PHOTO GALLERY Parliment BuildingsParliment Buildings at XmasButchart GardensShoppingWhale WatchingFerry Crossing

The Capital city of British Columbia and Vancouver’s more sedate neighbour Victoria is located o­n the beautiful Vancouver Island, just a ferry ride from the main land. The region is o­ne of the world's premier locations for whale watching, bear spotting, as well as salmon and trout fishing. With the best climate in the country and an ocean or mountain vista around every corner Victoria / Vancouver Island is a popular holiday destination for tourists and Canadians alike and makes a great add o­n to any trip to mainland Canada.

Located o­n the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria can be as much fun to get to as it is to explore o­nce you are here. Victoria is well-connected to mainland British Columbia and Washington State by vehicle and passenger ferries and high-speed catamarans. Each day, dozens of ferries cross the straits, granting breathtaking views of the rocky coastline, forested islands, inlets and often marine wildlife. Victoria's arrival points include the Inner Harbour, the Town of Sidney and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (30 minutes from downtown Victoria, near Sidney).
Located 30 minutes from downtown Victoria and five minutes from Sidney, Victoria International Airport serves daily flights from Vancouver International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma Airport, as well as direct flights from points throughout Canada and the US. Regular float plane and helicopter service to downtown Victoria is available from Vancouver and Seattle. Charter flights for sightseeing, wildlife viewing, hiking and fishing excursions, and to more remote Vancouver Island locations are also available.

Getting Around
Getting around Victoria Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands is as easy as getting here. Victoria is truly a walking city and the picturesque Inner Harbour and downtown core are best explored o­n foot, but to discover the rest of the Island and the Gulf Islands, numerous options are available. By sea, air or land, getting around is a breeze.

Public Transit
Victoria and Vancouver Island have an excellent public transportation system that will take you just about anywhere you want to go. Buses run frequently and, if you don’t have a car, are a great way to venture out of the downtown core and into the surrounding areas and suburbs. BC Transit buses include handicap-friendly features and bicycle racks. Strap your bike o­n the front of a bus and head out to the country to cycle.

Butchart Gardens
Enticing visitors to Vancouver Island since the early 1900s, these breathtaking gardens are now a designated National Historic Site. Starting with the Sunken Garden, o­nce a limestone quarry, The Butchart Gardens offers 55 acres of spectacular beauty in every season. Spring features countless tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, with the glorious Rose Garden bursting into bloom in the summer. Perennial borders start their stunning show in late summer, and the Japanese maples turn to russet, gold, and red in the fall. Entertainment highlights in July and August include music under the stars, Night Illuminations, and Saturday Fireworks. Christmas is a magical wonderland, including a new outdoor ice skating rink.

The BC Legislative Buildings
Dominating the architectural landscape of Victoria's Inner Harbour. Designed by renowned architect Francis Rattenbury in the 1890s, they are a visual feast inside and out. Gold and silver leaf, murals, ornate plaster details and wood mouldings ornament the richly-hued walls and ceilings. Visitors also encounter solid marble columns, statuary, stained glass as well as unique architectural flourishes. Be sure to take some time to appreciate the beauty of the grounds, which feature flower gardens, fountains, statues and exhilarating views of the harbour and mountains. Tours are available Monday through Friday.

Royal BC Muesum
The Royal British Columbia Museum offers two floors of fascinating exhibits chronicling the human and natural history of BC from pre-Ice Age to the present day.

You can really experience history here: silent movies play in the turn-of-the-century town's cinema and real salal undergrowth carpets the walkways in the coastal rain forest exhibit. There are extensive, permanent exhibits of First Nations history and artifacts, including ancient totems.

The o­n-site National Geographic IMAX Theatre offers films with natural and human history themes.

Thunderbird Park
The totem poles of Thunderbird Park have been a popular attraction in Victoria for more than 60 years. It's a rare treat to view so much large-scale Aboriginal art in o­ne place. Poles of varying sizes populate the lawn around Mungo Martin House, a traditional longhouse.

While you can find virtually every kind of international cuisine in Victoria, the city truly excels at making the most of its local ingredients and producers. From fine dining to fish & chips, Victoria’s restaurants offer many opportunities to experience tastes you can’t get anywhere else, from fresh berries and seafood to artisan cheeses and micro-brewed ales.