5 Utterly Charming Airbnbs in Victoria, BC (2023)

Sometimes, staying home (or some place that feels like home) just feels right.

We live in Victoria, British Columbia’s beautiful capital – so we feel blessed to have a home here, especially as summer approaches (and Victoria really shines).

As a visitor, though, you’ll be wondering where to stay in Victoria.

Best Airbnb in Victoria, BC

There are several lovely luxury hotels in Victoria.

But if you’re looking for more homey accommodation, you’ll want to know about the best Airbnb in Victoria, BC.

Because, well, when you’re traveling, Airbnbs offer the next best thing to staying home!

Tips for finding the best Victoria, BC, Airbnb

Before moving to the city, we stayed at several Airbnbs in Victoria, BC, while searching for a house to buy.

It was the first time we had used Airbnb – and for the most part, we were very happy with what we scouted out. (We paid for our accommodation, by the way, and Airbnb isn’t paying us for this post or our views.)

In the end, three of the four Airbnbs we stayed at turned out to be delightful and spickety clean.

(The fourth, despite great reviews, was a bit of a disappointment, so we’re not going to comment further on it.)

One of those three is now no longer rented out as an Airbnb, but we’ve since scouted out a few more properties that meet our exacting standards and boast great locations.

So here, then, are our picks for the 5 best Victoria, BC, Airbnbs!

Set in a 1912 character home with a grand porte cochere, this newly renovated, ground-level, one-bedroom suite has fir floors and coved ceilings.

We loved sitting out on Adirondack chairs on the private garden terrace, relaxing over a glass of wine in the evening or sipping our coffee in the morning – and eating all the chocolates that awaited us!

The light and bright gourmet kitchen and living room overlook the lush back garden.

The bedroom is cozy with a half window above grade. There’s no TV (but we didn’t miss it).

You can hear a few squeaks from the floor above when hosts Lisa and her partner walk around, but this wasn’t bothersome.

We couldn’t find a washer and dryer – maybe ask Lisa (always helpful) if you need to do laundry.

Suitable for: 

A couple.

Location: 

Located in Rockland, one of Victoria’s oldest neighborhoods, this Victoria, BC, Airbnb is just steps away from Craigdarroch Castle and a short walk to the beautiful Government House grounds and Victoria Art Gallery.

(Check out the Rockland walk we like to do in our post on 9 easy scenic walks in Victoria, BC.)

One of our favorite restaurants, Stage Wine Bar, is only a few minutes’ walk away too.

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can walk to downtown (30 minutes).

Do you need a car?

Yes, you’ll want one.

2) Airbnb, Victoria, BC: Downtown waterfront studio

Gawk at smashing full-on water views from this oh-so-hip studio in the heart of Victoria.

The studio is one of the condo units in the 7-storey concrete extension of the restored brick Janion Building.

The extension is prow-shaped, resembling the front of a ship – fitting, since it juts out into the Inner Harbour.

Everything is light and bright in this contemporary and open living space. Think white walls, white bed coverings (queen-size bed) and white cupboards, along with pale hardwood floors.

Leather furniture in the living area is positioned to take advantage of the curved floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water. And you have a cozy full kitchen plus a small balcony too.

Suitable for:

A young-at-heart couple who want to stay smack-dab in downtown Victoria.

Location:

You couldn’t ask for a better location. The Janion Building (home to this cool Victoria Airbnb) is perched right beside the rebuilt Johnson Street Bridge.

Every time we bicycle across the bridge, we peer into the windows and wonder what it must be like to live so close to the action.

Do you need a car?

For an urban getaway, no car is needed.

You can walk across the Johnson Street Bridge and hook up with the Songhees Westsong Walkway for a great seaside walk.

And on the Victoria city side, you’re minutes away from lots of appealing cafés, restaurants and shops. To reach the Parliament Buildings and Royal BC Museum should take you about 10 minutes by foot along the Inner Harbour.

3) Garden retreat in James Bay

The third contender for “best Airbnb in Victoria” is this beautiful one-bedroom cottage/studio.

Nestled in a lovely garden, it shares the property with the main house.

