Awards & Accolades
Victoria is widely recognized as a top destination in the travel and tourism industry, but also well-known for being all-around awesome (with a trophy case to prove it).
Here’s a sample of some of recent awards and accolades:
Recommended by:
2024
#1 Small City in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards (US)
10 Best Coolcation Destinations in North America – USA Today
#6 Best places to travel between Christmas and New Year’s Eve – Lonely Planet
#2 Favorite City in Canada – Travel + Leisure
2024 Active Transportation Achievement Award (Presented for Victoria’s All Ages and Abilities cycling network) – Transportation Association of Canada
#2 Most Walkable City in Canada for Tourists – Preply
#3 Best Food Destination in Canada – Chef’s Plate
2023
Good Housekeeping 2024 Family Travel Awards Must See City
#1 City in the World – Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards
#1 Best Small City in the World – Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards
#2 Sustainable Destination in North America -Global Destination Sustainability Index
#8 Best City for Food in the World – Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards
#1 Friendliest City in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards (US)
#3 Friendliest City in the World – Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards
#4 Best Island in the World (Vancouver Island) – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
Sunset Magazine’s 2023 Travel Award Winner “Best City Getaways“
#1 Most Walkable Destination Outside of the US – Travel Awaits
#1 Best Midsize City in the World – Travel Awaits
#2 Favourite City in Canada – Travel + Leisure Readers’ 5 Favourite Cities in Canada
Best Places to Travel in 2023 (Vancouver Island) – Forbes Advisor
2022
Named Canada’s Best Small City – Resonance Consultancy
Travel + Leisure’s Top 50 Places to Visit in 2023
2022 Offsetters Climate Positive Company
#2 Best Small City – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
#3 Best City in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
#10 Friendliest City in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
2020
#8 Top 20 Best Small Cities in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey 2020
#2 Top 5 Best Islands in North America – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey 2020
20 Best Places to Visit in 2020: Vancouver Island – CNN Travel List
2019
#4 Top Five Cities in Canada – Travel & Leisure World’s Best Awards
2018
Top 10 Friendliest Cities in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey
2017
#2 Top 20 Best Small Cities in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey
Victoria voted among Top 10 rising stars for meetings and conferences – Smart Meetings Magazine
Top-five ranking in the prestigious 2017 Agents’ Choice Awards
2016
#6 Best Islands in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey
#7 Top 25 Best Cities in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey
Top City to Be a Woman in Canada – Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Most Romantic City in Canada – Amazon.ca
2015
4th Best Destination in Canada – TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best Destination Awards
9th Best City in United States and Canada – Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards
Garden Destination of the Year – International Garden Tourism Network
Best Airport in North America – Airports Council International Award
24th Best City in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
2014
#1 Top Island in Continental U.S. and Canada – Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards
5th Best Destination in Canada – TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best Destination Awards
2013
#1 Top Islands in Canada – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey
#3 Top 5 Cities in Canada – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey
#16 Top 25 Islands in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey
#17 Top 25 Cities of the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey
Top 15 Friendliest Cities in the World – MSN.ca Travel
14th Friendliest City in the World – Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey
#2 Top Island in Continental U.S. and Canada – Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards
7th Best Destination in Canada – TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best Destination Awards
Top Student Destinations in North America – Teach & Travel
#1 Small City in the Americas – fDi Magazine