Victoria, BC is a city that truly has it all, and we’re not just talking sight seeing, outdoor activities and food – we’re talking shopping too! Whether you’re into finding an art piece for your house, are searching for that perfect addition to your flawless wardrobe or just want to test your self-control by doing some window shopping, Victoria has a number of malls, unique and local boutiques, districts and markets that are calling your name. If nothing else, you’ll definitely find the perfect souvenir to remember your time here by. If you’ve seen all the sights or just need a break from being a tourist, be sure to visit some of these spots and fulfill your shopping needs!

Malls

Depending on what area you’re visiting, there’s definitely going to be a mall available for you to browse through. Featuring a mix of local, independently owned boutiques and well-known favourite stores, you’ll be able to spend some time with the locals in any of the major shopping centres in Victoria. Some of the buildings are so nice you’ll be surprised you’re in a mall!

Mayfair Shopping Centre

3147 Douglas St. Victoria, BC
Mayfair Shopping Centre is Victoria’s leading fashion-focused shopping centre. The centre is conveniently located along the key commuter routes into the city of Victoria. The centre’s blend of national and regional retailers combined with a strong fashion mix has solidified Mayfair’s position in the trade area as a great shopping destination. Adding to the centre’s broad appeal is a vast array of shopper friendly services and a warm and inviting shopping environment that offers Mayfair shoppers another reason to visit often and spend more time.

Tillicum Centre

3170 Tillicum Rd. Victoria, BC
There’s always something happening at Tillicum Centre – with over 50 retail shops and services including Winners, Home Outfitters, Old Navy, London Drugs, Save-On-Foods and Mr. Pet’s, you will be sure to find everything you need.Look and feel amazing with your new wardrobe from Tillicum Centre, not to mention the great service you will receive. You can even go in and see the Dentist!

Be sure to stop by for a quick bite before your movie night at SilverCity and don’t forget to enjoy the many services and programs from Pearkes Recreation Centre (check out their ice skating rink!) and the Saanich Centennial Library.

Bay Centre

1150 Douglas St.

Located in the centre of the Downtown Shopping district in Victoria, BC, the Bay Centre sees over 7 million guests a year and is both architecturally intriguing and conveniently located. With over 90 street front and interior stores, the mall spans an entire city block. If you’re traveling with teenagers who are tired of spending all day with Mom and Dad, it is perfectly located to meet back up after some time doing your own thing. The mall even provides visitors with a Visitor Savings pass to give you exclusive access to deals within the centre. The Bay Centre is the perfect excuse to take a break from all the touristy sightseeing and get your shopping fix! Its unique building even lets you claim you were checking out some of Victoria’s architecture.

Uptown

3440 Saanich Rd.

Uptown is a sophisticated open-air shopping centre with class A office space, restaurants and deluxe amenities located in the heart of Saanich. Enjoy the beautiful green space fit with a fountain while wandering between stores, which include BCBGMAXAZRIA, Mexx, Jacob, Plenty, Best Buy, Walmart, H and M, Starbucks and many more. During the holiday season especially, there are many pop-up shops to explore and enjoy on top of their usual selection. All the open, green space makes shopping a breeze when you’re in Saanich and it’s definitely a bonus to be able to grab a coffee for an energy boost and enjoy it next to the fountain!

Hillside Mall

1644 Hillside Ave.

Enjoy the wide variety of shops and services Hillside has to offer! Located inside a beautiful, glass-front building and containing more than 100 shops and services, you are bound to find what you need at this mall. Besides a brand new SportChek/Atmosphere to stock up for the adventures you’ll no doubt be enjoying while you’re in Victoria, there is also a Marshalls, Sears, Bolen Books, Thrifty Foods, Canadian Tire and food court that includes Tim Horton’s, Starbucks and DAVID’s Tea!

Farmer’s/Artisans Markets

Feel like a true local and know you’re getting the freshest and most unique British Columbia products by visiting one of Victoria’s markets during your stay. Taste test fresh produce, try on some locally made jewelry and enjoy the products of Victoria’s talented citizens. Below are a few that are definitely worth taking a trip to during your time here:

Esquimalt Farmer’s Market

500 Park Pl. Victoria, BC

Listen to the music of some local talent while wandering amongst vendors of local farms, being tempted by the scent of the numerous food trucks parked alongside the market place. Located in Victoria’s Town Square, you’ll be absolutely enthralled by this free and fantastic market. Admire and purchase one-of-a-kind crafts from the creator directly and learn about the sustainable practices farmers use to produce their environmentally sound crops. Not only will there be plenty of locals to mingle with in this Thursday community gathering point, you will experience the freshest and finest Victoria and British Columbia have to offer, as the market supports local businesses and encourages healthy living.

