Butchart Gardens in Victoria British Columbia

The Butchart Gardens is a group of floral display gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada, located near Victoria on Vancouver Island. The gardens are spread over 22 hectares of land and receive over a million visitors each year. The gardens have been designated a National Historic Site of Canada. Learn everything you need to know to plan your visit.

Butchart Gardens Victoria Quick Info:

Winter 2020 Daily Rates (in Canadian dollars)

JANUARY 15 – MARCH 31

Adult (18+)$25.85
Youth (13–17)$12.95
Child (5–12)$2.00

Hours of Operation:

The gardens are open every day of the year starting at 9am. Closing time is between 3:30 pm and 10pm depending on what time of the year you visit. You can stay up to an hour after the gardens close to finish your tour.

Best time to visit Butchart Gardens:

The Butchart Gardens are open year-round. Each season brings its different flowers and charm. Peak season is July and August when the paths can be congested between 11am and 3pm. Best time to go is early morning or late afternoon.

Time needed:

3-4 hours. Plus extra if you plan on having lunch at the cafe.

A Visit to the Butchart Gardens

I recently had a chance to take a little trip with my family to Victoria Canada. For those unfamiliar with Victoria, it’s on Vancouver Island and is the capital of British Columbia.

I have been to Victoria many times over the years for class trips when I was in elementary school and to visit friends when I got older. I have done almost all of the touristy stuff there is to do in town like visiting the government buildings and museums.

One of the only attractions in Victoria that I hadn’t visited up until this trip was the Butchart Gardens.

The Butchart Gardens is a great place to spend the day with your family. They have a cafe on site where you can take a break for lunch or a snack.

Kids will love to explore the beautiful gardens and there is plenty of space maneuver a stroller or wheelchair as you go through the paths.

This is a view of the Sunken Garden which was formed over an old limestone quarry. This area of the grounds is definitely the star of the show. It was overcast when we visited and I can only imagine how much more beautiful it looks in the bright sunshine.

fountain and pond at the base of the sunken garden — Fountain and pond at the base of Sunken Garden

pond in the sunken garden — Pond in the Sunken Garden area

In addition to Sunken Garden there are several other gardens on the grounds. There is the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden (not in bloom yet) and the Italian Garden. There is also a large area for outdoor concerts. The battery on my nice camera and my phone both died while we were exploring the grounds so I wasn’t able to take as many pictures as I would have liked, but I did get some nice snaps of the gardens.

FAQ About the Butchart Gardens

Is there a bus that goes from Victoria to Butchart Gardens?

BC Transit – Victoria Regional Transit System operates a bus from Victoria to Butchart Gardens hourly. Tickets cost $2 and the journey takes 31 min.

The number 75 bus makes the roughly 65-minute trip from downtown Victoria to The Butchart Gardens at various times of day. At other times, it is necessary to take bus 6, 30 or 31 from downtown to the Royal Oak exchange to connect with the 75.

There are also direct shuttles you can take from downtown Victoria to the gardens

How far is the Butchart Gardens from the ferry terminal?

The distance between Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and Butchart Gardens is 14 km. The road distance is 20.7 km.

Can you use a selfie stick at the gardens?

No Selfie sticks are allowed at the gardens.

Can you use a drone to take video or photos at the gardens?

No drones are allowed at the gardens.

Where can I see fireworks a the Butchart Gardens?

Beginning on June 30th and repeating every Saturday until September 1st, the show promises a brilliant mix of aerial and ground displays. Butchart Gardens summer hours are 8:45 am to 10:00 pm, but the gardens remain open for an hour after the admissions gate closes.

Can you cosplay or wear costumes at the garden?

No costumes, masks or cosplay are allowed at the gardens. This to ensure the safety of the other guests who may not understand that people in costumes or historical outfits are not employed by the gardens and are not part of the show.

More travel tips you may like:

Have you visited the Butchart Gardens? Let me know what you thought of it in the comments!