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A seaplane flight over British Columbia’s fragmented coastline reveals shards of forested land scattered across the Pacific, the surrounding waters plied by orcas, humpbacks and dolphins. On land, old-growth rainforests provide habitat for black, grizzly and spirit bears, which you can see from dedicated bear-watching lodges. As you journey eastward, the gentle, vineyard-covered hills of the Okanagan Valley give way to mountains, and the Canadian Rockies loom in the distance. Our Canada specialists have visited each corner of this popular province and will use their first-hand experience to plan your holiday to British Columbia around your interests.
The provincial capital, Victoria, is known for its manicured public gardens and streets lined with British-colonial buildings, which you can see from a horse-drawn carriage. You can learn about First Nations culture on Haida Gwaii — a string of sparsely populated islands that are the ancestral home of the Haida people. Then there’s Vancouver, a cosmopolitan metropolis of skyscrapers, multicultural restaurants and designer shops where you’re still never far from green parks, sandy beaches and snowy peaks. Wherever you want to explore in British Columbia, our specialists can recommend things to see and do that will suit your tastes.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip to British Columbia by contacting one of our Canada specialists
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01993 838 92501993 838 700
- Make an enquiry
Places to visit in British Columbia
Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting British Columbia, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travellers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.
Suggested itineraries featuring British Columbia
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in British Columbia, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places in and around British Columbia
- Bella Coola British Columbia
- The Cariboo British Columbia
- Fernie British Columbia
- Field British Columbia
- Haida Gwaii British Columbia
- The Kootenays British Columbia
- Naramata & Okanagan Valley British Columbia
- Prince George British Columbia
- Prince Rupert British Columbia
- Princess Royal Island British Columbia
- The Purcell Mountains British Columbia
- Salt Spring Island British Columbia
- Sun Peaks British Columbia
- The Sunshine Coast & Desolation Sound British Columbia
- Vancouver British Columbia
- Vancouver Island British Columbia
- Wells Gray Provincial Park British Columbia
- Whistler British Columbia
- Yoho National Park British Columbia
- Port Hardy 275 miles away
- Northern Vancouver Island 293 miles away
- Jasper 300 miles away
- Campbell River British Columbia
- Tofino British Columbia
- Victoria British Columbia
Photos of British Columbia
Our expert guides to exploring British Columbia
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting British Columbia, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate British Columbia at its best.
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In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada
In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada
Canada is well-known for its wildlife, but the stars of the show are arguably its resident bears. These often solitary creatures can be difficult to find, but our Canada specialists can recommend intimate bear-watching experiences that allow you to see them in their natural habitat.
Read this guide -
Highlights of the Canadian Rockies Highlights of the Canadian Rockies
Highlights of the Canadian Rockies
With glacier-fed lakes, thick pine forests and sharp, triangular mountains, the Canadian Rockies are a true wilderness area. Activities can include hiking, canoeing and visiting glaciers. Canada specialist Emily explains how you can make the most of your trip to the Rockies.
Read this guide -
Honeymoons in Canada Honeymoons in Canada
Honeymoons in Canada
Country specialist, Caroline, picks some of her top places to stay and things to do on honeymoon in Canada. Her highlights include where to spot Canada’s wildlife, taking a food tour in Vancouver, finding seclusion in the Rockies and staying on an authentic ranch.
Read this guide -
Self-drive holidays in Canada Self-drive holidays in Canada
Self-drive holidays in Canada
Whether you choose a route circuiting western Canada’s renowned mountains, glaciers and lakes, or you’d rather go off-grid exploring the traditional fishing villages and coastal drives of the Maritimes, Canada’s well-maintained, easily navigable roads make it an excellent self-drive destination.
Read this guide -
Self-driving in western Canada Self-driving in western Canada
Self-driving in western Canada
Canada specialists Kerry and Annie share their tried-and-tested self-drive routes in western Canada. You might want to follow a lesser-known loop through the Canadian Rockies, detouring to the Okanagan wine region. Or, take in British Columbia’s coastline and Vancouver Island.
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Accommodation choices for British Columbia
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit British Columbia. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Ocean House
Haida Gwaii -
Hastings House
Salt Spring Island -
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
Bella Coola -
Alpine Meadows Resort
Cariboo -
Echo Valley Ranch & Spa
Cariboo -
Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina
Sunshine Coast & Desolation Sound -
Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Klahoose Wilderness Resort
Sunshine Coast & Desolation Sound -
West Coast Wilderness Lodge
Sunshine Coast & Desolation Sound -
Bugaboos Lodge
Kootenays -
Cross River Cabins
Kootenays -
Sun Peaks Grand Hotel
Sun Peaks -
Lizard Creek Lodge
Fernie -
Logden Lodge
Kootenays -
Crest Hotel
Prince Rupert -
Wolfwood Guest Ranch
Wells Gray Provincial Park -
Emerald Lake Lodge
Field -
Cathedral Mountain Lodge
Field -
Summit Lodge
Whistler -
Nita Lake Lodge
Whistler -
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Knight Inlet Lodge
Northern Vancouver Island -
Long Beach Lodge Resort
Tofino -
Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort
Vancouver Island -
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Vancouver Island -
Naturally Pacific Resort
Vancouver Island -
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Tofino -
The Oswego Hotel
Victoria -
Great Bear Lodge
Port Hardy -
April Point Resort and Spa
Northern Vancouver Island -
Comfort Inn & Suites
Campbell River -
Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
The Parkside Hotel & Spa
Victoria -
Farewell Harbour Lodge
Vancouver Island -
Kwa'lilas Hotel
Port Hardy -
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Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Wickaninnish Inn
Tofino -
The Inn at Laurel Point
Victoria -
Abigail's Hotel
Victoria -
Pan Pacific Vancouver
Vancouver -
Times Square Suites Hotel
Vancouver -
Wedgewood Hotel & Spa
Vancouver -
Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel
Vancouver -
Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge
British Columbia -
Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures Base Camp
British Columbia