This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
Who’s looking for the perfect weekend getaway? I’m so very fortunate to call Vancouver Island home, which leads to many amazing nearby destinations to explore. Victoria just so happens to be one of my favorites. From conquering epic outdoor adventures to indulging in delicious restaurants, this is exactly how I would spend a long weekend in Victoria, BC.
About Victoria, BC
Victoria, British Columbia sits on the southern end of Vancouver Island. It is one of the BEST cities in all of Canada for outdoor activities and adventures (so, it is right up my alley!)
It has a ton of old-school, Victorian architecture throughout the city – including the incredible Craigdarroch Castle mansion and the Hatley Castle. It’s also known as the “Garden City” since it typically has AMAZING weather with flowers blooming all year long.
Victoria is also home to the oldest Chinatown in all of Canada which means that it is filled with rich, awesome culture and history. Not to mention some of the best hole-in-the-wall shops and restaurants.
Andddd lucky for me, Victoria has been deemed as the Brunch Capital of Canada – they don’t mess around when it comes to brunch!
A long weekend in Victoria is the perfect idea for a local staycation. If you live on Vancouver Island it is a quick drive away and for those on the mainland, it’s only a short ferry ride away.
Long Weekend in Victoria Itinerary
A long weekend trip to Victoria is just enough time to explore and see the wonderful city. There are so many great places to eat and lots to do. Here’s a quick overview of your weekend in Victoria
Day 1:
- To do: Bike Tour with Pedaler Cycling Tours & Fisherman’s Wharf
- To Eat: Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden
Day 2:
- To do: Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, Goldstream Provincial Park, Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse
- To eat: Jam Cafe & Virtuous Pie
Day 3:
- To do: Beacon Hill Park & Stand-up Paddleboarding
- To eat: West Coast Waffles & Tacofino
You can of course switch around the activities to best suit your interests. There are more details below so you can really dive into the planning!
Best Things to do in Victoria, BC
When planning your ekend getaway to Victoria, there are so many fun options. Whether you are a fan of adventures of architecture, Victoria has a bit of everything!
1. Pedaler Cycling Tours
Rent bikes at Pedaler Cycling Tours and Rentals and take a ride around the super popular Seawall. You can choose to go through the scenic routes yourself or you can opt for a guide to get you the inside scoop of it all!
This bike shop is in the perfect location to start any adventure with so many fun places nearby. Head left and you will find Fisherman’s Wharf and the Beacon Hill Park or head right and ride past the Parliament building for some stunning views.
2. Paddleboarding
During our weekend in Victoria, we went stand-up paddleboarding with South Island SUP. They have a variety of rentals, lessons, and guided adventures to check out.
Insider Tip! When you are planning your Victoria itinerary make sure you have a few alternatives in mind just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. It was extremely windy during our time, so we rerouted our paddleboarding to Thetis Lake (just a short drive from the ocean & better protected from the wind).
3. Beacon Hill Park
Explore Beacon Hill Park and see some more phenomenal cherry blossoms (if visiting in the spring).
This park is also very bike friendly with dedicated bike lanes if you are more into exploring somewhere via bike.
After exploring the park, taking pictures of the flowers, and catching up on the rich history of it all, you can head across the street and enjoy an ocean-view bike ride for a few kilometres.
4. Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is where you can find some cute and colourful floating homes on the water where you can also catch a great seafood lunch or dinner. With hidden treasures all along the wharf, you can find endless fun activities when the weather is warmer.
5. Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse
Head to Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse for a really cool adventure. Although we didn’t go inside, there was still a lot to do around the area.
There is scuba diving, picnicking, bird-watching, and some yummy places to eat! Not to mention, you can get some AWESOME pictures with a lighthouse!
Every Victoria weekend guide needs to include a stop here.
6. Goldstream Provincial Park
Drive to Goldstream Provincial Park and go to the Niagara Waterfall. Although it isn’t the super famous one on the other side of Canada, it still is just as magical and worth seeing.
This park has so many great spots for photos, picnics, and just straight-up appreciating nature. It is also great if you want to explore the outdoors as it is just 20 minutes outside Victoria.
7. Gowlland Tod Provincial Park
Head to Gowlland Tod Provincial Park and hike to Jocelyn Hill. It is a quick 30-minute hike perfect for a weekend in Victoria.
To get there you turn off the highway in Colwood and then head on Millstream Road. Continue to the end of the road to find parking.
If you want to take a longer hike, you can head to Caleb Pike Pass which will extend the hike and make it 5 km in total. The trail is so much fun and won’t even feel like a hike!
Where to Eat in Victoria
As much as I love adventuring, I also love sitting down and indulging in delicious meals. And let me tell you, Victoria has some amazing restaurant choices!
