Victoria Harbour Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

Begin at Centennial Square for a 4 km waterfront walk through Victoria's heritage, harbour views and vibrant streets.

Discover Centennial Square's civic plaza and its place in Victoria's evolving downtown.

Slip into Fan Tan Alley, a narrow Chinatown passage lined with colourful shopfronts and history.

Explore Market Square's restored courtyard and independent shops, a lively link to Victoria's trading past.

Admire the blue Johnson Street Bridge, a striking modern span connecting downtown and the harbour's west side.

Wander Waddington Alley, where old brickwork and historic paving preserve a quieter corner of downtown.

Take in Bastion Square's heritage architecture and stories of Victoria's sometimes spooky past.

Explore Canada's oldest Chinatown, where heritage gates, shops and cultural stories fill the streets.

Pass the Bard & Banker, an ornate former bank building now a pub on Government Street.

Pass Rogers' Chocolates and the former Windsor Hotel, two heritage façades with sweet and storied pasts.

Enjoy Inner Harbour views of boats, landmarks and the waterfront bustle.

Pause at the former site of the Captain James Cook statue, removed in 2021, to reflect on Victoria's changing public history.

Admire the Fairmont Empress's grand harbour-facing façade, a landmark of Victoria's railway era.

Meet the Emily Carr statue and discover the Victoria artist's enduring connection to BC's landscapes.

Hear the Netherlands Centennial Carillon above the Royal BC Museum, a gift from BC's Dutch community.

View the Royal BC Museum from outside; its changing exhibitions require a separate admission ticket.

Admire Thunderbird Park's carved poles and Indigenous art beside the museum.

See Helmcken House from outside, one of BC's oldest surviving homes; occasional open houses are separate.

Admire the Parliament Buildings and their grounds from outside; indoor tours depend on opening hours and security.

See the Queen Victoria statue and nearby Cenotaph on the legislative grounds, two reminders of BC's public history.

Look for the tucked-away statue and gardens at Confederation Garden Court.

View the Steamship Terminal's grand stone columns, recalling the harbour's days as a Pacific gateway.

Watch ferries cross the harbour and consider the links they make between Victoria and neighbouring communities.

Follow the David Foster Harbour Pathway for shoreline views and a chance to spot marine life.

Pause at Songhees Point for harbour views and a connection to the Lekwungen peoples' enduring presence.

Pass the Coast Victoria Hotel's marina and watch the mix of pleasure craft along the waterfront.

Stroll Government Street's heritage storefronts, independent shops and old-world architecture.

Explore Fisherman's Wharf's colourful float homes and working-waterfront atmosphere from the public walkways.

Take another look at the Empress Hotel's Château-style exterior, recognized as a National Historic Site.