How to Spend a Long Weekend in Victoria, B.C.

With gorgeous weather and a four-day weekend on the horizon, now’s your chance to experience Victoria like a local. Whether you’re staycationing or vacationing, here are a few ideas to inspire you to get out and explore Victoria.

Embrace our City’s Favorite Weekend Pastime: Brunch!

As quite literally the Brunch Capital of Canada, you could spend forever eating your way through Victoria’s brunch offerings. Here are our Must-Try Brunch Spots to get you started.

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Experience the Pacific Marine Circle Route

Discover rugged shoreline, coastal rainforest, wine country and quaint towns along the Pacific Marine Circle Route. With incredible sights the entire way, this driving route is a great way to cover a lot of ground and discover the best of Southern Vancouver Island. The route can be completed in a day, or make it an overnight or a multi-night trip to truly explore.

If you want to take your time to soak in the sites and enjoy a few hikes (which we recommend), stay overnight at Wild Renfrew. You can experience the energy of the coast in your very own seaside cottage perched over the ocean.

Insider tip: Grab a bite in the Renfrew Pub and make sure to chat with your server; they’ll be happy to offer recommendations on the best sites in the area!

Image by @pacific_north_wild  via instagram

Explore Canada’s Island of the Arts

Salt Spring Island’s famous Saturday Market kicks off for the season over Easter weekend, so head to Ganges Harbour where 140 vendors “make it, bake it or grow it” all themselves. A day on this island is always a wonderful opportunity to hit “reset” as you experience the Southern Gulf Island pace of life.

With Salt Springs Brewery, Salt Spring Island Ales, Wild Cider, Island Cheese Company, delicious eateries and boutique shopping, Salt Spring Island will not disappoint. 

Insider tip: Heighten your experience by hopping aboard a seaplane and taking in the sites from a new perspective. Vancouverites can book a round-trip flight, or take Harbour Air Seaplanes from Vancouver to Salt Spring Island and continue on to Victoria as a walk-on passenger aboard BC Ferries.

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Indulge in High Tea

A historic Victoria tradition, there are many different high tea experiences to choose from. From classic elegance to modern twists, explore your options here.

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Take a Hike

It’s no wonder Victoria is known as one of the most active cities in Canada, with all of the ways to get your heart rate up around here. If you’re looking for a hike that leads to breathtaking views, check out Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. Are crossing trestles and conquering mountains more your pace? Check out Goldstream Provincial Park. Coastal hikes that bring you to tidal pools or hidden waterfalls more your style? The Juan De Fuca Marine Trail should be your next stop.

For outdoor enthusiasts who plan to hike all three…we can’t wait to see your photos!

Image by @vancitywild via instagram

Sip and Savour at our Abundant Local Cafes

If you live for warm beverages, great atmosphere and delicious treats…look no further than Victoria. Behind brunch, we also love our cafes and bakeries.  Can you tell we’re all a bunch of foodies who love any excuse to indulge and socialize?

Some of our most-loved local spots include: The Dutch Bakery for treats just like your grandmother makes—or maybe a little better; Tre Fantastico for a beautiful juxtaposition of concrete and jungle outside of the city centre; and Fol Epi for a refined coffee and pastry experience, in the heart of downtown. If tea is your vice, try Silk Road for locally produced teas that will leave you with a taste of Victoria.

Image by @sequoia_coastal_coffee on instagram

Immerse Yourself in Culture

With an array of amazing museums and the oldest Chinatown in Canada, there’s no shortage of ways to get lost in history for an afternoon. Enjoy a visit to the Royal BC Museum to see their fantastic permanent exhibits or head to the Robert Bateman Centre to see wildlife drawings and Canadian artwork come to life. If you want to explore the coast and get a lesson from a naturalist, head to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney and learn about the creatures that inhabit our coastal waters.

Image by @robwilson.photography via instagram

Wander through Spring

Experience spring with a walk or bike ride along the cherry blossom-lined streets of Victoria. Check out our guide for the best spots to see the pink and white blooms.

You won’t want to leave your camera behind for this one, so grab a beverage (we recommend Terroir Tea on Fort Street or Murchie’s Tea & Coffee on Government Street) and wander along the flower-lined streets. Discover what is blooming in Victoria, and perhaps humbly brag about all the beautiful blossoms on social media while the rest of the country is buried under a white blanket of snow.

Insider tip: Make sure to use the hashtag #ExploreVictoria when you share your pics on Twitter or Instagram!

Image by @stephsnelling

Experience Something Breathtaking

Whether it’s going on a whale watching tour and spotting a pod of Orcas or kayaking around off-the-beaten-track islands and inlets with Ocean River Adventures, there’s no shortage of incredible experiences in Victoria. Get outside and make some memories of your own as you experience the wild side of West Coast living.