Breakwater Market and James Bay Community Markets

Montreal St. Parking Lot, Dallas Rd. & 547 Michigan St. Victoria, BC

Sample it all shamelessly at the James Bay Community or Breakwater Markets, awesome checkpoints to make up the perfect summer Saturday or Sunday respectively in the James Bay area. After visiting the Craigdarroch Castle, make your way to the either of the markets and spend your time sipping locally produced beer, wine and liquor, snacking on fresh-baked goodies (including gluten-free!) and checking out the local crafts and other artisan products, all to the sound of live music. Take unique souvenirs home to loved ones, grab a snack or supplies for a picnic and head to the beach, the Dallas Road Walkway or to Beacon Hill Park. Regardless, you will not regret take some time out of your weekend to explore and enjoy everything handmade or homegrown at either of these fantastic, market hotspots.

Moss Street Market

1330 Fairfield Rd. Victoria, BC

Visit the colorful tent-tops of the Moss Street Market in the Sir James Douglas School Yard rain or shine on Saturdays any time of year (or in the Garry Oak Room during March). Plan it around their Fresh Food Calendar so you know what goodies to expect from the local farmers, and to build your shopping list before you arrive. Enjoy the handmade crafts and other artisan products, listen to their live music, stop by the coffee tent to get the ball rolling and enjoy your Saturday in this eco-friendly and sustainable, local spot.

Sidney Street Market

Beacon Ave. Sidney, BC

If you’re planning on visiting the quaint, harbor town of Sidney just outside of Victoria, you need to plan to go so that it overlaps with their traffic-stopping street market. A renowned summer highlight, this Thursday night market sees over 5,000 people each night. Taking over Sidney’s main street, Beacon Avenue, the town of Sidney is quaint and touristy by day and fantastically festive by night. The market offers absolutely anything you could imagine or want from 150+ local vendors displaying handmade jewelry, homegrown produce, artisan products and clothing. Try all the flavours of British Columbia by sampling from an array of tasty, local goods such as jams, fudge, beer and wine. From 5:30 to 8:30, the market is short but sweet and is something you definitely need to go see for yourself!

Victoria Public Market at the Hudson

1701 Douglas St. #6 Victoria, BC

This market is your chance to combine food, sightseeing, history, architecture and community together in one. Local seafood, cheese, meats and baked goods along with farm-fresh produce, and a multitude of other artisan products are located in one massive market in the heart of downtown Victoria. Inside the Hudson building, a location brimming with history, it’s a perfect spot to gather the freshest groceries around, enjoy local talent and snack on the freshest and tastiest treats. As a favourite community gathering place, you’ll be able to do plenty of people watching, interact with the regulars and find something unique to ensure your time in Victoria is something you’ll never forget.

Unique Shopping Areas

Downtown Victoria

Nothing beats downtown Victoria for shopping on the Island. Featuring a core area of restaurants, boutiques, malls and shops, there’s something for everyone. You’re also guaranteed to find the perfect Victoria souvenir as you wander along Government, Pandora, Wharf, Johnson, View, Fort or Yates.
Be sure to stop by Market Square, one of the oldest landmarks in Victoria tucked safely away into a courtyard between brick heritage buildings.Market Square features pop-up booths of art and local vendors and will overwhelm you with its vibrant colours and array of intriguing shops and restaurants to explore.
For another unique, Victoria experience, wander a mere five minutes from there to Chinatown, the second oldest in North America, and enjoy the bustling shops while searching for the famous Fan Tan Alley.

The Cadboro Bay Village

Although small, the Cadboro Bay Village is always bustling due to its beautiful, ocean-side location and vibrant atmosphere. After spending the day at Cadboro Bay or in the UVic Botanical Gardens, wander through the village and explore the boutiques to find some unique gifts or souvenirs. The area boasts a number of local artists and has a Fine Arts festival in the summer to show off their talent. You may even find a piece that will fit perfectly on that blank wall you’ve been meaning to decorate at home! With a multitude of festivals and events, a prime location and unique goods, the Cadboro Bay Village is a sweet shopping stop that feels more like sightseeing than heavy-duty shopping.

Oak Bay Village

Located about five minutes from downtown Victoria BC, the Oak Bay Village is brimming with all sorts of shops for you to explore! If art is what you’re looking for, the Oak Bay Village is the place to shop for it. With a number of galleries including unique, boutique options, as well as large, full-blown studios the area features plenty of local and British Columbia-wide artists. Besides art, there are many other local boutiques that sell artisan candy and baked goods including sugar-free, nut-free and gluten free that make lovely gifts to take back to friends at home. The Oak Bay Village even has its own night market that allows you to discover the 100-or-so artisan venders who are proud to share their homegrown/handcrafted creations with you. Sample fresh baked bread, pies and preserves, find a unique piece of jewelry for your next big night out and sip on locally crafted wine, beer, cider and even gin. Your wallet might not like you, but your wardrobe and stomach sure will after spending some time shopping in Oak Bay.