But it’s very private, with its own enclosed garden and patio area. (Feel free to pick veggies from the garden if they’re ready!)

Lots of skylights and windows make the place light and bright.

We love that it has a king-size bed with a quality Serta mattress and Egyptian cotton linens. A couch in the living area can be made up as a double bed for a child.

There’s a full kitchen and you have a private washer and dryer too. The bathroom has a round shower (there’s no tub).

Suitable for:

A couple or family with one well-behaved child.

Location:

James Bay is a fabulous location, boasting the best of both worlds. It’s right on the edge of downtown, but in a funky (quiet) residential neighborhood.

This cottage is a 5-minute walk to the Inner Harbor and the Royal BC Museum.

From there, it’s another 5+ minutes of walking to reach the shops of Government Street and Victoria’s great downtown eateries.

We stayed at a different Airbnb in James Bay. But we know this location well – it really can’t be beat.

Do you need a car?

Not necessary for a short city break. You can walk to the main sights from this downtown Victoria Airbnb.

4) Luxury downtown penthouse

When you want a 2-bedroom, 2-bath urban retreat, check into this modern top-rated condo in downtown Victoria.

Located in one of the tallest buildings in Victoria, it boasts not one, but three patios – all with heart-stopping views.

And there’s plenty of room to spread out – some 1,100+ square feet.

Each of the two bedrooms has their own bathroom.

The master bedroom features a king-size bed, while the other bedroom has a queen bed. The two bedrooms are also well separated for privacy, making this downtown Victoria Airbnb condo ideal if traveling as two couples.

There’s also a fold-out couch if you need extra sleeping space for a child.

The kitchen is kitted out with a granite-topped island/bar and counter stools, as well as a dining table in the eating area.

The smart TV comes with Netflix.

Suitable for:

Two couples or a family. In fact, this Airbnb comes with a Pack & Play Crib for infants, so it’s ideal if you’re visiting Victoria with a wee one.

Location:

In the heart of downtown Victoria.

Do you need a car?

Not unless you want to tour outside Victoria.

5) Gonzales Beach 3-bedroom house

Fancy a beautifully renovated 1,700 sq. ft. beach house? Then these 3-bedroom/3-bathroom digs (on the top two floors of a 1911 house) are for you.

Master bedroom with a king-size bed and headboard made from an antique Chinese door? Check.

Master ensuite glass shower (with two rainheads) big enough for you both to lather up together? You bet.

Gourmet kitchen with a huge travertine island? Of course!.

Add a 60-inch LCD TV loaded with more satellite channels than you can watch, a BBQ, fireplace and backyard patios, and you may not want to leave…

Suitable for:

Two couples. Or a family. Or a couple who wants a great beach house with a king-size bed and lots of room.

Location:

This house is just steps away from Gonzales Beach, one of the best beaches in Victoria.

Laze about on your beach towel on the sand – or maybe try SUP boarding (South Island SUP will deliver SUP boards to the beach for you).

It’s also really close to the inner city – a 25-minute walk to the Inner Harbor parliament buildings (or a 5-minute drive).

In summer especially, you’ll feel like you’re enjoying a beach vacay at this Victoria Airbnb – but in the city.

Do you need a car?

Yes. You’ll probably want one to explore Victoria. And a car will be more convenient for getting to downtown.

Occupancy tax

In British Columbia, you also have to pay an additional occupancy Airbnb tax of 8% (provincial sales tax) plus a municipal tax of 2% to 3%.

Check Vrbo Victoria, BC

Looking for more options for Victoria vacation rentals?

Check Vrbo Victoria, BC too.

You probably know Vrbo stands for Vacation Rental By Owner.

It’s like Airbnb, but Vrbo specializes in whole houses, cottages or apartment units (no single rooms or shared space in a house, which Airbnb offers).

We’ve used Vrbo now to book lovely houses and cottages in BC’s Okanagan Valley and in Kauai.

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Photo credits: 2, 4 to 6 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 17 South Island SUP | 18, 19 Vrbo | Remaining photos courtesy Airbnb

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