Victoria Travelers Recommend

With a dramatic setting at the edge of the Salish Sea, the historic city of Victoria combines culture and nature. Make the most of two days in Victoria by strolling the waterfront, wandering Butchart Gardens, sipping Vancouver Island wine, and taking a whale-watching adventure. Here are some ideas for the perfect Victoria escape.  

Day 1: Old World Explorer

**Morning:**Old Town Victoria’s cobblestone streets and alleys are best explored car-free, so walk or ride a bike when in the historic center. Since the area is packed with history, opt for a guided introduction to Old Town, ensuring you don’t miss out on Victoria's colorful characters and backstories. 

**Afternoon:**After a morning of Victoria landmarks, head to Butchart Gardens to see acres of blooms in the changing weather of British Columbia—your walk might be in afternoon sunlight or under a brooding layer of clouds. 

**Night:**Make your way back to the waterfront, where a leisurely crowd gathers to catch sunset over the harbor. This is the perfect time to schedule a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride before you duck into a waterside bar for a glass of Vancouver Island wine. 

Day 2: Wildlife, Wine, and Food

**Morning:**Bundle up in a windbreaker for a whale-watching tour along the coast of Vancouver Island to spot orcas, humpback whales, seals, and other marine wildlife among the white caps. Whale-watching excursions range from spray-soaked adventures in nimble speedboats to cozy cruises in enclosed vessels, so choose accordingly. 

**Afternoon:**As Vancouver Island wineries are located less than an hour from downtown Victoria, you can experience the award-winning wines of the Cowichan Valley in one delicious afternoon. Guided wine tours visit a curated list of wineries and include transportation, which leaves you free to enjoy included tastings worry-free. 

**Night:**With just one more night in Victoria, don’t commit to a meal at a single restaurant; food tours of the city are the chance to try a little bit of everything, from the Victoria Public Market to fresh craft breweries and beloved local restaurants. 

A ferry ride—and a world—away from busy Vancouver, British Columbia’s capital city of Victoria can feel like a time warp. This is where locals gather for high tea, stroll blooming rose gardens, and take to the sea to spot whales and bald eagles cruising over the whitecaps. Here’s how to make the most of one day in Victoria.  

Morning: History on the Harbor

Some of Victoria’s most elegant architecture is packed into the area around the harbor, making it easy to check out the highlights in a morning of exploring. Cars are impractical in the compact center, so ride a bike, set out on a walking tour, or step aboard a horse-drawn carriage for the full royal treatment. Victoria cafes are packed with old-world charm, and after you’ve seen the sights, be sure to snag a sidewalk table for a steaming cup of tea. 

Afternoon: Garden Walk or Whale Watch

Now that you’ve covered local history, spend an afternoon in the natural world. Choose between two of Victoria’s most beloved experiences: Board a boat for a whale-watching tour or head to Butchart Gardens’ endless rows of colorful flowers. With just half a day in Butchart Gardens, plan your time carefully to see the areas that interest you most; you need multiple days to see the entire grounds. When choosing a whale-watching tour, check the weather and choose accordingly. Options range from stable, big-boat cruises with enclosed and heated cabins to outings in open speedboats that offer a more exciting (and saltier) experience. 

Night: Salish Sea Sunset

Evening light transforms the coast, so head to the water to catch sunset in Victoria. Simply find a perch at a seaside cafe, or bundle up for a sunset cruise or evening whale-watching tour. If you’re returning to Vancouver, one way back is by seaplane. An evening flight from Victoria to Vancouver gives you the chance to see the island from the air, spot marine wildlife in the water below you, and see Vancouver’s glittering skyline before you touch back down.

With three days in Victoria, there’s time to experience the city’s highlights, from historic landmarks in the Old Town to the wild coast, Vancouver Island vineyards, elegant mansions, and manicured gardens. Whether you’re looking for whales or ready for high tea, use these tips make the most out of a three day escape to Victoria. 

