Munro's Books

Incredible book store with a nice selection of collectible books. Munro’s Books has been a destination for book lovers for more than 60 years. With our heritage building and striking artwork, we are often included in lists of the world’s most beautiful bookstores. Munro's Books now occupies a landmark location in the heart of Victoria's Old Town, but its origins are much more modest. In 1963, Jim Munro and his first wife Alice set up shop in a long, narrow space on Yates Street, near Victoria's movie theatres. Bookstores were few and far between in Victoria; Jim's main competition in those days came from the book sections at the local department stores. But the location was convenient for younger, movie-going customers, and the staff's interest in new trends in writing and other art forms built a loyal clientele. The store relocated to larger premises on Fort Street in 1979 and then to its current location in 1984. Jim Munro announced his plans to retire from the business in September 2014, and he decided to turn over ownership of the store to four long-term staff members.. He wanted the store to continue to serve the many passionate readers—both locals and visitors from around the world—who visit Munro’s every year.

Such a lovely bookstore, not just for the wide selection of books, but also for the cozy interior and great atmosphere. The kids’ corner is really well set up, and they sell lots of cute little goods, so it’s fun just to walk around and browse. Definitely a spot worth stopping by!

This bookstore has great potential but currently faces some challenges that could enhance the experience for readers, publishers, and the books themselves. For instance, improving the lighting would significantly help customers see the covers and appreciate the book selection. Additionally, creating comfortable seating areas for browsing would encourage visitors to spend more time exploring. The shop windows and entrance could be better utilized to promote books and attract more visitors, rather than focusing solely on employee convenience. Books are crafted with care and attention to detail, and it’s essential that their covers and authors' names are visible and celebrated. With some thoughtful adjustments, the store could truly reflect the magic of the book creation process. While I understand that implementing innovative ideas might be a challenge for every management team, there is valuable space—such as the second level along the perimeter walls—that could be effectively used to enhance the customer experience. Right now, it feels as though the focus is more on administrative convenience than on transforming the space into a welcoming environment for customers. In summary, if we view the store as a vital meeting place for authors, publishers, and readers, there’s an opportunity to turn it into a more positive and engaging space for all. The limited operating hours can be a barrier for many readers, making it essential to find ways to extend accessibility. On a positive note, I found the idea of employee reviews to be a great touch. It would also be beneficial to learn more about the team behind the counter, as that connection could further enrich the customer experience.

What a gem this is. My wife and I, on vacation in Victoria popped into Munro's to get reading material for our travels home. The store interior is stunning, a single cavernous room with stain glass windows along the upper back wall. A veritable book cathedral. We were taking in the grandeur of the place when we hear soft strains of live music. We turn and look up to a wide ledge above the front entryway to see a violinist and a cellist begin playing Christmas music beside a decorated tree. Talk about first impressions. Oh and they had books, lots of them and the staff were very friendly and helpful. We walked out with more books than we could possibly read on our way home.

Munro’s Books is a dream! Walking in feels like stepping into a bookstore in a movie! The selection is vast, the stacks are gorgeous, the staff were lovely. I was even able to chat with our cashier briefly about my fave from home, Audreys Books, too. As far as indie bookstores go, Munro’s is really doing the dang thing. I didn’t get a chance to browse the children’s section as deeply as I wanted to, but it seemed like a good size to find plenty of variety. I loved the features on shelves to highlight local/Canadian small authors, and award winners. And the games section was great! We found some lovely cards and puzzles for gifts along with our books. :) Will be back next time I’m on the coast

Big fan of bookstores and architecture so this was such a treat! Didn't spend a lot of time in it but from what I can tell, it's a huge bookstore with a huge selection of books. At the least, it has all of the most popular books right now. It has quite a bit of bookish items like stickers, postcards, and bags, and I always find those items to be fun to browse. I love the history behind the place that it was designed for the Royal Bank of Canada. The stained glass and brightness of the place made it look so beautiful. I didn't end up getting anything so I can't comment on the service but the books were averagely priced. Really cool for a pop in and out!

I love this independent bookstore. Professors from University of Toronto sent books for my kiddo there and it was so easy to pick up. I recently purchased the only copy of Nobody’s Girl and hold it close to my heart. I love when I am able to walk around to stop in and see all the amazing unique authors that have so much wisdom and insight to share. Staff is super helpful and informed too. I like that.

