Vancouver

Travel Guide

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

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 high-rise building, modern architecture and a city

Downtown Vancouver

4.5/5(6,655 area reviews)

Central business district meets diverse neighborhoods, featuring high-rise apartments, Granville Mall, Gastown Steam Clock, and Sun Tower. Easily accessible via SkyTrain, SeaBus, and water taxis.

Downtown Vancouver
Kitsilano featuring street scenes, road cycling and flowers

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 the city at King Edward Station or Oakridge-41st Avenue Station.

West Side
West End featuring a city, street scenes and signage

West End

Fashionable Robson Street offers shopping and dining, while parks and beaches like Stanley Park and Sunset Beach provide outdoor activities. Explore the Stanley Park Seawall promenade and enjoy amenities along Denman and Davie Streets.

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

East Vancouver

3/5(54 area reviews)

If you're spending time in East Vancouver, check out sights like Port of Vancouver or Commercial Drive and hop on the metro to see more the city at Nanaimo Station or 29th Avenue Station.

East Vancouver
Default Image

Kitsilano

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Kitsilano is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Kitsilano Beach and False Creek.

Kitsilano
Gastown which includes a monument, a city and a statue or sculpture

Central Vancouver

3/5(3 area reviews)

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 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 CA $266 per night from Aug 6 to Aug 7
CA $266
CA $312 total
Aug 6 - Aug 7
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! (2,279 reviews)
"Good accommodation for the price, nothing exceptional but nothing to complain about."

Reviewed on Jul. 18, 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 CA $222 per night from Jul 29 to Jul 30
CA $222
CA $284 total
Jul 29 - Jul 30
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! (9,319 reviews)
"Overall, the hotel and casino was great. We appreciated the upgrade. The room was super clean, but could use some updating on the furniture."

Reviewed on Jul. 18, 2025

River Rock Casino Resort
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront

Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront

4 out of 5
1133 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $350 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
CA $350
CA $422 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
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! (6,902 reviews)
"The only issue was the A/C in the first room that they assigned to me. It sounded like a jackhammer was in the"

Reviewed on Jul. 16, 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.
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! (541 reviews)
Great place
"Great location near lots of restaurants, shops, and the park. Hotel was quiet and checkin was easy. You do have to pay to park, which is about $20 a day."

Reviewed on Jul. 10, 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Revival Apartments English Bay
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! (1,846 reviews)
"We loved the help from the bell boy, we had a lot of bags and he un loaded and loaded the cart for us. So sweet and kind. Check in was easy. Room was perfect temperature and clean. Close to BC Place and neighbourhood had good options for late night food."

Reviewed on Jul. 16, 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! (1,080 reviews)
"Very nice large suite in a wonderful area. Friendly and helpful staff. The entry cards are a bit tricky and this place is very expensive"

Reviewed on Jul. 15, 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

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2898
5 - Excellent 53%
4 - Good
2168
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
375
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
31
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
18
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

was still vibrant during pandemic

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Bab

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

no

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller

I CHOSE TO STAY DOWNTOW VANCOUVER FOR SECURE PARKING. SECURITY IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS NOT HAPPENING DOWN THERE. MY VEHICLE WAS BROKEN INTO AND I HAD TO DRIVE BACK TO CALGARY WITH A DRIVER WINDOW GONE, THE MODA HOTEL DT VAN DIDNT EVEN VACUME OR TAPE IT.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful, lots to do, great scenery

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Covid crisis self distancing reason for staying in. We were here for medical concerns only.

Cities near Vancouver