Day 1: History Lessons

Head to Old Town Victoria to start exploring the compact heart of the city the old fashioned way—narrow lanes and walkways mean traveling by car isn't idea. Opt, instead, for a tour of the historic center on foot, by bicycle, or even in a horse-drawn carriage; you’ll have flexibility to snap photos and check out interesting spots along the way. Since many guided excursions in Victoria feature the city’s historic landmarks, you can double up with a tour that combines a trip through the center with food stops, elegant neighborhoods, breweries, and even a trip to a castle that locals claim is haunted. Whichever you choose, make your way back to Old Town to catch sunset at the edge of the harbor. It’s the perfect time to enjoy views of the water as you sip locally produced wine or a steaming cup of tea. 

Day 2: Whales and Wildlife

Its location at the edge of the Salish Sea makes Victoria an ideal base for sighting animals— orca whales, humpback whales, bald eagles, and other wild creatures—both above and below the waves. As whale watching is a highlight for many visitors to Victoria, there are many ways to get out on the water, from spray-soaked speedboat trips to cozy cruises in an enclosed cabin for an all-weather, year-round activity. If boats just aren’t your thing, hop a seaplane for aerial views of whitecaps and whales. Whichever you choose, keep your eyes open and your camera ready as you explore.

Day 3: Take a Deeper Dive

Now that you’re covered Victoria’s must-see history and wildlife, take the third day to explore Vancouver Island and British Columbia. Top day trips from Victoria include tasting tours through the Cowichan Valley wine region and guided tours of Butchart Gardens. It's possible to experience Butchart in a half-day, but flower fanatics should set aside a full day to explore 55-acre (22-hectare) grounds. For a glimpse of British Columbia’s landscapes beyond Vancouver Island, take a ferry to the vibrant city of Vancouver or hop a sightseeing plane for a journey into the high peaks that surround Whistler. After a day of blooms, bottles, or BC peaks, head back to where you started, watching one last Victoria sunset from the heart of the atmospheric Old Town.

British Columbia’s capital city, charming Victoria is filled with things to do — both for city slickers and outdoor adventurers. It’s a popular day trip and overnight destination from Vancouver for couples who visit for the city’s romantic architecture, history, and waterfront setting. Here are some of the best activities for couples in Victoria.

• Stop and smell the roses on a trip through the famous 55-acre (22-hectare) Butchart Gardens.

• Stroll hand-in-hand through downtown Victoria on a guided food and history tour to take in the city’s atmosphere.

• Visit several wineries and sample their wares on a winery tour to the Cowichan Valley.

• Cozy up behind a clip-clopping horse on a classic carriage ride for two around the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the Victoria Inner Harbour, and the downtown area.

• Hop on a bicycle and learn about Victoria’s history on a bike tour of the city’s many castles and neighborhoods.

• Hike to the top of Gowlland Tod for spectacular views of the surrounding scenery.

• Indulge in the luxury of a private seaplane flight followed by a three-course dinner.

Victoria has long been a driving force in British Columbia’s craft-beer renaissance, and the city is now home to several small-scale breweries and brewpubs. If you’re fond of a frosty pint and happen to be planning a trip to Victoria, here’s what you need to know about the city’s beer scene.

Must-Try Brews

Every beer lover visiting Victoria should make a pilgrimage to Spinnakers, the pioneering brewpub that shook up Canada’s craft-beer scene when it opened in 1984. Here you’ll find 26 taps with a rotating selection of brews that range from black lager and chocolate milk stout to sour beer and even cider.

At Vancouver Island Brewery, be sure to try the Island Lager, which has been in production since the brewery opened in 1984. Driftwood Brewery isn’t open for tours, but you can pop in to have a growler filled with Fat Tug IPA or White Bark, a Belgian-style wheat beer.

Must-Do Experiences

• Hop on a bike and pedal your way around the Victoria waterfront, stopping into breweries along the way.

• Discover the delights of pairing beer with different cuisines, from Indian dishes to desserts, during a beer-and-food tour of Downtown Victoria.

• Take a craft-brewery tour to taste the goods, meet producers, and see what goes on behind the scenes.