One of my favorite bookstores in the world! I love this place. It is unique, funky, inclusive, and so gorgeous. I always pick up a cool card and also try not to buy a billion books here. Their recommendations are well worth checking out. Worth a visit.

Big fan of bookstores and architecture so this was such a treat! Didn't spend a lot of time in it but from what I can tell, it's a huge bookstore with a huge selection of books. At the least, it has all of the most popular books right now. It has quite a bit of bookish items like stickers, postcards, and bags, and I always find those items to be fun to browse. I love the history behind the place that it was designed for the Royal Bank of Canada. The stained glass and brightness of the place made it look so beautiful. I didn't end up getting anything so I can't comment on the service but the books were averagely priced. Really cool for a pop in and out!

One of the nicest bookstores I've ever had the pleasure of shopping in. Munro's happened to be one of the few shops in downtown Victoria that was open past 5pm on a weeknight. We came in right around 6 and enjoyed taking our time purusing all of the varies section. They had a large selection of local authors, as well as sections for games and puzzles. Prices were very fair as well. If I lived closer by, I would surely be in regularly. Definitely worth a stop in when you are in town.

Discovered this place during a cruise stop in Victoria! It's in downtown and has an old town, dark academia vibe. Service was friendly. Nice, large shop with a great selection of books, including adult, children's, and ya! Very wide array of genres to choose from, they even have blind dates with a book. They also have a pretty large selection of indie authors too, even local ones! Prices are the regular market price. What really stood out about this shop was all the cool bookish merch they had! They had such a wide selection of bookmarks, totes, pins, and random cool things! They carry Out of Print merch too which I hardly ever see in bookstores! I found a Coraline tote that I had never seen before so it was such a cool, unique find! Overall, this shop was one of the highlights of my visit to Victoria! Definitely stop by here if you'd like to browse a wide selection of books and find some unique bookish merch!

What a fun bookstore! It's really easy to move through the aisles and peruse all of the different genres. Also, there sale books - $9 - yes please!! The staff was very friendly. I really enjoyed the artwork of the seasons on the walls.

A gem of a bookstore with very reasonable prices. Loved it and would return in a heartbeat!

Great shop that I wish I could visit more frequently!! Must visit in Victoria and plan time to browse and shop. My oldest spoke to a staff member there who gave great custom recommendations to my bibliophile - even consulted colleagues for more ideas. Wrote down authors they didn't have in stock at the moment (we were visiting) so we could track them down later (and we did!). We'll be back on our next tip to Victoria.

Bookstores are more rare nowadays and this is one of those stops you just have to swing by along Downtown Victoria. The internal decor is attractive and the wide assortment of books are presented neatly. I often scout out books for my toddler, but was let down by the children's section here. Stuffed away in the backside (literally like a cramped low ceiling storage area), there were some unique Canadian themed ones, but the prices didn't warrant more than just browsing. I found lots of generic toddler books too which made the selection just common and ordinary. Note the aisles are narrow and tight, so families with strollers will find it difficult to navigate when the store is always packed.

Munro's Books is a must for any bibliophile in Victoria. And yes, it's named after the Munro Family AKA that famous, Canadian writer Alice Munro, so expect all her works here and more. We visited Munro's Books when walking around downtown Victoria and first impression, the building is beautiful. I love the high ceilings and grand style of it, with shelves and shelves of trending and not-so-trending-but-worthy books. All located on one floor, there were a lot of books to browse through. They only sell new books here, so nothing used. This is a good book store worth checking out if you're a reader. Though the selection is extensive, it had a decent amount of books to discover. Staff was also knowledgeable about books, and are happy to help you find certain titles. Glad to have checked it out.

Every time we visit Victoria, we make it a point to spend some book-browsing time at Munro's. I cannot count all the bookmarks I've collected over the years from my purchases!

A good bookstore. Exactly what you'd expect to find in a tourist city. That being said, I do appreciate their large section of local authors and subjects. Beware, it can get very crowded very quickly (and thereby noisy), so those aiming to find a more leisurely browse amongst the stacks in a tranquil setting will want to time their visit accordingly. I can't say that I interacted with any staff aside from the cashier, so perhaps they were short that day or otherwise occupied?

Absolutely beautiful bookstore in the heart of Victoria. The building is historic, so it's nice to admire even just to visit the architecture. In addition to the great selection of books, there was also an abundant stationary selection. If you're a postcard lover like me, definitely stop by. I stocked up on cute postcards for a great price. This is a must if you're visiting Victoria!

