British Columbia’s capital occupies a charming corner of Vancouver Island, complete with calming harbour vistas and neighbouring natural attractions. Victoria flaunts its English heritage with sprawling gardens and Edwardian estates, balanced by a proud First Nations culture and a modern, bohemian arts scene.The city’s perpetually pleasant climate makes it an ideal spot for outdoor exploits by land or by sea.
Visit Victoria: get started
Prep your list of things to do in Victoria! It should include top Victoria attractions like the Royal BC Museum and the historic Craigdarroch Castle. Visit the British Columbia Parliament Buildings and stroll by the Victoria Harbour for waterfront views. Don't miss out on the traditional British pubs and tea rooms! Find the best hotels in Victoria with our flight and hotel packages!
Victoria travel guide
Destination facts
Language
Officially English and French
What to bring back
British trinkets like teapots and cups or old-timey British sweets like liquorice and toffee, First Nations art, literary finds from Russell Books or Munro’s Books, locally made beers from the many microbreweries like Vancouver Island Brewing, Category 12 Brewing or Driftwood Brewing and all kinds of arts and crafts from the Moss Street Market.
What to eat
Staples of west coast cuisine like seafood and Pacific salmon, British-inspired favourites like fish and chips or afternoon high tea, farm-to-table meals featuring locally sourced ingredients from the Saanich Peninsula or Cowichan Valley and all types of gourmet treats from James Bay Market and Victoria Public Market.
Fun fact
Besides its reputation as one of the world’s friendliest cities (as chosen by Conde Nast!), Victoria is also known as the City of Gardens, with billions of flowers blossoming annually across the city thanks to its mild year-round climate. Top destinations for a fragrant stroll through the city’s flora? The Butchart Gardens, Abkhazi Garden, The Gardens at HCP, Hatley Park and Beacon Hill Park!
Important info
For more information on all necessary travel documents and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page.
