Travel Guide to Butchart Gardens for 2024
Victoria is located in the Canadian Province of British Columbia, at the southern end of Vancouver Island.
Popular with tourists from around the world, Victoria has been named both the Most Romantic City in Canada and one of the top 15 Friendliest Cities in the World.
With a perfect growing climate, Victoria is known internationally as the City of Gardens. The Butchart Gardens, just north of Victoria in Brentwood Bay, are internationally known and appreciated, and host over a million visitors annually.
The Butchart Gardens are located on the remnants of a cement plant, and features over a million bedding plants in over 900 varieties.
 Spectacular night time scene at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia |
With a former limestone quarry for her backyard, Jennie Butchart envisioned in 1904 landscaping a sunken garden in its place, transforming the property for her family and visitors for generations to come.
Today, the grounds are extensive, and include the famous Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Rose Carousel, boat tours, fireworks and many special features.
Selfie sticks are not permitted. Photography is welcome, but should not interfere with the enjoyment of other visitors; do not block pathways with tripods. Smoking is not permitted.
Pets must be kept on a short leash, and under control at all times; owners are required to clean up after them. Wheelchairs and children’s strollers are available, for a small refundable deposit, at the Information Centre.
Tickets may be purchased in advance online, or upon arrival at the gardens. Parking is free.
We have toured Butchart Gardens as recently as May of 2018 ... it is a treasure not to be missed! We recommend a minimum of two hours to cover the grounds; one could easily spend 4+ hours exploring all that the gardens have to offer.
| Shown below is the entrance area at The Butchart Gardens |
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Scenes Around The Butchart Gardens
| Scene at The Piazza at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria |
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| The famous Sunken Gardens at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria |
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| A profusion of spring blossoms at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria |
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| Huge ferns in the shade at Butchart Gardens |
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| Beautiful yellow and white colors at Butchart Gardens |
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| Spiked white flowers in full bloom in spring at The Butchart Gardens |
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| Purple and white Iris blooms at The Butchart Gardens |
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| A colorful courtyard in spring at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria |
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| Nighttime scene in the Italian Garden |
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| Boat landing and dock at Butchart Cove in Victoria |
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| Seeds and Gifts ... at The Butchart Gardens in Victoria |
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The Elegance and Color of Roses
This YouTube video lasts only a couple minutes, and has some easy-listening music. So turn up your volume, and enjoy some beautiful roses!
A Garden for Pollinators and People
Pollinators like butterflies, birds, hummingbirds, bees, moths, bats, ants, beetles, and small mammals pollinate plants and are responsible for helping plants reproduce. Pollinating creatures travel from plant to plant carrying pollen on their bodies via a process that allows the transfer of genetic material critical to the reproductive system of most flowering plants.
This video showcases common pollinators found around the home, and some of the many flowers they help reproduce.
It runs about 6 minutes, so sit back and enjoy ... and turn up your volume for some easy-listening music!
Like all YouTube videos, you can click to run it full screen, and mute the music if you like.
| Victoria Butterfly Gardens are located a few minutes drive from The Butchart Gardens, at 1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay, BC. |
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How to Get to Victoria
With Victoria's location on Vancouver Island, access to the city is via boat or air.
Ferries
Ferries run to Victoria from Port Townsend and Anacortes, Washington, and from Vancouver, BC.
