Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, is situated on the southern tip of scenic Vancouver Island—the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. It is lively, historic, and charming with an abundance of outdoor activities, the impressive Legislative Assembly building, the Royal BC Museum, bustling Chinatown, and picturesque Victoria Harbour.  

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After exploring the stunning city on foot or getting out for a day of adventure, you can escape to a number of relaxing spas right in the city center. From a five-star luxury spa to an outdoor hydrotherapy circuit with harbor views, you'll find a variety of amenities and treatments available at the spas in Victoria. It's the perfect city for a spa-cation.

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Read on to discover the best spas in Victoria in our Canada Spa Guide. If you’re looking for the best deals on flights to Canada, click here.

Boathouse Spa at The Oak Bay Beach Hotel

1175 Beach Drive, Victoria BC, V8S 2N2, Canada; (250) 596-4556

Located within the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, discover, treatments, products, and experiences inspired by a magnificent oceanfront setting at Boathouse Spa, a seaside oasis. Victoria’s only oceanfront spa features access to three heated seaside mineral pools that look out onto the beautiful Salish Sea.

Amenities at the pools include water and towel service, assigned lounge chairs, use of the eucalyptus-infused sauna, as well as access to the Boathouse Kitchen & Bar. Boathouse Spa’s treatment rooms are spacious, tranquil, designed with purpose, and inspired by the hotel’s surrounding natural backdrop.

The treatment menu includes a wide range of massages, European facials, body wraps, and salt glows that will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. The spa is one of BABOR’s top spas in Canada and offers numerous skincare treatments that provide outstanding results and a uniquely indulgent experience.

Spa services to try include the Stormy Waters Facial, which combines the benefits of cold therapy with a sculpting Gua Sha massage; the Boathouse Relaxation Massage that relaxes the body with light to medium pressure and Swedish technique; as well as the Boathouse Signature Body Treatment, an aromatic and deeply grounding experience that stimulates wave-like movements across the body for the ultimate sensation of total body wellness.

HAVN Saunas

920 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3, Canada; (250) 508-0999

For a one-of-a-kind spa experience, visit the floating HAVN Saunas located on a restored barge, permanently docked on the Victoria Inner Harbour. This outdoor haven boasts unmatched views of the harbor coastline and the buzzing activity on the water.

Visits to the saunas are bookable in 3-hour increments and include a robe, towel, and locker. The entry level is a co-ed locker room with a minimalist Scandinavian design featuring changing rooms, private showers, and lockers.

Guests ascend a flight of stairs to the open-air saunas and lounge areas. The "go at your own pace" hydrotherapy circuit features three dry saunas with varied temperatures, two cold plunges, two hot tubs, two outdoor showers, an exfoliation shower, a relaxation room, and a garden patio. The deck is adorned with a variety of plants and trees, giving it a park-like setting. Swimwear is required and the minimum age is 19 years.

The only drawback is that it is situated right next to the seaplane takeoff and landing area, which can be fun to watch, but can also be loud.

RITUAL Nordic Spa

989 Johnson St #101, Victoria, BC V8V 3W3, Canada; (778) 440-9009

RITUAL Nordic Spa is a Scandinavian-style day spa offering a Nordic Circuit, massage therapy, private sauna suites, and a cafe. The circuit is based on Finnish wellness techniques, including thermal therapy, hydrotherapy and contrast therapy.

Experience the 194-degree (Fahrenheit) infrared dry sauna, the 48-degree cold plunge, the 114-degree eucalyptus steam room, the Himalayan Salt Room, and a Nordic ice bucket shower, as well as outdoor relaxation areas.  

The 2-hour circuit boasts benefits that range from improved circulation, reduced inflammation, deep relaxation, and better sleep. Before or after your circuit experience, treat yourself to a 60 or 90-minute relaxing or revitalizing massage.

This informal spa is a great way to unwind with friends or take some time to yourself. End your visit with a stop at the Après Cafe for a snack box and tea or beer. Swimsuits required. Ages 18 and older allowed.

The Parkside Spa at The Parkside Hotel & Spa

810 Humboldt Street, Victoria, BC V8V 5B1, Canada; (250) 940-1200

Located in downtown Victoria, The Parkside Hotel & Spa offers all-suite accommodation with full kitchens or kitchenette, private balconies, open floor plan, and live/work spaces. Some of the one or two-bedroom suites also include a fireplace, dining room, soaker tub, and washer/dryer. The Beyond Green hotel has several sustainability practices in place and is carbon neutral and Biosphere certified.

