Canada

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Victoria

Garden city on the Pacific coast

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Victoria Plan a trip around Canada

Best time to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currency: CAD
Time zone: UTC-7
Country: Canada

Photo: ChrisJohnstone86, CC BY-SA 3.0

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, known for its historic Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel and its mild, flower-filled climate. Visitors come for the walkable harbour, gardens and heritage architecture.

Largest cities

Toronto
Montreal
Vancouver
Calgary
Ottawa

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Canada
Capital: Ottawa
City population: 91,867
Population of Canada: 37M
Country area: 9,984,670 km²
Official language: English and French
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD) · 1 USD ≈ 1.43 CAD
Time zone: UTC-7
Calling code: +1
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 23 m
Plugs: A / B · 120V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	7°	7°	10°	13°	17°	21°	25°	25°	20°	14°	9°	7°
Low	3°	2°	4°	6°	9°	12°	15°	15°	13°	8°	5°	3°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$90
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$180
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$355

Plan a trip to Victoria

Top things to do

Free
Parliament Buildings
Tour the 1897 Legislative Assembly building and its gardens; free guided tours run on the hour in summer.
- Half day
- Downtown and Inner Harbour
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $20
Royal BC Museum
Explore First Nations and natural history galleries; allow two to three hours.
- Half day
- Downtown and Inner Harbour
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Inner Harbour Promenade
Stroll past the Empress Hotel and watch street performers and float planes; best at sunset.
- Half day
- Downtown and Inner Harbour
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $60
Empress Hotel Afternoon Tea
Traditional tea in the 1908 hotel; reserve ahead.
- Half day
- Downtown and Inner Harbour
- Indoors
Free
Chinatown and Old Town
Walk Fan Tan Alley and Canada's oldest Chinatown; shops and eateries stay open into the evening.
- Half day
- Chinatown and Old Town
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $15
Craigdarroch Castle
Tour the 1890 Victorian mansion with stained glass and period rooms.
- Half day
- Rockland
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $30
Butchart Gardens
Day trip to the sunken gardens and rose beds; go early to avoid crowds.
- Full day
- Oak Bay
- Good for kids
≈ $120
Whale Watching
Half-day boat tour from the harbour to see orcas and seals; book in advance and dress warmly.
- Full day
- Downtown and Inner Harbour
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter or transit through Canada; British citizens and many other nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 6 months but usually need an eTA if arriving by air. Land and sea arrivals from the US do not need an eTA, but must carry acceptable travel documents. Temporary Ebola-related border measures are in place for travellers arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, and have been extended until November 27, 2026. Check the official Government of Canada page to see whether you need a visa or eTA before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is about 25 km north of the city; a taxi or shuttle into downtown takes roughly 30 minutes. Ferries from Vancouver (Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay) and the Victoria Clipper from Seattle also arrive at the harbour.

Getting around

Downtown is compact and walkable, with buses, taxis and bike rentals covering the wider area.

Local tips

Summers are dry and sunny; winters are cool and rainy, so pack layers and a rain jacket.
Tipping 15–20% is standard in restaurants and for taxis.
Book Butchart Gardens and ferry tickets ahead in summer.
Downtown is safe; keep an eye on belongings in busy tourist areas.