An easy weekend in Victoria, BC
Weekend getaways can feel short on time and sometimes leave you feeling more stressed than when you left. But not in Victoria. We’ve put together this handy dandy guide which helps you plan a weekend that’s as relaxed as it is full of fun. We’ll show you how to get here in less time than your daily commute, walk you through some of the top attractions, and highlight foodie favourites, as we explore Greater Victoria in just 48-hours.
Getting here | Where to stay | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Getting here
Don’t feel short on time during your weekend getaway. Getting to Victoria is simple, straightforward, and quicker than you think.
Getting here from Vancouver
With direct flights, seaplane flights, helicopter flights, and a ferry service that welcomes drive-on, walk-on, and bike-on passengers, getting to Victoria from Vancouver is as easy as can be. For those flying, flights are typically about 30-35 minutes, with Seaplane flights landing right in downtown Victoria’s Inner Harbour. For those looking to bring their car, its just a short 90-minute crossing aboard BC Ferries from Metro Vancouver’s Tsawwassen ferry terminal, once you dock in Swartz Bay, it’s just another 30-minutes to downtown Victoria. For those looking to walk or bike on, you can hop on either the 70 or 72 bus operated by BC Transit which will bring you into the heart of downtown.
Getting here from Seattle
As our Salish Sea neighbour to the south, getting to Victoria from Seattle is simple and straight forward whether you choose to arrive by air or sea. Fly direct into Victoria YYJ International Airport, straight into downtown aboard a Kenmore Air seaplane, or aboard one of two ferry services from Washington State. Flights can be as short as 35-minutes, the walk-on FRS Clipper Ferry will have you in downtown Victoria in 2 hours and 45 minutes, or the Black Ball Ferry, operated out of Port Angeles, can bring you and your vehicle into downtown Victoria in just 90-minutes. With so many ways to connect directly into Victoria’s Inner Harbour, it leaves you with more time to see the sights, and less time worrying about connections and border delays.
Where to stay
Make the most of your weekend getaway. Downtown Victoria is compact and walkable, meaning most hotels place you close to world-class attractions, dining, and shopping. These great options are great for those arriving by plane, boat, or car, and are looking to experience the city’s very best.
Huntingdon Manor Hotel & Suites
Tucked away on Victoria’s iconic Inner Harbour, the Huntingdon Manor Hotel & Suites are located directly across the street from Belleville Terminal, the drop off point of ferries from Washington State. This sustainably minded hotel, set amidst two acres of beautiful gardens, is a delightful blend of modern amenities and that classic touch Victoria is known for.
Huntingdon Hotel & Suites
Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites
The Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites are right in the heart of downtown Victoria, just steps from the Inner Harbour, world-class attractions, and the city’s best shopping. Locally owned and operated, the hotel offers a warm Island welcome and is known for their friendly staff. While you’re there, be sure to checkout the Lego replica of the hotel in the lobby, created entirely by one of the hotel’s own staff members.
Chateau Victoria Hotel & SuitesFriday
The first night of our weekend getaway sees us leave the stress of the city behind. We’ll get checked in at our hotel and then enjoy an evening that invites us to slow down.
Evening: HAVN Saunas
First things first, let’s settle into the rhythm of Island time. There’s no better place to get a feel for the pace of the place than at HAVN Saunas. Located on a floating restored barge at Ship Point on the Inner Harbour, HAVN offers a traditional Nordic sauna experience. From their top deck, you can sit in cedar saunas, cold-plunge, and soak in ocean view hot tubs, as the city’s architecture begins to twinkle at dusk.
HAVN Saunas
Dinner: 10 Acres Bistro
Feel good, eat good. Just a short four-minute walk away, let’s pop by 10 Acres Bistro on Courtney Street for some farm-fresh fare. This farm-to-table institution sources ingredients from their own 10-acre farm on the Saanich Peninsula, as well as from a selection of hand-picked local suppliers. This a must-stop restaurant for the foodie looking to experience the very best of Vancouver Island’s food scene. The bistro is open late, so you can settle into your evening at your own pace.
Night: Clive’s Classic Lounge
Cap off your night with… well a night cap, at Clive’s Classic Lounge. Consistently voted one of the top hotel bars in the world, and home to one of Victoria’s largest whiskey collections, Clive’s is the perfect end to a great evening. Not sure where to start on their extensive drink menu? Why not try a couple snacktails and get a feel for their cocktails.
Clive's Classic LoungeSaturday
Our Saturday plans are big on culture and flavour. We’ll discover why Victoria is known as Canada’s Garden City and dig into the rich past of the oldest city on Canada’s pacific coast.
Breakfast: Caffe Fantastico
It’s Pacific Northwest coffee culture Victoria-style at Caffe Fantastico, who’ve been roasting and pouring some of the city’s finest coffee for over 25 years. Their Tre Fantastico location on Humboldt Street, inside the Parkside Hotel, serves up their iconic coffee alongside locally-driven cooking which changes with the season. This bistro-style experience is great for those looking for a tasty, fresh breakfast that reflects the spirit of Victoria’s food culture.
