Kitsilano Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Kitsilano Beach showing a bay or harbour and general coastal views
Ethnic food, fashionable shops and one of Vancouver’s best beaches are all part of this bayside neighborhood.

Once the center of Vancouver’s counterculture during the 1960s, Kitsilano is now a haven for the city’s young urban professionals. It’s also one of Vancouver’s best districts for shopping and eating. Sample from a wide array of ethnic cuisines, explore bookstores or fashion boutiques and enjoy one of Vancouver’s most popular beaches.

Walk through the streets and get a feel for the neighborhood. Two famous organizations were founded in Kitsilano and show how it has changed over time. The environmental organization Greenpeace planted its roots here in the late 1960s, when the neighborhood was a counterculture hotbed. In the late 1990s, yoga clothing brand Lululemon was founded in Kitsilano, which suggests the neighborhood’s young professional turn.

Start your visit on West 4th Avenue, where the majority of Kitsilano’s shops and restaurants are located. Popular restaurants serve a range of cuisines, including Malaysian, Mexican and Japanese. Organic food options are common in the area as well. After eating, browse through the shops, which include bookstores, home décor shops and fashion boutiques.

During the summer months, Kitsilano Beach is packed with locals enjoying the cool waters of English Bay. If the crowds are overwhelming, look just off the beach for Kitsilano Pool, one of the longest pools in Canada.

East of the beach, find Vanier Park. This 42-acre (17-hectare) park features lawns, ponds and excellent views of the downtown skyline. Three of Vancouver’s notable museums are located here, including the Museum of Vancouver, which has numerous artifacts from the city’s history, including a collection of neon signs. Discover more educational exhibits at the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. In summer, Vanier Park also hosts the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. Watch a riveting performance, such as The Tempest, on a sunny Vancouver afternoon.

Located just across False Creek from downtown, Kitsilano is served by several subway and bus lines. If you are arriving by car, park in the Vanier Park lot for a fee and explore the neighborhood on foot.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Kitsilano Hotel Deals

Moda Hotel
Moda Hotel
3.5 out of 5
900 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$184 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
NZ$184
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,899 reviews)
"It was a nice little room."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Moda Hotel
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
4 out of 5
1133 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC
The price is NZ$284 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
NZ$284
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,402 reviews)
"Had a great stay & beautiful view!"

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
4.5 out of 5
845 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC
The price is NZ$287 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$287
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast, and WiFi. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,152 reviews)
"The staff were very friendly and the room service was delivered within 10 min!!"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
River Rock Casino Resort
River Rock Casino Resort
4 out of 5
8811 River Road, Richmond, BC
The price is NZ$273 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
NZ$273
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Richmond. Enjoy 3 restaurants, a marina, and a casino. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,812 reviews)
"Attached to the sky train Rizzika was just great at check in, so pleasant"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

River Rock Casino Resort
The Burrard
The Burrard
3 out of 5
1100 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC
The price is NZ$251 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
NZ$251
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and free bicycles on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,993 reviews)
Fun hotel but dont bring truck
"We make an annual trip together as a family yearly, to Vancouver. We like the location, cool vibe and price point of The Burrard. My only complaint is parking. My f150 truck is just too big for the indoor parking area. I barely get in or out each time. Will need another option next time we ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

The Burrard
Rosedale On Robson Suite Hotel
Rosedale On Robson Suite Hotel
3.5 out of 5
838 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC
The price is NZ$291 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
NZ$291
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,835 reviews)
"Great hotel the suite was very nice with a living room and kitchen to use if needed! The staff were very welcoming and friendly and check in was easy. I did find the blankets on the bed were not very thick so I was cold but I did find an additional throw in the closet. Great hotel!"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Rosedale On Robson Suite Hotel
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Kitsilano

Granville Island featuring a bay or harbour, a high-rise building and a city

Granville Island

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Granville Island is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Granville Island Public Market and False Creek while in the area.

Granville Island
Granville Island showing a bay or harbour and a city as well as a small group of people

Fairview

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

While you're in Fairview, take in top sights like Great Canadian Casino at the Holiday Inn or Granville Island Public Market, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Olympic Village Station or Broadway-City Hall Station.

Fairview
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 Stanley Park or Robson Street while you're exploring the area.

West End
Gastown showing street scenes, a city and outdoor eating

Central Vancouver

3/5(1 area review)

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

Central Vancouver
Yaletown showing street scenes, a city and night scenes

Yaletown

Take time in Yaletown to visit attractions like Robson Street and Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Yaletown-Roundhouse Station to see more of the city.

Yaletown
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

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