SHOULD YOU VISIT VANCOUVER OR VICTORIA?
📍 Grouse Mountain, Vancouver, BC
Should you visit Victoria or Vancouver on a trip to British Columbia? Both cities are fantastic destinations, each with their own unique charm and attractions, but you may have to choose one, based on limited time or funds. When I’m trying to decide where to visit on a trip, I use the following categories to compare, knowing what I favor in each.
Culture
Though only a jump across the Strait of Georgia, Victoria and Vancouver have two very different feels.
📍 BC Building, Victoria BC
With a smaller, European vibe, Victoria feels like stepping back in time. There’s a rich cultural heritage, with a British influence that can be seen in its architecture and traditions. You can explore historic sites like the Royal BC Museum, visit the beautiful Butchart Gardens, and enjoy traditional afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel.
Vancouver, on the other hand, is a diverse and modern city known for its multiculturalism. It offers a wide range of cultural experiences, including world-class museums, theaters, and vibrant neighborhoods like Chinatown and Gastown. There’s always something going on downtown and you’re unlikely to get bored.
📍 Granville Island, Vancouver, BC
Nature
In general, you can’t go wrong in the Pacific Northwest. The area is rich with beautiful landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and beaches. But due to its mainland location, Vancouver offers more diverse scenery.
Vancouver is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, all a short car ride away. You can visit the mountains, rainforests, and beaches in and around the city. Popular destinations include Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, and the famous Seawall for cycling or walking.
📍 Stanley Park, Victoria, BC
Set on the lush Vancouver Island, Victoria and its surroundings shouldn’t be discounted though. The city itself offers a serene and natural setting with gardens, parks, and coastal views. You can explore all the island has to offer in places like Butchart Gardens and Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.
Activities
If you prefer to enjoy a lowkey vacation, complete with coffee by the bay, leisurely afternoon tea, and an early night in, you’ll enjoy Victoria. You can stroll along Inner Harbour, visit the BC Parliament Buildings, or go whale watching. It's also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts with hiking, biking, and kayaking opportunities.
📍 Victoria, BC
Like any big city, Vancouver is a bustling city with a plethora of activities. You can explore Stanley Park, visit Granville Island, go skiing on nearby mountains, or enjoy the plethora of nightlife. The city also hosts various festivals and events throughout the year.
📍 Victoria, BC
Transportation
We prefer to go carless on vacations if we can, saving money by taking public transportation and walking. Both Victoria and Vancouver were easy to maneuver without cars, and parking was limited.
Victoria is compact and walkable, so you can easily visit the sights and explore downtown by foot. For destinations further out, like the Butchart Gardens and the ferry terminal, we took the bus. Be warned though, a 30 minute drive easily turns into an hour plus with public transport.
Vancouver has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus, which makes it easy to get around without a car. It’s much bigger than Victoria, so you will want to take the train or bus within the downtown area. We found the bus system less easy to navigate, as sometimes buses would skip stops due to their limited capacity. Make sure you give yourself plenty of extra time when heading to reservations, as you may have to wait through several cycles for a seat.
Traveling between the two cities is more time consuming than it should be, taking over four hours by bus, ferry, and SkyTrain. Our tour guide said it’s easier to get to Victoria from the US than from Vancouver and that proved to be accurate.
📍Lynn Canyon Park, Vancouver, BC
Cost
British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest were more expensive compared to other cities and countries we’ve visited outside the US, but not exorbitantly so.
Opinions seem to differ online, but we found Victoria to be significantly less expensive than Vancouver. Lodging, food, and transportation all ranked lower and we were able to spend double the days in Victoria as Vancouver on the same budget.
📍 Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria, BC
The hotel and AirBnB prices in Vancouver especially seemed higher than other cities. For context, our Vancouver AirBnB ran us $223 per night after taxes, compared to $111 per night in Victoria, $107 per night in Berlin, and $75 per night in Roatan. And we’re huge budget travelers, so that nightly price killed me a little bit.
Our Thoughts
We loved both cities, but much preferred Vancouver. Jarod fell in love with the modern architecture and green initiatives, while I enjoyed the variety of activities and the scenery. When choosing somewhere to visit, I often get stuck choosing between culture and beautiful scenery, but Vancouver tops the list in both of these categories.
📍 Stanley Park, Victoria, BC
Ultimately, your choice between Victoria and Vancouver will depend on your personal preferences. If you prefer a smaller, more relaxed city with a British feel and a focus on nature, Victoria may be your choice. On the other hand, if you're looking for a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a wide range of activities and cultural experiences, Vancouver is the way to go. It's also possible to visit both cities, as they are relatively close and connected by ferry, which allows you to experience the best of both worlds.
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