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Fisherman's Wharf Park - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Fisherman's Wharf Park Night View - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Wildlife Tours Center in Fisherman's Wharf Park,  Vancouver Island
Fisherman's Wharf Park - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of the park in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
History Board of Ogden Point Breakwater - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Terry Fox Statue in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
MILEO - Victoria B.C,  Vancouver Island
Nature Info Board in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of a Peacock in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of a Peacock in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Two duck swimming in the water - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of the park in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Cars parking by the Ocean in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of a loch in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Breakwater Cafe & Bar, Tasting Room in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Breakwater view of ocean and sky in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of a lighthouse in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
North American river otter chilling out by the water,  Vancouver Island
Wide View of the ocean from Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of a loch in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Fisherman's Wharf Park in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of a parking at Fisherman's Wharf Park - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Wide view of Fisherman's Wharf Park - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Wide view of Fisherman's Wharf Park - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Wildlife Tours Center in Fisherman's Wharf Park,  Vancouver Island
Fisherman's Wharf Park - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
People walking on the Wharf with a leashed dog - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Fisherman's Wharf Park - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Carriage standing by the sidewalk in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Boat lunch & Marina in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
ٰVictoria - Vancouver Island
Boat lunch & Marina in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Woman playing a harp in the sidewalk - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Ship point market - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of streets in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Boat lunch & Marina in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Square view in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
The Empress building in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Garden & Nature view by the streets of Victoria, Vancouver Island
Street & sky view of Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Statue of a soldier in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Statue of a soldier in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Victoria Capital Regional District View,  Vancouver Island
Victoria Capital Regional District View,  Vancouver Island
Victoria Capital Regional District View,  Vancouver Island
Victoria Capital Regional District View,  Vancouver Island
Close View Of Victoria Capital Regional District,  Vancouver Island
Wildlife in Victoria BC,  Vancouver Island
A Carriage crossing the street in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of Garden & a peacock in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of Garden & a peacock in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of a Peacock in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Prince of Whales, whale watching store in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of Bicycle Taxi in the middle of street - Victoria,  Vancouver Island
Carriage standing by the sidewalk in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
View of a Peacock in Victoria,  Vancouver Island
A Great white building in Victoria,  Vancouver Island

Victoria; The Capital City of British Columbia

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, located on the southern coast of Vancouver Island. It is named after Queen Victoria and is one of the oldest in Canada. It is also the Most Romantic City in Canada and one of the Friendliest Cities in the world. The city has lots of historic buildings; the most famous landmarks are Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel. In Beacon Hill Park, you can see the world's tallest free-standing totem pole. The Chinatown of Victoria is the second oldest in North America. The Coast Salish First Nations communities of the area had large populations long before the European people's arrival.
Victoria is known as The Garden City, this beautiful city has annual flower count since the 1970s. Victoria is a popular destination for tourists. Since the city is famous for its art sophistication, many students go to the Victoria College of Art and The Canadian College of Performing Arts. It is also famous for outdoor activities, including high-ranked spots for diving. Victoria is one of the top twenty world cities for quality of life. Also, it is the largest city on Vancouver Island.


Average Weather in Victoria

Victoria is Canada's warmest city, with a Mediterranean climate. It has mild summers and cool winters. The temperature is between 4°C to 20°C ( 40°F to 68°F).

The Best Time to Visit Victoria

The best months to visit Victoria is from March to May and September to November.

How to Get to Victoria?

Victoria Airport Transfers

Victoria International Airport passengers are mostly from Seattle, Calgary, Edmonton, Prince George, and Vancouver.


Seaplane to Victoria

Harbour Air Seaplanes is south of Greater Victoria, near downtown Victoria and South Vancouver Island.


Ferry to Victoria

Most Victoria visitors that come from US start their journey from Port Angeles, north of Olympic National Park, or departure from Anacortes Ferry Terminal, north of Seattle.

