Author
Michael Charboneau
Parked at the southern end of rugged Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and an ideal destination for travelers looking to blend outdoor adventure with urban exploring. Victoria’s residents and visitors are spoiled with outdoor recreation opportunities close at hand—hiking, biking, surfing, and whale watching, to name a few—as well as great restaurants, museums, and cultural centers and galleries celebrating the local Indigenous peoples. And since Victoria is situated in the rain shadow of Washington State’s Olympic Mountains, it boasts clearer and bluer skies and relatively mild weather year-round compared to the rest of the Pacific Northwest. In other words, there’s really no bad time to visit.
Southeastern Vancouver Island is the historical home of the Saanich Nation of Coast Salish Peoples, whose presence remains influential and celebrated in and around Victoria. Today the current population lands around 100,000, and the city itself is situated roughly midway between Vancouver, Canada and Seattle, WA, although it’s separated from both cities by water. (You’ll need to fly or take a ferry to get there.) Just outside of Victoria lie the rainforests, mountains, and world famous surf spots of Vancouver Island—an outdoor lover’s paradise. Though Tofino is the island’s best known surf destination,, there are multiple beaches within Victoria, including Gonzales Beach and Willows Beach, and the sea around the city is home to orcas and other sea life (peak whale watching season stretches from March to October). Surfing picks up in the winter, and the nearby town of Jordan River offers three breaks that draw surfers from across the island and beyond, too.
Plus, there’s lots to do within the city itself. The famed Butchart Gardens cover 55 acres and attract millions of visitors a year. The Royal BC Museum, founded in 1886, proudly showcases the history and ecology of British Columbia. Make sure to pack an appetite: According to the city’s tourism website, Victoria has more restaurants per person than any other city in Canada, and nearby farms make it a hotspot for farm-to-table cuisine. The attractive, European-feeling city boasts a picturesque Old Town with impressive Parliament Buildings overlooking the majestic Inner Harbor, not to mention the elegant hilltop neighborhood of Rockland, known for Craigdarroch Castle. Plus, it’s bike friendly, with multiple rail trails in the area. To reach even farther, the Galloping Goose Trail can take you from the city all the way out to the town of Sooke, 55 kilometers away.
With so much to do, and a global spotlight increasingly shining on Vancouver Island, it’s no wonder Victoria is growing in popularity and population. To help you experience everything Victoria and its surroundings have to offer, we’ve spent hours combing through the many Vrbo and Airbnb listings, local short-term rentals, and private vacation rental websites to compile the following list. (If you’re looking for more of a traditional hotel accommodation, check out the restored Janion, which offers waterfront loft rental units in a beautifully updated heritage building.)
13 Best Victoria Airbnb Listings and Vrbo Vacation Rentals
Sunrise Oaks — Victoria, BC
Vibe: Insta-Worthy Interior
“Cabin” doesn’t do this space justice: It’s a stunning two-bedroom, two-bath house that was created and decorated brand new by Adapt Design, a design firm based in Victoria, BC. Located on an oak-filled property, this sleek, trendy space is outfitted with heated tile floors, numerous skylights, a generous kitchen, cozy living room, microloft, and a private outdoor deck (and of course, reliable wifi). Located just minutes from Victoria’s downtown core, it makes an ideal homebase for exploring the city, and the chic interior is perfect for unwinding after a day spent trekking around the island.
Rate: $177/Night
James Bay Cottage — Victoria, BC
Vibe: Fisherman’s Paradise
The owners of this tidy cottage definitely love to fish, and the decor’s nautical vibe meshes nicely with the tasteful architectural details throughout the house. This two-bed, one-bath home has a great location in the James Bay neighborhood, which puts it within walking distance of the heart of downtown Victoria and its Inner Harbour. The eclectic cottage boasts a full kitchen with modern appliances and a dining table, a comfy living room, and a secluded outdoor patio surrounded by leafy vegetation. It’s a great pick if you want to be close to downtown but still have a quiet place to return to each night.
Rate: $130/Night
Modern Chic 3 Bed House — Victoria, BC
Vibe: Spacious Stunner
If you’re searching for a rustic space with lots of knotty pine, look elsewhere. This modern, spacious, brand new home features a light-filled, open layout with three bedrooms and 2.5 baths, which makes it a great pick for groups. The comfort-focused furnishings, smart appliances, and private patio make this living space an inviting spot to unwind at the end of the day. It’s located close to the Galloping Goose Trail with a near downtown location, so bring your bike (or rent one in town) and be ready to explore. There’s also a dedicated office space with fast wifi, so consider this rental if you’re planning a working vacation.
Rate: $196/Night
Tidal Wood Villa — Victoria, BC
Vibe: Modern Tiny Home
This handsome ADU rental unit by local superhosts provides easy access to Victoria and a tranquil escape for budget-conscious couples or solo travelers. The studio layout includes a double bed, kitchenette with a microwave and minifridge, and a roomy bathroom with a rain shower head. Outside, there’s a small patio with a grill and a propane fire pit, and the bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows open wide to let the outdoors in.
