About Greater Victoria

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)

#1 Friendliest 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

Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2022

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

Download Victoria's Vacation Guide

Download PDF The cover of Victoria's Official 2024 Vacation Guide. A crowd of people are on a pier at Victoria's Inner Harbour at sunset on a summer day.

The cover of Victoria's Official 2024 Vacation Guide. A crowd of people are on a pier at Victoria's Inner Harbour at sunset on a summer day.

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.