Top 13 Attractions in Victoria

  • Boat excursions in Tod Inlet and Brentwood Bay
  • Window shopping in Government Street
  • Exploring Butchart Gardens
  • Driving through the Scenic Marine Route
  • Visiting Parliament Buildings
  • Visiting art galleries
  • Going to the Fisherman's Wharf
  • Going to West coast beaches
  • Hiking the Mt. Doug
  • Seeing the Miniature World
  • Going Victoria Bug Zoo
  • Going to Inner-Harbour Pathway
  • Visiting Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Discovering Natural Beauty and Entertainment in Victoria

Victoria is famous for its green space designs, gardens, and parks, and besides all of that, there are entertainment and natural attractions that add to the city's glamour. Victoria is very advanced in art and history. The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is one of the most interesting galleries in the city. It has the most inclusive collection of Asian art in Canada. The Royal BC Museum is one of the best cultural institutions in the world.
Victoria is home to 70% of all whale watching tours of BC. While whale watching in Victoria's water, know that there are three resident pods of orca (killer) whales totalling 76 whales. The Jacques Cousteau Society recognizes the area as the most diverse in marine life and the best in Canada's water clarity.
As for entertainment, Victoria is a city that you can always count on for pleasure, from music clubs and cinemas to festivals and events.


Gardens, Parks, and Natural Green Attractions in Victoria

  • James Bay Toddler Park
  • Quadra Park
  • Willows Park
  • Topaz Park
  • Spirit Square Cridge Park
  • Finnerty Gardens
  • Highview Park
  • Gowlland Tod Provincial Park
  • Pioneer Square Fern Street Park
  • Oswald Park
  • Centennial Square Dog Park
  • Victoria Butterfly Gardens
  • Irving Park
  • Terrace Park
  • Horner Park
  • Beacon Hill Park
  • Franklin Green Reeson Park
  • GardenWorks – Saanich
  • Garden Centre at The Home Depot
  • Herb Garden
  • Victory Aeroponics Garden
  • Mount Douglas Park
  • Wark Street Commons Community
  • GardenWorks Oak Bay
  • Victorian Rose Garden
  • Neighbourhood Garden of All Sorts
  • Gowlland Range
  • Garden Centre at The Home Depot
  • Spring ridge commons
  • Fernwood Community Garden
  • Japanese Gardens
  • Lowe's Garden Center
  • English Country Garden
  • The Butchart Gardens
  • Rhododendron Garden
  • James Bay Allotment Garden
  • Abkhazi Garden
Victoria gardens

Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, and Water-based Activities in Victoria

Museums and Art Galleries in Victoria

  • The Costume Museum
  • The Maritime Museum of British Columbia
  • Royal BC Museum
  • The National Toy Museum Of Canada
  • Legacy Art Gallery
  • Sean Schuster Fine Art Gallery
  • Central Art Studio & Gallery
  • Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

Entertainment in Victoria

Festivals and Events in Victoria

  • Festival of Trees – November 21-January 6
  • Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens – December 1-January 6
  • Christmas Lights Across Canada – December 6-January 6
  • Chinese New Year – January 26
  • Victoria Yoga Festival & Market - Feb. 14-16
  • Brewery & The Beast Culinary Festival – September 27
  • Salt Spring Island Apple Festival – October 4
  • Art of the Cocktail – October 17
  • Salmon run: mid-late October to early December
  • Indigenous Cultural Festival
  • Victoria International Jazz Fest
  • Canada Day - July 1
  • Symphony Splash
  • Classic Boat Festival - September 4-6 
  • Victoria Beer Week – March 6-14
  • Cherry Blossoms – March-April
  • Victoria Day Parade – May 18

Nightlife and Entertainment in Victoria

  • Quest Reality Games
  • IMAX Victoria
  • Langham Court Theatre
  • THE STRATHCONA Victoria’s Entertainment Centre

Free Attractions in Victoria

  • Visiting Beacon Hill Park
  • Going to Sooke
  • Going to Goldstream Provincial Park
  • Visiting Parliament Buildings
  • Going to Inner Harbour
  • Seeing the rhododendrons at Finnerty Gardens
  • Visiting the gardens of Government House
  • Seeing Victoria's Antique Row on Fort Street
  • Hiking Mount Douglas Park
  • Going to Victoria's Chinatown
  • Exploring the Market Square
  • Seeing ancient totems at Thunderbird Park
  • Storm watching in and around Victoria

Services in Victoria

Public Transportation in Victoria

Public transportation in Victoria includes buses throughout the city and to Sook and Sidney and Victoria Harbour Ferries.