I love bookstores and this one was highly recommended. Nice old building but disappointed that it wasn't a bigger space. Was leaning towards three stars but the great selection of Canada and indigenous peoples books marks Munro's as different and worth a visit!

An absolute gem in the midst of historic central Victoria. Seemingly surrounded by tourist oriented shops, this is an island of books, magazines, and related materials in a spectacular space (was a bank). The travel section is one of the best I've seen.

Beautiful book store with helpful staff. I was looking for a child's gift and found just what I was looking for at the prefect price.

The store is fantastic! The workers are book-lovers themselves, and were super-helpful. I walked out with way too many books, but in my little world, that's a wonderful thing!

Support local book stores! Stopped in for a gift for B-day and they had exactly what I needed. Huge health food sections and Keto section. Very helpful staff, friendly, and engaging. I needed my book and other present from other store wrapped and they obliged, for BOTH gifts! Wow, what great customer services. I would recommend this book store for locals and visitors passing through. Independent book stores are a great treasure. Please visit and buy to keep the lights on and employees paid! Enjoy!

I went to Munro's yesterday and mama mia cacciatore was impressed with their service! COVID measures were on point . I felt safe the entire time I was in there, and at no point did I see a need for change. The staff were excellent at their jobs. Each one of them were friendly and informative when I asked them questions. their prices are what I would call quite reasonable. Further, all of their products are in excellent condition, and the store is laid out very effectively. I will definitely be back!

Wonderful service, book selection, and location! Upon checking out the woman at the counter provided us with a number of complementary bookmarks and a bag due to the large number of books we purchased. The building is gorgeous and historic so definitely take a peek inside!

This is a great book store, staffed by passionate and knowledgeable staff. The space is also beautiful. We are so fortunate to have two destination bookstores in Victoria. While Munro's doesn't have the selection of Russell's, I have many times found books here, that weren't at Russell's. The two together make Victoria a wonderful spot for those of us who love to read. As an aside, even though they wouldn't hire me when I moved to Victoria (and had experience working in a bookstore) because I didn't have an English degree, the store is so good that I have frequented it for several decades.

Beautiful bookstore. Very helpful employees. Great recommendations. Loved the greeting cards. Modern card in a beautiful setting. Bought over$100 worth of books and cards. Can't wait to read

The building itself is beautiful, but the shelves are narrow and organization is poor. That combined with the crowds that are always there, this bookstore is cool to visit but I would go somewhere else if I just wanted to buy some books.

In all honesty, we come here for the ambience but buy books elsewhere. The collection is beautifully displayed for browsing and wandering. This is definitely a must-see in Victoria for book lovers.

I was so excited to find a bookstore in the heart of downtown Victoria. It was not in our plans but I had to go in after I saw it. They have a great collection of books on all topics, I think there will be something for everyone. I ended up spending more than an hour here and could easily spend double that. This is going to be on my must visit list every time we come to Victoria.

We traveled from Cleveland, Ohio to Victoria for our son's wedding, and had the pleasure of hosting the welcome party. We wanted our guests to have a special memento of their trip, and since we're avid bookstore fans, decided on the beautiful canvas book bags from Munro's to hold the contents. I contacted the store weeks in advance, and they graciously accommodated my request to purchase and hold the bags so that I wouldn't have to carry them myself. When I arrived in Victoria, I visited the incredible store and my order was all ready for me. Our guests LOVED the bags, and many actually visited the store the next day. I hope to spend more time poking around Munro's when I visit Victoria next time, but for now let me say THANK YOU for helping to make a great weekend even better!

I'm between a 3 and a 3.5 star review on this place. When I saw the photos on Yelp, it really seemed a lot larger than it actually is. I don't know the history behind the bookstore but it is a simple bookstore with bestsellers as well as some lesser-known local books. They have postcards and stationery and trinkets and the overall vibe of the store is classic and somewhat elegant. I did like the big section they had of First Nations and local author books since a lot of the books you probably wouldn't find anywhere else. It's worth a visit if you're just walking down the main strip. I didn't think it was too expensive but I'm kind of sad to say that I can get a lot of the same books online or from Barnes and Noble for less money or even just check them out at the library for free. I actually went in here for postcards and ended up leaving with none as I just didn't find anything that was really special. It is pretty well laid out though within the store. Everything is sectioned and labeled and the people who work there are stationed in the customer service/cashier area in the center of the store. I also did find that many of the aisles were relatively narrow so you may have to yield to other patrons or people with baby strollers or with backpacks on.

