5 Day Itinerary on Vancouver Island: Victoria, Sooke & Sidney

If you’re looking for the best way to make the most of a shorter holiday on Vancouver Island, you’re in the right place! Five days to explore Vancouver Island is more than enough time to experience three of southern Vancouver Island’s most memorable destinations: Victoria, Sooke and Sidney!

Distances on the island are often underestimated, so we decided to focus this itinerary on Victoria, Sooke, and Sidney. Together, they offer the perfect introduction to Vancouver Island, combining historic neighbourhoods, oceanfront dining, coastal rainforests, scenic drives, rugged beaches, and some of the region’s most iconic attractions!

Using Greater Victoria as your home base, you’ll spend less time packing and driving and more time exploring like a local.

harbourfont condo victoria vacation rentalReady to start planning? Browse EMR’s collection of professionally managed Victoria Vacation Rentals and settle into a comfortable home base before setting out on your adventure.

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Quick-Look Trip Planner

  • Ideal For: First-time visitors, couples, and travellers looking for the perfect balance of city culture, coastal scenery, and outdoor adventure.
  • Stay Strategy: Stay in one of our Victoria vacation rentals and enjoy easy day trips to Sooke and Sidney without the hassle of changing accommodations.
  • Typical Driving Times: Most destinations are between 30 and 75 minutes from downtown Victoria, making each day easy to enjoy without spending hours on the road.
  • You’ll Experience: Historic neighbourhoods • Oceanfront walks • Local cafés • Pacific beaches • Rainforest trails • Scenic coastal drives • Small-town west coast charm.
  • Best Time to Visit: Late May through September offers the best weather for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring the coastline.

Day 1: Get Your Bearings in Victoria

Coast Salish totem pole located in the Inner Harbour, Downtown Victoria, BCExplore Victoria on foot and take in the highlights at a relaxed pace. It’s the perfect way to soak in the city’s charm and discover its hidden corners.

Morning

Start at the Inner Harbour. See the British Columbia Parliament Buildings before strolling past the Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Midday

Head up Government Street for shops and local boutiques. Stop for coffee or brunch using our guide to the Best Coffee Shops in Victoria.

Afternoon

Explore Old Town. Visit Fan Tan Alley, Chinatown, and Market Square for a mix of history, local businesses, and hidden courtyards.

Evening

bright blue and yellow float homes in Fisherman's Wharf, Victoria BCHead to Fisherman’s Wharf for a casual dinner or return downtown for one of Victoria’s top seafood restaurants. End the day with a waterfront walk along Dallas Road or the Songhees Walkway.

EMR Local Insight

Once you’ve checked into your accommodation, leave the car parked for the day. Downtown Victoria is one of Canada’s most walkable city centres, and you’ll discover far more by wandering between neighbourhoods than you will driving from attraction to attraction.

woman with a sun hat sitting on the fence along Dallas Rd Victoria, BC enjoying the viewPlanning to stay a little longer? Explore our full collection of Victoria vacation rentals and enjoy a professionally managed home close to everything you’ll experience during your first two days.

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Day 2: Beyond the Harbour

After downtown, it’s time to explore a different side of Victoria. Oak Bay is a charming historic neighbourhood filled with local cafés, beautiful beaches, and quiet residential streets that are perfect for a leisurely morning.

A serene morning scene in Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC, showcasing charming coastal homes under the soft light of sunrise with a tranquil sea view. The calm sky complements the picturesque landscape.Our suggestion: Park your car and explore on foot, or better yet, take transit and skip the hassle of driving altogether.

Morning: Oak Bay

  • Grab coffee and a pastry along Oak Bay Avenue before taking the 20-minute stroll through the neighbourhood to Willows Beach.
  • If you’re up for a longer walk or have a vehicle, continue to Cattle Point for sweeping ocean views and, on a clear day, the Olympic Mountains.

Late Afternoon: Butchart Gardens

  • Head north to Butchart Gardens.
  • Plan two to three hours to explore the gardens at a relaxed pace.

Evening

  • Stay for the evening illuminations and seasonal entertainment if you’re visiting during the summer.
EMR Local Insight

Many visitors arrive at Butchart Gardens first thing in the morning. Instead, consider arriving later in the afternoon. You’ll enjoy softer light for photography, cooler temperatures on warm summer days, and you’ll already be in place to experience the evening illuminations without making a second trip.

