Sight guide · Victoria · Canada
Visiting Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea
The ivy-clad Canadian Pacific Railway hotel, also by Rattenbury, opened in 1908 and faces the harbour beside the legislature.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea is a landmark in Inner Harbour and James Bay, Victoria. Allow 2 hours for tea; it is expensive. Afternoon tea is popular year-round; reserve days or weeks ahead, especially in summer and December.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- Inner Harbour and James Bay
- Time needed
- 2 hours for tea
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- couples, food and architecture
- Best months
- April–May and October
About Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea
The ivy-clad Canadian Pacific Railway hotel, also by Rattenbury, opened in 1908 and faces the harbour beside the legislature. Its afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge — tea, finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and pastries — is Victoria's best-known indulgence.
Tip: Even without tea, walk through the lobby and the rose garden at the side of the hotel.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2 hours for tea.
- Cost: Expensive.
- Book ahead: Afternoon tea is popular year-round; reserve days or weeks ahead, especially in summer and December.
- Where: Inner Harbour and James Bay, parliament, the Empress and seaplanes on the harbour, with heritage houses behind.
Best time to visit Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- April: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- May: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Victoria has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Victoria itinerary visits Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea on day 1, together with BC Parliament Buildings and Whale watching from the Inner Harbour.
- No. 2 of the 18 sights in our Victoria things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
Near Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea
Also in Inner Harbour and James Bay, so you can walk between them:
- BC Parliament Buildings — 1 hour, free
- Royal BC Museum and Thunderbird Park — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
- Beacon Hill Park — 1–2 hours, free
If you like Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea
- Hatley Castle and Gardens — Colwood, 1.5–2 hours
Staying near Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea
Stay in Inner Harbour and James Bay ($$$$) to walk here: parliament, the Empress and seaplanes on the harbour, with heritage houses behind. All areas to stay in Victoria.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea?
Plan 2 hours for tea. With BC Parliament Buildings nearby, it fits a half-day in Inner Harbour and James Bay.
+Is Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea free?
No, it is expensive. Booking ahead is advised.
+When is the best time to visit Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea?
April–May and October, the quietest of the good months. Even without tea, walk through the lobby and the rose garden at the side of the hotel.
+Do I need to book Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea in advance?
Afternoon tea is popular year-round; reserve days or weeks ahead, especially in summer and December.