3 Days in Vancouver and Victoria Trip – Travel Guide from Edmonton

If you're looking for a quick but unforgettable getaway, a Vancouver and Victoria trip might be exactly what you need. We did it in just 3 days from Edmonton and honestly, it exceeded every expectation.

Getting There – Flair Airlines:

We flew with Flair Airlines from Edmonton to Vancouver. The roundtrip ticket was only $110 CAD which is incredible. But here's what you need to know before you book:

We chose the Bare bundle, which means you only get one personal item with dimensions 43 x 33 x 15 cm. That's it. Adding a bag costs extra and adds up fast, so since this was only a 3-day trip, we challenged ourselves to pack light and make it work with just a personal item.

Important tip: Flair checks bag sizes at the airport. Stay within the dimensions or you'll pay at the gate. Measure your bag before you go it saves you stress and money.

Vancouver to Victoria – BC Ferries:

Once we landed in Vancouver, we headed straight to Victoria via BC Ferries. The ferry ride itself is beautiful water, mountains, fresh air. It's part of the experience, not just the transportation.

BC Ferries Victoria -Vancouver

Where We Stayed in Victoria – Parkside Hotel & Spa

We checked into the [Parkside Hotel & Spa] and it was a great choice. The hotel is elegant, calm, and well located perfect for exploring Victoria on foot. It has a residential feel that makes you want to slow down and actually enjoy where you are. Clean, comfortable, and genuinely relaxing.

Parkside Hotel - Victoria

Drift Experience & Fireside Roasting:

While in Victoria, we tried two experiences at the hotel that we'd absolutely recommend:

The Drift Experience : a spa-style hydrotherapy experience that leaves you feeling completely reset.

Drift Experience - Parkside Hotel Victoria

Fireside Roasting : both sweet and savoury options, and honestly both were amazing. The kind of place you didn't know you needed until you're sitting there.

Savoury Roasting

Marshmallow Roasting

Whale Watching with Prince of Whales – A Highlight of the Entire Trip

This was the moment that made the whole trip truly exceptional. We booked with Prince of Whales Whale Watching and we saw Orcas. Real, wild orcas , right there in front of us. We also spotted sea lions and so much other wildlife. It was the kind of experience you just can't replicate.

Wildlife at Speiden Island

The Story Behind Spieden Island

During the tour, we passed by Spieden Island , and the story behind it is fascinating. In the 1970s, the island was turned into a private hunting ground, where American taxidermists brought exotic animals including giraffes, tigers, and kangaroos , hoping to create a safari experience close to home. The climate couldn't sustain most of them, but today you can still spot mouflon sheep from Corsica, sika deer from Japan, and fallow deer from Europe grazing along the hillside. The island is privately owned and closed to the public, making it even more mysterious and magical to pass by from the water.

Speiden Island - Prince of Whales Whale Watching

The Sea Stairs (Staircase to the Sea) – Victoria Waterfront

After the whale watching, we walked to the Sea Stairs in Victoria. The whole waterfront area around there , the Corniche , is gorgeous for a relaxed stroll. Great views, fresh air, and very photogenic. Don't skip this.

Stairs to Sea Victoria

Back to Vancouver – Stanley Park & Capilano Suspension Bridge

We returned to Vancouver via BC Ferries and spent our last day exploring two iconic spots:

Stanley Park  massive, green, and beautiful. Walk the seawall, rent a bike, or just wander. It never gets old.

Stanley Park - Vancouver

Capilano Suspension Bridge  yes it's touristy, but it's worth it. Walking across that bridge above the forest canopy is genuinely thrilling. Go early to beat the crowds.

Capilano Suspension Bridge - Vancouver

Breakfast at Zaatar W Zeit

If you're Lebanese, this one hits different. We had breakfast at Zaatar W Zeit and the nostalgia was real. Even if you're not Lebanese, it's delicious and worth trying for a taste of something different.

Zaatar w Zeit - Vancouver Downtown

And Then We Went Home

Three days. Two cities. One ferry. Orcas, suspension bridges, spa experiences, and a mysterious island with exotic deer. This Vancouver and Victoria trip was short but genuinely one of the best getaways we've done.

If you're in Edmonton and looking for a quick escape , this is it.