My Favorite Little Shops To Visit In Victoria, B.C.
We just returned from a very quick trip to Vancouver Island. Victoria is one of our very favorite spots to visit on the island. It’s quaint and charming, with lots to do and see. We discover more things to love with each visit, but I’m a creature of habit, so I thought I’d share my favorite little shops to visit in Victoria, B.C.
Murchie’s Tea Shop
If you’ve read me for very long, you know that I’m a tea lover through and through. Murchie’s is my favorite little shop which I visit every day I’m in Victoria.
In fact, we order all of our tea from Murchie’s and have it shipped to the US. Visiting Murchies is always a highlight of my day for an afternoon or late morning tea. They make great sandwiches, and their pastry case is filled with mouthwatering goodies.
I’m pretty predictable and usually get a London Fog with their yummy currant scone complete with the (not necessary but always appreciated) Devonshire cream and berry preserves.
Murchie’s is one of Canada’s oldest companies and has been in business since 1894. They have eight retail stores and an active mail order division that we do our best to keep busy.
I’ve visited several of their shops, but nothing compares to this location on Government Street in downtown Victoria. The selection of tea (and coffee) is epic in boxes as well as loose tea you buy by weight.
Munro’s Books
Murno’s Books is right next door to Murchies and is always my second stop. I have a hard time passing any bookstore without stopping in to browse…especially one as interesting as this one.
Munro’s Books has been in business for more than 50 years in various locations in and around Victoria. It was started by Jim and Alice Munro, who went on to become an acclaimed Canadian author and Nobel laureate.
In 1984, Munro’s relocated to their current location in a stunning neo-classical building that was originally designed for the Royal Bank of Canada in 1909. They’re known for their impressive selection of books in a diverse range of genres and carry a wide array of titles from local and international authors.
Beehive Wool Shop
A few streets up on the corner of Douglas and Fisgard St. is the Beehive Wool Shop which has been in business since 1906. The original entrance was apparently right on the corner, but now you enter from the Douglas Street entrance.
I find knitting shops as irresistible as catnip to a cat, so I’m always thrilled to spend time browsing. Just the sight of yarn hanging in the window makes my heart go pitty-pat. The colors, fibers, needles, and paraphernalia are of endless interest to me.
Beehive is a family-owned and operated shop that offers lots of classes at four experience levels, plus private lessons and beginner-friendly projects.
Like most yarn shops, they display gorgeous finished projects to inspire you and show you how a yarn knits up.
This trip, I left with a project or two…and, of course, new needles, which I have untold collections of back home. I’ll have to start bringing my interchangeable set with me when I travel.
These are just a few but my favorite little shops in Victoria, B.C., but they are certainly not my only ones.
Have you been to Victoria? What’s your favorite thing to do there?
Since you like to wear hats, I also recommend Roberta’s Hats on Government Street.
Thanks, Elaine! I love hats so I will check them out.
Great recommendations for my third visit to Victoria BC! I highly recommend sea plane tour over the islands. Also, no one has mentioned IMAX Theatre, walking distance from harbor hotels. Empress Hotel is enjoyable for its gardens and old-world ambience, tho I wasn’t wowed at its high tea’s robotic service or nibbles I’d rate a B. I recommend strolling through the Empress, then its yard. Perhaps a light picnic on a blanket. I most enjoyed my balcony from a nearby hotel overlooking the gorgeous harbor’s boat activity — perfect for morning coffee or afternoon reading. BC is one of the most beautiful, soothing places on earth!
I couldn’t agree more about BC! We love it.
We love Victoria and all the shops you mentioned in your article are among our favourites. Munchie’s and scones with cream and jam. Yummmmy! I haven’t visited the wool shop yet, but I’m going to start knitting again this fall so will be sure to check that shop out. On your next visit to the Island, head for Sydney by the Sea. A lovely place with lots of interesting places and shops to explore.
We had lunch in Sydney, right on the dock. It was lovely!
I was in Victoria last week. I was surprised by all the bicycles. Putting in those bike lanes has encouraged so many to cycle. It was good to see those loving a healthier lifestyle.
We went back to Butchart Gardens and enjoyed it immensely. The last time I was there it was so crowded (tour buses) you couldn’t enjoy the serenity of the lovely gardens. This time was a different experience.
We walked to Fisherman’s Wharf to see the float homes and then took one of those cute little ferries back to our hotel. I think they are so cute and charming so I had to experience a ride.
I’ll take note of any of the spots you mention for our next trip down island.