Want to see Orcas?, perhaps, take a water taxi, or even take a carriage ride through Beacon Park. Sure, you can do all of that, but you should take at least an 1 hour and go visit a bookstore that has been open since 1909. Yes, 1909. Munro's is splendid fun. It's what a bookstore should be. There's no Legos, no Tablets, and definitely no Starbucks inside. There are books of every type and neatly organized. Looking for books by Canadian authors, you betcha. Looking for your traditional top 10 fiction books, they have those too. Looking for the classics or even obscure first editions, yes, they have those too. Just remember your bookstore and library etiquette or you will be shhhhed! You're probably thinking, its expensive right. Wrong. The prices are what you would normally find at any store, there's no additional charge and they have quite the section of discounted books, so take some time and check them out. Don't worry about the creaking noise from the floorboards, it's acceptable noise and quite the charm. One of our favorite stops during our trip to Victoria. Definitely going back to escape to a time long ago.

Munro's Books has been described as "the most magnificent bookstore in Canada, possibly in North America." Maybe so! On top of that, Gayle and I both had flashbacks of walking into Livraria Lello in Porto as we walked in here. All bookstores should look this good and classy. Munro's books sits inside nicely restored neo-classical building that was designed for the Royal Bank of Canada in 1909. It's located in the heart of Victoria's Old Town and was started back in 1963 by Jim Munro and his first wife Alice (yes that one). Inside is a 24 foot high ceiling, complete with heavy brass lamps and various large fabric banners depicting the the Four Seasons and various classic works of literature. It would be easy to come in and not want to leave. I love the old wooden bookcases, the art, the way I can wind around the stacks, the smell, and of course all the choices (including cards). There's also an excellent selection about Victoria and books by local authors. Staff is also at the knowledge and service level that you would expect at a literary place like this.

This is such a lovely bookstore right in the center of downtown Victoria! I spent 3 days in Victoria, and probably came in here at least once every single day. The decor of the store is so charming, and their selection is fantastic! As a scifi and fantasy person, I spent most of my time in the back corner. I often struggle to find books that really appear to me, but they had such a large selection for me! I had trouble limiting myself to only two books - I left with a huge list of ones I'll want to read later. I could spend all day here! Definitely worth visiting in Victoria!

Wonderful book shop. They crammed a lot into a smallish space, but it's still roomy enough to maneuver around other shoppers. Their sections are clearly labeled and easy to figure out. The layout makes walking through the store seamless as well. They had a great selection of books, new and older. Local artists are noted, as well as award winning books. We easily found what we were looking for. Two thumbs up!

I am a book store whore. I'm also cheap and prefer to get my books from the library. The only solution: stay away from any and all book stores. However...I was on vacation and so gave in to temptation. The store is bright and comfy, with wooden bookshelves and most importantly (and dangerously!) a large selection of discounted/on sale books. There were a good number of people browsing the shelves on a Saturday afternoon, but the store is large and filled with fun nooks and crannies, so it never felt claustrophobic. The staff was very nice, and while I was browsing for nothing in particular, I got the impression that they would be more than able and willing to help you find whatever you needed.

This has to be once of the best bookstores in Canada! It's located in a heritage building and is a true respite for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Victoria!

I'm pretty sure this is what every Canadian bookstore should strive to be. From the incredible can-lit selection, to the beautiful interiors and the friendly and knowledgeable staff, Munro's is, to me, the ideal bookstore. Every time I return to Victoria, Munro's is one of my first destinations. Walking in the door of the store, originally built for the Royal Bank in the early 1900s, I'm always immediately immersed into the sea of old wooden book cases and their seemingly endless catalogue of fantastic books. To me, the most impressive feat is their dedication to Canadian literature, and the collection that reflects this. Being started by Alice Munro doesn't hurt that cause, of course. Furthermore, the incredible staff that this place employs makes every trip to Munro's a memorable one for me. I've never come across a more knowledgeable group of individuals when looking for a new book. Needless to say, anyone who's looking for a book or some inspiration while in Victoria needs to check out Munro's first.

The most beautiful bookstore I have ever seen in my whole life. Inspirational atmosphere, perfect service with personal touch. I always feel the love that the Munro's family has put in creating this bookstore. One of Victoria's richness, for sure.

