34 Best places to visit in Victoria in winter

Winter in Victoria BC gets a bad rap since BC can be a pretty grey and rainy place in the winter. However, this part of Canada does get much milder temperatures and the rainforests, mountains, and coastline make for some picturesque scenery during your trip to Victoria BC in winter.

From the charming downtown streets lined with twinkling lights to the snow-covered peaks of the surrounding mountains, Victoria is a winter wonderland that will leave you in awe.

Victoria on Vancouver Island is also home to a wide range of indoor and outdoor Victoria winter activities that are perfect for embracing the winter season!

Whether you want to explore the shops, restaurants, and cafes in downtown Victoria or head off on an outdoor adventure to the ski hills or hiking in Victoria, the city has something for everyone.

During winter in Victoria, you can also find many special events and festivals that are perfect for visitors and residents alike. From Christmas markets to ice skating rinks, there’s always something happening in Victoria BC winters.

Whether you’re a local looking for new ways to embrace the winter season, or are planning a winter getaway to Victoria I’m sure you’ll enjoy your trip to Victoria this winter.

What to do in winter in Victoria BC

Check out these awesome fun things to do in Victoria BC in the winter and get planning your trip to this historic Canadian city and capital of British Columbia.

1. Enjoy a spa day

When it comes to what to do in Victoria in winter, hitting a spa is a great idea!

Though the weather in Victora in winter is pretty mild on the whole, you can still get chilly days. When the chill hits what’s better than heading into a spa where you can warm up, relax and feel zen?

Victoria has several spas but one of the best is found at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. At this beautiful hotel, you can enjoy a massage and then head out into the outdoor mineral pools with their relaxing eucalyptus scent.

If you time your visit to the spa in line with the sunset you can take a dip in their heated outdoor pools while the sun sets over the ocean – it’s one of themost magical things to do in Victoria British Columbia winter.

Other spas include the spa at the Fairmont Empress and Tigh Na Mara seaside spa resort. At the latter, there’s a super cool Grotto Spa where you can listen to the peaceful waterfall as you relax.

2. Visit the Fairmont Empress

The Fairmont Hotel brand is renowned for offering luxury experiences. This rings true when it comes to the Fairmont Empress in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

With its castle-like exterior, this hotel has even welcome royalty from around the world! Over winter, the hotel has incredible decor and twinkling lights which just adds to the experience.

One of the best things to do at the Fairmont is to book their afternoon tea.

As a Brit, I know my afternoon teas and I can say that the Fairmont Empress knows how to do them properly.

You’ll be able to enjoy afternoon tea at the Fairmont in Victoria while admiring the beauty of the Lobby Lounge. For that extra special touch, add some champagne to elevate your afternoon tea experience.

3. The Regional Assembly of Text

The Regional Assembly of Text on Johnson Street is a super unique store. At this store in Victoria, you can buy beautiful cards and paper here to make that note extra special.

Sometimes you’re even able to type out your own love letter on their old-school typewriters. A super romantic Valentine’s Day activity in Victoria, perhaps?

There’s also a location in Granville Island in Vancouver if you’re looking for cute things to do in Vancouver!

4. Watch the waves from Ogden Point

Winter in Victoria is perfect for storm-watching. As the wind picks up and the waves rage you can watch them roll in and crash upon the shore from certain points across the city.

Start by taking a walk along Dallas Road in Victoria from the Inner Harbour with its colourful buildings, then walk towards Ogden point.

At the Breakwater at Ogden Point, you’ll get some incredible views of the Olympic Mountains in the USA and the Juan de Fuca Strait. It’s super scenic no matter the weather and easily one of the best walks in Victoria BC.

5. Explore the Royal BC Museum

As British Columbia’s capital, Victoria is home to some great museums and historical places. One such place is the Royal BC Museum.

In this museum, you can discover year-round exhibits showcasing the city’s history as well as changing exhibits throughout the year such as the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit. This is one of the best things to do in Victoria BC in December.

This exhibit has some truly mesmerising photographs and runs from December to April.

6. Take a historic walking tour of Victoria and Chinatown

Victoria has plenty of history and one of the best ways to experience it is to take a walking tour. If you only have 1 day in Victoria, be sure to explore the port and waterfront area.

On your walking tour of Victoria itinerary, you should be sure to include the Parliament Buildings and the mid-1800s St. Ann’s Academy.

The St. Ann’s Academy is ornate with elaborate ceiling carvings, original oil paintings and gold leaf details. It’s stunning inside and well worth a visit.

