Downtown and Inner Harbour
Everything on footThe harbour, Chinatown and shops.
City guide
Things to do in Victoria
British Columbia's capital on Vancouver Island: the Inner Harbour and its Parliament buildings, whale watching for orcas, Butchart Gardens, Canada's oldest Chinatown and the gateway to the island's wild west coast.
1
Hostels in the city
8.2
Average, from 4,595 reviews
1h35
Ferry from Vancouver
2–3
Days
The capital on the island
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, a ferry ride from Vancouver. It has the mildest climate in Canada, a compact, walkable centre and a slower pace than the mainland.
The Inner Harbour is the heart of the city, with the domed Parliament Buildings, lit up at night, the grand Fairmont Empress hotel and seaplanes landing on the water. Chinatown, the oldest in Canada, has Fan Tan Alley, one of the narrowest streets in North America. Fisherman's Wharf has floating homes and fish and chips.
Victoria is one of the best places in Canada for whale watching, with orcas, humpbacks and grey whales seen in season. Butchart Gardens, a former quarry turned into one of the world's most famous gardens, is half an hour away. Give Victoria two or three days, then continue to Tofino on the west coast.
Where to base yourself
Downtown near the Inner Harbour for everything on foot, or James Bay and Fernwood for quieter, local areas.
James Bay
QuieterNear the Parliament and Beacon Hill Park.
Fernwood
Local feelA neighbourhood of cafes and old houses.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 1 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Victoria
Walk around the Inner Harbour, tour the Parliament Buildings, and see them lit up at night. Explore Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley, and walk along the waterfront to Fisherman's Wharf and its floating homes.
Go whale watching from the harbour, with tours looking for orcas, humpbacks and sea lions, especially from May to October. Visit Butchart Gardens, and walk Dallas Road and Beacon Hill Park for ocean views and the Mile Zero marker of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Cycle the Galloping Goose Trail, kayak in the harbour, and visit Craigdarroch Castle, a Victorian mansion.
More on things to do in Victoria
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Inner Harbour, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf and Beacon Hill Park are free. Free tours of the Parliament Buildings run most of the year.
Dallas Road and the waterfront paths are free, and so is the Galloping Goose Trail.
Butchart Gardens and whale watching are paid.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Try fish and chips at Fisherman's Wharf, fresh seafood, and the Nanaimo bar, a layered dessert from up the island. Afternoon tea at the Empress is a Victoria tradition, though expensive.
Victoria has a strong craft beer and cafe scene.
Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.
Nightlife
Going out
Victoria has a relaxed nightlife, with pubs, craft breweries and a few clubs downtown. Students from the university keep some bars busy.
Bars close at around 2am.
The harbour at night, with the lit Parliament Buildings, is beautiful.
Getting around
Getting around
BC Ferries sail from Tsawwassen, near Vancouver, to Swartz Bay near Victoria in about 1 hour 35 minutes, with buses linking both terminals to the cities. Seaplanes and helicopters fly from downtown Vancouver to the Inner Harbour. Victoria International Airport has flights across Canada.
Downtown is walkable, and buses and bike paths cover the city.
A car or bus is needed for Tofino and the island.
Costs
What Victoria costs
Victoria is expensive, though slightly cheaper than Vancouver. Dorm beds start at around €28 to €45 a night. Restaurant mains cost €14 to €24 before tax and tip.
Sales tax in BC is 12 per cent. Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.
Whale watching tours are the main extra.
Safety
Safety and scams
Victoria is a safe city. Some downtown streets have visible homelessness; take normal care at night.
Choose whale watching operators that follow distance rules for whales.
In an emergency, call 911.
Worth leaving town for
Gardens, island and coast.
Tofino
Surf and wild beaches.
Sooke and the Juan de Fuca coast
Wild beaches and trails.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Whales, gardens and summer festivals.
Spring to autumn, best May to October
Whale watching season
Victoria
Orcas, humpbacks and grey whales.
Late May
Victoria Day
Victoria
A parade for the holiday named after the queen.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Victoria, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
May to September is the best time, dry and sunny, with whale watching at its best. Victoria has the mildest winters in Canada, with spring blossom from February.
Jan
Mild and wet
Feb
Blossom begins
Mar
Spring
Apr
Flowers
May
Whale season begins
Jun
Warm
Jul
Peak season
Aug
Peak season
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Rain returns
Nov
Wet
Dec
Mild
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. The mildest climate in Canada.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Victoria prices.
Treat these as a guide, before tax and tip.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Victoria questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get from Vancouver to Victoria?
By BC Ferries from Tsawwassen, about 1 hour 35 minutes, or by seaplane from downtown.
When is the best time for whale watching?
Spring to autumn, especially May to October.
Is Butchart Gardens worth it?
Yes, especially in spring and summer.
How many days do you need in Victoria?
Two or three days.
Is Victoria walkable?
Yes. Downtown and the harbour are compact.
Is Victoria cheaper than Vancouver?
Slightly, but still expensive.
Can I visit Tofino from Victoria?
Yes, about four and a half hours by car or bus.
Also trending this week
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare hostels across Canada: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.