A BC city with lush gardens and charming streets was named among Canada's most welcoming
It's like a fairytale. ✨
The Butchart Gardens in Victoria. Right: A street in Victoria, B.C.
This waterfront city has historic streets lined with local shops, gardens bursting with colour, and even some castles that look like they've been plucked from the pages of a storybook. It's known for its British roots, which bring a certain charm to it, and recently, it's gotten some extra praise.
Booking.com, an online travel agency, released its annual Traveller Review Awards, crafted using over 360 million verified customer reviews.The awards included a list of Canada's Most Welcoming Places, based on the number of accommodation options in a place, which received a 2025 Traveller Review Award.
Victoria, B.C., was among the Canadian destinations to make the cut, thanks to its luxurious Pendray Inn and Tea House and the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel.
This isn't the first time the city has gotten a nod from an award's list. Victoria has been praised globally, including being named the best small city in the world by Condé Nast's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards.
While Vancouver is often the B.C. city that gets put under the spotlight, Victoria deserves its time to shine. It manages to have a small-town feel balanced with its city amenities and acts as the gateway to the unbelievable beauty of Vancouver Island.
Although it's a relatively small downtown area, it's bursting with award-winning restaurants, cute cafes, and local boutiques. It's all set above an idyllic waterfront and quaint harbour, with the backdrop of the period architecture the city is famed for.
Beauty is all around the city, from seaside neighbourhoods with rocky beaches to the blooms of The Butchart Gardens. The gardens are a must-visit on a trip to the city, with 55 acres of manicured to wander through.
If strolling through the majestic gardens doesn't do it, visiting the local castles will show you the fairytale vibes of Victoria. Hatley Castle is nearby in Colwood and is the picture of British vibes.
While many places in B.C. give you access to natural beauty, Victoria is a stone's throw from some of the most spectacular wonders you can't find anywhere else in the world. White sand beaches alongside mist-shrouded rainforests, the famous seaside surf town of Tofino, and massive ancient trees are all a drive away from here.
If you want a getaway destination, one of Canada's most welcoming spots won't disappoint.