Best Time to Visit Victoria

Summer: July and August

This is the easy part of the year. Days are warm but not hot, and rain is rare. July is the sunniest month, with more than ten hours of sun a day. August is close behind. Evenings stay cool enough for a jacket on the Inner Harbour, the waterfront in front of the Parliament Buildings.

It's also the busiest time. Hotels fill up, and the ferry from Vancouver, plus the one from Port Angeles in Washington state, gets crowded. If you hate queues, travel midweek. Summer suits whale-watching trips, cycling the Galloping Goose Trail and swimming at Willows Beach. Travelling with kids? School holidays run through the summer, so expect families everywhere. Butchart Gardens is at its best, and the fireworks on Canada Day (July 1) pull a big crowd to the harbour.

Late spring and September

May, June and September are our pick if you want good weather without the peak crowds. June is dry on most days, though it can be cloudy. Gardens are in full bloom in May, and the city is known for its flowers. September is still pleasant, with warm afternoons and quieter streets. The rain starts to creep back, but you'll often get dry days for walking Dallas Road or the trails at Mount Douglas.

April is a fair month, and a mixed one. You'll get some bright spells and some showers. The cherry blossoms along city streets are a nice reward if you catch them. Pack a rain jacket and take it easy.

Autumn and winter: October to March

October is when the grey returns. Rain falls on about half the days, and it picks up fast. From November to February it's wet and dim, with only about two hours of sun a day. It rarely gets very cold, but it's damp and gloomy. January and December are the wettest and darkest stretch, with rain on 20 or more days.

So why come? Prices are lower and the crowds are gone. It suits cosy trips: afternoon tea, the Royal BC Museum, pubs in Old Town and long coffee stops in Fort Street's shops. Storm-watching is a local favourite on the west coast near Tofino, a few hours' drive away. In December, Butchart Gardens lights up for Christmas. If you come in winter, treat rain as part of the plan and keep your days flexible.