Day 3: The Coastal Drive to Sooke

view of the ocean from a lookout point in East Sooke ParkToday you’ll leave the city behind and discover the rugged west coast. The drive to Sooke is one of the highlights of the trip, so don’t be afraid to slow down and enjoy the scenery along the way.

Morning: East Sooke Regional Park

  • Leave Victoria after breakfast and head to East Sooke Regional Park.
  • Choose a short coastal walk from Aylard Farm or explore farther along the Coast Trail if you’re looking for more of a challenge.

Lunch

Enjoy lunch in Sooke using our guide to the Best Restaurants in Sooke.

Afternoon: Sooke Potholes

My-Chosen Cafe sign in Metchosin, BC

Evening

On your way back to Victoria, stop at My Chosen Café for dinner or dessert before returning to your accommodation.

EMR Local Insight

The drive is part of the experience. Leave time for the unexpected viewpoints, beaches, and roadside stops that make Highway 14 so memorable.

Day 4: Chasing the Wild Pacific Coast

Today is all about exploring the spectacular coastline west of Sooke. Rather than trying to see everything, choose the beaches that best suit your travel style and enjoy them at a relaxed pace.

Morning

Pick up coffee and picnic supplies from Shirley Delicious before continuing along the coast.

Choose Your Adventure

Dinner

Wrap up the day with dinner at Stoked Wood Fired Pizzeria before heading back to Victoria.

EMR Local Insight

GPS travel times rarely account for scenic stops. Plan fewer destinations and spend more time enjoying each one.

Day 5: One Last Taste of Vancouver Island

Before catching your ferry or flight, spend a relaxing morning exploring Sidney, one of Vancouver Island’s most charming seaside communities.

Morning Options

Lunch

Before heading home, enjoy one final meal using our guide to the Best Restaurants in Sidney.

Heading Home

Sidney is conveniently located just minutes from both the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and Victoria International Airport, making it an easy and relaxing final stop before your journey home.

Where to Stay

Greater Victoria makes the ideal home base for exploring southern Vancouver Island. From here, Sooke, Sidney, Oak Bay, and the Saanich Peninsula are all easy day trips, allowing you to see more while only unpacking once.

Whether you’re looking for a downtown condo, a waterfront retreat, or a spacious family home, EMR Vacation Rentals offers professionally managed properties throughout the region to help you experience Vancouver Island with confidence.

Harbourview Executive Condo Main Image - Victoria vacation rentalsReady to plan your getaway? Browse our collection of Victoria Vacation Rentals and find the perfect home base for exploring Victoria, Sooke, and Sidney.

Browse Victoria Vacation Rentals

Grab a Bite! Our Favourite Restaurants in Victoria BC

Best Places to Dine Out in Victoria

Victoria, British Columbia has more restaurants per-capita than any other Canadian city and it’s no wonder why – we have access to some of the best ingredients in the world! Whether you’re staying in a Victoria vacation rental or if you’re enjoying a rental property in Sidney and North Saanich, you’ll want to spend some of your stay exploring the incredible cuisine on South Vancouver Island! From French fine dining and casual Italian bistros to Japanese tapas and cool West Coast eateries, Victoria restaurants have it all and more! It’s often said that one of the best ways to learn about a new city is through the food and visiting restaurants that locals love. So come and learn about this beautiful capital city in Canada’s Pacific Northwest the best way possible – through our food! 

Red Fish Blue Fish

1006 Wharf St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-298-6877

When it comes to fun, flavourful dishes and fresh Ocean wise seafood, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better than the menu at Red Fish Blue Fish! This long-time local favourite food stand, tucked away in the Inner Harbour is one of the best places to find a huge variety of casual classic and Mexican-inspired seafood dishes from fish and chip combos like fresh halibut and wild salmon to comforting chowder and deliciously messy fish tacos, tostadas and sandwiches. It’s really the perfect place to grab a bite while you’re exploring Victoria! 

Brasserie L’ecole 

1715 Government St, Victoria, BC 

If you’re looking for the perfect place for French fine dining in the heart of Victoria, you can’t go wrong booking a table at Brasserie L’ecole, located on Government St right near Victoria’s Chinatown. With decadent French-country inspired dishes made from locally sourced, seasonal, local ingredients the menu at Brasserie is both elevated and approachable. From menu items like pâté and salmon rillettes to decadently juicy steak frites, burgers and ratatouille, the Brasserie takes French comfort food flavours to a whole new level.

