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.Ā 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?
Great post. Thanks, Jennifer!
Weād planned a 3-4 week trip to Vancouver Island and Vancouver but Covid nixed that! Iām back to planning that trip So Iām all in for more travel info for the areaā¦.
(And a cup of tea, scones and a real brick and mortar bookstoreā¦.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 thoughā¦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 š
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 šØš¦ shout out! My favourite thing to do in Victoria is visit my brother and family š„°
I can certainly understand why! Family is everything, Barb.
Victoria! š 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 Robertaās 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. Itās 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 donāt 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 thatās 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.
Theyāre not frosted. They appear dusted with the flour they were rolled with. Theyāre not sweet to my taste. Hence the jam and cream š„°
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!
I love Victoria! Thank you for sharing your favorite places. I now want to visit them too. Munro’s looks like a book shop I would love and my mouth waters reading about Murchies. I have fond memories of the Butchart Gardens, the Empress, and a fun Italian retaurant named Pagliaccis. Their local theater group staged a very good production of “Dial M for Murder” which I enjoyed so much. Great place to visit.
Catawampus Fudge & Funk on Wharf St. is an amazing little clothes stores (linen on sale a week or so ago). Unique classy clothes & delicious fudge. Lovely owner.
I will check them out on my next visit!
I can see Victoria from house on the Olympic Peninsula–it’s a ferry ride away! Didn’t know about the yarn store š Thanks for sharing!
You’ll love it!
I’ll echo what others have said, please continue to show us places you visit. I love the west coast and hope to get out there next year. And I did not know that Alice Munro founded Munro’s book store!
Youāll love it here Yvonne.
We love Victoria, too, and go often because I have cousins in the area. We love to have lunch at the Bard and Banker, a restaurant up Government Street. It’s a beautiful old bank where the poet, Robert Service (The Cremation of Sam McGee) once worked. We also love to have fish and chips at Barbs in the inner harbor. And our all time favorite experience is high tea at the Empress. It’s spendy, but worth it!
Weāve eaten at the Bard and Banker too. Such a gorgeous spot!
I love visiting Victoria. I always bring back everyone’s favorite tea. We always had High Tea at the Hotel there but can’t remember the name. It’s a beautiful place š
The Empress. Itās a fabulous place for high tea.
As soon as I sent the post I remembered The Empress!
I share your love of those three shops! The Beehive is my go to yarn shop and buy all my wool and supplies there.
I love Murchies Tea Shopā¦I wish we could have met up when you were in Victoria but I am away at out Pender Island Cottage.
I look forward to hearing about your favourite Vancouver shopsā¦
The weather has been superb for your trip so farā¦hope you continue to have fun !!!
Leslie
Iām so sorry we couldnāt meet for tea but I know youāre having a fabulous time on Pender. Hopefully next time Iām there!
Hi Jennifer,
You made me feel as if I were there! Love it!
I commented before that we honeymooned there 43 years ago. We have not visited in about ten years, we need to return. Yes, magical!
Thank you.
Much has changed here and much has stayed the same. Itās incredibly charming. Youāll enjoy getting back.
Any other places to visit in Victoria (other than the usual tourist spots)? We have a trip planned mid-September after our Alaska cruise. Made a list with your suggestions, but looking for more! Thanks!
It depends how long you will there staying. But for a short trip be sure you have high tea at the Empress Hotel, visit the Royal B.C. Museum just across the street and visit Butchart Gardens.
Adding a second comment because I forgot to ask, do you knit much? As a hopeless non-knitter who’s fascinated by those who can, I’d love to see a post on your knitting projects — what you made, if you wear it or give it as a gift, your favorite yarns, most loved project, epic fails (LOL), etc.
I used to knit obessively but not as much these days because my hands tend to cramp and I have trigger fingers etc. I make lots of gifts these days but am itching to replace a cabled cardigan I made and wore right out…so I’m on the hunt for the perfect year.I love natural fibers and the newest superwash wools are fabulously easy care.
When I lived in Seattle, a ferry trip to Victoria was always a pleasure. I recommend the Royal BC Museum for its collection of indigenous people’s art, esp the carved masks and totem poles.
Yes, it’s fabulous!!
Jennifer! Thank you so much for sharing this post! Oh! The Places You(‘ll) Go! See what I did there?š I now want to add Victoria to my trip to Canada. The husband is looking into the Rocky Mountaineer for our next big journey and I will definitely be asking for a stop in Victoria. The bookstore….I’ll be there for hours, beautiful! I could almost smell it through your postš
Thatās a fabulous train trip!! There are so many great places to see here. Youāll love it. Victoria is magical.
I would love all the shops, but especially the yarn shop. Yarn, books and tea, a perfect day!
I agree. My favorite three.
I live in the Sidney area. You got everyone of my favorite shops as well…I make a regular stop at Beehive and will stop for a tea and treat at Murchies when I am downtown š
Sidney is a fabulous spot. Lucky you. We had lunch there last week!!
What a great blog today! I enjoyed “visiting” your favorite shops this morning as I drank my tea. Please do more articles about the places you visit–it’s like having a trusted friend who has already visited a place help you plan your next trip.
Iām so glad you liked this! I will do more sharing our travels and favorite spots.
Oh my goodness! My daughter and son-in-law live in Vancouver and we had been talking about going to Victoria Island this year as part of our annual visit to them. It is as if you were thinking of stores I’d like with a book store and yarn store. The tea store just shows something I need to drink more than Diet Coke. I went to an Indigo store in downtown Vancouver last year because of something you posted and loved it, so please make more Vancouver recommendations that don’t involve walks of 20,000 steps, which is what my kids like to do when we come.
Lol, Iām trying to walk more but I hear you about the 20,000 steps! I love Indigo too. Do visit Victoria!! Youāll love it.
Just to let you know, Victoria is located on Vancouver Island.
Really enjoyed this mornings post! Thank-you. I have never visited Victoria, but would love to go some day. I have ordered some Murchie’s tea to tryš
Put Victoria on your list for sure. Itās so charming. I hope you love the tea.
Iām dying to go to BC someday! Have you been to Tofono? Thatās on my bucket list!
Yes! Tofino is magical. Iāve been several times. My favorite time to go there is the fall.
How do you style your t-shirt that is so attractive in this photo? I’ve tried with one of my shirts and it doesn’t look as well as I would like. It might be my short torso but I’d like to know how to make this style work for me. Thanks.
I just grab the bottom off center, twist a few times and tuck through belt loop and under shirt. Itās a loose tee. Iāll try to make a video.
My one trip to z Victoria was part of a summer visit to Seattle, the San Juan islands and BC, Vancouver Island. I m sure I bought books at Munroās Books and we did tea each day, once at the hotel ( Grand Hotel- exact name escapes me as its been close to ten years ago) – a wonderful tea experience I recall!
I’d love a re-visit sometime.
You may be referring to the Empress? Victoria is definitely worth revisiting, you’ll love it.
Wow! Vancouver has been on my āmust seeā list for some time. Now Iām even more inspired to go. Iām now motivated to work out of my yarn stash and bring an extra suitcase.
My stash was out of control when we packed up to move a few years ago š¤£ I always buy one extra skein so I wonāt run out. Youād love this area.