Vancouver in 7 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, Land & wander

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, Iconic sights

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, Food & markets

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

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Kitsilano, The laid-back beach suburb: Kits Beach, healthy cafés, and a young, active vibe.

Morning: Sunset at Kitsilano or English Bay beach with the mountains glowing behind the water.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Kitsilano, The laid-back beach suburb: Kits Beach, healthy cafés, and a young, active vibe.

Evening: The craft breweries of Mount Pleasant and the East Van 'Brewery Creek' strip.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: A flight at a Mount Pleasant craft brewery

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Chinatown & Mount Pleasant, Historic Chinatown beside the craft-brewery and indie-restaurant scene of Main Street.

Morning: Quiet trails and beaches in Pacific Spirit Park near UBC.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Chinatown & Mount Pleasant, Historic Chinatown beside the craft-brewery and indie-restaurant scene of Main Street.

Evening: The Bloedel Conservatory and the views from Queen Elizabeth Park.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Pacific salmon and fresh oysters

Day 6, Hidden gems

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Downtown & Coal Harbour, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Some of the best Chinese and dim sum outside Asia, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Downtown & Coal Harbour.

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

Day 7, Slow finish

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Gastown, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Japadog and the city's famous food trucks, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Gastown.

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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