Victoria Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Victoria
Craigdarroch Castle featuring heritage architecture
Butchart Gardens which includes a fountain and a river or creek
Victoria showing a lake or waterhole and a pebble beach
Victoria

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 harbour 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 grey whales. Around the corner from the harbour, sample fresh seafood at the colourful floating village of Victoria Fisherman’s Wharf. 

Come back to the harbour 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 featuring street scenes, a house and a city

Downtown Victoria

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Downtown Victoria. Make a stop by Victoria Royal Theatre or Bay Centre while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Victoria
Victoria Harbour which includes heritage elements and a bay or harbour

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 featuring a coastal town and a marina

James Bay

5/5(28 area reviews)

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

James Bay
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Esquimalt

Travellers come to Esquimalt for its colourful gardens, and you can see top attractions like Sooke Salmon Charters and CFB Esquimalt Naval and Militiary Museum while you're in town.

Esquimalt
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Saanich East

If you're spending some time in Saanich East, Lochside Regional Trail and Cadboro Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Saanich East
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Saanich West

Saanich West might not have many top sights, but Princess Louisa Inlet and Lochside Regional Trail are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Saanich West
Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites
Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites
3.5 out of 5
740 Burdett Ave, Victoria, BC
The price is ₹18,384 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
₹18,384
per night
13 Jul - 14 Jul
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Victoria. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,210 reviews)
"Booked a suite with 2 queens that were in separate spaces.The additional privacy of a bedroom was perfect and we felt it was good value given the amount of room in the suite. Staff were friendly and professional. Loved that they loaned guests umbrellas for a rainy evening dash to the local restaurants. ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites
Hotel Grand Pacific
Hotel Grand Pacific
4 out of 5
463 Belleville St, Victoria, BC
The price is ₹17,558 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
₹17,558
per night
14 Jul - 15 Jul
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Victoria. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,256 reviews)
"It's consistently a good hotel with a great restaurant (Fathom), and recently updated rooms and bathrooms."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Hotel Grand Pacific
Fairmont Empress
Fairmont Empress
4.5 out of 5
721 Government St, Victoria, BC
The price is ₹27,073 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹27,073
per night
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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 rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,123 reviews)
"As always, the rooms are super comfortable. The bed gave us a great night's sleep and we woke up refreshed. The staff at the Empress, including all housekeeping and maintenance go out of their way to be friendly and welcoming. This was our third or fourth stay at the Empress, and every time we are ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 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 Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,941 reviews)
"Great location, great room, great staff!"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

The Parkside Hotel & Spa
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.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Victoria