Other places to include on your historic walking tour of Victoria are the Empress Hotel, the Greater Victoria Art Gallery and of course, the harbour area.

This walking tour of the harbour is the perfect way to learn more about what you’re seeing.

Chinatown is also worth exploring. It’s the second-oldest Chinatown in the whole of North America and easy to explore without a guide. You should wander around Fan Tan Alley which is packed full of shops and restaurants. Then there are the Gates of Harmonious Interest where you can get protection from the statues on either side.

If you’re visiting the Canadian city of Victoria in January, then you’re there at the perfect time to celebrate the Chinese New Year!

7. Take a guided Street Art & Craft Beer Walking Tour with Tastingstour of Victoria Canada

Head out on a unique street art and beer walking tour as you discover the best craft beer spots in Victoria.

With an expert guide, you’ll head down Victoria’s beautiful streets to discover vibrant street art and colourful murals on this walking tour. Stop at 3 local breweries to sample craft beers and get a glimpse of their brewing process.

8. Take a Horse-Drawn Trolley Ride

Explore Victoria in style with a horse-drawn trolley ride. There are a few different options for horse-drawn trolley rides and they’re a fun and unique way to experience the city.

This tour takes you through Fisherman’s Wharf and over to Beacon Hill Park. You’ll hear stories of past and present as you trot through the city too. There’s also a carriage tour along the seaside and the streets of James Bay.

9. Beacon Hill Park

One of the local’s favourite parks in Victoria is Beacon Hill Park. This beautiful park is right in the heart of downtown Victoria and includes 200 acres of beautiful gardens, playgrounds, a children’s farm and shoreline trails.

You can also spot peacocks roaming the park, a moss lady sculpture and the fourth-tallest totem poll in the world!

10. Cowichan Wine Country Tour

Another fun thing to do in Victoria in winter is to head out to the Cowichan Valley and do some wine tasting.

Not only will you get to try some delicious wines, but you’ll also get some great views too. There are three award-winning wines in the Cowichan Valley and you should make time to sample them all.

While summer is usually considered wine tasting season, you can still enjoy it as a fun idea for winter activities Victoria BC has to offer.

11. Sample Your Way Through the Victoria Public Market

Victoria Public Market is open year-round and is one of the best places in Victoria to grab lunch.

The Victoria Public Market is a popular place for locally-owned restaurants, communal events and gifts and goods made by local artists.

Some of my favourite things to get from the Victoria Public Market are cheeses from Salt Spring Island and sweet pies from the Victoria Pie Co.

12. Grab a new read and have a chilled afternoon

This next idea is the perfect thing to do on a rainy day in Victoria!

One of the best bookshops in Victoria is Russell Books. It’s a lovely bookstore with both new and used books and it’s pretty recently moved to a new location.

It’s also just across the road from Nourish Kitchen and Cafe which is one of the best places to eat in Victoria.

Choose a good book from Russell Books and then head over to Nourish Cafe to indulge in a delicious brunch and coffee with your new book.

There’s also Munro’s Books in Victoria which is huge with so many books to choose from. I love getting lost inside a bookstore on a rainy day and seeing what they have.

12. Johnson and Government Street Shopping

Lower Johnson Street is the place for shopping in Victoria. Locals call it LoJo and it’s full of colourful buildings and boutiques with great clothing and homewares.

Some of my favourite stores on Lower Johnson Street are Tonic jewellery, the vintage stores in Market Square and Violette for carefully curated fashion.

13. Abkhazi Garden

The Abkhazi Garden is a romantic place to go to in Victoria in winter. It’s a fairly small garden that was created in 1946 for Prince and Princess Abkhazi who were separated in World War II and finally reunited and married after the war ended.

In the garden, you’ll find impressive trees and you can go inside the main building for afternoon tea with garden views once you’re done walking.

14. Explore Butchart Gardens

Celebrating 100 years in bloom, Butchart Gardens is one of the top Victoria attractions even in winter.

Victoria’s Butchart Gardens are most beautiful in the spring and summer months when the flowers are in full bloom, but they’re equally magical over Christmas too.

Every December, Butchart Gardens holds its Magic of Christmas event. This sees the gardens fill up with carolers, ice skating, light displays and more.

There’s also the Spring Prelude area where spring comes early and you can walk around the indoor garden where daffodils, tropical plants and tulips are in bloom. This area is usually open from January – March.

If you need to warm up during your trip around Butchard, you can head into Benvenuto to learn more about the Gardens’ history.

