It doesn't get much better than this: a gorgeous mix of mountain and ocean scenery and friendly people set in a temperate climate that stays relatively warm all year. Add in a myriad of attractions both inside and outside of the city, and you have the perfect recipe for a great vacation.
Vancouver consistently rates amongst the five most liveable cities in the world, and it's no great challenge to see why. Whether you're interested in the arts and perusing the city's countless museums and cultural offerings, strolling or picnicking in the vast ancient-treed Stanley Park, or barrelling down single-track mountain bike paths at nearby Whistler, Vancouver has it all.
Getting in and around Vancouver
Vancouver Airport
Vancouver International Airport is located about 15 kilometres from downtown (the central business district), with options for transportation including bus, taxi and private car. It's the second busiest airport in Canada, so plan to allow some extra time for security.
Vancouver Transport
Vancouver is an extremely pedestrian-friendly city, known for its walkability. If you're staying downtown, many attractions are within easy walking distance and you can find tourist-friendly maps of Vancouver at virtually every corner. Another great option for seeing the city is by bicycle: a vast network of paths offer access across the city, and most mass-transit buses and trains allow bicycles to be loaded for free. Taxis are also widely available.
For getting further afield, Vancouver has a good-value public transport system, Translink, incorporating the SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express commuter train.
Vancouver Car Hire
If you're thinking about heading out of town to check out the backcountry of beautiful British Columbia, you may want to consider a Vancouver car rental. Private shuttles and bus tours of all sizes are also available, but for less structured exploration of this stunning province, the flexibility of having your own vehicle can't be beaten.
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Vancouver accommodation
Luxury
Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, located on the waterfront, is one of the largest in the city. The hotel offers stunning views across the entire urban landscape and a heated salt-water pool on the rooftop.
Shangri-La Vancouver is right in the middle of the action and located in the ideal spot between the mountains, sea and city. This magnificent hotel offers a spa, gym and restaurant.
The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver is one of the great Vancouver boutique hotels. From the award-winning restaurant to the revitalising spa, this hotel guarantees a luxury experience.With over five hundred rooms, the waterfront-located
Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver is one of the largest in the city. The hotel offers stunning views across the entire urban landscape.Right in the middle of the action, the
Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver is exactly what you'd expect from this hallmark of the hotel industry. Guests report impeccable service and gorgeous rooms.The
Sutton Place Hotel is one of the great Vancouver boutique hotels. Recipient of the prestigious AAA Five Diamond award, the hotel was recently renovated.
Mid-range
The Sylvia Hotel is Vancouver's only beach-side hotel. Five minutes from Downtown, this hotel offers a range of spacious rooms and suites.
The Blue Horizon Hotel comes highly recommended. Gastown and Chinatown are only minutes away.The
Sylvia Hotel is Vancouver's only beach-side hotel, 5 minutes away from Downtown.The
Blue Horizon Hotel comes highly recommended. Gastown, Chinatown, and the Aquarium are steps away.
Budget
The Barclay Hotel is perfect for a comfortable, affordable stay in Vancouver.
YWCA Hotel Vancouver has it all: great location, clean and comfortable rooms, great service and great prices. The
Columbia Hotel is well-located in historic Gastown and offers charming private rooms with hardwood floors, kitchenettes, fridges and fireplaces. Aimed at young travellers and budget-minded tourists. Weekly rates available.
Backpackers
Pacific Spirit Hostel, situated on the University of British Columbia campus, is a hostel that accommodates any budget, offering a convenient location close to attractions.
The
SameSun is Vancouver's most popular backpacker hostel. Located right in the middle of hopping downtown, there's an on-site bar and room to lay out and relax among fellow laid-back travelers.
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Things to do in Vancouver
Stanley Park is the largest and most loved park in Canada, and a point of pride for Vancouver. Famous for its vast forest, beautiful Stanley Park is spread over 400 hectares and draws about 10 million visitors over the course of a year. Nearby, walk the 13,123 step walk of the Stanley Park Sea Wall, joining lucky locals for whom exercising in this gorgeous scenery is just a part of daily life.
Gastown. Take a tour of historic Gastown, Vancouver's birthplace. Walking tours of this downtown district tell you the history, show you the architecture and give you the story of the steam-powered clock which whistles every quarter hour.
Grouse Mountain is a unique getaway only 15 minutes out of town. In Winter, Grouse Mountain offers the closest skiing to the city. In the Summer, hit Grouse Grind, a challenging two-hour steep hike with breathtaking views of the city at the peak. The Skyride also does round trips form the bottom to the top.
Catch a Canucks Game. Hockey isn't a sport here - it's a way of life. The Vancouver Canucks have made it to the finals of the Lord Stanleys Cup only three times, but are still perennially considered among the top teams in the league.
Granville Island is an unlikely oasis in the middle of the city. Industrial factories have been reborn as a bustling hub filled with markets, shops, theatres, galleries, playgrounds and more.
The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia is home to some awe-inspiring totem poles, art and a wealth of information on indigenous cultural artefacts.
Wander around Kitsilano. This young professional neighbourhood is home to funky shopping, great beaches and some charming residences. It is also the birthplace of the famous yoga clothing brand, lululemon.
The Vancouver Aquarium, located in Stanley Park, is an impressive collection of marine biology. You'll find sharks, seals, jellyfish, turtles and sea otters. You can even watch the sea otters before you arrive via the Sea Otter Cam.
Hit the beach. Though known for its rain, Vancouver in Summer bucks against this reputation with a wealth of beautiful clear blue sky days, perfect for hanging out at its many great beaches. Jericho Beach is good for picnicking, fishing and windsurfing. English Bay, Third Beach and Second Beach near Stanley Park offer some nice views across the bay, and wilderness-surrounded Wreck Beach is one of the largest legal clothing-optional beaches in the world.
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Day trips in and around Vancouver
Vancouver Island is accessible by ferry from Vancouver and is a gorgeous, quiet alternative to the bustling mainland. If you're looking for world-class hiking, the West Coast Trail, located in Pacific Rim National Park, is a rugged six to eight-day trek that will take you through some spectacular nature. Also consider a whale-watching expedition.
Whistler Mountain. This beast of a mountain is home to the Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, the largest in North America. Skiing and snowboarding aren't the only venues for entertainment, though. The town at the base of the mountain lights up at dusk with a vibrant nightlife. In Summer, Whistler opens its lifts to mountain bikers.
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