Pagliacci’s

1011 Broad St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-386-1662

If you love Italian food as much as we do, you’ll want to make sure that you make sure to visit one of Victoria’s favourite restaurants: Pagliacci’s. Set in one of Victoria’s many heritage buildings, this lovely bistro offers guests a dinner menu filled with flavourful handmade meat and veggie pasta dishes, perfectly prepared steaks, surf and turf with jumbo prawns and crispy salads. Here, you can also find one of the best brunch spots and if you’re looking for a great happy hour, Pag’s has it! Plus, Pagliacci’s also offers easy takeout options with individual sized cocktails, wine and beer options as well as their full menu! Buon appetito!

Il Terrazzo

555 Johnson St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-361-0028

Right in the heart of Old Town, tucked away down a little alley is one of the loveliest, fine-dining, Italian restaurants in downtown Victoria. For nearly 30 years, this restaurant has been known for its incredible ambience, service and menus. If you’re looking for the best restaurant for an intimate dining experience that will make you feel like you’re in the heart of the Mediterranean, this is it!

Ferris’

536 Yates St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-360-1824

Once upon a time, there was a funky little restaurant named Ferris’ that opened right near the water in heritage downtown Victoria. It quickly became a popular restaurant for local foodies and its popularity has never wavered. Now Ferris’ is so much more – there’s Ferris’ Grill & Garden Patio when you’re in the mood for casual dining or a fun happy hour spot,  Ferris’ Upstairs Seafood & Oyster Bar where diners can come for something more upscale and intimate and Perro Negro for absurdly delightful cocktails and Spanish tapas and other small plates.

Little Jumbo

Down the Hall, 506 Fort St #102, Victoria, BC | 1-778-433-5535

Looking for a funky speakeasy vibe with incredible craft cocktails and a delicious menu? Little Jumbo has you covered! For nearly a decade now, this incredibly cool spot located in heritage downtown Victoria has been drawing crowds with imaginative craft cocktails and delicious, fresh, ever-changing dishes. With edgy decor like the bare Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling, never-ending great music, knowledgeable service this permanently busy restaurant is a must when you’re dining in Victoria!  

The Empress

721 Government St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-384-8111

Standing pride of place in the beautiful Inner Harbour stands The Empress Hotel. As a well-known heritage site, this hotel is not just a place where visitors book their stay in Victoria, it also has a world-class spa, beautiful gardens, small shopping area and some of the best restaurants in the city. 

Lobby Lounge: Since 1908, The Empress has been offering a formal, British afternoon tea service complete with classic tea blends, tiered trays laden with finger sandwiches, fresh scones, cream and preserves. Today you can still experience one of the most cherished Victorian traditions in this sophisticated room!

Q Bar: If you’re looking for a pre-dinner cocktail, this is one of the top places in the city to go for exceptional hand-crafted cocktails, local beer on tap and an impressive wine selection. 

Q at the Empress: For years, Q has been rated as one of the best places to find Pacific Northwest Coast inspired cuisine in an elegantly modern dining room. 

The Verandah: For one of the best patios in the city, this is where you can find comfortable fireside seating, warm drinks, festive treats and watch the world go by.   

Café Brio

944 Fort St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-383-0009

With an unassuming facade, this lovely restaurant on Fort St. in Victoria has long been serving Italian-inspired, rustic, West Coast cuisine to the discerning foodie crowd in Victoria. With a focus on sourcing the highest quality, local ingredients, and offering incredible in-house made pasta, impeccable service and gorgeous wine bar, Café Brio is sure to impress! 

AURA Waterfront Restaurant

680 Montreal St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-414-6739

AURA Waterfront Restaurant, on the edge of James Bay is by far one of the best restaurants to find incredible food, an extensive wine list and waterfront views. Best known for their brunches and fun happy hour offerings, AURA focuses on sourcing fresh, local ingredients for their global-inspired dishes. For larger parties, you can book a table and have access to the Chef’s Group tasting menu – a set menu featuring all the very best AURA has to offer! 

Boom + Batten Restaurant & Cafe

2 Paul Kane Pl, Victoria, BC | 1-250-940-5850

Nestled in the Victoria International Marina, this upscale restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience with stunning waterfront views! Boom+Batten combines modern, elegant decor with a vibrant atmosphere and offers a menu featuring locally sourced, seasonal ingredients that showcase creative West Coast cuisine and highlights fresh seafood and prime cuts of meat! Whether for a leisurely brunch, an intimate dinner, or cocktails at sunset, Boom+Batten promises an incredible experience by the water! 

