Winter weekend in Victoria
Wintering in Victoria — cosy dinners, skating, holiday lights and the small rooms that feel right when it's freezing out.
Top spots in Victoria
Inner Harbour
FamilyDowntown
Buskers, water taxis and the iconic Empress.
Magic of Christmas at Butchart
FamilySaanich
Twelve days of carols, ice rink, lights.
Cherry Blossom Count
OutdoorsCity-wide
Victoria literally counts blossoms every March.
Dallas Road
OutdoorsJames Bay
Cliffside walk with Olympic Mountain views.
Mount Douglas
OutdoorsSaanich
20-min hike to a 360° view of island and ocean.
Butchart Gardens
CultureSaanich
55 acres of bloom; Saturday fireworks in summer.
Fisherman's Wharf
Food & DrinkHarbour
Floating-house pier with fish & chips and seals.
Where to eat
Brasserie L'École
$$$French · Chinatown
Old schoolhouse, frites that ruin you for others.
Olo
$$$West Coast tasting · Chinatown
Island seafood + foraged everything.
Pagliacci's
$$Italian / live music · Downtown
Since 1979 — jazz, garlic toast, lineup.
Red Fish Blue Fish
$$Sustainable seafood · Harbour
Shipping-container takeaway, peerless fish tacos.
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Inner Harbour, Butchart Gardens, Dallas Road. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Victoria and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.