Vancouver in 3 days

Where glass towers meet snow-capped mountains and the Pacific, a city built for the outdoors and great food. Best time to visit: June-September (warm, dry). Average daily budget: $120 to $220 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Downtown & Coal Harbour, The glassy core: the seawall, Canada Place, and the gateway to Stanley Park.

Morning: Stanley Park & the seawall. Cycle or walk the 9km waterfront loop around the giant urban rainforest park, with mountain and city views.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & Coal Harbour, The glassy core: the seawall, Canada Place, and the gateway to Stanley Park.

Evening: Granville Island Public Market. A food-lover's market of produce, seafood, and crafts on a creative waterfront peninsula.

Eat: Pacific salmon and fresh oysters

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Gastown, The historic heart: cobbled streets, the steam clock, brick warehouses, and design-led restaurants.

Morning: Grouse Mountain or Capilano. A gondola to alpine views and wildlife, plus the swaying Capilano Suspension Bridge through the treetops.

Afternoon: Explore Gastown, The historic heart: cobbled streets, the steam clock, brick warehouses, and design-led restaurants.

Evening: Sea-to-Sky to Whistler. A stunning mountain-and-fjord drive north, past Shannon Falls and the Sea-to-Sky Gondola to Whistler.

Eat: Some of the best Chinese and dim sum outside Asia

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Granville Island, A peninsula of public market, artisan studios, and waterfront eating under the bridge.

Morning: Cycle the Stanley Park seawall. Rent a bike and ride the scenic seawall around Stanley Park, ocean on one side, rainforest and mountains on the other, past totem poles and beaches.

Afternoon: Explore Granville Island, A peninsula of public market, artisan studios, and waterfront eating under the bridge.

Evening: Ride to the top of Grouse Mountain. A short trip from downtown, take the Skyride gondola (or hike the gruelling Grouse Grind) for city, ocean and mountain views, plus skiing in winter.

Eat: Japadog and the city's famous food trucks

Hidden gems

Sunset at Kitsilano or English Bay beach with the mountains glowing behind the water.
The craft breweries of Mount Pleasant and the East Van 'Brewery Creek' strip.
Quiet trails and beaches in Pacific Spirit Park near UBC.
The Bloedel Conservatory and the views from Queen Elizabeth Park.

Getting around

Vancouver's SkyTrain, SeaBus, and bus network (all on the Compass card) cover the city well, and the SkyTrain links the airport to downtown directly. Downtown, Stanley Park, and the beaches are walkable and superbly bike-friendly, with rental bikes everywhere. For Grouse, Capilano, and the Sea-to-Sky, a car or organised tour is easiest.

Safety

Vancouver is safe and clean, though the Downtown Eastside around Hastings Street has visible homelessness and drug use, so it's best avoided at night. Outdoor activities require preparation: check trail and weather conditions, and respect ocean and mountain hazards. Rain is common outside summer, so pack layers.

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