Stanley Park
1,001-acre park with the 9-kilometre Seawall, Brockton Point totem poles, Prospect Point and Lost Lagoon.
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About Vancouver
Vancouver combines a downtown skyline, ocean beaches, the 400-hectare Stanley Park rainforest and the North Shore mountains within a single transit-friendly city. Gastown, Chinatown, Granville Island, Kitsilano and Commercial Drive sit within a short SkyTrain, bus or SeaBus ride of each other, and Whistler, Vancouver Island and the Sea to Sky Highway are day-trip distance. The city is best from June to September; winters are mild but very wet.
- Capital
- Victoria (capital of British Columbia; Ottawa is the national capital)
- Largest city
- Vancouver
- Population
- About 700,000 (city); about 2.7 million in Metro Vancouver
- Languages
- English, French, Over 100 languages spoken, including Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi and Tagalog
- Currency
- Canadian dollar
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving from March to November)
Explore Vancouver by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Vancouver
The 22 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Granville Island
Peninsula with a public market, artist studios, theatres and the Granville Island Brewing taproom.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
137-metre suspension bridge over the Capilano River with Treetops Adventure and Cliffwalk.
Gastown Steam Clock
Steam-powered clock built in 1977 at Water and Cambie streets in Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood.
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Houses Northwest Coast First Nations art, including Bill Reid's The Raven and the First Men and monumental poles.
Science World
Geodesic-dome science centre with hands-on galleries, an Omnimax theatre and a Kidspace area.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Vancouver Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Vancouver, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Vancouver
- Days 1-2Vancouver city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Vancouver
- Days 1-3Vancouver comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Vancouver, departure
Where to stay in Vancouver
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget CAD 130-170 (US$91-119)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range CAD 300-420 (US$210-294)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury CAD 700+ (US$490+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Fairmont Pacific Rim
Waterfront luxury hotel beside Canada Place and the cruise terminal, home to the Willow Stream Spa.
Check rates on Booking.comPan Pacific Vancouver
Waterfront hotel at the top of the Canada Place complex with direct access to the cruise ship terminal.
Check rates on Booking.comFairmont Waterfront
Full-service waterfront hotel next to Canada Place, with harbour and North Shore mountain views.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Westin Bayshore
Resort-style waterfront hotel beside Stanley Park with outdoor pools and a marina setting.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Vancouver
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
AnnaLena
Kitsilano restaurant that became Vancouver's first two-star Michelin restaurant in the 2026 guide.
Burdock & Co
Main Street restaurant holding one Michelin star, known for seasonal cooking built on regional ingredients.
iDen & QuanJuDe Beijing Duck House
Cambie Street restaurant with one Michelin star, centred on Beijing roast duck carved for the table.
Kissa Tanto
Chinatown restaurant with one Michelin star that blends Japanese and Italian cooking.
Masayoshi
Omakase sushi counter on Fraser Street with one Michelin star.
Okeya Kyujiro
Yaletown sushi counter with one Michelin star.
Book a food tour in Vancouver We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Vancouver
Vancouver sits on a peninsula between Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River, and TransLink SkyTrain, buses and the SeaBus reach most sights. The Canada Line links Vancouver International Airport (YVR) with downtown in about 25 minutes, Pacific Central Station at 1150 Station St serves Amtrak and coach services, and ferries and floatplanes connect to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in CAD, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | CAD 55-120 (US$39-84) hostel dorm or budget room | CAD 200-320 (US$140-224) | CAD 450-1,000 (US$315-700) |
| Food (per day) | CAD 35-50 (US$25-35) | CAD 80-120 (US$56-84) | CAD 200-400 (US$140-280) |
| Transportation | CAD 6-13 (US$4-9); TransLink DayPass CAD 12.55 | CAD 6-30 (US$4-21) | CAD 60-160 (US$42-112) taxis and ride-hailing |
| Activities | CAD 0-30 (US$0-21) | CAD 45-90 (US$32-63) | CAD 120-300 (US$84-210) |
| Daily total | CAD 130-170 (US$91-119) | CAD 300-420 (US$210-294) | CAD 700+ (US$490+) |
Best time to visit Vancouver
Weather through the year in Vancouver
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
June to September is the best time to visit Vancouver, with the driest and sunniest weather, warm beaches and open mountain trails. May and late September offer lower prices and fewer crowds, while skiers should visit from December to March.
Essential travel tips
- Tap a contactless credit card or phone on the SkyTrain and buses, or load a Compass Card; the stored-value fare is lower than cash.
- Add 5% GST and 7% PST to most purchases (12% total), plus 8% PST and municipal hotel tax on accommodation; menu prices exclude tax and tip, and tipping is 15-20% in restaurants and bars.
- Rent a bike or walk the 9-km Stanley Park Seawall, which runs one way for cyclists and is free.
- Book Capilano, Grouse Mountain, Whistler and Vancouver Island ferry trips ahead in July and August.
- Legal drinking and cannabis purchase age is 19; alcohol is sold at BC Liquor Stores and private stores, and cannabis only at licensed shops.
Safety information
Dial 911 for police, fire or ambulance; the call is free from any phone, and text-with-911 is available to registered Deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired users.
Call Vancouver Police non-emergency line 604-717-3321 to report a theft or car break-in after the fact.
Never leave luggage, bags or electronics visible in a parked vehicle; car break-ins are the most common property crime, especially at trailheads and Stanley Park lots.
The Downtown Eastside around East Hastings St between Main St and Abbott St has heavy street disorder, open drug use and a toxic drug crisis; avoid walking through it, particularly after dark.
On North Shore trails, check conditions at AdventureSmart.ca, tell someone your route, carry the ten essentials and stay on marked trails; North Shore Rescue responds to many calls from hikers in unprepared clothing and with no light.
Store food securely and never approach black bears or cougars; make noise on forest trails, keep dogs leashed, and back away slowly from wildlife.
Check tide tables before walking on beaches such as Spanish Banks and Wreck Beach; incoming tides can cut off rocky shoreline and strong currents make swimming outside lifeguarded areas risky.
Call 811 for free HealthLink BC nurse advice; carry travel health insurance, since BC's Medical Services Plan does not cover visitors.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vancouver safe for tourists?
Yes. The US State Department rates Canada Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) and the UK FCDO gives routine advice. Car break-ins and petty theft are the main risks, and the Downtown Eastside is best avoided at night.
Do I need a visa to visit Vancouver?
US citizens need only a passport. Visa-exempt air travellers from countries such as the UK, EU and Australia need an eTA (CAD 7) before flying; other nationalities may need a visitor visa.
What currency is used in Vancouver?
The Canadian dollar (CAD), at roughly US$0.70 per CAD. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere.
What is the best time to visit Vancouver?
June to September for dry, sunny weather and festivals; May and late September are quieter. Winters are mild but rainy, and ski season on the North Shore runs from December.
How do I get from Vancouver Airport to downtown?
The Canada Line train reaches Waterfront Station in about 25 minutes; single trips from YVR carry a CAD 6.50 AddFare on top of the regular fare. A taxi or ride-hail costs roughly CAD 40-55.