Sight guide · Victoria · Canada
Visiting Butchart Gardens
From 1904, Jennie Butchart began turning her husband's exhausted limestone quarry into the Sunken Garden, now the centrepiece of 22 hectares of themed gardens including a Rose Garden, Japanese Garden and Italian Garden, all on the Saanich Inlet about 21 km north of downtown.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: w4nn3s, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Butchart Gardens is a garden in Brentwood Bay, Victoria. Allow 2–4 hours; it is mid-priced. Summer and December are busiest; buy tickets online ahead, and reserve dining or afternoon tea separately.
Key facts
- Type
- Garden
- Area
- Brentwood Bay
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- nature, couples, photo spot and outdoors
- Best months
- July–September
About Butchart Gardens
From 1904, Jennie Butchart began turning her husband's exhausted limestone quarry into the Sunken Garden, now the centrepiece of 22 hectares of themed gardens including a Rose Garden, Japanese Garden and Italian Garden, all on the Saanich Inlet about 21 km north of downtown. It is a National Historic Site, with displays changing through the seasons.
Tip: Arrive at opening or in the last two hours before closing to see the Sunken Garden without the tour-bus crowds.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–4 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: Summer and December are busiest; buy tickets online ahead, and reserve dining or afternoon tea separately.
- Where: Brentwood Bay, seaside town of bookshops near the airport and the Swartz Bay ferry.
Best time to visit Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- July: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- August: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- September: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Victoria has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Victoria itinerary visits Butchart Gardens on day 2, together with Victoria Harbour Ferry and Royal BC Museum and Thunderbird Park.
- No. 3 of the 18 sights in our Victoria things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Victoria.
If you like Butchart Gardens
- Beacon Hill Park — Inner Harbour and James Bay, 1–2 hours
- Dallas Road waterfront and Ogden Point Breakwater — Inner Harbour and James Bay, 1–2 hours
- Hatley Castle and Gardens — Colwood, 1.5–2 hours
- Abkhazi Garden — Cook Street Village and Fairfield, 1 hour
Staying near Butchart Gardens
Stay in Sidney ($$) to walk here: seaside town of bookshops near the airport and the Swartz Bay ferry. All areas to stay in Victoria.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Butchart Gardens?
Plan 2–4 hours.
+Is Butchart Gardens free?
No, it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is advised.
+When is the best time to visit Butchart Gardens?
July–September for the most comfortable weather. Arrive at opening or in the last two hours before closing to see the Sunken Garden without the tour-bus crowds.
+Do I need to book Butchart Gardens in advance?
Summer and December are busiest; buy tickets online ahead, and reserve dining or afternoon tea separately.