1. Jam Cafe
Jam Cafe for breakfast or brunch is a top-notch choice if you are looking for some gluten-free classics for your breakfast. Their gigantic omelets and STACKS of pancakes are absolutely heavenly.
If you are looking to not have to eat for the rest of the day, you may want to try out Jam Cafe to fill you up for the day (and maybe even the day after, too!)
2. Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden
The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden will make you feel like real royalty as you join in for high tea, biscuits, and yummy, homemade gluten-free options. The ambiance is so beautiful, I didn’t want to go and wish I had taken more pictures.
From the intricately designed teapots and cups to being surrounded by a lush garden outdoors, this place brings a sense of calm in a chaotic world. Tranquil and intimate, you will love it just as much as I do!
3. Virtuous Pie
Virtuous Pie is the go-to spot to grab some tasty gluten-free vegan pizza in Victoria. They have some awesome combos that are filled with farm-fresh veggies or even keeping it simple on your pie is still going to be some of the best you ever tasted.
Also, to live out all of your childhood fantasies by having a restaurant dedicated to only pizza and ice cream. Why couldn’t this have been a thing when I was a kid?!
4. The Tapa Bar
The Tapa Bar is a great dinner option for any tapa lover. They have lots of gluten-free and vegan options. The food is super tasty and a little spicy so get ready for a party for your palate!
Just ask your server for the gluten-free menu and they will happily bring you a separate menu for all the options you can have. This is a very popular spot in Victoria so you are going to want to call ahead of time and get a reservation just to be safe.
5. West Coast Waffles
West Coast Waffles is the best way to start your mornings. I loved the gluten-free vegan waffle and you can add tons of fresh and flavorful toppings to any waffle you pick! They even have some amazing classic cocktails that will put all the others to shame.
6. Tacofino
Tacofino is always a good idea when you find yourself wandering about Victoria. This taco bar is really all you need in life, because it has so many incredible options for vegan, and meat lovers, and honestly all the toppings one can dream of! (And I dream of tacos a lot.)
7. Origins Gluten-Free Bakery
Origins Gluten-Free Bakery has killer sweet treats that can satisfy even those without much of a sweet tooth. Their options range from the prettiest cupcakes that you ever did see to incredible bread that you would have no idea was even gluten-free! SO YUMMY!
Where to Stay in Victoria
There are many great hotels to choose from in Victoria. Weather you are hoping for a luxurious suite or a budget-friendly option, you can surely find one that fits your needs. We absolutely loved our stay at the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites.
Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites
We stayed at the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites during our long weekend getaway in Victoria. This hotel is right in the middle of downtown and is the perfect location to explore and not have to drive a lot.
It is very chic, but not too fancy where you feel uncomfortable. Their elegant rooms and cozy atmosphere made for a wonderful time to decompress the day’s adventures.
The hotel is very local-focused, so if you ever need recommendations or advice on anything going on in Victoria, you can ask any staff member, and they would be more than happy to help you enjoy their town! They are like your personal on-site Victoria travel guide.
The personalized connection the staff took to get to know us and to better our stay was something you won’t usually find in just any hotel. They go above and beyond to take care of their guests.
Victoria Weekend Trip FAQ’s
Victoria experiences pretty mild temperatures year-round making it a wonderful getaway no matter the month. Personally, I loved visiting in spring as the city was full of color and blossoms. The iconic, famous cherry blossom season is one of the most magical experiences one can have while visiting Victoria.
If you want to try to avoid some rain, plan your visit in the summer months (June-August). However, I would recommend always packing layers and rain gear!
Victoria, BC, is considered a very safe city, with low crime rates and a welcoming atmosphere for both residents and visitors However, like any city, it’s important to exercise common sense precautions, such as being aware of your surroundings, especially at night, and securing personal belongings.
3 days is the perfect starting point for exploring all Victoria has to offer. You can spend one day hiking and immersing yourself in nature, and the rest of the time exploring the amazing downtown.
If you plan on checking out the nearby hikes and waterfalls, you will need a car. However, if you just want to stick to downtown, bikes would work wonderfully!
As you can see there are so many things to do in Victoria, that it definitely deserves a spot on your weekend getaway’s bucket list! Customize this 3-day itinerary to best fit your budget and time and you’ll be off exploring in no time. I know you will love this charming city as much as I do!
More Vancouver Island Planning Guides
If you are looking for other destinations on Vancouver Island, check out the following blog posts!
This blog post is brought you in collaboration with Tourism Victoria. Thank you for supporting the brands and destinations that support me.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This trip looks incredible! Great adventure and delicious food! I’ll have to put this on my list!
Wow, this sure does look like an amazing trip! I love all the parks that are available for visiting and of course the food.
This looks like such a fun place to explore! Adding it to our list!
I love hiking. Everything looks so gorgeous in your photos. I think the cycling tour would be a lot of fun too!
The food looks amazing, I’d love to visit Victoria!