Victoria holidays

Located on Vancouver Island off Canada’s west coast, British Columbia’s capital delivers a one-two punch of urban charm and outdoor adventure. Soak up the city’s British heritage on your holiday in Victoria with carriage rides, garden strolls and high tea at a fancy hotel. But leave time to explore its awesome nature, from the driftwood-strewn beaches and distant mountain peaks to some of the best whale watching in North America.

Victoria holiday highlights

Victoria
Destination BC/Reuben Krabbe

Harbour life

Home to some of the city’s most famous sights, including the British Columbia Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the Inner Harbour is the perfect place to start your holiday in Victoria. Explore the area on foot, or take a horse-drawn carriage tour to catch the sights. When it’s time to refuel, stop for afternoon tea at one of the many cafes.

Ocean adventures

Experience the thrill of the ocean on a whale-watching tour, or head out in a kayak to explore Victoria Harbour. With boating, fishing and stand-up paddleboarding on offer, getting out on Victoria’s waters is one of the best ways to discover the city’s natural beauty. Brave enough to face the chilly waves? The snorkelling around Ogden Point Breakwater is the stuff of legend.

Garden city

See why Victoria is known as the ‘City of Gardens’ with a visit to its manicured green spaces. Finnerty Gardens, the Butterfly Gardens and Lokier Gardens are all top spots to stop and smell the roses. Or plan your holiday to Victoria to coincide with the summertime firework shows at Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada in Brentwood Bay.

Victoria: Know before you go

Language

English

Currency

Canadian dollar ($)

Time zone

UTC-8 (PST) and UTC-7 (PDT)

High season

July – August

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to Victoria

Weather in Victoria

March – May: Spring comes early here. By March, the city is blanketed with cherry blossoms, which locals call ‘Victoria snow’. But mild daytime temperatures can still drop to below freezing at night.

June – August: Summer is warm and sunny, but the nearby Pacific keeps it from getting too hot — temperatures rarely exceed 30°C. This is the season for water sports.

September – November: Summer’s warmth lingers well into September. Mid-October usually sees rainy days and chillier nights.

December – February: Though there’s occasional snow and plenty of rain, the city’s winters are some of the mildest in Canada. Still, be sure to pack waterproof layers if you plan to take advantage of Victoria’s outdoor activities.

Events in Victoria

Victoria Film Festival (February): Unapologetically offbeat, this festival honours the creativity and artistic vision of independent film over ten days packed with screenings, Q&As and more.

Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival (May): Get caught in a whirlwind of tartan-clad dancers and fiddle music at this long-running celebration of Scottish culture. The highlight of the weekend is the International Heavy Events Challenge, featuring caber tossing, hammer throws and other feats of strength.

Victoria Fringe Festival (August): Venues across the city host lively performances, from drama and dance to magic and comedy, at this performing arts showcase.

Great Canadian Beer Festival (September): Sip some of Canada’s best craft beers and ciders while enjoying local snacks, music and other entertainment.

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The best neighbourhoods in Victoria

James Bay

James Bay is Victoria’s oldest neighbourhood, home to heritage sites, parks and ocean views. Soak up some culture at the Royal British Columbia Museum and Emily Carr House. Or enjoy a stroll along Beacon Hill Park’s waterfront. With Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ogden Point Breakwater here, it’s one of the best areas to stay in Victoria for first-time visitors.

Good for: Parks, waterfront walks, history

Oak Bay

Located on the tip of Vancouver Island, Oak Bay is a friendly oceanfront community with a great choice of restaurants and shops. It’s also where to stay in Victoria for access to some of the city’s best beaches. Spend an afternoon on Willows Beach, or go kayaking and paddleboarding around Oak Bay Marina. Looking to golf? Tee off at the Victoria Golf Club.

Good for: Shopping, beaches, golf

Songhees

Close to downtown Victoria and home to a great waterfront walkway, Songhees has a resort feel, making it a popular base for families. Cycle along the Galloping Goose Trail, learn about First Nations history at Songhees Point, and admire views of Mount Baker, the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the Olympic Mountains.

Good for: Families, cycling, views

Things to do in Victoria

Victoria
Destination BC/Tanya Goehring

Shopping

Head to Victoria’s Inner Harbour for unique boutiques and artisan goods at the Bastion Square Market, or browse your favourite brands at the Mayfair Shopping Centre. Shopping in Victoria for souvenirs? Make your way to Government Street. For handmade Indigenous arts, crafts and jewellery, there’s no place better than Cowichan Trading.

