Unusual things to do and hidden gems in Victoria BC!
I’m a lifelong Victorian and I’ve spent years exploring every nook and cranny of this city, searching for the next best Victoria hidden gem and new and fun unusual things to do in Victoria. Between working in real estate, fixing up old VW cars, and sipping a good local Victoria craft beer, I’ve managed to uncover some pretty special places that even long-time locals might not know about.
Whether you're new to town or just want to dig a little deeper into what makes Victoria so awesome, here are some of my favourite hidden gems shared straight from a local who knows the backroads and side streets of this city like the back of his hand. Send us your photos of these hidden gems, along with new ones you'd love to feature on this site and we'll feature them here!
Fan Tan Alley
This place is iconic and still surprises people! Even growing up here, it felt like a secret tunnel into another world. It’s tucked away in Chinatown and is technically Canada’s narrowest street. These days it’s full of cool little shops, record stores, and locally owned boutiques. If you ever want to impress a friend visiting from out of town, take them here and watch their jaw drop.
📍 View Fan Tan Alley on Google Maps
Bastion Square
Bastion Square has this cool old-world charm that gets overlooked a lot. I always find myself wandering through on the way to a pint or a coffee downtown. Look for the plaque marking the original location of the old fort gates, since Bastion Square is where Victoria began. It’s full of historic character, cobblestone paths, and interesting little artisan markets when the weather’s good. Great place to people-watch or just take in some local vibes.
📍 View Bastion Square on Google Maps
Ogden Point Breakwater
If you haven’t walked the breakwater during sunset, you’re missing out. It's one of my favourite places to unwind. You get ocean views, salty air, and sometimes a surprise seal sighting and the underwater mural art along the way adds an unexpected touch of beauty. Plus, it’s fun to see the cruise ships dock up close. Bring a hoodie as it can get breezy out there!
📍 View Ogden Point Breakwater on Google Maps
The Moss Lady in Beacon Hill Park
This one always catches people off guard. She’s a massive sculpture made of earth and moss in the shape of a reclining woman. Inspired by the famous "Mud Maid" of England, this living sculpture is a peaceful and whimsical sight that many miss. It’s quiet, peaceful, and feels like something out of a fantasy novel. I still stop by when I’m in the area, she’s part of the soul of the park.
📍 View The Moss Lady in Beacon Hill Park on Google Maps
Abkhazi Garden
It's easy to miss this tucked-away gem in Fairfield. The story behind it is incredible - it was created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi, Georgian exiles who turned their private home into a peaceful paradise. Now it’s one of the most peaceful spots in the city, with winding trails, blooming rhododendrons, and a cozy tea house.
📍 View Abkhazi Garden on Google Maps
Ross Bay Cemetery
Okay, hear me out, I know it’s a cemetery, but it’s also one of the best oceanfront walks you’ll find in Victoria. Ross Bay Cemetery is one of Victoria’s most peaceful and interesting hidden gems.
Some of the oldest gravestones in BC are here, and it’s incredibly peaceful. Plus, Emily Carr is buried here. The view alone is worth it.
📍 View Ross Bay Cemetery on Google Maps
Government House Gardens
I stumbled across these gardens by accident years ago, and now I tell everyone about them, known locally as the Victorian Rose Garden. Located in Rockland, this 36-acre estate features formal rose gardens, native plant meadows, and even a woodland trail. They’re free to visit, and the views from the upper lawns are breathtaking. You can explore paths lined with native plants and even spot the Lieutenant Governor’s residence.
📍 View Government House Gardens on Google Maps
Dallas Road Swim Pavilion Staircase
This concrete staircase looks like something out of a Cold War spy movie. It’s a fun surprise for beachgoers, joggers, and cyclists alike. It spirals down the bluff along Dallas Road and brings you right to the rocky beach. I’ve taken more than one photo shoot here for local blogs and adventure articles, it’s just that cool.
📍 View Dallas Road Swim Pavilion Staircase on Google Maps
Gonzales Observatory Lookout
This small, unassuming lookout used to be a weather station and offers one of the best panoramic views in town and barely anyone knows about it. You can see the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Mountains, and the whole city. Great place to take a coffee and catch the sunrise.
📍 View Gonzales Observatory Lookout on Google Maps
Spiral Beach
This beach is less crowded than Willows Beach or Gonzales Bay, and located just below Beacon Hill Park, this beach is a local hidden gem.
You’ll find driftwood, rock art, and tide pools and it’s an awesome place to bring a book or just chill. The “spiral” refers to the winding old cement staircase leading down from the bluff. I've spent a few lazy Sunday mornings here just watching the waves.
📍 View Spiral Beach on Google Maps
The Hidden Stairways of Victoria
They’re scattered across town from Fernwood to Fairfield. Old concrete stairways tucked between houses or under trees. One can be found off Moss Street, leading to narrow walkways between heritage homes. They connect streets and parks, and walking them makes you feel like you’re in on a local secret. These hidden stairs are perfect for curious explorers who want to see the city from different angles.
