From the stunning Butchart Gardens to the bustling Inner Harbour, there’s something for everyone in this charming city. With over a million visitors each year, it’s easy to see why Victoria is one of Canada’s top tourist destinations. But beyond the obvious attractions, there are many fascinating and lesser-known facts about Victoria that make it even more of a must-visit. In this blog post, we will be exploring 50 fun and intriguing facts about this incredible city, so come along and discover the many wonders of Victoria BC!
50 Fun and Fascinating Facts You May Not Know About Victoria
- Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada.
- It is named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
- It is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.
- The city has a mild climate, with the warmest average temperature in Canada.
- The Empress Hotel, built in 1908, is a famous landmark in Victoria.
- Half a million cups of tea are served annually at the Empress Hotel.
- Victoria is a popular tourist destination, known for its historic architecture, gardens, and scenic views.
- The city is home to numerous museums, including the Royal British Columbia Museum.
- The garden features over 900 varieties of plants and flowers.
- Victoria has a large community of artists and is home to several annual cultural festivals.
- The city is also known for its thriving food scene, with many local restaurants featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
- The Inner Harbour is a popular tourist destination, featuring several historical sites and a marina.
- Victoria is home to several universities, including the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University.
- The city is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, including mountains, forests, and oceans.
- The largest naval base on Canada’s Pacific coast, CFB Esquimalt, is located in Victoria.
- The city is home to several parks and outdoor recreation areas, including Beacon Hill Park.
- The park features a petting zoo, walking trails, and scenic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
- Victoria is home to a thriving craft beer scene, with several local breweries and taprooms.
- The city is also home to several historic buildings and homes, including the Craigdarroch Castle.
- The castle was built in the late 19th century and is now a museum.
- Victoria is known for its vibrant nightlife, with numerous bars, clubs, and live music venues.
- The city is also a hub for eco-tourism, with several local companies offering kayaking, hiking, and wildlife watching tours.
- Victoria is a friendly and welcoming city, with a diverse and inclusive community.
- With a perfect growing climate, Victoria is known as the “City of Gardens.”
- The city has an annual flower count with over 3.4 billion blooms counted in 2018.
- Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest in Canada, and Fan Tan Alley is the narrowest street in the country.
- Victoria has been named the “Most Romantic City in Canada” and one of the “Top 15 Friendliest Cities in the World.”
- It is also named the “Best City to Live in for Women in Canada” and the “Seventh Best City” and “Second Best Small City in the world” by Condé Nast.
- The Parliament Buildings in Victoria have 3,300 energy-efficient lights, and roughly 1,600 lampposts hold hanging flower baskets during Summer.
- The Greater Victoria Region and Cowichan Valley are home to nearly 1,000 farms out of 2,800 farms on Vancouver Island.
- The world’s tallest free-standing totem pole is located in Beacon Hill Park in Victoria.
- Vancouver Island is recognized as one of the best cold-water diving destinations on earth by National Geographic and rated second only to the Red Sea for marine life and water clarity by the Jacques Cousteau Society.
- Victoria’s waters are home to three resident pods of Orca whales totaling 76 whales.
- The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has the most comprehensive collection of Asian art in Canada.
- The Royal BC Museum, founded in 1886, is a renowned cultural institution.
- Victoria is nicknamed “the city of the newlywed or newly dead” with nearly 18% of its population over the age of 65.
- It also has the second highest number of restaurants per capita in North America.
- Victoria is considered the bicycle capital of Canada, with an extensive bike path system and a high percentage of cyclists.
- Although it is in an earthquake zone, the threat of a tsunami is low.
- It is home to over 70 urban parks.
- The Maritime Museum of British Columbia in Victoria is home to North America’s oldest operating birdcage elevator.
- Victoria’s Chinatown is the second oldest in North America after San Francisco and is home to the narrowest alley in all of Canada.
- Nearly 3.5 million visitors spend at least a night in Victoria annually and another 50,000 come for a day via cruise-ships.
- Notable people from Victoria include Nelly Furtado, Steve Nash, David Foster, Adam Egoyan, Nick Bantock, and Jack Shadbolt.