15. Mystic Beach & Botanical Beach

Take a day trip out of the city and head over to Mystic Beach and/or Botanical Beach.

On the southwestern side of Vancouver Island is the beautiful Juan de Fuca park where you can find Mystic Beach.

Walking on Mystic Beach takes you through some beautiful forest and out onto the wild coastline. In winter the sea is particularly alive and active.

Wrap up warm and enjoy the beauty of this beach on Vancouver Island.

Further up the coast near Port Renfrew is Botanical Beach which is another Vancouver Island beach well worth visiting.

This beach is best known for its tide pools full of marine life. Wander amongst the forest, take in the waves and the sights of the shore and see what you can find in the rock pools.

16.  Ice skating in Victoria

You can’t be in Canada in the winter and not go skating! Luckily, Victoria has plenty of skating rinks for you to enjoy. There are plenty of recreation and community centres throughout Victoria with indoor rinks.

Over the holiday season, you can normally find an outdoor skating rink at City Centre Park. This one is my favourite since it’s decorated as a winter wonderland with lights and holiday decorations!

You can rent skates and helmets here and there are also fire pits and hot chocolates and some food to enjoy. Be sure to reserve online!

17. Feel Like Royalty at Craigdarroch Castle

Did you know Victoria had castles?

The Craigdarroch Castle was built in the late 1800s and has been carefully restored and maintained. Inside you’ll find almost 40 ornate rooms and you’ll feel transported back in time.

In the winter in Victoria, the castle is even more magical as it gets decked out with festive decorations and holiday tunes.

There’s also Hatley Castle which has been featured in many an Instagram photo!

Kids and adults alike will love exploring these castles during winter in Victoria.

18. Tour the Victoria Parliament Buildings

The Victoria Parliament buildings are in the Inner Harbour of Victoria. They have a year-round light display but in winter things go up a gear.

The winter light installation adds around 3,000 red and green lights to the building making it so magical!

The Parliament Buildings are open from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm for visitors. Visitors can take their own self-guided tour or join a public tour. 

19.  Listen to live music at a pub in Victoria

There are lots of great pubs in Victoria (that English influence!). Many of them play live music, especially at weekends. Some of the best pubs in Victoria are The Bard and Banker, Hermann’s Jazz Club, and The Sticky Wicket. 

The Bard & Banker is perhaps my favourite. It’s been open since 1885 and specialises in whisky which is perfect for warming you up in the winter. You’ll find live music here 7 nights a week.

20. Hang out at a boardgame cafe

Grab some friends, or just your travel partner and head to a board game cafe in Victoria.

Boardgame cafes have become super popular in recent years and there are several all over the city. Most sell drinks and some sort of food and have a huge array of games to choose from.

Interactivity Boardgame Cafe is the original board game cafe in Victoria and is still one of the best.

21. Hike in Goldstream Park

Goldstream Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit near Victoria. It’s also home to some of the best hikes on Vancouver Island.

It takes less than 30 minutes to get to and you can get there by bus too if you’re visiting Victoria without a car. It’s a brilliant place to go hiking through the forest and there’s also a super cool trestle here.

Trestles are old railway bridges and there are some super cool trestles in BC. Unfortunately, you can no longer access this trestle but there are plenty of other things to do in Goldstream Park.

Goldstream Provincial Park also has some pretty waterfalls and wildlife opportunities. If you get lucky you might see Bald Eagles, and deer and in the fall you can see salmon spawning. There are signs throughout the park where you can learn more about the wildlife.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

22. Sheringham Point Lighthouse

Sheringham Point Lighthouse is a whopping 105 years old and is one of the best-kept secrets on Vancouver Island.

You can take a short walk out to the lighthouse on Lighthouse View Trail. From here you’re right next to the lighthouse in its position on a rocky coast with views of the ocean.

If you’re really lucky you can sometimes see seals, sea lions and even whales and otters bobbing in and out of the water.

23. Hot Springs Cove

If you’re a Victoria local, be sure to plan a weekend or mid-week trip up to Tofino and Ucluelet. These beautiful and popular coastal towns on the West Coast are full of delicious restaurants, boutique shops and beautiful walks.

One of the most special locations on Vancouver Island is Hot Springs Cove near Tofino. It’s one of the best things to do in Tofino in winter too.

Only accessible by boat or seaplane, Hot Springs Cove is one of the best hot springs in BC. You can take tours from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove where you’ll get impressive views on the journey and be wowed by your destination.

