Victoria has many treasures, but its top attractions are its waterfront area and its historic old town. Two sites visitors should not miss are the world-class Butchart Gardens and the Royal BC Museum. The city itself is also very attractive, offering plenty of pedestrian-friendly wandering and eye-popping views at every turn. Don’t forget that just beyond the pavement is a whole other world of killer whales, shoreline beachcombing and walks through cedar forests.

Butchart Gardens 
What started as an abandoned limestone quarry outside Victoria was transformed into one of the world’s most stunning public gardens in 1904. The Sunken Garden was the first effort by the Butchart family, who added a rose garden, an Italian garden and a Japanese garden over the years. More than a million plants now adorn this unique site kept immaculate by precision gardeners. Summer evenings are the best times to visit, as the gardens are softly lit by coloured lights. Phone: +1 250 652 4422; www.butchartgardens.com.

Craigdarroch Castle 
This Scottish Highland-style mansion was built in the 1880s by one of the wealthiest men in Victoria. The 39 rooms of the castle are filled with antiques, stained-glass windows, sculptures and paintings. The opulence of the Victorian era is perfectly represented here. A self-tour puts much of the castle’s highlights into perspective, and special events often grace its calendar. Phone: +1 250 592 5323; www.craigdarrochcastle.com.

Old Town Victoria 
Since the first settlers arrived by ship in the 1800s, the downtown and old town districts have been centres of action. Visitors have plenty of distraction in this part of town, as trendy cafés, quaint shops and historic buildings appear on every corner. Victoria was a hub for the notorious Barbary Coast trade, which included rum smuggling, opium manufacturing and gold prospecting. Today, this heady spirit lives on in the form of a retailer and consumer heaven.

Royal BC Museum 
This magnificent museum is the world’s best when it comes to the people and geology of British Columbia. The Natural History Gallery features the flora and fauna of BC stretching back to the Ice Age, while the Modern History Gallery focuses on the more recent saga of the city and its settlers. The First People’s Gallery is a masterpiece of First Nations culture and art, and there’s even an IMAX theatre to pound home the beauty of this province. Phone: +1 250 387 3701; www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

Victoria’s Inner Harbour 
One of the most colourful and entertaining parts of Victoria is its historic inner harbour area. A lovely paved walking path that winds along the waterfront offers the best way to watch boats and sea creatures come and go. The views near the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the 100-year-old Provincial Legislature Buildings is one of the finest in North America.

Victoria Butterfly Gardens
You may not think it, but this spot is one of Victoria’s greatest secrets. Nearly everyone can appreciate the beauty of a butterfly, and this huge tropical greenhouse contains hundreds of species fluttering freely in the air. There are naturalists on hand to provide more detail about the butterflies, and a working exhibit presents their life cycle from cocoon to insect. Unfortunately the gardens are not open between November and February. Phone: +1 250 652 3822; www.butterflygardens.com.