A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Norfolk vs. Victoria for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Norfolk or Victoria?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Norfolk or Victoria? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a authentic, blue collar, and maritime city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Norfolk travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a scenic, relaxing, and cultural city. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums. See Victoria travel costs.

Norfolk and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Victoria?

You'll generally find more things to do in Victoria than Norfolk. Victoria is bigger than Norfolk, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Victoria is more touristy than Norfolk and is popular for its colonial buildings and public parks. Also, Victoria is famous for Butchart Gardens. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence.

How is Norfolk different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Victoria and Norfolk. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Norfolk or Victoria?

Both Norfolk and Victoria have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Norfolk is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

Victoria offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

Is the Food Better in Norfolk or Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Norfolk and Victoria offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Norfolk offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Victoria has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Norfolk or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Norfolk or Victoria has a better nightlife scene.

Norfolk has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

If you're looking for night time activities Victoria has a few options to choose from. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Is Norfolk or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Victoria is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Norfolk is not a hiking destination.

Victoria is a good destination for hiking. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Norfolk is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Norfolk or Victoria?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Victoria and Norfolk.

Norfolk is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Victoria. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Norfolk or Victoria Better for Families?

Victoria is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Victoria is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Norfolk offers lots of family activities. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

Is Norfolk or Victoria Better for Couples?

Victoria is a great destination for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Victoria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

Most people don't think of Norfolk as a couple's destination. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

Is Norfolk or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Victoria is a popular place for backpackers. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Norfolk is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This is an often overlooked area for backpackers.

Is Norfolk or Victoria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Norfolk and Victoria.

Public transit is generally limited in Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Norfolk or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Victoria is very walkable. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

Norfolk is a somewhat walkable place. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Norfolk Worth Visiting? and Is Victoria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Norfolk or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Victoria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Norfolk, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

Families should spend more time in Victoria than Norfolk. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Victoria, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Victoria than Norfolk. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Victoria that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Victoria than Norfolk if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Victoria.

One day in Norfolk or Victoria?

The city of Norfolk offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Victoria, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Norfolk or Victoria?

Norfolk is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Norfolk, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Victoria, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Norfolk or Victoria?

Norfolk is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Victoria is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Norfolk or Victoria?

Norfolk is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Victoria. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Victoria. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Norfolk and Victoria, we can see that Norfolk is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Norfolk Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Norfolk. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk and Victoria, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Norfolk or Victoria?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Norfolk or Victoria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Norfolk as well as Victoria. Most visitors come to Norfolk for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Norfolk is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 79°F (26°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Norfolk receives a lot of rain in the summer. Norfolk usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Norfolk gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria and Norfolk are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Norfolk because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

Norfolk is a little warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In October, Norfolk usually receives more rain than Victoria. Norfolk gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Norfolk or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Norfolk during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Norfolk this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Victoria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. It's quite cold in Norfolk in the winter. In the winter, Norfolk is cooler than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Norfolk in January average around 39°F (4°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Norfolk usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Norfolk gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Victoria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Norfolk and Victoria.

In April, Norfolk is generally a little warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 58°F (14°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Norfolk usually receives more rain than Victoria. Norfolk gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Norfolk