Your Downtown Victoria, BC, Shopping Guide
Your guide to Victoria’s best downtown shopping.
Whether you’re a casual window browser or a seasoned shopaholic, in Victoria you can find antiques, locally-crafted artisan wares, boutique designs and gifts for all your friends and family back home. Here’s your guide to Victoria’s best downtown shopping.
Boutique shopping
Start on Lower Johnson (LoJo) and make your way up toward Government Street. Here, you’ll be charmed by colourful, early nineteenth-century buildings which house unique and creative boutique shops. Explore the shops at Market Square and swing into Whistle Buoy Brewing for a pint, whose creative approach to brewing means that no two visits are ever the same. As you stroll the vibrant shops of LoJo, be sure to pop into ANIÁN for a shopping splurge you can feel good about. ANIÁN's locally made, sustainable focus transforms post-consumer textiles into beautiful and functional clothing that's built to last.
One-stop shops
Visit one of Victoria’s vibrant shopping centres or malls and get everything on your list under one roof. In the heart of downtown, visit The Bay Centre. This multi-level indoor mall was originally the Eaton Centre and now houses a mix of Canada's iconic brands as well as local gems such as Victoria Market Collective. Slightly outside of the downtown core, you can also shop at Mayfair Shopping Centre or Uptown, both of which are located on major city arteries and feature lots of great clothing stores. Parking is a breeze at both of these malls!
For all your outdoor adventure needs, stop at Grove Outdoors. Located downtown, this outdoor resale store and carries high-quality and affordable outdoor gear. Buying your outdoor gear secondhand keeps waste from entering landfills and helps keep our region green and our seas free of debris for future generations. Local Tip: If you simply forgot to bring something from home, inquire about renting equipment from the shop.
Jewellery
Visit Artina’s Jewellery on Government Street, who boast the world’s largest selection of handcrafted Canadian-made jewellery, including the work of over 100 Canadian designers. Many of their pieces are created by West Coast First Nations jewelers. If you're more hands-on with your approach to jewellery, stop by Bamboo Beads & Bling, where you can work with a team of in-house jewellery designers to create something as unique as you are from their wide array of gemstones, metaphysical-crystals, and treasures from across the globe.
It's easy to lose track of time with so many great shops to explore, but SWATCH has got your wrist... er... back! Located in the heart of government street, this Swiss watchmaker sells more than just watches, but rather a means of self-expression and style. Be sure to find time for a visit to check out their extensive collection of eye-catching watches.
Specialty shops
In downtown Victoria, you’ll find a ton of specialty shops who simply focus on doing one thing -and doing it well. For the do-it-yourselfers, be sure to checkout Button & Needlework Boutique for an outstanding selection of yarns, ribbons, needlework, and buttons from around the world. Visit Cherry Bomb Toys for a blast from the past, whose huge collection of vintage and collectible toys is perfect for children big and small.
Russell Books, Canada's largest independent bookstore, on Fort Street is a book-lover’s dream. With over one-million books Russell Books, including an entire level devoted to rare and vintage books, you're sure to find your next read, and the one after that! Add a touch of elegance to your home with tablecloth, runner, or placemats from The Irish Linen Store. For over 100 years, The Irish Linen Store has served Greater Victoria with a wide range of linens direct from Ireland and Europe's best producers.
Local tip: Cherry Bomb Toys is also home to the National Toy Museum of Canada.
Souvenir & gift shopping
Start at the Visitor Centre in the Inner Harbour and make your way along Government Street for the city’s finest souvenir and gift shopping. Visit Spirit of Victoria or Oceanside Gifts on the Lower Causeway at the Inner Harbour (just below the Victoria Visitor Centre) for a wide selection of gifts. With everything from postcards and placemats, to hats, t-shirts, and carvings, you're sure to find something just right to remember your trip to Victoria for years to come. For those looking to travel a little further afield, follow the David Foster Pathway along the Inner Harbour to Fisherman's Wharf and visit 4 Winds Nest Artisans Boutique, which has a fantastic selection of locally-made goodies, trinkets, and crafts for your home collection.
Tea & chocolate
A match made in heaven, we know. Given Victoria’s rich British history, it seems fitting that we love our tea – and we do! With several options for experiencing afternoon and high tea, there are also many places that you can shop for tea while you’re in town. While you're here sure to visit Murchie's Tea & Coffee, a favourite local haunt for tea, coffee and baked goods. Murchie's is proudly Canadian and has been serving British Columbians for over 130 years. No time for tea? Visit Silk Road Tea in Chinatown for a blend of traditional and contemporary tea. Led by Canada's Queen of Tea, Silk Road imports the world's finest teas, and shares their passion for tea and tea culture. Explore their tasting bar, and find the perfect tea that's right for your home tea set.
Speaking of chocolate, Victoria is also home to several dedicated chocolate shops. Including the National Historic Site, Rogers' Chocolates on Government Street. While you're there, make sure to pick up a few Victoria Cremes, Rogers' delicious ode to its home town. If you’re in the mood for ice cream, stop in at Chocolats Favoris, who take the dipped cone to the next level - think chocolate dipped and loaded with cookie crumbs, cherries, or... well you name it!
Public Markets
Victoria’s colourful public markets bring vibrancy to the city with a wonderful array of locally produced goods and entertainment.
The Victoria Public Market is Victoria’s year-round dining, farmers and artisan market, located in the iconic Hudson Building downtown. In this indoor market, you’ll find everything from fresh lunch options to produce and pantry items – pretty much everything you’ll need to enjoy a picnic or prepare a great meal for friends and family. For those looking for an outdoor market experience, be sure to visit the Moss Street Market in Fairfield or the Esquimalt Farmers market, which bustle with vendors, live music, and food stalls.
Visit our shopping page for a full directory of shopping centres and stores in and around Victoria.
According to research conducted by our team with data from Stats Canada, Greater Victoria holds the title of “Resale Capital of Canada” as a result of holding the largest number of registered resale businesses per capita in the country. To plan your next shopping spree, here’s a guide to exploring Victoria’s great antique, consignment, thrift and vintage shops.
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