- It is the western terminus of the Trans-Canada Highway.
- Victoria gets 2,183 hours of sunshine per year and has eight months without frost.
- On the summer solstice, the sun rises at 5:11 AM and sets at 9:22 PM, while on the winter solstice the sun rises at 8:04 AM and sets at 4:20 PM.
- The Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada, is a popular tourist destination, attracting over a million visitors annually. The gardens are located about 25 minutes from downtown Victoria and are particularly beautiful in spring.
- Victoria offers endless golfing opportunities with courses open 365 days a year.
- Victoria is one of Canada’s top 10 most costly cities to call home, according to a 2018-19 survey.
About Victoria
Victoria is a beautiful city located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Known for its stunning architecture, stunning gardens, and stunning harbor, Victoria has become a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. The city has a rich history, having been established in the mid-1800s as the capital of the British Colony of Vancouver Island. Today, it is home to a thriving arts community, a vibrant food scene, and a bustling tourist industry.
One of the highlights of Victoria is its architecture. From the grand and elaborate Victorian-era buildings to the more modern structures, the city is a feast for the eyes. Many of the buildings are decorated with intricate details such as stained glass windows, carvings, and ornate balconies. The most famous of these buildings is the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel, which has been welcoming guests since 1908.
Victoria is also known for its gardens, and the most famous of these is the Butchart Gardens. This 55-acre site was originally a limestone quarry and was transformed into a beautiful garden by Jennie Butchart in the early 1900s. Today, it is a National Historic Site of Canada and attracts over a million visitors each year. With its stunning floral displays, beautiful water features, and extensive walking paths, the Butchart Gardens is a must-visit for anyone visiting Victoria.
The city is also famous for its harbor, which is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. From the harbor, you can take a whale-watching tour, a sunset dinner cruise, or simply relax and take in the views. There are also several parks and trails in the area, making it a great place to spend a day or two exploring the outdoors.
Victoria is also home to a thriving arts community, with many galleries, theaters, and cultural institutions. There are several theaters in the city, including the Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse, which regularly host musicals, plays, and concerts. There is also an active literary scene, with many bookstores and literary events throughout the year.
Want to explore Victoria on a budget?
The city offers many budget-friendly activities for visitors. One great way to save money is to take advantage of the many free activities and attractions the city has to offer.
Here are 8 budget-friendly things to do in Victoria:
- Take a walk along the Inner Harbour, which features a number of restaurants, shops, and public art installations.
- Check out the Victoria Public Market, which offers a wide variety of local food, crafts, and other products.
- Visit the Craigdarroch Castle, a historic mansion that offers tours and exhibits on Victoria’s history and culture.
- Explore Victoria’s natural beauty by hiking or biking through nearby trails, such as the Galloping Goose Regional Trail or the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park.
- Take a tour of the Victoria Bug Zoo, which features a variety of live insects and arachnids.
- Visit the Royal BC Museum, which offers a variety of exhibits on the history, culture, and natural history of British Columbia.
- Visit the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, a tropical garden that is home to a variety of butterflies and other insects.
- Explore the nearby Butchart Gardens, a world-famous botanical garden that features a variety of beautiful plants and flowers.
Bonus tip: Self-guided walking tour
Another budget friendly option to explore Victoria is to do a self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt.
The tour is designed for all ages, it’s an interactive and engaging way to discover the history, culture, and hidden gems of Victoria. You’ll learn fascinating facts about the city, solve riddles, and most importantly, have lots of fun! This tour is perfect for families, friends, and solo travelers who want to explore the city in a unique and exciting way.
As you follow the tour, you’ll discover some of Victoria’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Parliament Buildings, the Fairmont Empress, and Fan Tan Alley.
But the tour is not only about sightseeing, as you wander through the streets, you’ll be solving riddles and answering questions that will lead you to discover hidden gems. You’ll also learn about the history of Victoria.
The tour is self-guided, so you can start and finish it at your own pace, you can also take as many breaks as you like. The tour is designed to be completed in around 2 hours, but you can take as long as you like to finish it.
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