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Parliament Building, Victoria

Visit Victoria, Canada

Visit Victoria, Canada

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Named for Queen Victoria, this garden city is situated in the south of Vancouver Island and is the capital of British Columbia.

Compact and easily navigated, it lends itself to discovery on foot, in a horse-drawn carriage or, thrillingly, from a low-flying float-plane.

Parliament Buildings

Victoria is adorned with some lovely colonial architecture such as the Parliament Buildings while the Empress Hotel is an historic gem, an excellent place to take afternoon tea. The nearby Butchart Gardens are world-renowned, as is the Royal British Columbia Museum while other attractions include Craigdarroch Castle, the home of artist Emily Carr, and orca whales which visit the waters off the island in the summer.

Whale watching from Victoria

Whale Watching, British ColumbiaThe waters around Victoria are home to three resident pods of orcas, or killer whales. Famously savage but graceful, these magnificent sea mammals can be seen from 14-meter ocean cruisers or inflatable Zodiacs, both fast and stable, on trips that also often sight minke and gray whales, porpoises and harbor seals, with a commentary provided by on board marine biologists.

Speak to someone
who's been there

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Victoria by contacting one of our Canada specialists

Suggested itinerary featuring Victoria

This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Victoria, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Victoria

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Victoria

    Photos of Victoria

    • Whale watching tour, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
      Whale watching tour, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
    • Whale watching tour, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
      Whale watching tour, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
    • Local resident in Victoria
      Local resident in Victoria
    • Parliament Buildings in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
      Parliament Buildings in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
    • Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
      Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
    • Canada Day in Victoria
      Canada Day in Victoria
    • Tulips in Victoria
      Tulips in Victoria
    • Victoria's Parliament Buildings
      Victoria's Parliament Buildings

    Our expert guides to exploring Victoria

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Victoria, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Victoria at its best.

    • Highlights of Vancouver Island
      Pod of orca, Vancouver Island, Canada

      Highlights of Vancouver Island

      Highlights of Vancouver Island

      Canada specialist Jamie shares the best things to see and do on Vancouver Island. You could observe black and grizzly bears in temperate rainforests. Look for orcas on boat trips from Victoria. Or hike to secluded beaches in the remote north.

      7 min read

      Read this guide
    • Honeymoons in Canada
      Lake Louise

      Honeymoons in Canada

      Honeymoons in Canada

      Country specialist, Caroline, picks some of her top places to stay and things to do on honeymoon in Canada. Her highlights include where to spot Canada’s wildlife, taking a food tour in Vancouver, finding seclusion in the Rockies and staying on an authentic ranch.

      11 min read

      Read this guide
    • Family vacations to Canada
      Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

      Family vacations to Canada

      Family vacations to Canada

      Whether you’re visiting the east or the west, Canada offers a wealth of things to do for families, from helicopter rides over Niagara Falls to whale watching around Vancouver Island. Canada specialist Kayleigh outlines her ideas for a memorable family vacation in Canada.

      4 min read

      Read this guide
    • Self-drive vacations in Canada
      Jasper National Park

      Self-drive vacations in Canada

      Self-drive vacations in Canada

      Whether you choose a route circuiting western Canada’s renowned mountains, glaciers and lakes, or you’d rather go off-grid exploring the traditional fishing villages and coastal drives of the Maritimes, Canada’s well-maintained, easily navigable roads make it an excellent self-drive destination.

      7 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Victoria

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Victoria. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    • The Parkside Hotel & Spa, Victoria, rooftop terrace
      Responsible Choice

      The Parkside Hotel & Spa

      Victoria
      Medium