Victoria, Canada: travel guide
British Columbia's genteel capital on Vancouver Island, with English gardens, harbour and Victorian charm.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Vancouver
- Nearest airport
- YYJ
Top places to visit in Victoria
Fairmont Empress Hotel
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
Iconic ivy-clad 1908 chateau-style hotel on the Inner Harbour, a Victoria landmark famous for its traditional afternoon tea.
Fan Tan Alley & Chinatown
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h
Canada's oldest Chinatown, home to Fan Tan Alley — the narrowest commercial street in Canada — lined with tiny shops and eateries.
Beacon Hill Park
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
200-acre Victorian-era park with gardens, ponds, a petting zoo, totem poles and ocean lookouts along the Dallas Road waterfront.
Abkhazi Garden
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · entry CAD 12
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
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · entry CAD 41
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
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
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
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 29
Acclaimed provincial museum of natural and human history, renowned for its First Peoples gallery, Old Town exhibit and IMAX theatre.
British Columbia Parliament Buildings
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
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
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h
Colourful floating-home village and harbour with food kiosks, fresh seafood, kayak rentals and resident harbour seals.
Craigdarroch Castle
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry CAD 21
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
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
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
Market · 4.5 rating · about 1 h
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 around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ferry main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
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.