There’s something about perusing your favourite local bookstore in the fall that elicits the coziest, warmest feeling. And we’ve got just the place to add to your itinerary if reading is your favourite leisure activity. Situated in Greater Victoria within the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ People, the quaint seaside town of Sidney is, quite literally, one for the books.

According to Tourism Victoria, visitors can uncover a diverse selection of new and second-hand titles from multiple charming bookshops, all within walking distance of each other. Though the number has sadly dwindled this year with the closing of long-time shops Beacon Books and Galleon Books and Antiques, the spirit of Sidney’s historical ‘Booktown’ lives on!

Established in 1996, the area is one of only a few in the world, and is considered Canada’s only Booktown.

Books & treasures

From maps and nautical charts to period antiques and collectibles, you can still find all sorts of treasures at a handful of stores.

For one, you’ll uncover out-of-print materials at Vancouver Island’s oldest bookshop, which has been serving booklovers and scholars since 1947.

There’s also Sidney’s full-service bookstore, Tanner’s Books, which boasts the largest newsstand on Vancouver Island and books in over 50 fictional and non-fictional categories.

Here are the local bookshops you’ll find in Sidney’s Booktown:

Ready for a seaside stroll to cap off the experience? You can take your new reads down Sidney’s Waterfront Walkway, which stretches 2.5 kilometres and offers breathtaking views of the Gulf Islands and Mount Baker.

So there you have it, bookworms! Sidney’s Booktown might have taken a hit this year, but the community is still thriving. Uncover some new reads this upcoming season and show Sidney some love!

Sidney’s Booktown

How to get there: Take a ferry to Swartz Bay, Victoria, and drive 30 minutes north to Sidney

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Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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