6 Ways to Experience Victoria This Spring

Falling in love with Victoria is easy. With historic buildings and elegant gardens, the BC capital has an air of sophistication while maintaining an easygoing feel; as breezy as the ocean air that whispers through the Inner Harbour. Set against a backdrop of dramatic West Coast landscapes on Vancouver Island, Victoria is an old soul with a youthful heartbeat. Enough buzz to keep you energized without running you off your feet and close enough to nature to engage your adventurous side.

Wander the historic neighbourhoods; hit patios, galleries, and gardens; or venture to nearby beaches, mountains, and forests. Find out how to make the most out of your trip to this beloved oceanside city.

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Gallooping Goose Trail, Reuben Krabbe | Malahat SkyWalk, Hamish Hamilton | Fan Tan Alley, Jordan Dyck

Connect With Nature

There are plenty of natural spaces within the Greater Victoria area, ranging from seaside promenades to rainforest trails—and just as many ways to experience them.

Victoria is surrounded by nature and there are numerous day hikes within a short drive of the city, including Thetis Lake and Mount Tolmie (tip: this is a great hike for panoramic views of the city). Get a taste of the wild coastline at Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, which is a 1.5-hour drive away.

Be sure to visit the spectacular Malahat SkyWalk, just 35 minutes north of Victoria. Embark along a 600m (1,968ft) elevated, wooden ramp spiralling 20m (65ft) through an arbutus and Douglas fir forest. At the top of the tower, enjoy 360-degree views of the islands, inlets, fjords, forests, and mountains of BC and Washington State.

The silhouettes of two people are seen climbing toward the top of a mountain backed by a slightly cloudy blue sky and the sun setting.

Mt.Tolmie | Reuben Krabbe

Rent bikes and cycle the Galloping Goose Trail, a 60-km (37-mi) trail that connects Victoria to the Sooke Potholes. If you’re seeking an introspective experience, sign up for guided forest bathing in the temperate rainforest outside the city.

More Outdoor Activities

Spinnakers Brewpub | BC Ale Trail

Tour the Town

Wander, cycle, or eat your way through Victoria to experience the city through a new lens. With the oldest brewpub in Canada (Spinnakers) and the highest number of restaurants per capita, Victoria is a haven for beer connoisseurs and foodies alike. Check out the historic Victoria Ale Trail to sample craft brews or indulge your taste buds along the Greater Victoria Flavour Trail, a tour of sweet treats, local wine, and farm-to-table dining. Off the Eaten Track food tours are a great way to get an insider’s view on the Victoria food scene.

Wind your way through Victoria’s vibrant neighbourhoods by hopping on a bike tour (some feature fun foodie stops along the way) or book a walking tour to uncover some of Victoria’s greatest mysteries and learn about the city’s history and culture.

More Nightlife Options

Take To The Sea

A visit to Vancouver Island isn’t complete until you’ve dipped your toes in the cool Pacific Ocean. You can do that and more when you traverse the shorelines by land or by sea.

Start with a beach stroll, gazing out at the tiny islands and distant peaks that dot the vast Salish Sea. There are plenty of beaches to choose from for fun in the salt and sand. Escape to the protected waters of Willows Beach for a serene swim or combine your beach combing with birding at Esquimalt Lagoon.

kayaks pass a small island off a rocky shoreline with a white and red lighthouse.

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site | Reuben Krabbe

If you’re feeling even more adventurous, go beyond the beach and try a kayak or stand-up paddleboard excursion. Consider a guided tour to learn more about the coastal ecosystem and visit the best paddling spots. Head out on the Inner Harbour with Kelp Reef Adventures or explore the islands and inlets farther afield with Blue Dog Kayaking, departing from Sidney and the Mill Bay Marina.

More Adventures

For a less vigorous aquatic adventure, book a tour on the Victoria Harbour Ferry and enjoy a relaxing boat ride with views of historic architecture and sea life. Or enjoy a unique, floating sauna experience at HAVN, located on the Inner Harbour.

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Phillips Brewing and Malting Co, BC Ale Trail | Cherry blossoms in the Inner Harbour, @emgemstone | Shopping in Downtown Victoria, Tanya Goehring

Craigdarroch Castle | Jordan Dyck

Experience Rich Culture

From deeply-rooted Indigenous culture to colonial architecture and diverse neighbourhoods, Victoria is home to a beautiful blend of art, culture, and heritage. Take a Songhees Canoe or Walking Tour with Indigenous guides to learn about the Lekwungen Territory or browse contemporary Indigenous art at Leaf Modern Gallery.

Continue your cultural journey at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, which holds one of Canada’s most important Asian art collections including some exquisite ivory and amber carvings. Fan Tan Alley might be known as the World’s Narrowest Street, but it is also a fascinating portal into Victoria’s Chinatown. Craigdarroch Castle, a National Historic Site, is an astounding restored castle that offers a glimpse into the city’s European heritage.

More Culture & History

Three orcas break the surface of the water. Their dorsal fins and a section of their backs are out of the water, and clouds of mist are visible as they exhale.

A pod of orcas near Victoria | Reuben Krabbe

Go Whale Watching

Victoria’s coastal waters are home to an abundance of marine life, including three northern resident orca pods. Book a whale-watching tour for a chance to see orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and grey whales. You may also spot sea lions, seals, porpoises, and marine birds along the way.

More Whale Watching

The Butchart Gardens | @a.spargo

View Spring Gardens Galore

Steal a quiet moment of reflection in one of the city’s serene and colourful gardens—the mild coastal climate makes for a gardening paradise. Coined “the garden that love built,” Abkhazi Garden is tucked away next to a heritage home that offers an intimate and tranquil tea service with patio views overlooking Greater Victoria.

Government House (the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor) is also home to formal gardens and a rare Garry Oak ecosystem. Royal Roads University, located on the Hatley Park National Historic Site, boasts 15 km (9 mi) of trails fringed by old-growth forest and fragrant rose, Japanese, and Italian formal gardens. Plan a day trip to peaceful Saanich, just 30 minutes northwest of Victoria, to visit The Butchart Gardens and enjoy the nine acres of gardens at the Gardens at HCP (Horticulture Centre of the Pacific).

More Parks & Gardens

A couple overlooks Victoria's Inner Harbour near the Fairmont Empress | Jordan Dyck

Book A Stay in Victoria

Victoria has a range of accommodations including heritage hotels, boutique bed and breakfasts, and lavish inns. Stay at the luxurious Château-inspired Fairmont Empress Hotel, which overlooks the Inner Harbour. The nearby Inn at Laurel Point is a bright, contemporary space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a waterfront restaurant. A little farther out of town, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel offers expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and a tropical vacation atmosphere.

View Hotels

Seaplane landing in the Victoria Inner Harbour | Harbour Air Seaplanes

How to Get From Washington to Victoria

No matter how you choose to travel to Victoria, getting there is part of the fun.

By Air
Fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR), where you can rent a car and take the ferry. Or, you can pair your getaway with spectacular aerial views and fly directly from downtown Vancouver to Victoria’s Inner Harbour via Harbour Air seaplanes.

There are also direct flights from Seattle into Victoria International Airport (YYJ).

By Land and Sea
If you’re driving from the Metro Vancouver, reserve a spot on the BC Ferries route from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. Those arriving from Seattle can book a high-speed ferry ride through Victoria Clipper, which takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Plan Your Visit

Seaplane landing in the Victoria Inner Harbour | Harbour Air Seaplanes