We are going to Quebec in a few weeks. Absolutely love Canada. Never had the chance to go to Victoria. Need to put that on my “must visit”. It looks so interesting.
Oh, I hope you are going to Quebec City. It has such an old world charm and you feel like you could be in France.
I thought so too. QC is so charming.
Great post. Thanks, Jennifer!
We’d planned a 3-4 week trip to Vancouver Island and Vancouver but Covid nixed that! I’m back to planning that trip So I’m all in for more travel info for the area….
(And a cup of tea, scones and a real brick and mortar bookstore….heaven!)
You will love it there!!
I had a wonderful time in Victoria when my children were 10 and 6 while my husband was working in Vancouver. We loved Butchard Gardens and the Wax Museum and then we got a touristy photograph taken wearing Wild West costumes! So many lovely memories. Neither of them loved the High Tea in the hotel though…wrong crowd!!
I wished I had known about Munro books. Alice Munro is one of the best writers out there. When l was studying creative writing at UCLA we were told to study her short stories as she is just superb. You look so good Jennifer, so lovely to see you so happy !!! Take care xo
We are really loving our time here. Yes, high tea would not appeal to children 🙂
Hello Jennifer,
I visit Victoria every few years and never get tired of such a lovely place.
However, my question isn’t about your travels but I can not find the eye mascara that you spoke about in your blog that I believe you buy at Sephora. Would you please tell me again which one you like and the color. Thank You
Trisha K
I have two favprites. This Lash Lengthening Mascara by Ilia, and this Tower 28 Lengthening mascara, both in black.
Thanks for a 🇨🇦 shout out! My favourite thing to do in Victoria is visit my brother and family 🥰
I can certainly understand why! Family is everything, Barb.
Victoria! 💜 We honeymooned there 49 years ago and have visited many times over the years. Besides the wonderful places you mentioned, I would like to add Roberta’s Hat Shop also on Government St. Not the most picturesque, but much cheaper and better food is the White Heather Tearoom in the Oak Bay neighborhood. It’s much more relaxing with far fewer tourists, along with the Penny Farthing, a sister pub to Irish Times and Bard & Banker, just down the street. All are good!
If you don’t want to drive to Butchart Gardens, visit the gardens around Government House. It can be a challenge to find street parking, but the gardens, tended by volunteers are gorgeous and have wonderful views of the Olympic Mountains across the strait. I could add many other favorite places, but that’s enough for now. We hope to visit in September!
Such a fabulous place to honeymoon!!I’m pretty sure I visitied Robert’s several years ago. There are so many great shops in Victoria.
It’s lovely to see you highlight the our city-Victoria has been our home for over six years, and we love it!
Next time you’re in downtown Victoria, find your way to Trounce Alley and this delightful boutique, PomPom:
Although I now buy almost nothing in shop-in-person stores, I always find something tempting in Pom Pom’s collection of jewelry and apparel :). There are also a couple of really great tapas restaurants in this alley (assuming you’re not already satiated from your Murchies visit!)
It sounds fabulous! I’m excited to visit the fun clothing boutiques on our next visit.
Thanks so much for this! My kind of day: books, tea, and quaint shops. A friend is going to teach me to knit this fall, so I hope a yarn shop is in my future. My son’s in the Seattle area, and a day trip (or overnight) to Victoria sounds grand. My only quibble is the scones: scones should never be frosted and are not sweet — a real treat for those of us who have to count carbs. You look terrific: happy and relaxed.
They’re not frosted. They appear dusted with the flour they were rolled with. They’re not sweet to my taste. Hence the jam and cream 🥰
Hi Jennifer. I now live in Victoria and visit those places all of the time. I was wondering if you visited any clothing shops.
I have in the past but not during this trip but I will next time.
It has been way too long since we visited Vancouver Island but remember it was magical. We must go back!
I just received the City Lights lipstick & plumper you recomended & I love.Was using the Chanel duo with the gloss for years but their colors are most always the same & even with gloss can be a wee bit drying.Think I found a new favorite, thank you.
Curious what you thought of Augustus Bader? I invested twice & honestly did not see any noticeable results.
Sorry, to get off topic.
Must pull out the passport & go.
I’m so glad you like the City Lips too!
I was not over whelmed with the Augustinus Bader and at that price, it needed to be. I finished the one bottle but did not repurchase it.
I recently moved back to the PNW and I’m eager to get to Victoria. Used to go to Murchies and some of the lovely china shops with my mother when I was a child. Thanks for a great post.
The PNW is so gorgeous!