Victoria

Travel Guide

Victoria showing skyline, a coastal town and a bay or harbor
Craigdarroch Castle featuring heritage architecture
Butchart Gardens showing a river or creek and a fountain
Victoria featuring a lake or waterhole and a pebble beach
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park showing a park, landscape views and forest scenes

Surrounded by water, British Columbia’s capital is famous for its marine life and harbor, but there are also excellent museums and heritage buildings to explore.

Situated on Vancouver Island in Western Canada, Victoria boasts the country’s mildest climate and has more sunny days than Vancouver on the mainland. Make the most of the climate by taking part in some of Victoria’s wide range of outdoor activities, such as a harbor walk or whale-watching excursion. On your trips around the city, notice the historic architecture, double-decker buses, teahouses and formal gardens, all testament to this region’s British roots.

Getting around is easy on foot as most major attractions are in or near the compact downtown area. With miles of bikeways, and bike racks on most city buses, Victoria is also extremely cyclist-friendly.

Walk along the city’s most popular shopping and entertainment thoroughfare, Government Street. It is full of historic buildings and you can learn about what took place behind some of their facades during a ghost walk. In Chinatown Victoria, visit the old teahouses around Canada’s narrowest street. Enjoy a classic afternoon tea at the grand Fairmont Empress hotel.

Go to the Inner Harbour to join a whale-watching tour to spot orcas and seals in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. During the warmer months you can also expect to see humpback, minke and gray whales. Around the corner from the harbor, sample fresh seafood at the colorful floating village of Victoria Fisherman’s Wharf.

Come back to the harbor at night when the thousands of lights on the 19th-century British Columbia Parliament Buildings give it a fairy tale-like appearance.

Don’t miss out on Victoria’s excellent museums. Learn about the human and natural history of the province at the Royal BC Museum and find a collection of intricately carved totem poles at the museum’s Thunderbird Park. See work by the celebrated Canadian artist Emily Carr at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and get insight into the area’s seafaring history at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, housed in Victoria’s Old Courthouse.

Rent a car to venture farther out and hike to the isolated beaches and forests full of wildlife in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.

Where to stay in Victoria

Victoria which includes a city, street scenes and a house

Downtown Victoria

Downtown Victoria boasts a lively atmosphere with movie theatres, stage theatres, hotels, and various dining options. Explore tourist attractions like Bastion Square, Centennial Square, and the historic Chinatown.

Downtown Victoria
Victoria Harbour featuring heritage elements and a bay or harbor

Inner Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Inner Harbour. Make a stop by Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal or Victoria Harbour while you're exploring the area.

Inner Harbour
Victoria showing a coastal town and a marina

James Bay

You can explore vibrant attractions like Beacon Hill Park, Fisherman's Wharf Park, and the Royal British Columbia Museum in this area near Victoria's Inner Harbour. Accessible via Belleville Street and other main roads, it also offers a HeliJet terminal and a US ferries terminal.

James Bay
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Esquimalt

Southern tip of Vancouver Island hosts Esquimalt, a municipality with a rich naval history and heritage sites like Craigflower farmhouse and schoolhouse. Explore the area along the historic Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway.

Esquimalt
The largest urban forest on the Saanich Peninsula.

Saanich East

While visiting Saanich East, you might make a stop by sights like Lochside Regional Trail and Cadboro Bay.

Saanich East
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Saanich West

While there might not be top attractions in Saanich West, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Princess Louisa Inlet and Lochside Regional Trail.

Saanich West
Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites
Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites
3.5 out of 5
740 Burdett Ave, Victoria, BC
$230 nightly
The price is $267 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$267 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Victoria. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,232 reviews)
"Great friendly staff."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites
Hotel Grand Pacific
Hotel Grand Pacific
4 out of 5
463 Belleville St, Victoria, BC
$187 nightly
The price is $217 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$217 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Victoria. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,310 reviews)
"Lovely hotel!"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Hotel Grand Pacific
Fairmont Empress
Fairmont Empress
4.5 out of 5
721 Government St, Victoria, BC
$300 nightly
The price is $348 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$348 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Victoria. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,136 reviews)
"Beautiful property. On arrival as a gold member I would had preferred more signs indicating where we need to check in as I waited inline for 15mins to check in only to be told to go to another floor. Also the elevators were not clearly visible so we did get frustrated at getting list all the time. ..."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Fairmont Empress
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Parkside Hotel & Spa
The Parkside Hotel & Spa
3.5 out of 5
810 Humboldt Street, Victoria, BC
Stay at this 3.5-star spa aparthotel in Victoria. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,949 reviews)
"I frequently stay at the parkside hotel! Greatly enjoy our stay every time!"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

The Parkside Hotel & Spa
Welcoming 3 br house with WiFi in Victoria
Welcoming 3 br house with WiFi in Victoria
Victoria
Stay at this vacation home in Victoria. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal and Victoria Harbour ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Excellent location and cozy house! We were visiting Victoria to celebrate my sister’s graduation from UVic and it was great for working remotely, 5-15 min driving distance and bus available to downtown and UVic. It was great to have a parking spot. The place was very clean and was perfect for having ..."

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

Welcoming 3 br house with WiFi in Victoria
Eagle's House, Room #1
Eagle's House, Room #1
Victoria
Stay at this vacation home in Victoria. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a garden. Popular attractions Butchart Gardens and Cordova Bay Golf Course are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (8 reviews)
"The bed was comfy. Everything was clean. Ability to make a cup of tea in the kitchen was great. Host greeted us when we arrived. Communication prior to arrival was great. Stay went very smoothly."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Eagle's House, Room #1
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Victoria

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, has a well-established bus transit system, making it easy to get around the city. BC Transit, as it’s known, connects the city center to the Greater Victoria area and beyond. If you’re staying around downtown, especially near the waterfront, walking is a fantastic way to get to know the city. Alternatively, taxis are plentiful, or it’s easy to rent a car. Visit the Transport CanadaOpens in a new window website.Browse Victoria rental cars.

Best time to visit

Vancouver Island enjoys some of the mildest weather in Canada, meaning that Victoria is not rendered inaccessible by icy winters in the way that some parts of the country are. The best weather is between spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and the city’s gardens are either in bloom or alive with lovely fall colors. Visit in the summer to catch Victoria’s fantastic program of arts festivals.

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