Where to Stay in Victoria

Downtown Victoria is the best place to stay for tourists, but Wharf Street is a good choice if you're looking for sights.

Hotels:
The Parkside Hotel & Spa
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Victoria
Fairmont Empress

Self-Catered Accommodations:
Waterloo Garden Suite
City Life Suites

Hostels:
Strathcona Hotel
HI Victoria Hostel
Turtle Hostel

Guesthouses
Victoria Bed and Breakfast
Heathergate House Vacation Rental
Oak Bay Guest House

staying in Victoria

Shoping in Victoria

Mayfair Shopping Centre, uptown
Market Square, downtown
The Bay Centre, downtown


Food and Beverage Services in Victoria

Victoria Restaurants and Cafes

Restaurant and Café in Victoria

Poncho's Cafe & Catering
Macchiato Caffe
Union Pacific Coffee Shop
Hank's *A Restaurant
Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar
II Terrazzo


Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, Pubs, and Bars in Victoria

Bard & Banker and The Churchill
Maude Hunter's Pub
Clive's Classic Lounge
Soumia's Bar & Grill
Vis-à-vis
Moon Under Water Brewpub and Distiller
Macaloney's Caledonian Distillery
Driftwood Brewery
San Juan Vineyard and PARSELL VINEYARD
Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd

Health and Wellness in Victoria

Sport and Wellness Centers, Spas, and Recreational Therapy in Victoria

Victoria Athletic Club
Island Training Centre
Centennial Stadium
Awakening Wellness Centre
Active Health and Wellness Clinic
Laser Centers for Health Victoria
The Thai Spa
La Charmeuse Day Spa
The Parkside Spa
Spruce Massage Therapy
Sync Therapy
Victoria Massage Therapy

What you Can Expect to Do Near Victoria

Hiking on the Grass Lake Trail

Hiking on the Grass Lake Trail

Wear decent hiking boots for a moderate hiking trail near Sooke. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is an enjoyable trail that leads you to Grass Lake and featuring Monument Mountain makes it possible to have amazing views from the top. Doing the Grass Lake Trail overnight and camping by the lake turns it into a memorable trip. Enjoy the trail in warmer seasons and get a dip into the lake.

Hiking on Mount Manuel Quimper

Hiking on Mount Manuel Quimper

It is time to put your heart into hiking and step into a moderate multi-use trail with some great views along the way and on top. Mount Manuel Quimper has a beautiful summit worth the climb, which gives you excellent vistas of Sooke Harbour and a chance to visit one of the last fire lookouts left on the island.

Hiking on Mount Empress from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek Trails

Hiking on Mount Empress from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek Trails

Here is a highly recommended and well-marked trail for challenges enthusiasts. Hiking on Mount Empress from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek Trails offers you insane 360° views of the Sooke Basin, Victoria, and San Juan Islands.

Victoria Diving

Victoria Diving

Extraordinary opportunities to make your diving experience memorable in the heart of Greater Victoria, including high-ranked spots for diving. These spots provide you with inevitable diving opportunities which allow you to explore the alien underwater world of Victoria's waters saturated with magnificent creatures. Do not miss it for the world.

Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club Whale Watching

Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club Whale Watching

Looking for a reliable place to go whale watching for the first time on Vancouver Island? Why not starting with Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, one of the famous Yacht Clubs on the island. You will have the opportunity to observe these gigantic creatures and probably other sea creatures in the waters of the Salish Sea.

Van Isle Marina Whale Watching

Van Isle Marina Whale Watching

Start your whale watching journey with Van Isle Marina, a critical marine zone on Vancouver Island, capable of serving 200 boats simultaneously, which has made it an ideal destination for the fans of whale watching. There is a high chance to observe other sea creatures other than whales.