Nubo Japanese Tapas & Nubo Kitchen + Bar

739 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC      |  490 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC 

1-778-265-9909                             |  1-778-440-0490 

When it comes to Japanese food, Nubo has taken Victoria by storm, opening two very different but equally delicious Japanese restaurants in downtown Victoria. Nubo Japanese Tapas is a small, modern restaurant perfect for grabbing a casual bite and one of the best takeout sushi restaurants in the city. While Nubo Tapas is perfect for a casual bite, Nubo Kitchen and Grill is a high-end dining experience right in historic Victoria. Both locations are inspired by the casual Japanese tapas style dining called Izakaya, at both locations, you’ll find carefully created dishes like crispy tempura, silky ramen and cool maki, perfect for sharing. Using both traditional Japanese flavours as well as globally inspired flavour combinations, the food at Nubo is sure to impress! 

The Bottom Line

No matter what kind of dining experience you’re looking for, from upscale Pacific Northwest dining to casual fare you eat on the dock in the Inner Harbour, Victoria has a plethora of restaurant options that are absolutely delicious! Bon appetit!  

Book a Delicious EMR Rental Today!

Grab a Bite! Best Places to Dine Out in Victoria

Best Places to Dine Out in Victoria

Victoria, British Columbia has more restaurants per-capita than any other Canadian city and it’s no wonder why – we have access to some of the best ingredients in the world! Whether you’re staying in an EMR property downtown Victoria or if you’re enjoying Sidney and North Saanich in a stunning EMR Saanich location, you’ll want to spend some of your stay exploring the incredible cuisine on South Vancouver Island! From French fine dining and casual Italian bistros to Japanese tapas and cool West Coast eateries, Victoria restaurants have it all and more! It’s often said that one of the best ways to learn about a new city is through the food and visiting restaurants that locals love. So come and learn about this beautiful capital city in Canada’s Pacific Northwest the best way possible – through our food! 

Red Fish Blue Fish

1006 Wharf St, Victoria

When it comes to fun, flavourful dishes and fresh Ocean wise seafood, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better than the menu at Red Fish Blue Fish! This long-time local favourite food stand, tucked away in the Inner Harbour is one of the best places to find a huge variety of casual classic and Mexican-inspired seafood dishes from fish and chip combos like fresh halibut and wild salmon to comforting chowder and deliciously messy fish tacos, tostadas and sandwiches. It’s really the perfect place to grab a bite while you’re exploring Victoria! 

Brasserie L’ecole 

1715 Government St, Victoria

If you’re looking for the perfect place for French fine dining in the heart of Victoria, you can’t go wrong booking a table at Brasserie L’ecole, located on Government St right near Victoria’s Chinatown. With decadent French-country inspired dishes made from locally sourced, seasonal, local ingredients the menu at Brasserie is both elevated and approachable. From menu items like pâté and salmon rillettes to decadently juicy steak frites, burgers and ratatouille, the Brasserie takes French comfort food flavours to a whole new level.

Pagliacci’s

1011 Broad St, Victoria

If you love Italian food as much as we do, you’ll want to make sure that you make sure to visit one of Victoria’s favourite restaurants: Pagliacci’s. Set in one of Victoria’s many heritage buildings, this lovely bistro offers guests a dinner menu filled with flavourful handmade meat and veggie pasta dishes, perfectly prepared steaks, surf and turf with jumbo prawns and crispy salads. Here, you can also find one of the best brunch spots and if you’re looking for a great happy hour, Pag’s has it! Plus, Pagliacci’s also offers easy takeout options with individual sized cocktails, wine and beer options as well as their full menu! Buon appetito!

Il Terrazzo

555 Johnson St, Victoria

Right in the heart of Old Town, tucked away down a little alley is one of the loveliest, fine-dining, Italian restaurants in downtown Victoria. For nearly 30 years, this restaurant has been known for its incredible ambience, service and menus. If you’re looking for the best restaurant for an intimate dining experience that will make you feel like you’re in the heart of the Mediterranean, this is it!

