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Curator’s statement
This is a tourist paradise, perched on the ocean, as far south as you can get on Canada's west coast. Victoria is full of great experiences, great restaurants, great hotels and great memories! It's where the parliament buildings and capital of all of British Columbia reside, PLUS a huge tourist mecca. From Washington state, across Canada and the world. The downtown is perfectly walkable, which makes for chance discoveries of all sorts of delights, from shops, to toffee, to oysters and tea service.
The Fora Difference
Book with Andrew to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
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Killer perks
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Personalized recs
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Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in Victoria, BC
Fairmont Empress
Elegant property set in a chateau-style building from 1908 with upscale rooms and suites offering harbour views.
Fora Perks
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$100 hotel / resort credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Inn at Laurel Point, Marylan
A serene waterfront retreat showcasing Pacific Northwest hospitality, modern elegance, and stunning views of Victoria's Inner Harbour.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
Featuring breathtaking sea views, this Victoria property oozes old-world charm.
The Magnolia Hotel and Spa, Victoria
Indulge in luxury and relaxation at this elegant hotel, where historic charm meets modern comfort in the heart of Victoria, British Columbia.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
Experience waterfront luxury and West Coast charm at this stunning resort, where modern amenities meet breathtaking views in Victoria, British Columbia .
Unlock perks by contacting Andrew to book your trip.
Things to do in Victoria, BC
Afternoon Tea at The Empress: It's expensive, but you will never forget getting the white glove treatment!
Royal BC Museum: The best.
Castles! There are at least two. The Craigdarroch Castle and Hatley Castle.
Miniature World leads the array of touristy experiences. You can tour breweries and castles and visit Butchart Gardens.
Go Whale Watching: There are plenty of different sized options. We ended up directly beside a group of killer whales, with babies in tow.
Day Trips
Obvious day trips include seaplanes, whale watching, birds, ocean wildlife, Butchart Gardens and more.
Venturing out from Victoria, there is a whole Vancouver Island to explore!
On the way back to the ferry, the seaside quaint town of Sidney is a MUST. And if you go straight UP the island (north) you will visit the Malahat. Stop at any lookouts around there. The walkway goes up about 20 loops, has a trampoline kind of thing at the top that you can look through and a slide to get back down in under ten seconds!
It's roughly a three or four hour trip from Victoria, but Tofino and Ucluelet are AMAZING, GORGEOUS and UNFORGETTABLE!
If you only do ONE thing find the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet. If you can only stop for lunch, dinner or drinks. Still, visit the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort (you will wish you had booked a night's stay, or a wedding). Both the trail and the Black Rock offer right up close views of huge waves hammering big rocks and spraying high in the air. This could be the best thing you do on Vancouver Island!
NOT just a stop off, but a few days of ocean adventures, on the far side of the island the ocean goes all the way to Japan, so expect big waves, surfing, great resorts, cool coffee shops and a bear just wandering around town!
You will pass the town of Coombs on the way out, look for the Goats On The Roof. Yep!
Going the other direction from Victoria, Port Renfrew is the wild part of the island, long stretches of isolation, with amazing never to be forgotten views from Port Renfrew at the end of the road (heading due west from Victoria).
Places to eat & drink in Victoria, BC
Victoria is second in North America for restaurants per capita!
Need to know
Just as Tofino and Ucluelet are not a quick stop-off on the road, Victoria has such beauty. There are so many flowers and beautiful ocean vistas, that you will wish you had more time to spend there - no matter how much time you spend!
Travel Advisor
Andrew Larder
Get in touch with Andrew
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
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For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Elizabeth Coffey’s guide, The Best Places to Stay in Vancouver, British Columbia. This guide is part of our ongoing series on City Travel.