whale watching tour! Many tours leave Victoria and head out onto the Salish Sea to find whales in the wild. Nothing is more adventurous and romantic than getting up close to marine wildlife.

Most tour operators have a whale sighting guarantee, so you are sure to spot some whales. Nothing can make your trip to Victoria as memorable as seeing these majestic beauties in person. 

How to get to Victoria

Getting to Victoria is easy! Victoria International Airport has local and international flights to some destinations and is about a 30-minute drive from the city center. You can fly into Vancouver International Airport from anywhere in the world and take a ferry with BC Ferries to get to Victoria. It is highly recommended as the ferry journey has some beautiful scenery, and you can spot the occasional orca pod. If you are planning on booking a flight to Vancouver or Victoria, check out the best booking sites for flights!

Where to stay in Victoria

Victoria has many lovely hotels and bed and breakfasts, but here are some of our top choices specifically for couples! 

The Craigmyle

This elegant boutique hotel is tucked away from the busy city center to allow couples some peace and quiet. It is located right next to the stunning Craigdarroch Castle and has similar elegant and historic decor. You and your partner will be treated like royalty at the Craigmyle.

The Amethyst Inn

Have all the comforts of home at the Amethyst Inn. This heritage bed and breakfast has beautiful and historic rooms with a homely touch. It’s like staying in a piece of history!

Pendray Inn and Teahouse

This is where all the couples come to stay! This Victorian-age inn is the perfect place to go and rest your head. They have lovely amenities, and the tea house is the ideal place to try traditional British afternoon tea. 

Best time of year to visit Victoria

Due to Victoria’s pleasant climate, it is a great destination all year-round, but it does have distinct tourist seasons. Tourism is at its peak during summer from June-September and at its lowest during the winter from January-April. 

Packing for Victoria

Victoria is arguably the best city in Canada when it comes to climate. With an average temperature ranging from 8°C in the winter to 20°C in the summer, it is well known for having pleasant weather all year. Still, Victoria experiences varying weather from extreme heat, rain, and sometimes snow!  When packing for Victoria, it is important to ensure you’ve packed your women’s travel essentials to make sure you are prepared for anything! 

Victoria, BC, is a stunning historical that is sure to make the top 10 of your romantic destinations list! Come and check out all that Victoria has to offer.