📍 View Example Stairway On Hollywood Crescent on Google Maps
Art Installations in Unusual Places
From tiny bronze "mouse" statues downtown to mosaics tucked in alleys, Victoria’s got secret art if you know where to look. Next time you’re walking around, look down or peek behind fences. It’s like a treasure hunt and a fun one at that. Contact us if you want a hint or two on where to find them!
📍 View Johnson Street (Hint!) on Google Maps
Discovery Coffee's Secret Roast Lab
If you love coffee as much as local craft beer (I do), check out their "Roast Lab" in Rock Bay. You can often find pop-up tastings and barista training events here. You’ll find experimental blends and the best baristas around. I’ve picked up some great beans here, it’s like a caffeine-powered hidden gem.
📍 View Discovery Coffee's Secret Roast Lab on Google Maps
Hidden Rooftop Patios
Victoria has a few rooftops you’d never expect. Perro Negro is one of my favourites - it’s above Ferris’ Grill and serves incredible tapas. It feels exclusive, but it’s totally relaxed. Another one of my favourites is the rooftop patio at The Drake Eatery. A perfect summer night hangout spot.
📍 View Perro Negro on Google Maps
The Secret Bookstore: Russell Books Basement
Most people stay on the main floor, but there’s a whole "secret" basement level packed with gems. Go down the stairs near the front entrance and you’ll discover even more books, often older or discounted titles and cozy reading nooks. It’s quieter, and honestly, better for finding hidden literary treasures. I’ve walked out with some real surprises down there.
📍 View Russell Books on Google Maps
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
While Swan Lake is known for school field trips and birdwatching, many don’t realize it has hidden boardwalks and marshland trails that feel like you're in another world. This is a quiet spot where you can walk floating boardwalks and spot turtles, herons, and frogs. I bring my camera out here from time to time and the lighting in the morning is something else.
📍 View Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary on Google Maps
Little Libraries Around the City
Scattered all over the city are handmade book boxes where you can take a book or leave one, and one of its coolest grassroots projects is the many “Little Free Libraries” scattered across neighbourhoods. You'll find them in open spaces, along streets and tucked in front of houses in Sooke to Sidney and up Vancouver Island.
Some are incredibly creative, I found one shaped like a lighthouse once. It’s a fun way to explore new streets and get a free read.
📍 View Example Little Free Library on Google Maps
The Centennial Candle
The Centennial Candle is one of those Victoria landmarks that most people walk past without noticing. It’s not actually a candle (or a chimney, like some people guess), it’s an old water tower, cleverly disguised. It used to be lit up with a glowing neon “flame” at the top in 1962, to celebrate Canada’s centennial, and the flame worked until 1987. Now, it’s just sitting quietly behind the buildings, half-forgotten which makes it a perfect hidden gem.
It’s on private property, and please respect property boundaries, but you can definitely spot it from the sidewalk with a bit of searching.
📍 View The Centennial Candle on Google Maps
Waddington Alley, Victoria's Last Wooden Street
That’s right, the alley is paved with old wooden “bricks” made of Douglas Fir, laid down in the late 1800s to help muffle the sound of horses and wagons passing through.
Most of them are still there today, weathered and worn, and if you slow down and take a good look, it’s kind of amazing they’ve survived this long.
The alley gets its name from Alfred Waddington, a businessman and politician in the early days of Victoria who pushed for progress (though not without controversy). It’s one of the last places downtown where you can literally walk over a piece of the city’s early history.
📍 View Waddington Alley on Google Maps
Summit Park and Water Reservoir
Summit Park and Water Reservoir is one of those places you only know about if you live here, and even then, it still feels like a secret. Hidden right in the middle of the city, the water reservoir was built in the 1900s and is now a part of Summit Park. I stumbled on it years ago while walking my dog Joey after playing at one of Victoria's dog parks, and I’ve been coming back ever since.
📍 View Summit Park and Water Reservoir on Google Maps
Tod Inlet Trail
If you're into peaceful forest walks with a side of forgotten history, Tod Inlet is a must-visit. Tucked away behind Butchart Gardens, this hidden gem has old cement plant ruins, mossy relics from another era, and wooden pilings stretching into the inlet. The trails wind through what used to be worker paths, and are quiet, scenic, and full of stories. It’s one of those places locals love to share… just not too loudly.
📍 View Tod Inlet Trail on Google Maps
Victoria isn’t just the capital of BC, it’s a laid-back, beautiful, quirky, and sometimes surprising city. I’ve spent my whole life here and I still stumble across new spots that make me smile. Whether you’re into old architecture, quiet gardens, hidden beaches, or off-the-beaten-track adventures, there’s always more to explore.
So take it from a local who knows the alleys, great Victoria breweries, the back roads, and the viewpoints - Victoria’s got layers. And the best way to uncover them? Just go exploring. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you out there.