Best Areas to Stay in Victoria, Canada

Located right next to the harbour, the small and vibrant Downtown Victoria district is home to the some of city’s most important historic landmarks.

Considered the commercial, nightlife and tourist epicentre of the capital of British Columbia this lively neighbourhood is considered the best area to stay in Victoria.

The area is roughly centred around Bastion Square, the city’s historic heart. This historical pedestrian mall is flanked by pubs and restaurants and contains a ceremonial arch. At its western edge, Wharf Street offers incredible Inner Harbour views and a wide range of dining and shopping venues.

Nearby, colourful Johnson Street is considered Victoria’s main hipster hangout. Here, you can find the usual mix of indie record and clothing stores, local designer boutiques, quirky cafés and bookshops. Johnson Street Bridge connects Downtown Victoria to Victoria West.

For travellers with a sweet tooth, Roger’s Chocolates is a historic site and local Victoria treasure. This gourmet chocolaterie, located at 913 Government St, has been operating since the late 19th century.

Downtown Victoria’s northern end is occupied by the city’s Chinatown, a National Historic Site of Canada. This vibrant area, the oldest Chinatown in Canada and the second-oldest in North America is home to local attractions like Fan Tan Alley, the Gate of Harmonious Interest and the Tam Kung Chinese Temple.

At the southern edge of downtown lies the famous Inner Harbour. This busy area is home to several of the most important Victoria attractions including the Royal BC Museum, The Maritime Museum of British Columbia, and the impressive Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

Many whale-watching boat tours and international ferry services and depart daily from the Inner Harbour wharves.

If you’re travelling to the British Columbian capital for business, Downtown Victoria hosts many of the city’s tall office buildings and skyscrapers and it’s also home to many business-oriented hotels. The Victoria Congress Centre is located in the Inner Harbour area. Likewise, Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, the largest sports and entertainment venue on Vancouver Island is located nearby.

Downtown also has some of the best shopping centres in town, including the Bay Centre shopping mall.

As it couldn’t be otherwise, Downtown Victoria is the best-connected area in the city. Several bus lines connect the main downtown thoroughfares to the outlying districts of the city.

Located directly south of Victoria’s Downtown district lies Inner Harbour.

Considered the main tourist district of Victoria, this lively area offers some of the city’s top historical and cultural attractions.

The Inner-Harbour Pathway offers incredible views of the port, as well as summer festivals and shows.

Perhaps Victoria’s most recognizable landmark, the Fairmont Empress Hotel was built in 1904 and is the most iconic hotel in British Columbia and a National Historic Site of Canada.

Not far, the Royal BC Museum, founded in 1886, offers an interesting collection of natural and human history artefacts, interactive displays and the British Columbia Provincial Archives. Likewise, The Bateman Gallery exhibits the works of painter and naturalist Robert Bateman.

The neo-baroque British Columbia Parliament Buildings are the headquarters of the province’s parliament. You can take a guided tour of the grounds and buildings.

The harbour itself and its adjacent streets are flanked by restaurants, cafés and bars, making it a great area in Victoria for dining and nightlife.

Victoria’s Inner Harbour is well-connected to the rest of the city via frequent buses. To reach the nearby areas of Downtown and James Bay, you can also walk.

James Bay is Victoria’s oldest neighbourhood.

It is known for its vibrant and lively waterfront and charming Victorian houses and apartment buildings.

James Bay is located southwest of Downtown Victoria.

This lovely district filled with colourful houses is home to iconic Victoria landmarks such as Fisherman’s Wharf, a lively waterfront attraction offering food stalls, shops and whale-watching tours.

The eastern end of Fisherman’s Wharf displays a collection of float homes.

James Bay has a mixture of a maritime and colonial atmosphere. It also offers horse-drawn carriage rides.

Beacon Hill Park has manicured gardens and a petting farm, and also offers panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains in the distance.

James Bay is a great area to stay in Victoria for those looking for a more peaceful environment than the one offered by the more central districts.

Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest in Canada and second-oldest in North America after San Francisco’s.

This area is also one of the most popular areas among tourists visiting the city.

Occupying the northern end of Downtown, Victoria’sChinatown is located next to other places of interest in Victoria, such as the Bay Centre Mall and the Fan Tal Alley; an alley full of galleries, beauty centres, restaurants, apartments, and offices.

This neighbourhood is connected with the rest of the city through several bus stops located on Pandora Avenue and Douglas Street.

To move to Downtown Victoria and the Inner Harbour area, you can just walk.

Today, Chinatown is a vibrant neighbourhood in the city; it has several hotels, bars and shopping areas.

West Shore is a community made up of the neighbourhoods of Colwood, Langford, Metchosin and The Highlands. Given the proximity between these neighbourhoods, you can walk or bike.

Most of this area has a rich heritage and a connection with nature, which makes it one of the best areas to stay in Victoria.

This area is ideal for those travelling with family and for romantic getaways, with attractions such as Fort Rodd Hill and the Fisgard Lighthouse.

To enjoy some art, the Coast Collective Arts Centre’s public gallery features art and crafts.

To go shopping, the West Shore shopping centre offers fashion shops, cafés and restaurants.

West Shore in Victoria is an excellent place to stay in the capital of British Columbia thanks to its its wide range of hotels for all tastes.