Once you arrive, you’ll take a walk through an old-growth forest in Maquinna Provincial Park and then come out to the hot springs themselves. There are several pools which get cooler the closer they get to the ocean and they’re ideal for warming up on a rainy west coast winter’s day.

Check out my guide on how to get to Tofino which includes the best places to stop along the way.

24. Shop for new plants and grab a coffee

There are a couple of really great garden centres near Victoria which also have cafes. Shop for some new greenery for your apartment or garden or just enjoy a coffee surrounded by plants. Perfect weekend activity in Victoria!

Demitass Cafe & Garden Centre in Oak Bay has great homemade food for lunch or as a snack. Once you’re done shopping and eating you can head to Cadboro Bay and take in the views from Gyro Park too.

My personal favourite is Notcutts Cafe just outside of Victoria. It’s a garden centre which also sells some lovely home goods and has a cafe with a gorgeous terrace and views. It’s great for a catch-up with friends over a drink!

25. Malahat Skywalk near Victoria

One of Victoria’s newest top attractions is the Malahat Skywalk and it’s well worth visiting

Situated about 20-30 minutes outside of downtown Victoria, the Malahat Skywalk features a super cool structure that goes up into the tree canopy and gives you incredible views.

Climb the spiral ramp to reach the pinnacle of adventure, located 250 meters above sea level. From the tower’s summit on Vancouver Island, you can enjoy some of the most stunning vistas, including a panoramic view of the mountains and islands spanning the US and Canada.

As you make your way down from the tower, you can choose to walk down of take the slide.

The 20-meter spiral slide offers an experience that is just as awe-inspiring as the breathtaking views from the top. I still remember my own experience on the slide vividly. As I slid down, the cool air rushed past me, and I couldn’t help but let out a few whoops of excitement

Best restaurants in Victoria BC in winter

Victoria has some of the best restaurants and cafes in BC. You can find all sorts of cuisines and plenty of restaurants specialising in seasonal and local produce.

So plan a night out, or head to a cafe for a drink and breakfast. This list of the best places to eat in Victoria will help you narrow down your options.

26. The Drake Eatery

The Drake Eatery is a farm-to-table restaurant that specialises in food using local and organic ingredients.

The restaurant gets its name from the original Drake Hotel and Beer Parlour that had been on the corner of Johnson and Store streets since 1954.

They also do cheese boards that are perfect with a craft beer or glass of wine on a rainy weekend afternoon. If you’re vegan you can also get cashew cheese boards!

It’s not just cheese boards, there are also burgers, rotisserie chicken and other veg-forward meals on the menu.

27. Pizzeria Prima Strada

If you’re looking for pizza in Victoria, you simply have to go to Pizzeria Prima Strada.

This pizza joint uses a proper pizza oven and uses fresh, local ingredients on their pizzas. Personally, I love a calzone but you can’t go wrong with any of their menu items.

They’re a super popular spot with locals and are a must-visit during your trip to Victoria.

28. Brunch at Jam Café

Jam Café in Victoria is another outlet of the ever-so-popular Jam Cafe in Gastown and Kitsilano in Vancouver.

Expect a queue as it’s always busy but it’s worth the wait. They have great holiday specials during the run-up to Christmas such as the Festive French Toast with marzipan-filled stolen, cranberry crème anglaise and spiced almonds.

If you’re more into savoury options for breakfast there are plenty of egg bennies on the menu. Or, do what my husband and I do and get a savoury main course for breakfast and a ‘dessert’ breakfast to share.

29. Rebar

Rebar is a must-try for vegans and vegetarians in Victoria. They do creative, fresh food including plant-based burgers, bowls and brunches.

They do breakfast, lunch and dinner so you’ve plenty of opportunities to check them out.

30. Cocktails at Clarke & Co

In the evening, head out to Clarke & Co, a cosy and intimate cocktail bar with just 14 seats.

This bar is known for its amazing cocktails which use locally-distilled spirits and house-made ingredients.

You can get some super unique Canadian cocktails including the Dead Man’s Letter cocktail which uses, butter-washed whisky, Hoyne dark matter maple syrup and chocolate bitters.

Clarke & Co also do small plates so you have something to eat alongside your food.

31. Sample local chocolates

Head to Victoria’s Roger’s Chocolates and sample some chocolates. Be sure to get some to take home for after dinner too!

Roger’s Chocolates was Canada’s first chocolatier and they know how to make delicious chocolates. Victoria Cream is their most famous chocolate with a creamy centre and a thick chocolate shell.

