Vancouver Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Vancouver
Granville Island showing a high-rise building, a city and a bay or harbour
Gastown which includes a city and street scenes
Stanley Park which includes rocky coastline
Vancouver showing a high-rise building, a city 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 centre, coastline of sandy beaches and surrounding forested mountains, Vancouver appeals to visitors seeking big-city entertainment and outdoor pursuits. Explore neighbourhoods 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 neighbourhoods. 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 favourite 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(406 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
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
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
Pacific Coliseum which includes ice skating, a sporting event and interior views

East Vancouver

4/5(2 area reviews)

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

East Vancouver
Default Image

Kitsilano

5/5(1 area review)

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

Kitsilano
Gastown showing outdoor art, a statue or sculpture and a city

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 Rogers Arena and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Granville Station or Vancouver City Center Station.

Central Vancouver
Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel & Marina
Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel & Marina
4 out of 5
3500 Cessna Dr, Richmond, BC
The price is NZ$350 per night from 7 July to 8 July
NZ$350
7 July - 8 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Richmond. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,100 reviews)
"Jose was wonderful. Great hotel and staff. Definitely would stay here again. Great location and met all of our expectations."

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel & Marina
River Rock Casino Resort
River Rock Casino Resort
4 out of 5
8811 River Road, Richmond, BC
The price is NZ$561 per night from 19 July to 20 July
NZ$561
19 July - 20 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury resort in Richmond. Enjoy a full-service spa, 5 restaurants, and a marina. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (9,209 reviews)
"It was nice"

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

River Rock Casino Resort
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
4 out of 5
1133 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC
The price is NZ$452 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$452
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,850 reviews)
"Highly reccomend! Wonderful area."

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
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.
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! (1,824 reviews)
Love the kitchenette!
"Cute room, perfect for my family of 6. Love the kitchenette! Location was close to everything we wanted. Comfortable beds aand great views. No time to check out the pool, maybe next time!"

Reviewed on 28 Jun. 2025

Rosedale Condominiums
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Revival Apartments English Bay
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Revival Apartments English Bay
4 out of 5
1771 Comox Street, Vancouver, BC
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Vancouver. Enjoy parking (surcharge), concierge services, and an in-room coffeemaker. Our guests praise the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (532 reviews)
"Located at a very fun area of the city. Close to small restaurants and in walking distance from English Bay. The hotel is well kept and modern. Howvever, the room was not very clean."

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Revival Apartments English Bay
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! (1,065 reviews)
Clean.
"Very clean and spacious. Great location. Accommodation generally dated but suitable for our needs."

Reviewed on 25 Jun. 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

Activities

Reviews of Vancouver

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
183
5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
126
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
15
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Easy to get around. Good stopover for Whistler vacation.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Quite good. But avoid Eastside of Downtown near East Hastings St, Japan Town and Chinatown. Absolute Dickensian scenes of homeless drug addicts

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful friendly clean city with great food and wonderful people

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A fantastic city!!!!!!!!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Overall, it is a nice city to visit for holiday. Worth to visit again.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Raincouver, is a good place to stay before heading to Whistler.

Cities near Vancouver