Take in the culture

You can journey through British Columbia’s history at the Royal BC Museum and learn about the province’s marine heritage at the Maritime Museum of BC. The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is one of the best museums in Victoria for art lovers. But if architecture is your thing, nothing beats a visit to the Victorian-era Craigdarroch Castle.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Victoria is relaxed and low-key, with pubs, casual bars and cocktail lounges inviting you to take it easy after dark. Head downtown for top-notch cocktails at watering holes like Clive’s Classic Lounge. Or enjoy a night of live music and dancing at Hermann’s Jazz Club. For dancefloors and DJs, Lucky Bar and Paparazzi Nightclub deliver.

Beaches

Victoria is surrounded by beaches offering activities on and off the water. Paddleboard and kayak around Willows Beach, or let the kids loose on the sandy playground at Cadboro-Gyro Park. Cordova Bay and Gonzales Beach are popular spots on sunny days. Just be aware that beaches here are known for their cold water — swimming isn’t for the faint of heart.

Free things to do

You’ll find plenty of free activities in Victoria if you know where to look. Take a walk around the Inner Harbour, or head to Thunderbird Park for its outdoor gallery of First Nations monuments. With green spaces like Beacon Hill Park, Mount Douglas Park and the Finnerty Gardens offering fun days out, there’s no need to break the bank to have a good time.

Places to eat

Home to international eateries, fresh seafood restaurants and farm-to-table cafes, Victoria is a foodie paradise. Discover the restaurants in Cook Street Village and around Victoria’s Chinatown (the oldest in Canada). Or tuck into fish and chips at Fisherman’s Wharf. For upscale dining, treat yourself to a special night at Brasserie L’ecole or Q at the Fairmont Empress.

Plan your holiday to Victoria

Budget

To plan a cheap holiday to Victoria, schedule your days around scenic walks and visits to the food kiosks at Fisherman’s Wharf and Victoria Public Market. A sit-down meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost you around 25 Canadian dollars ($). Snag a cappuccino for around $5, or splurge on high tea at one of the city’s many teahouses.

Day trips from Victoria

Nestled along the tip of Vancouver Island just west of Victoria, Sooke and Port Renfrew provide a perfect launching pad for outdoor adventures. Hike, bike or swim in the ‘potholes’ of the Sooke River. On the island’s eastern shore, Chemainus is known for its outdoor murals, boutiques and galleries selling locally made handicrafts.

Getting around Victoria

The city’s compact downtown is easy to explore on foot. Or use Victoria’s reliable bus services to get around. Consider buying a book of 10 tickets or a DayPASS to save on costs. Ferries and water taxis are also available. Leave the car behind unless your holiday plans include exploring the Greater Victoria area.

FAQs about Victoria holidays

With temperatures hitting highs of 23ºC (73ºF), August is the hottest month in Victoria.
Victoria is generally seen as safe, but it's always a good idea to exercise some caution wherever your travels take you. Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in crowded areas, and keep a close eye on your belongings. Also use official transport services whenever possible during your holiday to Victoria.
The city is graced with one of Canada’s mildest climates, making it great for year-round travel. For the fewest crowds and pleasant weather, book your holiday in Victoria between April and May or September and October.
English is the language you'll encounter most while on a city break in Victoria.
You'll be using the Canadian dollar (CAD) for purchases throughout your trip to Victoria. Pay by card when you can, but have some cash handy for places where card payments aren't an option.
February brings the coolest weather for a Victoria holiday. Plan your trip then and you'll find lows of 0ºC (32ºF).
Plan to spend at least three days exploring all that Victoria has to offer. If you want to make the most of the city’s beaches and water-based activities, consider extending your Victoria holiday to five days.
Compared to the rest of Canada, Victoria is on the pricey side. But you can save on costs by booking your flights and hotels to Victoria during the off-season (December to February) and opting to use public transport instead of a car once you’ve arrived.
With an average rainfall of 18 cm, November is the wettest month to go on a Victoria holiday. When the skies turn grey, head indoors and enjoy the city's shopping malls, art galleries, cafes and more.
With loads of things to do in Victoria, this lively city knows how to keep the fun rolling. Begin your exploration at must-visit attractions like Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle.

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