Bastion Square
Bastion Square
4
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What was once the site of the historical Fort Victoria is now a lively gathering place filled with galleries and sidewalk restaurants.
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Neighbourhood: Downtown
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4.0
313 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
152
Average
61
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Stewarts Vacation
1,543 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
There wasn't much happening here when we walked through, although there were people erecting tables for market stalls. We came back later in the day to find there were indeed a few stalls with vendors selling their crafts. We didn't find any signage commemorating the history of the square. It was somewhat underwhelming. We were there on a Friday - perhaps there is more activity over the weekend?
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YYZ T
Toronto, Canada104 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
Bastion Square has weekend summer market. Crafts, jewelry and art.
Enjoy the street performers and take a stroll to the inner harbour.
There are two pubs in the square where you can grab a drink and a bite to eat.
Enjoy the street performers and take a stroll to the inner harbour.
There are two pubs in the square where you can grab a drink and a bite to eat.
Written 28 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arl3203
Sasebo, Japan388 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
Bastion Square marks the spot where the Hudson's Bay Company first established a trading post in 1843 which became known as Fort Victoria. When first constructed, the fort contained octagonal Bastions, three-stories high. The North Bastion once stood at the entry of what is now Bastion Square. Some of the oldest buildings in Victoria can be found here, including the first Supreme Court building, built in 1889, which now houses the Maritime Museum.
As you walk through the Square, you will find plaques on the buildings with detailed descriptions of historical points of interest.
From early May until late September, there is an open air market held here that features live music, artists and crafters displaying their work, farmers selling their produce and other items for sale. The Square is also the location of many shops, restaurants and pubs, my favorites being the Renaissance Bookstore and the Irish Times Pub.
As you walk through the Square, you will find plaques on the buildings with detailed descriptions of historical points of interest.
From early May until late September, there is an open air market held here that features live music, artists and crafters displaying their work, farmers selling their produce and other items for sale. The Square is also the location of many shops, restaurants and pubs, my favorites being the Renaissance Bookstore and the Irish Times Pub.
Written 10 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Len B
Granada, Nicaragua24 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
I'd not been to Victoria, BC in decades so I wanted to see what was new along the waterfront. I was pleased to see much of the area was still as it had been, even if many of the stores had changed hands. The Maritime Museum is still there, and as is the case with museums it was as I remembered it. I don't remember the Lighthouse Gallery having been in Baston Square, but it was worth the visit as were the other small galleries.
The old hotel located on Government Street, on the south side of the entrance to the square had marred the area with it's seedy clientele for decades. Obviously it had changed hands and was remodelled. It is now called the Bedford Regency Hotel and looked quite nice, although I did not see the upstairs. At least the low-life types that used to hang about the front and rear entrances were gone.
There are cafes and restaurants with patio seating in Baston Square, but on a beautiful day the demand for tables makes it a challenge to find a place to sit.
If you're in Victoria I strongly recommend doing the tourist walk, which starts at the Inner Harbour, north up Government Street, and left through Baston Square. This maybe 2 kilometres is what tourists go to Victoria, BC to see.
The old hotel located on Government Street, on the south side of the entrance to the square had marred the area with it's seedy clientele for decades. Obviously it had changed hands and was remodelled. It is now called the Bedford Regency Hotel and looked quite nice, although I did not see the upstairs. At least the low-life types that used to hang about the front and rear entrances were gone.
There are cafes and restaurants with patio seating in Baston Square, but on a beautiful day the demand for tables makes it a challenge to find a place to sit.
If you're in Victoria I strongly recommend doing the tourist walk, which starts at the Inner Harbour, north up Government Street, and left through Baston Square. This maybe 2 kilometres is what tourists go to Victoria, BC to see.
Written 22 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kalaidoscope
Lanzarote, Spain804 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
the bastion square is nicely kept, which you can't say for the rest of the city. on the weekends they have a very nice crafts market there. the architecture is the nicest in victoria and the irish and scottish pubs frame its upper entrance very nicely.
whenever i wanted to see something pretty and nice while in victoria i went there! because the rest of the city is really not much to look at. and when you then ad the incessant kerosene smell which follows you around like a bad dream. it is sad really, because this town would have so much potential.
whenever i wanted to see something pretty and nice while in victoria i went there! because the rest of the city is really not much to look at. and when you then ad the incessant kerosene smell which follows you around like a bad dream. it is sad really, because this town would have so much potential.
Written 18 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colleen C
Cambridge, Canada107 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Make sure to do your research before you go. Lots of history here (and some great haunted sites). Ate at Garricks Pub (back in the day this is where men had their last meal before they were hung in the square!)
Written 23 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul O
Victoria, Canada256 contributions
Sept 2019
Some nice stores and often some buskers during the summer.
Nice pubs, restaurants and shops to spend some time as you walk around Victoria.
Nice pubs, restaurants and shops to spend some time as you walk around Victoria.
Written 29 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAG2608
Vancouver, Canada500 contributions
Sept 2019
We went to Bastion Square with friends visiting from New Zealand. Bastion Square was on the list of things to see in Victoria. I must admit I was not impressed. There are some interesting historical buildings but the overall effect is spoiled by what has been allowed to be built more recently.
Written 23 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas N
2 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
Car got broken into on the fifth level. Went and spoke to security about what he could about it. All he said was "I can help sweep up the glass." Absolute crap.Heard heaps of other cars getting broken into on a daily basis. Don't know if it's a racquet with the guys at the front who does security, but I'm pretty sure there's something sus going on.
Also if any one finds a rubber turtle with writing on the bottom, and a pair of wonky sunglasses we'd like them back. You can keep the iPod.
Also if any one finds a rubber turtle with writing on the bottom, and a pair of wonky sunglasses we'd like them back. You can keep the iPod.
Written 22 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paperella68
Edmonton, Canada134 contributions
Sept 2016
It is certainly a spot you cannot miss if in old town Victoria. Little stores all around, some really cute eating spots as well. I would recommend Utopia - a t-shirt vendor. Some stores are closed down and that gives it a bit of a sad touch. All in all it is ok.
Written 17 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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