Vancouver

Travel Guide

Stanley Park featuring a bay or harbor, a city and a skyscraper
Granville Island showing a city, a bay or harbor and a river or creek
Gastown which includes a city and street scenes
Stanley Park which includes rocky coastline
Vancouver showing a city, a skyscraper 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 center, coastline of sandy beaches and surrounding forested mountains, Vancouver appeals to visitors seeking big-city entertainment and outdoor pursuits. Explore neighborhoods 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 neighborhoods. 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 favorite 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 which includes a city, modern architecture and a skyscraper

Downtown Vancouver

4.5/5(4,711 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 which includes 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 signage, a city and street scenes

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 ice skating, interior views and a sporting event

East Vancouver

3/5(33 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
Kitsilano Beach

Kitsilano

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

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

Kitsilano
Gastown featuring a statue or sculpture, a monument and a city

Central Vancouver

2.5/5(4 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
River Rock Casino Resort
River Rock Casino Resort
4 out of 5
8811 River Road, Richmond, BC
The price is ¥26,032 per night from Jun 24 to Jun 25
¥26,032
¥32,966 total
Jun 24 - Jun 25
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! (9,172 reviews)
"Great service! We got a room upgrade because it was my birthday and she was so sweet about it! Thank you River Rock!"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

River Rock Casino Resort
Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel & Marina
Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel & Marina
4 out of 5
3500 Cessna Dr, Richmond, BC
The price is ¥26,171 per night from Jul 1 to Jul 2
¥26,171
¥30,661 total
Jul 1 - Jul 2
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! (2,019 reviews)
"Very clean facility, staff was so helpful"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel & Marina
Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown
Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown
4 out of 5
180 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC
The price is ¥27,548 per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
¥27,548
¥33,244 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,268 reviews)
"Great location and staff."

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown
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! (524 reviews)
"We had a pleasant stay and liked everything about it. The location is great and lots of options nearby. The only thing that could be better is having a better blind for privacy. Other than that, everything was perfect!"

Reviewed on Jun 15, 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! (1,815 reviews)
"Super helpful and accommodating for a big group arriving at different times. Nice rooms and pool/hot tub/steam room/sauna. Good area. Only complaint was the hide-a-bed was pretty uncomfortable."

Reviewed on Jun 20, 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! (1,057 reviews)
"Located in a great position right near Stanley Park and English Bay with bus stops located a short distance away"

Reviewed on Jun 9, 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

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Reviews of Vancouver

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2437
5 - Excellent 64%
4 - Good
1142
4 - Good 30%
3 - Okay
186
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
20
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
11
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Tell all hotels to try cash/debit options? Maybe they will make a little if not more money. Because not everyone has a credit card. Like I know u don’t care about this but I was willing to pay double the actual hotel price in cash but got turned down

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Such a world class city with beautiful neighbourhoods right on the water. Very clean. Great food.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Vancouver is beautiful and so close to Seattle. I plan to visit fairly regularly.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Love Vancouver but couldnt enjoy it due to Covid19.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Very friendly, safe city. I loved the juxtapositioning of mountains right by the seal. Lovely! Stanley Park is a MUST!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Really enjoy my holidays in Vancouver

Cities near Vancouver