Ferris’

536 Yates St, Victoria

Once upon a time, there was a funky little restaurant named Ferris’ that opened right near the water in heritage downtown Victoria. It quickly became a popular restaurant for local foodies and its popularity has never wavered. Now Ferris’ is so much more – there’s Ferris’ Grill & Garden Patio when you’re in the mood for casual dining or a fun happy hour spot,  Ferris’ Upstairs Seafood & Oyster Bar where diners can come for something more upscale and intimate and Perro Negro for absurdly delightful cocktails and Spanish tapas and other small plates.

Little Jumbo

Down the Hall, 506 Fort St #102, Victoria

Looking for a funky speakeasy vibe with incredible craft cocktails and a delicious menu? Little Jumbo has you covered! For nearly a decade now, this incredibly cool spot located in heritage downtown Victoria has been drawing crowds with imaginative craft cocktails and delicious, fresh, ever-changing dishes. With edgy decor like the bare Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling, never-ending great music, knowledgeable service this permanently busy restaurant is a must when you’re dining in Victoria!  

The Fairmont Empress

721 Government St, Victoria

Standing pride of place in the beautiful Inner Harbour stands The Empress Hotel. As a well-known heritage site, this hotel is not just a place where visitors book their stay in Victoria, it also has a world-class spa, beautiful gardens, small shopping area and some of the best restaurants in the city. Since 1908, The Empress has been offering a formal, British high tea service complete with classic tea blends, tiered trays laden with finger sandwiches, fresh scones, cream and preserves. Today you can still experience one of the most cherished Victorian traditions in the sophisticated Lobby Lounge. If you’re looking for a pre-dinner cocktail, Q Bar is one of the top places in the city to go for exceptional hand-crafted cocktails, local beer on tap and an impressive wine selection. Q at the Empress is one of the best places to find Pacific Northwest Coast inspired cuisine in an elegantly modern dining room. For one of the best patios in the city, you’ll want to make a reservation on the Verandah where you can find comfortable fireside seating, warm drinks, festive treats and watch the world go by.   

Café Brio

944 Fort St, Victoria

With an unassuming facade, this lovely restaurant on Fort St. in Victoria has long been serving Italian-inspired, rustic, West Coast cuisine to the discerning foodie crowd in Victoria. With a focus on sourcing the highest quality, local ingredients, impeccable service and gorgeous wine bar, Café Brio is sure to impress! 

Saveur

658 Herald St, Victoria

For contemporary fine dining, there’s no better place to make a reservation than Saveur. Using almost exclusively local ingredients and making their menu reflect the seasonality of the region, the beautifully plated, contemporary French inspired dishes make an evening at Saveur a memorable and delicious experience. 

AURA Waterfront Restaurant

680 Montreal St, Victoria

AURA Waterfront Restaurant, on the edge of James Bay is by far one of the best restaurants to find incredible food and waterfront views. Best known for their brunches and fun happy hour offerings, AURA focuses on sourcing fresh, local ingredients for their global-inspired dishes. For larger parties, you can book a table and have access to the Chef’s Group tasting menu – a set menu featuring all the very best AURA has to offer! 

The Pink Bicycle

1008 Blanshard St, Victoria

When it comes time to find a great burger in Victoria, you won’t want to go anywhere but the Pink Bicycle! Their menu is jam packed with inventive and mouth-watering meat and veggie burgers, unique poutine options, and more! All made with high quality, fresh ingredients everything from the bun to the mayo is handmade with care and for the gluten free crowd, there are delicious gluten free buns and burgers for you to enjoy! 

Nubo Japanese Tapas & Nubo Kitchen + Bar

739 Pandora Ave, Victoria & 490 Pandora Ave, Victoria

When it comes to Japanese food, Nubo has taken Victoria by storm, opening two very different but equally delicious Japanese restaurants in downtown Victoria. Nubo Japanese Tapas is a small, modern restaurant perfect for grabbing a casual bite and one of the best takeout sushi restaurants in the city. While Nubo Tapas is perfect for a casual bite, Nubo Kitchen and Grill is a high-end dining experience right in historic Victoria. Both locations are inspired by the casual Japanese tapas style dining called Izakaya, at both locations, you’ll find carefully created dishes like crispy tempura, silky ramen and cool maki, perfect for sharing. Using both traditional Japanese flavours as well as globally inspired flavour combinations, the food at Nubo is sure to impress! 

Book a Delicious EMR Rental Today!