Vancouver, Canada: travel guide
Mountains, ocean and seawall cycling on Canada's Pacific coast
Pacific coast city ringed by mountains and ocean, blending urban life with outdoor adventure.
About Vancouver
Few cities sit as close to wild scenery as Vancouver, a Pacific port with mountains rising directly behind its glass towers. Stanley Park's seawall is the classic introduction, a loop of forest, water and skyline views that suits walkers and cyclists alike.
Beyond the park, you can browse the market stalls of Granville Island, wander the old streets of Gastown past its steam clock, or head up to Grouse Mountain and across the Capilano Suspension Bridge for a taste of the coastal rainforest. Seafood and Asian cooking are particular strengths.
Vancouver travel suits outdoor-minded visitors who still want a proper city to come home to. Summer is dry and bright, and the shoulder months are quieter, though rain is always a possibility on this coast.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Vancouver
- Nearest airport
- YVR
Last updated
Top places to visit in Vancouver
Stanley Park
urban-park · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
1,000-acre urban rainforest park ringed by a famous seawall, with totem poles, beaches and forest trails.
Granville Island Public Market
public-market · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Vibrant public market and artsy district under the Granville Bridge, with food stalls, artisans and theatres.
Gastown & the Steam Clock
historic-district · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood with cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture and the landmark steam-powered clock.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
suspension-bridge · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic 140m suspension bridge soaring 70m above the Capilano River, with cliffwalk and treetops walkways.
Vancouver Aquarium
aquarium · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Marine science centre in Stanley Park home to thousands of aquatic species and conservation programs.
Grouse Mountain
mountain · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
North Shore mountain reached by the Skyride gondola, with skiing, hiking, wildlife refuge and city views.
Canada Place
waterfront-landmark · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Waterfront landmark with sail-like roofs, cruise terminal, convention centre and the FlyOver Canada ride.
English Bay Beach
city-beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Popular downtown beach on the West End, famed for sunsets, the Inukshuk and summer fireworks.
Queen Elizabeth Park
garden-park · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Highest point in the city with manicured gardens, the Bloedel Conservatory and skyline views.
Science World
science-centre · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Iconic geodesic dome on False Creek with hands-on science exhibits, an OMNIMAX theatre and family galleries.
Kitsilano Beach
city-beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Trendy westside beach with a giant heated saltwater pool, mountain views and a lively summer scene.
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
anthropology · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Renowned museum of First Nations and world cultures, famed for its totem poles and Bill Reid sculptures.
Things to do
- Vancouver Whale Watching Tour Wildlife · 4 h · from CAD 165 per person
- Seaplane Scenic Flight over Vancouver Sightseeing · 0.5 h · from CAD 160 per person
- Stanley Park Seawall Bike Tour Cycling · 2.5 h · from CAD 75 per person
- Capilano Suspension Bridge & Cliffwalk Visit Adventure · 2.5 h · from CAD 67 per person
- Granville Island Food Tour Food · 2.5 h · from CAD 95 per person
- Grouse Mountain Skyride & Lumberjack Show Sightseeing · 4 h · from CAD 75 per person
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Food · 3 h · from CAD 99 per person
- Capilano River Salmon & Forest Walking Tour Nature · 3 h · from CAD 89 per person
Day trips and tours
- Whistler Day Trip via Sea-to-Sky Highway 10 h · from CAD 189
- Victoria & Butchart Gardens Day Trip 11 h · from CAD 239
- Capilano, Grouse Mountain & North Shore Tour 6 h · from CAD 179
Where to stay in Vancouver
- Downtown & Coal Harbour about CAD 350 per night
Central waterfront core with luxury hotels, the seawall, shopping and the cruise terminal; the most convenient base.
- Gastown about CAD 260 per night
Vancouver's historic quarter with cobblestone streets, boutiques, cocktail bars and the steam clock; trendy and central.
- Yaletown about CAD 300 per night
Converted-warehouse district on False Creek with upscale restaurants, marinas and the Aquabus; lively and chic.
- Kitsilano about CAD 230 per night
Laid-back beachside westside neighbourhood with cafes, yoga studios and Kits Beach; great for a relaxed stay.
Hotels
- Fairmont Pacific Rim 5-star · CAD 650 to CAD 1,200 per night
- Rosewood Hotel Georgia 5-star · CAD 600 to CAD 1,100 per night
- The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver 4-star · CAD 300 to CAD 520 per night
- Granville Island Hotel 4-star · CAD 280 to CAD 480 per night
- HI Vancouver Downtown Hostel 2-star · CAD 45 to CAD 130 per night
- Victorian Hotel 3-star · CAD 150 to CAD 260 per night
Where to eat
- Miku Vancouver Japanese, Sushi, Seafood · about CAD 90 per person
- Phnom Penh Vietnamese, Cambodian, Asian · about CAD 25 per person
- Blue Water Cafe Seafood, Pacific Northwest, Sushi · about CAD 110 per person
- Go Fish Seafood, Casual, Fish & Chips · about CAD 22 per person
- Medina Cafe Mediterranean, Brunch, Cafe · about CAD 30 per person
- Vij's Indian, Contemporary · about CAD 55 per person
- Japadog Japanese, Street Food, Fast Food · about CAD 12 per person
- Hawksworth Restaurant Canadian, Contemporary, Fine Dining · about CAD 120 per person
Getting to Vancouver
Airport: Vancouver (YVR)
Getting around
- Bus
- Ferry
- Metro
- Ride Hail
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Aggressive panhandling & fake charity clipboards
Robson St, Granville St, Gastown
Individuals approach tourists with clipboards for a "charity" or a hard-luck story, pressuring you for cash or card details.
How to avoid it: Politely decline and keep walking. Donate only to registered charities; never give card details on the street.
Street drug-deal and theft hotspot confusion
Downtown Eastside (Hastings St near Main)
Tourists wandering into the Downtown Eastside can be exposed to open drug use and petty theft, especially around Main & Hastings.
How to avoid it: Avoid the Hastings/Main blocks, especially at night; stick to Gastown's main streets and use taxis or ride-hail after dark.
Overpriced unlicensed airport rides
YVR arrivals
Touts offer "cheaper" rides outside the official taxi/ride-hail zones, then charge inflated flat fares.
How to avoid it: Use the marked taxi line, app-based Uber/Lyft, or the Canada Line SkyTrain (~$9 to downtown).
More in Canada
Frequently asked questions about Vancouver
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Vancouver?
- The highest-rated places in our Vancouver guide are Stanley Park, Granville Island Public Market, Queen Elizabeth Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Grouse Mountain.
- Where should I stay in Vancouver?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Vancouver: Downtown & Coal Harbour, Gastown, Yaletown, Kitsilano.
- How do I get around Vancouver?
- Ways to get around Vancouver covered in our guide: City bus, Ferry, Metro, Ride-hailing app.
- What scams should I watch out for in Vancouver?
- Scams reported to us for Vancouver include Aggressive panhandling & fake charity clipboards; Street drug-deal and theft hotspot confusion; Overpriced unlicensed airport rides. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Vancouver?
- The nearest airport to Vancouver has the code YVR.