Victoria city highlights + Butchart Gardens tour

Victoria is a charming city full of beautiful historic architecture, ocean views, and stunning gardens. This tour will offer you a sprinkling of our most popular sights and a trip to the world-famous Butchart Gardens.

City highlights and historical stories include the significance of Victoria’s Inner Harbour and its connection with the gold rush. Stories include the BC legislative building, the Empress Hotel and our historic Chinatown, Canada’s oldest.

The Butchart Gardens are Victoria’s #1 attraction, with over one million visitors per year. Learn the story of how Jennie Butchart transformed her husband’s abandoned lime quarry into one of Canada’s national historic treasures.

This is an excellent tour for first time visitors on a limited time schedule.

Price: $600 cad (this is a group price – not per person)

Capacity: vehicle seats 6 people comfortably (7 max)

Tour duration: 4.5 – 5 hours

What’s included: private transportation and professional tour guide

What’s not included: personal expenses, food and beverage, and admission to Butchart Gardens ($39.50/adult, 2023 price)

Note: Check here for Butchart Gardens hours for 2023

Customize this tour: All private tours are customizable. Inquire with me if you want to add on to this tour.

ITINERARY

The order of this itinerary may vary depending on your pick-up location. It is a fast-paced tour and stops are limited due to time. We can adjust along the way to accommodate a slower pace.

STOPS:
Inner Harbour, BC legislative building, and the Empress Hotel
Chinatown, the oldest in Canada, and the infamous narrow Fan Tan Alley
Fisherman’s Wharf: a quirky and colorful gem, it’s colourful float home neighborhood
Butchart Gardens: this stop will be 1 to 1.5 hours
NOTE: If you have mobility issues, I recommend pre-renting a scooter. Alternately you can use the available wheelchairs at the gardens.

DRIVE THROUGH/BY:
Thunderbird Park (view Indigenous story poles and hear some history)
Craigdarroch Castle: a baronial bonanza castle built in 1908 by Victoria’s legendary coal baron, Robert Dunsmiur
Government House: the official residence/offices of the Lt. Governor (provincial representative of the Crown)
Beacon Hill Park with the world’s tallest totem pole, and Mile Zero, with a tribute to Canadian legend Terry Fox

TOUR ADD-ON OPTIONS

Lunch at the Butchart Gardens in the former home of Jennie and Robert Butchart. Afternoon tea is a lovely option. Try it with the flight of local wine pairings.

Duration: 1 hour for a total of a 5.5-hour tour.

Price: $110 cad added to the base tour price for a total of $710cad (food and beverage not included).

Wine/cider tastings: You will visit two of the following: Church and State, Symphony Vineyard or Sea Cider. This depends on hours of operation and availability. There is charcuterie and cheese available at all locations.

Duration: 1.5 hours for a total of a 6-hour tour.

Price: $165cad added to the base tour price (food and tasting fees are not included; tasting fees are approximately $10-$15/person).

Undecided? No worries, if you decide on the day of your tour that your group would like to do this add-on, we can simply adjust it on the day. I’m super chill.

GALLERY

FAQs

What does the City Highlights & Butchart Gardens Tour include?

The tour includes a scenic drive through Victoria’s downtown, Chinatown, Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf, Dallas Road waterfront, and Oak Bay, as well as admission to the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Guests will also enjoy sightseeing stops and stories about Victoria’s history and local culture.

How long is the City Highlights & Butchart Tour?

This private tour lasts 5 hours and includes both the city highlights and time to explore Butchart Gardens.

Is the tour private?

Yes, all tours are completely private and designed exclusively for your group.

Can the City Highlights & Butchart Tour be customized?

Yes. While the itinerary covers popular highlights, there is flexibility to customize the experience based on your interests and pace.

How do I book the City Highlights & Butchart Tour?

You can book directly through the website by completing the booking form on the City Highlights & Butchart Tour page.