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

As one of the best tourist attractions of Sooke and Vancouver Island, West Coast comprises many outdoor excitements that cannot be denied. You are provided with different wildlife to watch and various food to eat, not to mention that you observe a rare nature that is outstanding. So, chances are high to see different whales and other marine creatures.

Cabin Point Whale Watching

Cabin Point Whale Watching

You would better plan a visit to Cabin Point Coastline between April-September. It is the best time for those preparing for Sooke Whale Watching in one of the famous coastlines for it in the Salish sea. You are given adequate opportunity to gaze upon these marvellous sea creatures.

Beechey Head Whale Watching

Beechey Head Whale Watching

Beechey Head and its loop are two of the hot spots for whale watching in Sooke. In addition to fantastic opportunities for whale watching, Beechey Head is a hiking and nature trip location that offers you excellent activities, such as birdwatching.

Spirit Bay Visitor Centre Whale Watching

Spirit Bay Visitor Centre Whale Watching

Spirit Bay has a rich community offering settlings for whale watching lovers beside incredible wildlife; therefore, it would be an excellent point to start your Sooke Whale Watching. Plus, it has a cute beach. You cannot get over the beauty of it and its scenic views.

Creyke Point Whale Watching

Creyke Point Whale Watching

Featuring wildflowers and fantastic sceneries, Creyke Point Trail is a suitable spot for whale watching, bird watching, and nature trips with splendid beaches and forests. So if you are having a great time in Sooke, remember to stop by Creyke Point to have more fun.

Victoria Harbour Ferry Whale Watching

Victoria Harbour Ferry Whale Watching

Located in the heart of Victoria and adjacent to many whale watching operators, Victoria Harbour Ferry is a starting point for your whale watching tour. Many visitors come here to watch whales annually; not only whale watching but open waterways of Salish make Victoria Harbour Ferry a remarkable place for anglers, wildlife followers and daily tourists.

Fisherman's Wharf Park Whale Watching

Fisherman's Wharf Park Whale Watching

Due to certified whale watching agencies, Fisherman's Wharf Park is a significant place to visit for whale watching enthusiasts. As one of the most prodigious and phenomenal creators worldwide, whales are ample during specific whale watching seasons.

West Bay Esquimalt Whale Watching

West Bay Esquimalt Whale Watching

Featuring Victoria Harbour and West Bay, Esquimalt could be your starting point for whale watching in Victoria. You can also have the pleasure of watching sea lions, seals, porpoises, and a wide variety of marine birds are other stunning creators that may be highly admirable to wildlife watching fanatics.

Cattle Point Storm Watching

Cattle Point Storm Watching

Cattle Point is a part of Uplands Park in Victoria, runs along the coastline of Oak Bay. During falls and winters, especially November through March, the Cattle Point Storm Watching is an exhilarating experience. Watch storms smashing from spectacular vantage points as dark clouds blanket the sky, rains whipping, gusts of winds making barreling high waves.

What you Can Expect to See Near Victoria

Spiral Beach

Spiral Beach

Spiral Beach in Victoria is where the blue of the sea and sky and the Olympic Mountains at a distance is situated in a perfect picture. There are hills along the beach to stand on for a wide view. Walk on the sands and pebbles with the driftwoods around on the beach. Listen to the waves, walk on the shoreline, and have the storm watching pleasure in the fall and winter.

McNeill Bay

McNeill Bay

McNeill Bay has plenty of benches along the seawall to sit and enjoy the landscape of Trial Island, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Olympic Mountain. Do exciting water activities on McNeill Bay Beach and experience its wonderful esplanade and photogenic scenery. It is considered one of the fantastic off-leash dog beaches in Victoria.

Langford

Langford

Langford is a city on the south coast of Vancouver Island and heaven for golfers. You can stay at lodgings and play at challenging hillside courses and enjoy yourself at luxurious advantages like the Amatista Spa. Beautiful parks surround the city, so go hiking through scenic forests or have peaceful moments beside lakes. Langford offers shops, family activities, sheep farms, and a bike park.

