- Stay downtown, in Yaletown or near the West End for Stanley Park and the seawall
- The Canada Line SkyTrain reaches downtown from the airport in about 25 minutes
- Whistler, Vancouver Island and the North Shore mountains are all easy trips
- Summer is dry and sunny; winter is mild but wet
- Airports
- Vancouver International (YVR)
- Best time to go
- June-September; December-March for skiing nearby
- Type
- City
Few cities sit in a setting like Vancouver's. Snow-capped mountains rise straight behind the skyscrapers, the Pacific laps at the edge of downtown and a huge forested park sits on the tip of the peninsula. It is a city for being outdoors: cycling the seawall, kayaking False Creek or taking a gondola up a mountain before dinner.
Vancouver works as a city stay in its own right or as the start of a western road trip, typically onwards to Banff and the Rockies. For the wider picture, see our Canada guide.
Where to stay
- Downtown and Coal Harbour – central, close to the waterfront, the cruise terminal and the SkyTrain. The most convenient choice for a short stay.
- West End – leafy and residential, next to Stanley Park and English Bay beach, with plenty of restaurants on Denman and Davie streets.
- Yaletown – converted warehouses, smart bars and easy access to False Creek's water taxis.
- Gastown – the oldest part of the city, with cobbles, the steam clock and good cocktail bars; the neighbouring Downtown Eastside has visible poverty and drug problems, so check exactly where your hotel is.
- Kitsilano – a beachy, laid-back neighbourhood across False Creek, good for longer stays.
Things to do
- Stanley Park and the seawall – hire a bike and ride the roughly 9 km loop past totem poles at Brockton Point and the Lions Gate Bridge.
- Granville Island – a covered public market, artists' studios and breweries, reached by tiny ferries across False Creek.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge or Lynn Canyon – Capilano is the famous, paid attraction with treetop walkways; Lynn Canyon's smaller bridge is free.
- Grouse Mountain – take the gondola for city views, wildlife refuge and, in winter, skiing above the city lights.
- Museum of Anthropology – at the University of British Columbia, with outstanding First Nations art and carved poles.
- Day trips – drive the Sea to Sky Highway to Squamish and Whistler, or take BC Ferries to Victoria on Vancouver Island for whale watching and the harbour.
If you are visiting eastern Canada too, pair the trip with a stop at Niagara Falls on the way home via Toronto.
Getting there and around
British Airways and Air Canada fly direct from Heathrow to Vancouver in about 9h45, and there are seasonal direct routes from Gatwick and some regional airports. From the airport, the Canada Line SkyTrain runs to Waterfront station downtown in about 25 minutes; a small extra fare applies from the airport stations.
The compact centre is easy on foot, and buses, the SkyTrain and the SeaBus to North Vancouver cover the rest. Use a contactless card to tap in. You do not need a car in the city, but it helps for Whistler and longer trips.
When to go
June to September brings the driest, sunniest weather, with highs in the low to mid-20s °C and long evenings. It is also the busiest and most expensive time, with cruise season at its peak. Spring and early autumn are mild and quieter. From November to March it is rarely freezing in the city but often rainy, while the local mountains and Whistler are in ski season.
Vancouver hotel prices peak in July and August. Staying in North Vancouver or near a SkyTrain station outside the centre can save a lot.
Top attractions in Vancouver
Vancouver on the map
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Vancouver?
Three days covers Stanley Park, Granville Island and a North Shore mountain. Add a night or two for Victoria or Whistler.
Is Vancouver expensive?
Yes, it is one of Canada's priciest cities, especially for hotels. Food from markets and casual Asian restaurants is good value.
How far is Whistler from Vancouver?
About two hours by road on the Sea to Sky Highway, with coach services if you do not want to drive.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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