Victoria City Walking Tour: Parliament & Chinatown
The oldest undisturbed street in Victoria sits steps from where the city's Chinatown began.
A 3-hour walking tour of Victoria led by a local guide covers the Parliament Buildings, indigenous cultural sites, the Royal BC Museum, and Canada's oldest Chinatown, with stops at the harbor, botanical gardens and historic shopping districts. The tour is tip-based, so you pay what you think it's worth. Guides work for gratuities, and the booking fee covers the reservation only. Available in English or Spanish.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Victoria's iconic landmarks
- Start tour at Destination Greater Victoria
- Admire Francis Rattenbury architecture
- Meet tour group
- Learn about local indigenous culture
- Pass by botanical Orca whale flowers
- Visit historic public square
- See grand chateau-style hotel
- Enjoy oceanfront views of Victoria Harbour
- Walk historic shopping district pathway
- Explore local boutiques and eateries
- Discover oldest undisturbed street
- Visit Canada's oldest Chinatown
- Take photo at Canada sign
What’s included
- A local guide who shares Victoria's history, culture and insider tips.
- the Parliament Buildings, indigenous cultural sites with totem poles, botanical orca displays, Victoria Harbour views, historic shopping districts and Canada's oldest Chinatown.
- personable local recommendations for where to eat and shop after the tour.
Times
- Every day 10:00
Before you book
Operated by Toonie Tours Calgary
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour starts at the Inner Harbor near the Parliament Buildings, where you'll see the architecture designed by Francis Rattenbury before your guide arrives. From there the route moves through Victoria's neighborhoods in a set sequence: an indigenous cultural site with replica totem poles and historic buildings, a botanical garden display shaped into orca whales, a public square with stories tied to the city's past, and the grand chateau-style Fairmont Empress hotel. Each stop adds a layer to how Victoria became what it is.
The second half of the walk takes you to the oceanfront views of Victoria Harbour, then through a historic shopping pathway with boutiques, and into a courtyard lined with local eateries and shops in brick buildings. The route ends at Canada's oldest Chinatown, where your guide explains the role Asian culture played in shaping the city, and finishes at the Canada sign: a photo spot people use to mark the moment they arrived.
Your guide is a local who knows the city's history and cultural traditions, and will offer recommendations for where to eat or shop after the tour ends. The walk covers easy, direct routes throughout Victoria and suits all fitness levels. Infants and small children can come in a pram or stroller, and public transit stops are nearby if you need them.
Is this one for you?Choose the English tour if you want a local guide who speaks English, or the Spanish tour if you prefer the same route and stops explained in Spanish. Both are tip-based, so you pay what the experience is worth to you at the end.
Compare the 4 alternatives
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
In English, at 10:00. In Spanish.
What is the Parliament Buildings stop like on this Victoria walking tour?
The Parliament Buildings are your starting point at the Inner Harbor. You'll see the architecture designed by Francis Rattenbury, and your guide will meet you there before the group moves on to the next stop.
Does this tour visit Victoria's Chinatown?
Yes. Canada's oldest Chinatown is the final stop on the tour. Your guide explains the history of Asian culture in Victoria and how it shaped the city, and the walk ends at the Canada sign nearby.
How long does the Victoria City Highlights tour take?
The tour is 3 hours long and covers the Inner Harbor, Parliament Buildings, indigenous cultural sites, the Fairmont Empress, Victoria Harbour, historic shopping districts, and Chinatown in a set route.
How does the tip-based pricing work on this tour?
The booking fee you pay here covers the reservation only. Your guide works for gratuities, so you decide what the tour is worth and pay that amount directly at the end.
Can I bring a stroller or pram on this walking tour?
Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller throughout the tour. The route is easy and direct, and public transportation options are available nearby if needed.
Victoria City Walking Tour: Parliament & Chinatown
3h · EN · ES
from CA$ 7.20 per person
≈ US$ 5 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.