The Empress building is the most popular local landmark, one of the oldest hotels in Victoria. Opened in 1908, this Chateau-like hotel is considered one of Canada’s grand railway hotels. The hotel is now listed as a National Historic Site of Canada and is one of the top 21 Iconic Hotels in the World by National Geographic Traveller magazine. The hotel was designed by a young British architect – Francis Rattenbury for Queen Victoria – to whom the city is named. There is an impressive historic archive in the basement of the hotel, which is not very often visited, perhaps partially because of the reported sightings of the architect himself in an Edwardian suit, who was murdered in Bournemouth, UK by his much younger mistress. Much less mysterious and spine-tingling highlights are the Miniature World and the high tea, served at the Lobby Lounge.

The British Columbia Parliament Buildings are located nearby and are open to the public with free tours. Here is where the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia’s elected representatives – called Members of the Legislative Assembly – meet to debate and pass the laws that govern British Columbia. The Neo-Baroque building is crowned by a central dome with a gold-covered statue of Captain George Vancouver and there are statues of Queen Victoria and a statue of a soldier to commemorate all the soldiers lost in wars on the front lawn.

Enjoy the year-round 55 acres of lush greenery and rainbow blooms of the Butchart Gardens. More than a million visitors each year come to see this National Historic Site of Canada. The gardens were commissioned by Robert Pim Butchart, a cement manufacturer in 1921 and are still owned and looked after by his successors. First the Sunken Garden was built by the Japanese garden designer Isaburo Kishida, then the Italian Garden, followed by the Rose Garden. The gardens are beautiful in Spring with the tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, in Summer with the roses, the evening entertainment and mesmerizing night illuminations and boat tours, in Autumn with the red and gold of the Japanese maples and near Christmas with the expansive decorations and lightning.

If you are looking to find out more about the history and culture of the “garden city”, head over to the Royal British Columbia Museum. It contains not only The British Columbia’s natural and human history museum, but also the British Columbia Provincial Archives. Familiarise yourself with the maritime culture and history of the Pacific Nortwest at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia. See the aircrafts and other aviation related artefacts at the British Columbian Aviation Museum. Go to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria to see some notable works by Canadian artist Emily Carr and for one of Canada’s most significant collections of Asian art. Madrona Gallery exhibits works by established and emerging Canadian artists, as well as a world-class collection of Inuit carvings, drawings and prints. The Ford Rodd Hill National Historic Site is a 19^th century coastal artillery fort, used to protect Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base. The adjacent Fisgard Lighthouse is the oldest on the Canadian West coast. The Craigdarroch Castle is a shining example of a Victorian mansion, built in 1890 and overlooking the city.

Other interesting sites to see in Victoria are the Chinatown – the second oldest in North America after the one in San Francisco. Beacon Hill Park is a lovely large green space in downtown, with woodland and shoreline trails, playgrounds, a waterpark, playing fields, a petting zoo, ponds and gardens. A famous feature is the world’s forth tallest totem poll at 38.8m (127ft). The Inner Harbour is another historical site, allegedly one of the most beautiful harbours in the world with distinctive architecture and summer entertainment. From here you can also easily pick up a boat tour to go whale watching. At Victoria Bug Zoo you can see and experience live tropical bugs from around the world. Bastion Square Public Markets are the place to buy local arts and crafts, sample some local produce and try artisan food. The market is open every Sunday. The Farm Market is open Thursdays and Fridays and is run almost entirely by chef-volunteers.