32. Nourish Kitchen and Cafe

Nourish Kitchen and Cafe in Victoria do a delicious eggs benedict with turmeric cashew hollandaise and great pancakes too. Their menu changes regularly depending on what’s in season so you may find different things depending on when you visit.

The cafe interior itself is absolutely beautiful too. It’s a must-visit for brunch in Victoria!

33. Hey Happy Coffee

Hey Happy Coffee is one of the best places in Victoria for coffee. It’s the perfect break in between shopping on Johnson Street.

Besides the usual coffees, they do more interesting and different ones such as the Black & Tan – an americano with warm maple cream or butterscotch lattes.

34. Superbaba

Superbaba is a super trendy restaurant that specialises in Middle Eastern wraps and bowls. You can find falafel bowls, chicken and kebab wraps and also ice-cream sandwiches for dessert!

How to get to Victoria BC in winter

Victoria is on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, a large island just off the coast of mainland BC. Most visitors to Vancouver will likely arrive by ferry but there are also several options for flying.

Ferries to Victoria from Vancouver

BC Ferries operates many daily ferries between Vancouver and Victoria. The ferries go from south of Vancouver at Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay north of Victoria.

The ferry takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and you can take your car, or bike or go as a foot passenger and connect to Victoria by bus.

While the ferries are quieter in the winter, booking is recommended to secure your spot if driving onto the ferry, especially at weekends. Also, be aware that sailings can be delayed or cancelled due to bad weather during the winter.

If the ferries to Swartz Bay are booked up, you can also try going from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo, or Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. This is a longer drive to Victoria but gets you onto Vancouver Island.

Flying to Victoria BC

The quickest way to get to Victoria is by flying. Most flights to Victoria will stop in Vancouver on the way. Though there are some flights that will fly directly to Victoria airport.

Flying from Vancouver’s YVR airport to Victoria takes around 30 minutes.

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

Seaplane to Victoria from Vancouver

If you’re already visiting Vancouver and looking to do one day to Victoria or spent a night in Victoria in winter then check out Harbour Air seaplanes.

Unlike normal planes, there’s less of a faff about getting there a few hours before check-in and then driving or getting public transit into the city.

The seaplanes leave from downtown Vancouver in Coal Harbour and fly directly into Victoria’s harbour. You can book them online in advance.

I was lucky enough to fly by seaplane from Vancouver to Victoria on a work trip and it was such a fun way to travel!

Driving to Victoria

While you can’t drive the whole way to Victoria BC, you can put your car on the ferries from Tsawwassen or the US and then drive once you’re off the ferry.

From downtown Vancouver to Victoria’s Swartz Bay is about a 30-minute drive. Once you’re off the ferry it’s around another 30-40 minutes into downtown Victoria.

Having a car in Victoria is a good option to help you get out of the city and go skiing, hiking or even on a road trip on Vancouver Island.

If you need to rent a car, there are car rental places by Victoria Airport.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

Where to stay in Victoria BC

While you can see most of the best things to do in Victoria BC in winter in a single day, I highly recommend spending 2-3 days in the city. This gives you time to explore the shopping, harbour and restaurants as well as some time to get out of the city and explore Vancouver Island’s natural beauty too.

Looking for unique places to stay in Victoria, check out this full guide

Victoria has a variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. Some of the best places to stay in Victora are detailed below.

• Oak Bay Hotel: This hotel has luxurious rooms, some with ocean views. The outdoor pool area overlooks the ocean and there are onsite restaurants too.
• Fairmont Empress: Overlooking Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour, the Fairmont Empress has an on-site spa, and restaurants and is super close to the best things to do in winter in Victoria BC.
• Abigail’s Hotel: This is one of the best-rated hotels in Victoria. Rooms have historic décor, and the building was originally built in 1930. If you’re looking for some history during your trip to Victoria, this hotel will help you get there.
• The Vic, Victoria: Recently renovated, this boutique hotel in Victoria is in the heart of the city with easy access to many of Victoria’s top attractions.

FAQs about winter in Victoria BC

Final thoughts on the best things to do in Victoria Canada winter

If you’re losing for winter activities in Victoria BC or places to visit around the city I hope you’ve found this guide helpful.

This mega list of the best things to do in Victoria Canada in winter includes fun indoor activities, outdoor things to do and some that are only around for the holidays.

One of my favourite things to do this winter in Victoria BC is to take a walk on the beautiful Vancouver Island beaches, and then grab a cocktail at a nice bar.

Last Updated on August 9, 2024 by Hannah