| Ferry Route | NM & Time | Details, Times, Reservations |
| Port Townsend, Washington to Victoria - The M.V. Coho ferry of Black Ball Ferry Line provides service to Victoria from Port Angeles, Washington. The dock is located in the Inner Harbour Area at the Steamship Terminal building, 470 Belleville Street. | 23nm 1:30 |
Black Ball Ferry Line |
| Anacortes, Washington to Sidney, BC - Car and passenger Service by the Washington State Ferry System docks in Sidney near the Victoria International Airport. Reservations are recommended and can be made online. The driving distance from the Sidney dock south to downtown Victoria is about 28 km. | 2:45 | Washington State Ferry System |
| Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay) - Ferry service is provided via BC Ferries. Reservations are recommended and can be made online. | 24nm 1:35 |
British Columbia Ferries |
| Vancouver (Departure Bay) to Nanaimo, BC (Horseshoe Bay) - Nanaimo is located about 111 km north of downtown Victoria. Ferry service is provided via BC Ferries from Departure Bay north of Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay in Nanaimo. Reservations are recommended and can be made online. | 30nm 1:40 |
British Columbia Ferries |
| Downtown Vancouver, BC to Downtown Victoria - Luxury ferry service is provided by V2V Vacations on the V2V Empress. Docks at the Steamship Terminal building. Passengers only. | 3:15 | V2V Vacations |
| Downtown Seattle, WA to Downtown Victoria - Luxury ferry service is provided by Clipper Vacations on the Victoria Clipper. Docks at the Steamship Terminal building. Passengers only. | 2:45 | Clipper Vacations |
Airlines
Scheduled airline flights into Victoria International Airport are provided by Air Canada, Delta, United, WestJet and other airlines. More than 50 flights from Vancouver and Seattle land daily, in addition to many direct flights from major Canadian and U.S. cities. The airport is about 28 km from downtown Victoria via Highway 17.
Various float plane operators such as Harbour Air, Kenmore Air, and others fly into the Victoria Harbour Airport with flights to/from Vancouver, Seattle and other locations.
Cruise Lines
In addition, several cruise lines dock at the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal, located in the Outer Harbour area, about one mile from the Inner Harbour and downtown. Shuttle service is provided from the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal to and from downtown. The shuttle runs a minimum of every 20 minutes. Cruise lines stopping in Victoria include Royal Caribbean, Princess, NCL, Holland America, Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, and others.
Other Things to See and Do in Victoria
Besides The Butchart Gardens, Victoria has attractions and things to do for all ages, and interests. Some of the popular attractions include the following:
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Visitor Center, 812 Wharf Street , for maps, brochures, local advice, reservations, transportation ... phone 900.663.3883
One of the most popular attractions in Victoria is the Royal BC Museum, located at 675 Belleville Street - Royal BC Museum and IMAX Victoria
- Empress Hotel National Historic Site
- British Columbia Parliament building
- Whale watching excursions
- Fisherman's Wharf
- Inner Harbour boat rides, kayaking
- Beacon Hill Park
- Seaplane and helicopter tours
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Ogden Point Terminal and Breakwater
- Government Street
- Chinatown
- Craigdarroch Castle
- Victoria Butterfly Gardens
- Robert Bateman Centre
- Emily Carr House
- Bastion Square
- Carriage and double-deck bus tours around the city
- Oak Bay
Victoria Travel Information from TripAdvisorHotels near Victoria International Airport Restaurants and dining options in Victoria
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Views Around City Center in Victoria
| The Victoria waterfront, with the Empress Hotel to the right |
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| View of the Victoria waterfront from the Royal BC Museum |
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Other Attractions to See on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island, the largest populated landmass between western North America and New Zealand, offers a large variety of things to do in addition to those in Victoria:
- Tofino, BC ... on the Pacific Ocean ... surfing mecca, plus the Tofino Botanical Gardens
- Harbour city Nanaimo, home of chocolate-and-custard Nanaimo bars, has an Old City Quarter with shops, galleries and restaurants. And don't miss the Nanaimo Museum and the Old City Quarter.
- Museum, Discovery Pier, and the Discovery Passage Aquarium at Campbell River
- Ucluelet Aquarium
- Pacific rim National Park Reserve
- Alberni Valley Museum
- Cathedral Grove, between Parksville and Port Alberni ... towering giant trees and quiet trails
- Coombs Old Country Museum
- The Teafarm near Duncan
- Cumberland Museum in the Comox Valley
- Milner Gardens and Woodland
- Horne Lake Caves and Outdoor Centre
- Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney
- Maritime Centre in Cowichan Bay
- Victoria Distillers in Sidney
- Cherry Point Vineyards in Duncan
- Gabriola Island, reached via a 20-minute ferry ride from Nanaimo
Where to Stay on Vancouver Island ... from TripAdvisor
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