Vancouver

Travel Guide
Vancouver
Granville Island featuring a bay or harbour, a city and a river or creek
Gastown featuring street scenes and a city
Stanley Park which includes rugged coastline
Vancouver featuring a city, a high-rise building and street scenes

Vancouver Travel Guide Video

This thriving Pacific Northwest city offers an alluring mix of cosmopolitan culture, an excellent restaurant scene and craft beer bars as well as wonderful natural scenery.

With its sophisticated urban center, coastline of sandy beaches and surrounding forested mountains, Vancouver appeals to visitors seeking big-city entertainment and outdoor pursuits. Explore neighborhoods filled with artsy shops, multicultural restaurants and historic architecture. Cycle through a scenic park, enjoy an invigorating hike and relax on a beach.

Take your time discovering Vancouver’s diverse neighborhoods. Window shop along Robson Street, which features a variety of mid-range shops as well as luxury retailers like Gucci and Tiffany & Co. Head to Gastown to admire historic architecture and dine in some of the city’s top restaurants. Take photos of Chinatown’s famous Millennium Gate and then stroll through the exquisite Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden.

No visit to Vancouver would be complete without a stop in Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre (405-hectare) expanse of semi-wild parkland. Walk, bike or jog along the Seawall, which runs along the park’s coastline, offering lovely views of the city and the Lions Gate Bridge. Head to English Bay Beach on the edge of the park for swimming and sunbathing.

Grouse Mountain, located north of downtown, is another favorite destination for visitors interested in getting active. It offers excellent skiing and snowboarding in the winter and picturesque hiking in the summer.

Explore the city’s cultural side with a visit to the Museum of Anthropology, home to an exceptional collection of Northwest Coast First Nations’ art. View the exhibitions of Canadian and West Coast art housed at the Vancouver Art Gallery, including notable works by modernist painter Emily Carr.

Take the ferry across False Creek to visit Granville Island. Browse fresh produce, seafood, meats and baked goods at the Granville Island Public Market.

Most visitors arrive at the city by plane at Vancouver International Airport. Vancouver is also well connected by bus and train to most major Canadian cities, as well as by bus to the U.S. Get around easily within the city on its extensive public transportation system, which includes electric trolley and diesel buses, the light-rail SkyTrain and the SeaBus ferry.

Where to stay in Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver showing a city, a high-rise building and modern architecture

Downtown Vancouver

4.5/5(354 area reviews)

Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal and BC Place Stadium are a few top attractions in Downtown Vancouver. Hop around the city on the metro at Vancouver City Center Station or Granville Station and check out the area's captivating waterfront views, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

Downtown Vancouver
Gastown showing outdoor art, a statue or sculpture and a city

Central Vancouver

3/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Central Vancouver, check out sights like Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal or BC Place Stadium and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Granville Station or Vancouver City Center Station.

Central Vancouver
Kitsilano featuring street scenes, flowers and road cycling

West Side

While you're in West Side, take in top sights like VanDusen Botanical Garden or Kitsilano Beach, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at King Edward Station or Oakridge-41st Avenue Station.

West Side
Pacific Coliseum which includes ice skating, a sporting event and interior views

East Vancouver

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

While you're in East Vancouver, take in top sights like Commercial Drive or Main Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Nanaimo Station or 29th Avenue Station.

East Vancouver
West End featuring signage, a city and street scenes

West End

The stunning beaches and popular shops are just a few highlights of West End. Make a stop by Robson Street or Sunset Beach while you're exploring the area.

West End
Default Image

Kitsilano

Kitsilano is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Kitsilano Beach and Museum of Vancouver.

Kitsilano
River Rock Casino Resort
River Rock Casino Resort
4 out of 5
8811 River Road, Richmond, BC
The price is HK$774 per night from 2 Feb to 3 Feb
HK$774
HK$1,032 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Feb - 3 Feb
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Richmond. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants, and a marina. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (7,784 reviews)
"Easy access to ski train"

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2025

River Rock Casino Resort
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
4 out of 5
1133 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC
The price is HK$1,096 per night from 18 Feb to 19 Feb
HK$1,096
HK$1,323 total
includes taxes & fees
18 Feb - 19 Feb
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,068 reviews)
"Early check-in option was very helpful"

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2025

Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
Pan Pacific Vancouver
Pan Pacific Vancouver
4.5 out of 5
999 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC
The price is HK$1,309 per night from 2 Feb to 3 Feb
HK$1,309
HK$1,580 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Feb - 3 Feb
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,170 reviews)
"Check-in was brutal, took forever. I appreciate that the hotel's system was down and things had to be done manually, and the staff did the best they could. But there should have been a lot more staff checking people in, given the circumstances."

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2025

Pan Pacific Vancouver
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Level Vancouver - Yaletown Seymour
Level Vancouver - Yaletown Seymour
4 out of 5
1022 Seymour Street, Downtown Vancouver, Vancouver, BC
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (236 reviews)
"I really enjoyed my stay at Level. The room was quite spacious and felt more like a small apartment. There was insuite laundry facilities and dishes, glasses, bowls and many other housewares in the kitchen It was also nice to use the hot tub which was nice and available until 10 pm. Overall I would ..."

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2025

Level Vancouver - Yaletown Seymour
Rosedale Condominiums
Rosedale Condominiums
3.5 out of 5
838 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, a health club, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,680 reviews)
"Spacious rooms, quiet and excellent location."

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2025

Rosedale Condominiums
Rosellen Suites At Stanley Park
Rosellen Suites At Stanley Park
3 out of 5
2030 Barclay St, Vancouver, BC
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified aparthotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (988 reviews)
"My husband and I really enjoyed this property. The building is a little run down, but the rooms are spacious and the front desk people were very friendly. It’s a short walk to denman st where there’s so many cool shops and restaurants, as well as really close to Stanley park. Highly recommend!!"

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2025

Rosellen Suites At Stanley Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Vancouver

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
159
" "5 - Excellent 57%
4 - Good
101
" "4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
18
" "3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

My wife and I particularly enjoy Stanley Park

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Amazing city! You can walk everywhere, great food options. Would recommend to anyone

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The Aquarium was great (3 adults spent 4 hours there) and i also enjoyed the normal/space museum. There are plenty of places to eat and lots of variety too. Capilano suspension bridge is my must see recomendation

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place for a short or long holiday, public transport is efficient and cheap

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A really welcoming city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Amazing city.