Gonzales Bay

Gonzales Bay

Gonzales Bay is a small scenic bay with a crescent-shaped beach. Its sandy beach is often quiet and peaceful. Walking on the Gonzales Bay beach near the ocean can help to release the world's anxiety. Lie on the beach and see the peaks of Olympic Mountain and enjoy the Mediterrane climate. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach from September through May.

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

A trail leads you to Fisgard Lighthouse NHS, the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. This historic lighthouse is still operating, but the entrance is not allowed. The keeper's house is open to the public which comprises wonderful exhibitions. There you can see shipwrecks, far-flung lights, storms, and the working equipment the lightkeepers used about a century ago.

Sooke

Sooke

Sooke is known as the Tall Tree Capital of Canada. The area's popularity is mainly based on tourists visiting the wilderness parks, hiking the West Coast Trail and the extremely popular Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. Sooke is also famous for its beaches and is a destination for cycling and mountain biking. The arts community of Sooke is vibrant and hosts the annual Sooke Fine Arts Festival.

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is a place for history enthusiasts and gardens and interior design lovers. It is a 19th-century Victorian home and garden full of everything nostalgic to you. As one of Victoria's oldest homes, it is located overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway. It includes vegetables, cut flowers, a small fruit orchard, and a greenhouse.

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria or AGGV is home to artworks from talented artists of Canada and Asia. The building complex of the gallery includes the Spencer Mansion and the exhibition galleries. It also has gardens with a Japanese Shinto shrine. The art gallery is kid-friendly, and the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. The gift shop has gorgeous merchandise.

The Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum

Located in Victoria, the Royal BC Museum is one of Canada's most significant cultural and historical treasures. It showcases natural wonders and includes artifacts, documents, specimens, and everything slightly relevant to British Columbia's natural and human history. The museum also provides a dynamic forum and a safe space for discussion and reflection.

Miniature World

Miniature World

Miniature World is among the top ten attractions in Victoria. It is the World of Smallness, the World of Story Books, and the World of Fact, Fiction, and Fantasy. It presents villages with different themes such as Camelot or the World's Smallest Operational Sawmill or Space 2201 AD and Avian 1 Spaceship. Miniature World is so unique that you may want to visit it every time you're in Victoria.

Willows Beach

Willows Beach

If you are a fan of sun and beach, Victoria has the warmest weather in Canada to take a sunbath and swim, and Willows Beach is located in this area. This white sandy beach is south of Willows Park and has protected water suitable for a family vacation. Get the most out of your visit when you are at the park. Have a meal or drink in its cafe with a view of the sea.

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was established to preserve intertidal and subtidal communities that became very rich due to strong tidal currents. It features marine mammals like whales, sea lions and seals, birds like ducks, cormorants, black oyster-catchers and bald eagles. Fish species, marine invertebrates, and animals like marine algae and seagrass are among other inhabitants.

Sitting Lady Falls

Sitting Lady Falls

Sitting Lady Falls or Witty's Lagoon Falls with a wonderful forest around, and the moss-covered rocks is a magical place, something out of a fairy tale but near Victoria. The waterfall with 100 m (328 ft) height is divided into two parts, like a fork, making a unique shape worth visiting. The good thing about Sitting Lady Falls is the variety of birds living in the area.

Gallery Merrick

Gallery Merrick

Gallery Merrick is home to many native artists. The purpose of the gallery is to appreciate beauty everywhere we look. The priority of the gallery is to help working artists who make their livings out of their art. Many artists from Vancouver Island, surrounding islands, and across the country exhibit their talents here.

Florence Lake Cave

Florence Lake Cave

You may have limitations for yourself, but if you are not a beginner at cave exploring, overcome your own limits. Find a hidden gem in Langford, somewhere that few people know. Florence Lake Cave is a mystery waiting to be discovered for professional cavers. Some believe that it is the largest cave in Greater Victoria. Don't waste your time hesitating and pack your bag for a challenge.

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