Victoria, Canada: travel guide
Gardens, harbourfront and tea-time charm on Vancouver Island
British Columbia's genteel capital on Vancouver Island, with English gardens, harbour and Victorian charm.
About Victoria
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, and it has a deliberately gentle, English-influenced character. The Inner Harbour is the heart of it, framed by the Parliament Buildings and the grand Fairmont Empress, with ferries, buskers and seaplanes adding to the scene.
Gardens are a highlight, and The Butchart Gardens, a short drive away, is among the best-known in the country. In town, the Royal BC Museum explains the region's natural and human history, and Fisherman's Wharf offers floating houses and harbour-side snacks.
Victoria suits couples, garden lovers and anyone wanting a relaxed few days. Spring and summer bring the best flowers and the mildest weather, and it is usually one of the milder spots in Canada in winter.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Vancouver
- Nearest airport
- YYJ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Victoria
Fairmont Empress Hotel
historic-hotel · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Iconic ivy-clad 1908 chateau-style hotel on the Inner Harbour, a Victoria landmark famous for its traditional afternoon tea.
Fan Tan Alley & Chinatown
historic-district · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Canada's oldest Chinatown, home to Fan Tan Alley — the narrowest commercial street in Canada — lined with tiny shops and eateries.
Beacon Hill Park
urban-park · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
200-acre Victorian-era park with gardens, ponds, a petting zoo, totem poles and ocean lookouts along the Dallas Road waterfront.
Abkhazi Garden
heritage-garden · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Intimate "garden that love built" created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi, with rhododendrons, Japanese maples and a teahouse, run by The Land Conservancy.
The Butchart Gardens
botanical-garden · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
55-acre National Historic Site of Canada with stunning Sunken, Rose, Japanese and Italian gardens, built in a former limestone quarry in Brentwood Bay.
Inner Harbour
waterfront · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Picturesque working harbour at the heart of downtown Victoria, lined with the Parliament Buildings and Empress Hotel, alive with float planes, ferries and street performers.
Royal BC Museum
history-museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Acclaimed provincial museum of natural and human history, renowned for its First Peoples gallery, Old Town exhibit and IMAX theatre.
British Columbia Parliament Buildings
government-landmark · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Grand Neo-baroque seat of the BC Legislature overlooking the Inner Harbour, outlined with thousands of lights at night. Free guided tours available.
Fisherman's Wharf
waterfront · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Colourful floating-home village and harbour with food kiosks, fresh seafood, kayak rentals and resident harbour seals.
Craigdarroch Castle
historic-house · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Lavish 1890 Victorian-era mansion (a "bonanza castle") built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, with stained glass, period furnishings and tower views.
Ogden Point Breakwater
waterfront-walk · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Half-kilometre concrete breakwater walk with sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and Strait of Juan de Fuca, popular for sunsets and diving.
Government Street
shopping-street · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic pedestrian-friendly main street lined with heritage facades, boutiques, cafes and the famous Rogers' Chocolates and Munro's Books.
Things to do
- Victoria Whale Watching Tour Wildlife · 3.5 h · from CAD 145 per person
- Butchart Gardens Tour from Victoria Sightseeing · 4 h · from CAD 90 per person
- Inner Harbour Boat Tour Sightseeing · 0.8 h · from CAD 35 per person
- Afternoon Tea at the Empress Food Experience · 1.5 h · from CAD 95 per person
- Victoria Food & Walking Tour Food Experience · 3 h · from CAD 99 per person
- Sea Kayaking the Gorge Waterway Water Sports · 3 h · from CAD 85 per person
- Victoria Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from CAD 55 per person
- Ghostly Walks of Victoria Tour · 1.5 h · from CAD 25 per person
Day trips and tours
- Whales & Butchart Gardens Combo Day 8 h · from CAD 225
- Victoria Highlights City Tour 4 h · from CAD 79
- Southern Vancouver Island Coast Tour 7 h · from CAD 135
Where to stay in Victoria
- Inner Harbour / Downtown about CAD 250 per night
The walkable heart of Victoria, ringed by the Parliament Buildings, Empress Hotel and waterfront, with the best concentration of hotels, dining and sights.
- James Bay about CAD 180 per night
Quiet, leafy heritage neighbourhood just south of the harbour, with B&Bs, mid-range hotels and easy access to Fisherman's Wharf and Beacon Hill Park.
- Oak Bay about CAD 300 per night
Genteel seaside village a short drive east of downtown, with boutique shops, ocean views and a refined, residential feel away from the crowds.
Hotels
- Fairmont Empress 5-star · CAD 450 to CAD 1,100 per night
- Oak Bay Beach Hotel 4.5-star · CAD 320 to CAD 700 per night
- Hotel Grand Pacific 4-star · CAD 240 to CAD 480 per night
- Inn at Laurel Point 4-star · CAD 220 to CAD 460 per night
- Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites 3.5-star · CAD 170 to CAD 320 per night
- HI Victoria Hostel CAD 40 to CAD 110 per night
Where to eat
- Red Fish Blue Fish Seafood, Canadian, Fish & Chips · about CAD 25 per person
- Jam Cafe Breakfast, Brunch, Canadian · about CAD 22 per person
- Tea at the Empress Afternoon Tea, British, Cafe · about CAD 95 per person
- Pagliacci's Italian, American · about CAD 38 per person
- Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub Brewpub, Canadian, Pub · about CAD 35 per person
- Ferris' Oyster Bar Seafood, Canadian, Oyster Bar · about CAD 45 per person
- Il Terrazzo Italian, Mediterranean · about CAD 60 per person
- Brasserie L'Ecole French, Bistro · about CAD 65 per person
Getting to Victoria
Airport: Victoria (YYJ)
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Ferry
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Aggressive panhandling downtown
Government St / Pandora Ave area
A small number of individuals may persistently ask for money near tourist streets; rarely dangerous but can feel pushy.
How to avoid it: A polite "no thank you" is fine; avoid showing large amounts of cash. Generally very low-risk.
Overpriced harbour parking
Inner Harbour lots
Some private waterfront lots charge premium hourly rates near the busy Inner Harbour.
How to avoid it: Use municipal lots or park slightly further out; many sights are an easy walk apart.
More in Canada
Frequently asked questions about Victoria
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Victoria?
- The highest-rated places in our Victoria guide are The Butchart Gardens, Beacon Hill Park, Inner Harbour, British Columbia Parliament Buildings, Craigdarroch Castle.
- Where should I stay in Victoria?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Victoria: Inner Harbour / Downtown, James Bay, Oak Bay.
- How do I get around Victoria?
- Ways to get around Victoria covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Ferry, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Victoria?
- Scams reported to us for Victoria include Aggressive panhandling downtown; Overpriced harbour parking. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Victoria?
- The nearest airport to Victoria has the code YYJ.