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

With Canada’s mildest climate and a long 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.

A spread of brunch items at Nourish Kitchen & Cafe in Victoria, BC

Embrace our city’s favourite 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.

Must try brunch spots in Victoria Brunch restaurants

A woman sits on a log across a small cove at Wild Renfrew in Port Renfrew just outside of Victoria, BC

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.

Local 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!

Pacific Marine Circle Route Wild Renfrew Renfrew Pub

A man in a blue shirt enjoys an afternoon tea experience at a table set with a blue tea pot and three-tier tower of baked goods at Abkhazi Garden in Victoria, BC

Indulge in afternoon tea

A historic Victoria tradition, there are many different high tea experiences to choose from. From classic elegance to modern twists, indulge in afternoon tea in Victoria's best teahouses, pinkies up (of course).

Afternoon tea

A hiker explores a trail along the Saanich Inlet in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park in Victoria, BC

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. Lakeside views more your thing? Try Thetis Lake Regional Park.

For outdoor enthusiasts who plan to hike all three…we can’t wait to see your photos! Share them with us #ExploreVictoria

Goldstream Provincial Park Thetis Lake Regional Park

A man in a denim jacket and a woman in a white dress enjoy coffee in Market Square in Victoria, BC

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; Caffe Fantastico for a beautiful juxtaposition of concrete and jungle outside of the city centre; and Milano for a refined coffee 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.

Cafes & coffee shops Dutch Bakery & Diner Caffe Fantastico Milano Coffee Silk Road Tea

A man in a white collared shirt walks with a woman in blue down Fan Tan alley, Canada's narrowest street, in Victoria, BC

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, including the Victoria Chinatown Museum. Enjoy a visit to the Royal BC Museum to see their fantastic permanent and temporary exhibits. Or, 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.

Victoria Chinatown Museum Royal BC Museum Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea

Pink cherry blossoms in front of a totem pole outside of Mungo Martin House in Thunderbird Park at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, BC

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!

Bike & cycle Murchie's Coffee Shop

A zodiac whale watching tour is greeted by an orca in the Salish Sea off the coast of Victoria, BC

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.

Whale watching Ocean River Rentals

Download Victoria's Vacation Guide

Download PDF A couple walks along a pathway at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC on the cover the 2025 Victoria Vacation Guide

Navigate our map of Greater Victoria

Download PDF A map of Greater Victoria.

Destination Greater Victoria is honoured to be based on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples of the Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nation, whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.