FAQ's
What tours does Hidden Victoria offer?
Hidden Victoria offers locally guided experiences in downtown Victoria, BC, including sightseeing and history tours, food and drink experiences, Harbour Ferry adventures, pub crawls, seasonal tours and customizable private tours.
Which Hidden Victoria tour should I choose?
It depends on how you want to experience Victoria! Choose Bites & Sights for a combination of sightseeing, food and drinks; Iconic & Obscure for history, landmarks and hidden gems; Pickle Pub Crawl for a fun Harbour Ferry adventure between local pubs; and Petrified Pub Crawl for ghost stories, dark history and drinks.
Where do your tours start?
Our public tours start in or around Victoria's Inner Harbour, making them convenient for visitors staying downtown and cruise ship passengers exploring the city. Individual meeting locations are provided on each tour page.
How long are your tours?
Most of our public tours are approximately 2–3 hours. The exact duration is listed on each tour page.
How much walking is involved?
It varies by tour, but our downtown experiences are designed to explore Victoria at an enjoyable pace. Check the individual tour page for the approximate walking distance.
Are your tours suitable for locals?
Absolutely! We love having Victoria locals join us. Our tours include hidden stories, unusual history, local businesses and experiences that even longtime residents may not have discovered.
Are your tours suitable for first-time visitors to Victoria?
Yes. Several of our tours combine Victoria's must-see areas with places and stories that are easy to miss when exploring on your own.
Are your tours guided by locals?
Our team includes passionate guides with extensive knowledge of Victoria, its history, culture, food scene and hidden stories. You can even meet many of them on our Guides page.
What makes Hidden Victoria different from other Victoria tour companies?
We combine Victoria's iconic sights with the unexpected: hidden alleys, local businesses, fascinating stories, food and drinks, Harbour Ferry rides and the kinds of places visitors might otherwise walk right past.
Do I need to book in advance?
We recommend booking ahead, particularly during Victoria's busy spring and summer season. Same-day spaces may be available when a tour hasn't sold out.
Can I book a tour at the last minute?
Yes, if space is still available.
What happens if there aren't enough people booked?
Some tours have a minimum number of guests required to operate. If a tour doesn't meet its minimum, we'll contact you regarding your options.
Bites & Sights
What is the Bites & Sights tour?
Bites & Sights is part sightseeing tour, part food tour, all Victoria. Over approximately 2.5 hours, you'll explore the Inner Harbour, historic downtown and Chinatown while enjoying local food and drinks along the way.
Is Bites & Sights a food tour or a sightseeing tour?
Both! Food is woven into a sightseeing experience, so you'll learn about Victoria, explore some of its most interesting neighbourhoods and enjoy local tastings throughout the tour.
What food is included on Bites & Sights?
Tastings vary seasonally and may include locally made hummus with focaccia, prawns, a seasonal harvest-inspired bite and chocolate. Exact offerings can change, which lets us work with local businesses and seasonal ingredients.
Is Bites & Sights enough food for lunch?
The tour includes a selection of tastings rather than a full meal. We recommend having a light meal before or after your tour.
Does Bites & Sights include alcohol?
Yes. The experience includes local drinks, with non-alcoholic alternatives available for guests who don't drink alcohol.
Can children join Bites & Sights?
Yes. Our guides are used to having families on tour. Children under 3 are free but please let us know they are coming.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated on Bites & Sights?
Most allergies and dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Guests should provide dietary requirements in the comments sections when you book and let your guide know when you start the tour.
Does Bites & Sights include a Harbour Ferry ride?
Yes, when the Harbour Ferry is operating. During its reduced winter schedule, the ferry may be replaced with an additional food stop.
How many people are on Bites & Sights?
Bites & Sights is a small-group experience with a maximum of 11 guests.
Pickle Pub Crawl
What is the Pickle Pub Crawl?
The Pickle Pub Crawl is a Victoria pub crawl with a twist—you travel between pubs aboard Victoria's iconic Harbour Ferries while experiencing the Inner Harbour from the water.
Do you actually travel between pubs by boat?
Yes! The Harbour Ferry ride is a major part of the experience and one of the things that makes the Pickle Pub Crawl so unique
How long is the Pickle Pub Crawl?
Approximately 3 hours.
How many pubs do you visit?
Four pub stops are planned during the experience.
Are drinks included in the Pickle Pub Crawl?
No, drinks are not included in the price. To receive free appetizers, you need to purchase a drink at each venue. We do hit happy hours on every tour
Do I need to be 19 to join the Pickle Pub Crawl?
Yes. You need be 19+ and have a piece of photo ID along with a credit card or other card with your name on it.
Is the Pickle Pub Crawl a sightseeing tour too?
You'll get a unique perspective of Victoria's Inner Harbour while travelling aboard the Harbour Ferry, but the experience is designed primarily as a fun social pub crawl rather than a traditional sightseeing tour. That being said, all our guides know a lot about Victoria, so please ask them any questions you may be curious about!
Does the Pickle Pub Crawl run in the rain?
Yes, the Pickle Pub Crawl runs rain or shine
Can I book a private Pickle Pub Crawl?
Yes, Private Pickle Pub crawls are available for groups and are a popular options for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate outings and other events. If there is no one signed up for the available time slot, you can book directly online. If you don't see the option, please contact us to arrange a time on the day you are looking for.
Is the Pickle Pub Crawl good for bachelor or bachelorette parties?
We love to celebrate bachelor and bachelorette parties with you! We have games that will make the bride or groom the centre of attention!
Can large groups book the Pickle Pub Crawl?
Sometimes. It can be difficult to move large groups around with the 12 person capacity of the harbour ferries. We do make exceptions on days that aren't too busy.
Iconic & Obscure Walking Tour
What is the Iconic & Obscure Walking Tour?
Iconic & Obscure is our 2-hour downtown Victoria walking tour combining the city's famous landmarks with hidden alleys, colourful characters, unusual history and stories you might never discover on your own.
What will I see on the walking tour?
The tour explores areas including Victoria's Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, Old Town and Chinatown while covering the people, events and cultures that shaped the city.
How much walking is involved?
Approximately 2 km over two hours.
Where does Iconic & Obscure start and finish?
The tour starts at the Emily Carr statue near the Empress Hotel and finishes in Chinatown.
Is the walking tour suitable for someone visiting Victoria for the first time?
Yes. It's designed to introduce you to major sights while also showing you the hidden places and stories that make Victoria interesting
Do you offer Victoria walking tours in Spanish?
Yes, Spanish-language options are available.
Will my guide give me recommendations for the rest of my stay?
Absolutely. Our guides are happy to share recommendations for restaurants, attractions, events and other things to do while you're in Victoria.
Petrified Pub Crawl
What is the Petrified Pub Crawl?
Petrified Pub Crawl combines Victoria's ghost stories, dark history and notorious characters with stops at local pubs in historic downtown Victoria.
Is Petrified Pub Crawl a ghost tour?
Yes—but with pubs! You'll hear spooky stories and darker tales from Victoria's past while enjoying a social pub-crawl experience.
Is Petrified Pub Crawl only available around Halloween?
We just operate over the month of October but if you are really into ghosts, we can do a private tour any time of the year
Are drinks included?
No, drinks are not included in the price. To receive free appetizers, you need to purchase a drink at each venue.
Do I need to be 19+?
Yes. You need be 19+ and have a piece of photo ID along with a credit card or other card with your name on it.
Is the Petrified Pub Crawl scary?
We tell entertaining/spooky stories rather than stories that will keep you up at night.