Rate: $94/Night
Cosy Farm Cottage — Victoria, BC
Vibe: Farmhouse in the City
This tidy cottage goes all-in on the farmhouse aesthetic, as evidenced by the rustic kitchen cabinets and cowhide rug. With its two bedrooms, it’s a smart pick for a couples’ getaway, and the spacious full kitchen with a dining table is perfect for whipping up and enjoying group meals. It’s a quiet retreat, but all the restaurants and cultural attractions of Victoria are just a short drive or bus ride away. If you want to stretch your legs, Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park is within walking distance.
Rate: $111/Night
The Covehouse — Sooke, BC
Vibe: Secret Waterside Hideaway
Is the interior going to win any design awards? Not likely. But the building itself might. And you simply cannot beat the location and amenities of this secluded cabin. It’s located right by the water overlooking a private cove, and it’s surrounded by lush rainforest on three sides. The view is best enjoyed while soaking in the hot tub, and the house also features a full kitchen, a deck, and a dock that’s ideally situated for swimming. The Galloping Goose Trail is close by, and Victoria is less than an hour’s drive away.
Rate: $228/Night
Owl’s Perch Treehouse — Sooke, BC
Vibe: High Life
Some treehouses give you an elevated view and not much else. Thankfully, that’s not the case with Owl’s Perch. This aerial cabin offers a kitchenette and a full bathroom, and the handsome wood-paneled interior is rich and earthy. Take in the views throughout, whether in the microloft or out on the generous deck (it’s 30 feet off the ground), or spend a day scouting out the local beaches.
Rate: $176/Night
East Sooke Tree House — East Sooke, BC
Vibe: Magic Tree House
The listing notes that this treehouse Airbnb sits at “a magical junction between rural land, the forest, and ocean,” which is exactly where we’d want to be for a memorable, outdoors-focused vacation. It doesn’t hurt that the cabin itself is incredible: The stylish wooden structure is perched among towering trees and offers sweeping forest views from every window. The interior has a clean aesthetic (the diagonal wood paneling is especially nice), and it offers a full kitchen, a full bathroom, a lofted bed, and a small deck area. There’s also an outdoor soaking tub if you want to clean up in the open air. Bonus: It’s pet-friendly, and the beaches and trails of East Sooke Regional Park are nearby.
Rate: $174/Night
The Modern Beach House — North Saanich, BC
Vibe: Luxury by the Sea
This luxe, modern 4,000-square-foot waterfront home is located half an hour north of downtown Vic and boasts an open layout, high-end kitchen, soaring ceilings, and even a “conversation pit” living room (minus the cheesy ‘70s furniture, for better or worse). With four bedrooms (king-sized bed included), there’s enough indoor space for groups, but you’ll likely spend most of your time outside: There’s a waterside deck, a hot tub, a dock for swimming, and a kayak available for guest use.
Rate: $600/Night
Zen Forest Cabin — North Saanich, BC
Vibe: Relaxing Inside and Out
One of our favorite stays on Vancouver Island, the Zen Forest Cabin really lives up to its name. Set on a 1.5-acre property north of Victoria, it checks all the boxes for a relaxing vacation: There’s a hot tub, a wood stove and fireplace, a library, and a master bedroom with a solarium, so you can stargaze from bed. You can access the Horth Hill hiking trail right from the property, and the fenced yard is great for dogs (it’s a pet-friendly listing).
Rate: $223/Night
Seaside A-Frame — Shirley, BC
Vibe: Any Closer and You’d Be in the Water
Who can say no to an A-frame with ocean views? Certainly not us—we are certified A-Frame obsessed, after all. This spacious 1970s cabin features acres of wood paneling, soaring ceilings, and lots of natural light. There’s a time capsule kitchen and two cozy bedrooms, along with a generous deck for watching the waves. Better yet, the property is within walking distance to French Beach Provincial Park and the Sheringham Point Lighthouse.
Rate: $282/Night
Cob Cottage — Mayne Island, BC
Vibe: Cob Earth Home
Getting to this eye-catching house is a trek—it’s a 2.5-hour journey from Victoria, including two ferry rides—and no it’s not technically in Victoria, but it’s worth it. The cob house structure was built using local materials, and the whitewashed walls combined with the wooden beams and stone floors give it a warm, earthy aura. It’s full of bespoke details, from the cantilevered wooden stairway to the massive picture windows and curving walls. Fire up the wood stove and grab a book—this is an Airbnb that’s designed to be the centerpiece of your trip.
Rate: $145/Night
Tea House — Victoria, BC
Vibe: Classic Cottage
With its humble wood-paneled exterior, prominent wood stove in the living room, and decorative plate displays in the kitchen, this small heritage building serves up a classic cottage aesthetic—no surprise, since it was built in the 1930s. But it also benefits from a thorough renovation, including an up-to-date kitchen, and with its three bedrooms (two with queen-size beds), it has plenty of space for a close group of friends or a couples’ getaway.
Rate: $80/Night
Published 12-07-2022
