Victoria Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Time to Visit & Itinerary

Victoria, British Columbia, sits like a jewel on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, offering a unique blend of old-world charm and West Coast wildness. As you step off the ferry or seaplane, the scent of salt air mixes with the fragrance of ornamental gardens, instantly slowing your pulse. It is a city where double-decker buses pass by totem poles, and where rugged coastlines are just minutes away from refined high tea parlours.

Known as the “City of Gardens,” Victoria boasts the mildest climate in Canada, allowing flowers to bloom year-round. Beyond the postcard-perfect Inner Harbour, you will find a vibrant culinary scene, ancient rainforests, and a deep connection to First Nations history. Whether you are seeking a romantic getaway or an outdoor adventure on the Salish Sea, Victoria invites you to explore at a pace that feels just right.

A Tapestry of History and Nature

What makes Victoria truly special is its ability to honor its roots while embracing the present. Founded as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post in 1843, the city retains a distinct British flavour through its architecture and traditions. However, the land has been home to the Lekwungen People for thousands of years, and their Songhees and Esquimalt heritage is woven into the cultural fabric of the region, visible in the mesmerizing totem poles at Thunderbird Park.

The city is geographically blessed, surrounded by the ocean on three sides with the Olympic Mountains standing guard across the strait. This proximity to nature means that urban exploration can turn into a wildlife encounter in an instant; it is not uncommon to spot a seal while eating lunch on a wharf or see a bald eagle soaring over a downtown park.

The Icons You’ll Want to See

The Butchart Gardens - Located 23 km from downtown, this 55-acre floral wonderland is a National Historic Site. Tickets range from $25 to $40 CAD depending on the season. Allow at least 3 hours to wander the Sunken Garden and Rose Garden.

Royal BC Museum - Situated in the Inner Harbour, this world-class museum creates immersive environments to tell the story of BC. Tickets are roughly $29.95 CAD. It is located just steps from the Parliament Buildings.

Craigdarroch Castle - A 2.5 km trip from the harbour takes you to this Scottish Baronial mansion built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. Self-guided tours cost $20.60 CAD and offer a glimpse into the lavish life of the 1890s.

Fisherman’s Wharf - A 1.5 km scenic walk from the centre, this floating pier offers food kiosks, eco-tour adventures, and colourful float homes. Entry is free, though food prices vary (approx. $20-30 CAD for lunch).

Planning Your Visit

Getting to Victoria is part of the adventure. Most visitors arrive via BC Ferries from Vancouver (Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay), a scenic 90-minute crossing through the Gulf Islands. Reservations are highly recommended for vehicles. Alternatively, seaplanes land directly in the Inner Harbour, offering spectacular aerial views and quick access from downtown Vancouver or Seattle.

Once you arrive, the downtown core is incredibly walkable. You can easily explore the Inner Harbour, Chinatown, and Old Town on foot. For attractions further afield, such as Butchart Gardens, reliable shuttle buses and public transit are available. Remember to pack layers; even in summer, the ocean breeze can be cool in the evenings, so a light sweater and a waterproof jacket are travel staples.

Victoria is a destination that rewards the curious traveler with its blooming boulevards, historic grandeur, and wild coastal edges. Whether you are sipping Earl Grey at the Empress or watching orcas breach in the Pacific, the memories made here are as enduring as the city’s granite coastlines.