Victoria: City Tour & Butchart Gardens with Entry & Pickup

Summary

Victoria’s city streets and blooming gardens in one relaxed day

You’ll join a small group for a relaxed Victoria city tour with three photo stops before skipping the line at Butchart Gardens with your included entry ticket. A local guide shares stories along the way, hotel pickup keeps things easy, and you’ll have time to wander among blooms or just sit quietly if you want — honestly, it feels more personal than most tours.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the city to smell so much like salt air and flowers at the same time. Our driver, Janet, showed up right on time — she waved from the van like we’d already met. There were just a handful of us, which made it feel less like a tour and more like piling into a friend’s car for the day. She pointed out the Parliament Buildings as we rolled by (I always forget how old some of these places are), and then we hopped out near Fisherman’s Wharf for photos. I got distracted by a local selling smoked salmon sandwiches — almost missed the group, but Janet just laughed and said she does it too sometimes.

The city tour part was about an hour, but it didn’t feel rushed. We stopped three times for photos — Inner Harbour was busy with kids chasing seagulls, and there was this breeze that kept blowing my hair into my eyes. Janet told stories about Victoria’s early days that you wouldn’t find in any guidebook. Then came Butchart Gardens — you get dropped off right at the entrance with your ticket already sorted (no lines). I wandered through rows of roses and Japanese maples for ages; there’s this spot where the air smells green, if that makes sense. I sat on a bench under some giant rhododendrons just listening to people speaking French and Mandarin all around me.

Two hours passed faster than I thought they would. I still think about the colors — not just flowers but people’s umbrellas and scarves, even though it wasn’t raining. On the way back to town, someone asked Janet if she ever gets tired of driving this route. She just grinned and said every group is different, so no two days are ever quite the same. That stuck with me for some reason.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Victoria city tour and Butchart Gardens

• Hotel pickup service
• One-hour narrated city tour
• Visit iconic Victoria landmarks
• Travel to Butchart Gardens
• Explore Butchart Gardens for 2.5 hours
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long is the combo Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens?

The full tour lasts about 5 hours including transportation time.

Is hotel pickup included in this Victoria day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup is included from most downtown Victoria hotels or convenient locations along the route.

How much time do you get at Butchart Gardens?

You’ll have about 2 to 2.5 hours to explore Butchart Gardens at your own pace.

Are entry tickets to Butchart Gardens included?

Yes, your entry ticket to Butchart Gardens is included in the tour price.

How many people are on each tour?

Tours run with small groups of 12 or fewer guests for a more personal experience.

Can children join this tour?

The minimum age is 5 years due to seatbelt regulations in vehicles.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

No, there is no storage space for wheelchairs or strollers on this tour.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable walking shoes; weather can change so layers are helpful.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from downtown Victoria or along the route, all transportation in a small air-conditioned vehicle, entry ticket to Butchart Gardens (with no waiting in line), a narrated one-hour city tour with three photo stops led by a local guide who shares history and tips along the way, plus maps of the gardens available in several languages before returning you back to town when you’re done wandering among the flowers.