Caffe Fantastico
Morning: The Butchart Gardens
This National Historic Site garden feels as though it blossomed right out of a fairytale. Featuring over 55-acres of manicured gardens, including the world renown Sunken Gardens, The Butchart Gardens are one of Canada’s premier attractions. Once a limestone quarry, founder Jennie Butchart undertook a passion project to transform the space into grand garden. The results? You’ll have to see to believe! There’s a reason why The Butchart Gardens are widely considered one of the world’s best demonstration gardens.
Local tip: No car? No problem. Hop on a tour with Gray Line Sightseeing Victoria, which includes roundtrip shuttle service between downtown Victoria and the Gardens.
Lunch: Afternoon Tea at The Dining Room
No trip to Victoria is complete without a spot of afternoon tea. Luckily for you, one of the city’s top tearooms is located on-site at The Butchart Gardens. The immaculate Dining Room, located in the original residence of the Butchart Family, and overlooking the Gardens, serves tremendous afternoon tea complete with all the sweet and savoury baked goods and sandwiches, and even a bowl of traditional English trifle. Often named one of Canada’s top dining experiences, reservations are strongly encouraged.
The Butchart Gardens
Afternoon: Chinatown, Fan Tan Alley, and the Victoria Chinatown Museum
Once we’re back downtown, let’s follow Government Street until it intersects with Fisgard Street, where you’ll see the towering Gate of Harmonious Interest, the gateway to Victoria’s Chinatown. As Canada’s oldest Chinatown, you’ll find brilliantly preserved buildings filled with great little eateries and shops. As you explore, keep your eyes open for hidden alleyways, including Fan Tan Alley, Canada’s narrowest commercial street – a real gem of a photo break for all you aspiring photographers. Inside Fan Tan Alley, you’ll find the Victoria Chinatown Museum, which tells the story of the Chinese-Canadian community and how they shaped Victoria, British Columbia, and Canada. Don’t let the floor plan fool you, it’s easy to spend hours exploring the stories on display inside the museum.
Victoria Chinatown Museum
Dinner: Swans Pub & Brewery
Victoria has a brewery scene that punches well above its weight. Just around the corner from Chinatown, on the corner of Store Street and Pandora Street, is where Swans Pub & Brewery has been pouring up good times for over 35 years. This brewpub, housed inside an old warehouse, brews all their own beers - we recommend a pint of the Pitch Black black pilsner. Swans is a local haunt for those in search of good times, great food, and even better beer.
Swans Pub & BrewerySunday
The last day of our weekend getaway sees us visiting some of Victoria’s top attractions and digging into the region’s farm-to-table dining scene.
Brunch: Nourish Kitchen & Café
Tucked away in a heritage home in James Bay, Nourish Kitchen & Café is a plant-forward, locally sourced, farm-to-table restaurant, known for its creative and oh so flavourful dishes. Settle in, sip on one of their colourful signature lattes, and enjoy this slow start to your morning, where you’ll have plenty of time to savour every bite.
Nourish Kitchen & Cafe
Morning: Royal BC Museum
Let’s walk-off that breakfast with a 10-minute stroll down Belleville Street to the Royal BC Museum. Kitty corner to the Inner Harbour, this museum is as connected to the province’s rich history as it is to Victoria’s iconic waterfront. Unearth over 10,000 years of human habituation in BC, and tens of millions of years of pre-history, as you work your way through galleries showcasing Indigenous culture, dinosaurs, wildlife, settler artifacts, and more, plus an ever-changing lineup of touring exhibitions from around the world. It’s easy to spend hours exploring the exhibits and diving deep into British Columbia’s distinct story.
Royal BC Museum
Lunch: Q at the Empress
You’re in the city that’s fit for a queen, it’s time you ate like one. A regal atmosphere where their chef plays with the finest locally sourced ingredients, including herbs and vegetables grown in the chef’s own garden, Q at the Empress puts Queen and country into all they do. Located inside the iconic Fairmont Empress hotel, Q at the Empress is a timeless ode to the bounty of our region. If you haven’t tried the local seafood yet, this is your call to indulge.
Q at the Empress
Afternoon: BC Parliament Buildings
You might have already stopped for a photo on the lawn of the Parliament Buildings as you’ve explored the Inner Harbour. These breathtaking buildings anchor the waterfront and are the home of BC’s provincial government. As you meander the grounds, pay close attention to the intricate stonework and count the carvings of influential figures around the building. Then, join a free guided tour through the buildings’ interior marveling at the craftsmanship of this Sir Francis Rattenbury designed building, including its grand marble columns, intricate plasterwork, and beautiful stained-glass windows.
BC Parliament Buildings
Dinner: Tractor Everyday Healthy Foods
We’re at the end of our weekend here in Victoria, if you’re looking for one last bite before you go, or on-the-go, then Tractor Everyday Healthy Foods is the stop for you. Tractor’s quick-service format means you aren’t waiting around for service but doesn’t compromise on quality or flavour. Partnering with sustainable providers, Tractor is food you can feel good about, without the fuss. Located on the corner of Government and Wharf streets, it’s a quick last stop for those leaving by seaplane or via downtown ferries. Tractor is also close to most downtown and Inner Harbour hotels making it easy to pop by before you hit the road.
Tractor Everyday Healthy Food
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