On a day where other stores in this area weren't at all interested in taking my money, a wonderful associate and book lover at Munro's made my day. As if the decor and atmoshpere of this bookstore weren't enough to take the edge off an otherwise frustrating day of shopping, this fine gentleman helped turn my day right around! Not only did I find a great book I wasn't expecting, but the fellow assisting me actually helped me to determine the author of a book I only had a picture of on my iPhone that I had taken from a magazine. Although they didn't have the book in stock, he did offer to special order it in, which was like a blast from the past of excellent customer service of the old days when people were actually interested in helping you get what you want :) So THANKS Munro Books, for having a great store and great staff and for turning an otherwise frustrating day into a fulfilling one!! PJ xoxo

Typical bookstore that sells new books. Nothing special. No books on Canadian geology. Lots of best sellers. Lovely setting.

Lordy, I love this place. It is always my first destination upon arrival in Victoria. I like everything about Munros- from the ways it smells to the way it is organized. A perfect bookstore.

One of my biggest fears is that the invention of e-readers might kill places like this. It's worth a look inside even if you don't need any books, as the interior is just beautiful. They have a wonderful selection of cards (I hate the crap ones at places like hallmark, so I always stock up when in Vic), lovely diaries and note pads, and of course, a fantastic selection of books. The staff are also very friendly, they will search their database for you to find books, and if something hasn't come out yet, they will pre-order it for you. They will also order things in specially, and mail them to you if you don't live in Vic. Also, when the 3rd Harry Potter book came out, Mr Munro was there making magic wands and handing them out to kids. He had his office set up to look like Olivander's and he would measure your arm and let you try out different ones to see which wand would pick you. So awesome!

The best bookstore ever! Really enjoyed my trip to Victoria but this place was the highlight. I hope to visit again if a ever make it back!

I love this book store. It's a must for any book lovers visit to Victoria. I always find more than a few books to take home. I love the staff picks.

Great selection - knowledgeable and helpful staff - beautiful building. Doesn't get any better

Great book selection! It is one of those places that makes you linger, because just as you put down one book, another catches your eye. Wonderful books on local history. Friendly staff. Walking through the doors alone will make you feel ready to read. Be sure to stop by here if you go to Victoria.

Beautiful architecture, heaps of stationary and fun bits and bobs. Plenty of books, organized and categorized perfectly. Friendly and average pricing.

The architecture and murals alone are reason enough to visit this gem of VIctoria, but the book selection doesn't hurt either! I could easily spend a couple of hours wandering through the aisles here, and I know if I needed any help that their friendly and knowledgeable staff would be up to the task. I love the few tables that show off the staff picks, and good gift books - so fun to browse through. Anyone who loves books, architecture, or funky stationary must check this place out!

Beautiful little bookstore in a very pretty building. Okay, so I have to admit I especially liked it since it was one of the only places open in the off-season on a Monday morning when I went touristing in Victoria. Also: it's a nice little bookstore, including a section of local authors and such, and pretty stained glass windows. P.S. If you really needed to go, the WC is actually in a closet.

These guys are great. People knowledgeable and friendly. They gave us the history of the store, recommended a few books and were very friendly. They have a great selection of books, including Alice Munro's.

Gorgeous building right downtown; has an extensive selection and a beautiful children's and young adults section that I could spend hours shopping or reminiscing in.

I love this place! It isn't huge but it's so well curated that I never have to go to the place that shall go unnamed. I've been coming here for years and I still find things that I feel I'd never find elsewhere. The staff is always friendly and eager to recommend a favourite read. One of the few places keeping this stretch of town from being purely a street for tourists to wander.

I travel all over the continent and am gone so much. But Victoria is my town, books are my life, and this is my bookstore. If you love books, you simply have to go here, even though we really do have so many fantastic book shops in town. Even if you just want to shop for cards and wrapping paper you can't find anywhere else you have to stop in. But whether it's to park the kids in the back corner, pick up the latest best seller or scour for unusual coffee table books, you have to come here. The ambience is like no other bookstore in the world. The staff are chatty and incredibly service oriented. It's simply a gem and the number of people who have said thank you for my sending them there is beyond count. If you get Christmas presents from me, you probably got something from here.

This is my favourite bookstore on all of Vancouver Island. I can wander around in there for ages enjoying browsing the titles, and loving the slight slant to the floor. They always have great options in their "bargain" shelves, and the kids section has a great choice for my kids. When I want to buy a new book, and find myself downtown, I absolutely have to pop in.