The Parkside Spa is a welcome escape amongst the city landscape with an indoor pool,  hot tub, fitness center, boutique offering a range of wellness and beauty products, and spa services including massages, facials and body treatments. Treatments range from prenatal to couple's massages, facials using Eminence organic skincare products, and body wraps and scrubs, as well as pedicures.

The Spa Magnolia at Magnolia Hotel & Spa

623 Courtney Street, Victoria, B.C., Canada; 1(877) 624-6654

Victoria’s top ranked boutique hotel located just steps from Inner Harbour, Magnolia Hotel & Spa exudes timeless elegance and offers guests well-appointed rooms, fine dining, personalized service, and tranquil spa experiences at The Spa Magnolia.

Adjacent to the hotel’s lobby, the spa offers a holistic approach to health with amenities that include a spacious relaxation lounge and seven treatment rooms. The Spa Magnolia features organic brands such as [comfort zone], Endota Spa, and Jane Iredale in its treatments—all of which are free from fillers, parabens, and synthetic dyes.

The treatment menu merges luxury with organic health and beauty services that are designed to revitalize skin, hair, and body. Their transformative yet non-invasive skincare treatments are complemented by LED light therapy with offerings that include HydraFacial, and they utilize scientifically advanced, clinically tested, and safe formulas.

Their diverse massage modalities range from deep tissue and relaxation to prenatal and hot stone, administered by experience massage therapists who are among the best in the industry. Treatment highlights include the Himalayan Salt Treatment which features a gentle massage with Himalayan salt stones on the back; the Magnolia Body Scrub; and Spa Magnolia Signature, which includes a deep cleansing facial, relaxation massage, and body scrub with a hydrotherapy tub session.

The Spa Magnolia also offers several multi-hour spa packages for the ultimate relaxation and self-care experience.

The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Empress

721 Government Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1W5, Canada; (250) 384-8111

The grand Fairmont Empress, located in the heart of Victoria, is a luxurious historic hotel with elegant guest rooms, unparalleled classic Afternoon Tea service, fine dining, and views of the Inner Harbour. Known as the "Castle on the Coast," this iconic landmark is walking distance to many shops, restaurants, gardens, and historic sites. 

The Willow Stream Spa offers a respite from the bustling waterfront and energetic city vibe. Unwind in a Finnish-style sauna, steam inhalation room or mineral pool to melt away your stress. Get pampered with a massage, body treatment or facial such as an energizing detox wrap, hot stone massage or brightening facial.

For a signature treatment, try the 120-minute "Island Senses," that incorporates a body scrub, aromatherapy bath, mud wrap, and lavender massage.

Wildwood Saunas at Bilston Creek Farm

4185 Metchosin Rd, Victoria, BC V9C 3Z5; (250) 466-5275

For a more remote spa getaway, head about 12 miles southwest of downtown Victoria to Bilston Creek Farm. This rural area is an idyllic setting to disconnect and focus on being in the moment. The mobile saunas are located on a beautiful lavender farm that offers guided farm tours and seasonal cookie decorating classes and markets. The aromatic scent of the lavender will have you feeling calm the moment you set foot on the farm.

The Wildwood Saunas allow guests to indulge in a Nordic sauna experience combined with a refreshing cold plunge, providing a variety of health benefits. The site features two saunas, available for 90-minute sessions, that include a plunge tub, outdoor relaxation area, and cold shower. Sauna one is a private sauna that holds up to six guests, while sauna two is a community or private sauna that can accommodate up to 14 guests.

To enjoy the maximum benefits of contrast therapy, the suggested cycle includes 10 to 20 minutes in the dry sauna followed by a cold shower. Then, a 1 to 3-minute cold plunge followed by a brief rest period. Repeat up to 90 minutes.

[Photos courtesy of hotels and spas]

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Sharael Kolberg is a nationally published travel writer whose work has appeared in U.S. News & World Report, Fodor's, Lonely Planet, Forbes, Robb Report, Sunset, Outside, Thrillist and others. She focuses on adventure, wellness, and luxury travel. Her work can be seen at Sharael.com.