This charming waterfront spot in BC was named 'one of the world's most walkable cities'

It's not Vancouver!

Person walking through a garden. Right: Buildings on a street.

The Butchart Gardens. Right: Victoria, B.C.

Editor

This city manages to balance its bustle with stunning nature and a friendly atmosphere that gives it a small-town feel. With ocean views, cozy neighbourhoods, and sprawling gardens, it makes for the perfect spring destination.

Skyscanner also just ranked it just among the most walkable cities for 2025. The list by Skyscanner gave cities around the world a "Walkability Index," and Victoria, B.C., ranked among the best of the best.

"These cities are perfect for travellers looking to stay active, explore cultural hotspots, and uncover hidden gems entirely on foot. The list is based on 14 key factors, including walking distance between attractions, air quality, safety, and accessibility," the press release said.

While the city is a gateway to some of the most spectacular nature around, on Vancouver Island, you don't need to go far to see some of the main attractions. Skyscanner said Victoria is home to "457 scenic trails and top attractions like Beacon Hill Park and Fisherman's Wharf."

You can spend your days roaming the incredibly scenic city, stopping at the local boutiques and award-winning restaurants, and taking in the waterfront view. The city is known for its Victorian architecture, making it that much more beautiful to explore on foot — especially in the spring.

The ranking also highlighted local attractions like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle, which will transport you to a fairytale.

To get your nature fix here, there are stunning trails throughout Beacon Hill Park, or you can roam the colourful pathways of the Butchart Gardens.

To keep things simple, you can't go wrong with a walk around the Inner Harbour.

Keep walking and reach Fisherman's Wharf in about 15 minutes, where you'll feel like you're in a charming seaside village instead of Downtown Victoria.

While Vancouver gets the most hype regarding the West Coast — Victoria has its own beauty to offer.

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. She got her start working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, then joined Narcity with a move to B.C., leading the launch of West Coast coverage. Her focus now is managing a large group of freelance writers, bringing human-forward and opinion content to the site.

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