A spirited culinary and cocktail capital surrounded by rugged mountains on one side and the sprawling Pacific Ocean on the other – some would call this heaven, Canadians call it Vancouver. This cosmopolitan playground in beautiful British Columbia is as rich in epicurean delights, museums, boutiques and art galleries as it is in breathtaking natural beauty and the sort of wild, remote wilderness that conjures up fairytales of distant, faraway lands. Not to mention it’s also home to some of the freshest, most exquisite seafood you’ll find in the country. There’s a lot to see, do, eat and drink – so here it all is, distilled into the perfect 10-day Vancouver itinerary, ensuring you get a taste of all the best bits of this coastal paradise.
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Best time to visit Vancouver
If you’re looking to venture into the great outdoors, summer (June to August) is generally the best time to visit Vancouver to go hiking, kayaking, and whale-watching, and to be able to spend long summer days by the ocean. Things cool down during Spring (March to May) and fall (September to October), though the perk of visiting during these months is you miss the peak season hustle. Winter is rainy with snow on occasion, but is perfect if you’re looking to squeeze in skiing holidays or go shopping at cosy Christmas markets.
For a detailed understanding, check out this guide to the best times to visit Vancouver for lower prices, beautiful weather, and outdoor adventures.
Vancouver itinerary days 1-2 – City pleasures
Touch down at Vancouver International Airport and choose from a few options to get to the city centre – airport taxis or ride-sharing services like Uber, the Airport Shuttle, or the Canada Line Skytrain. Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, spend your first evening exploring Vancouver’s dynamic culinary and cocktail scene with a dinner reservation at the Michelin-starred Published On Main. The restaurant will give you a literal taste of the land and sea around Vancouver with its focus on wild ingredients and locally sourced produce from surrounding farms. For something out of the ordinary, try the bee pollen milk buns – Japanese style milk buns with bee pollen and whipped butter – or the local stuffed BC fire morel mushrooms, with farmer’s sausage and mustard green sauce. The wild BC fiddleheads are a must-try, and the chargrilled Pacific octopus with chorizo vinaigrette is to die for.
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Spend day 2 of your Vancouver itinerary exploring bustling Granville Island, starting with a stroll through the colourful Granville Island Public Market where you can sample local delicacies, seasonal produce, ridiculously fresh seafood and a host of tasty local artisanal goods. On a hot summer’s day, there’s nothing I crave more than an ice-cold brew – make your way over to the Granville Island Brewery for a refreshing tasting session of their local craft beers. Work off the mid-afternoon beer buzz with a stroll along the waterfront with gorgeous views of downtown Vancouver and False Creek, and if you’re feeling especially adventurous (and not too tipsy), rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the area from the water.
Squeeze in a healthy dose of retail therapy by browsing through the island’s local boutiques, stores and galleries that feature works by local artists and a colourful selection of handmade crafts. End with a fresh seafood meal outdoors on the scenic patio of The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant – try their incredible Seafood Boil, fresh oysters, the Dungeness Crab Cakes, or – if they’re in season – the spot prawns. Spot prawns are a Pacific Northwest delicacy, a much-loved favourite in British Columbia known for their sweet delicate flavour and firm texture.
Book your stay at Fairmont Pacific Rim via Booking.com
Book your stay at Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel via Agoda.com
Vancouver itinerary days 3-5 – Great Bear Rainforest
On day 3, you’ll set out across the seas and into the forests to enter the sacred land of the great bears of British Columbia, under the guidance of an indigenous-led bear viewing tour. Book your stay at Klahoose Wilderness Resort, an all-inclusive eco-resort on the lands of the toq qaymɩxʷ (Klahoose) people, nestled along the southern edge of the Great Bear Rainforest with stunning ocean views. The resort is surrounded by dense coastal rainforest, featuring amenities like cosy cedar wood cabins, a wood fire sauna, kayaks, and paddle boards. Spend your first day exploring the stunning natural surroundings of the resort – take a short hike through the rainforest, plunge into the pristine Pacific Ocean, or explore the waters by kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. If you’d rather take it easy, relax and unwind in the wood fire sauna before a good night’s sleep under a sky full of stars.
On day 4 of your Vancouver itinerary, you’ll embark into the dense forests to see the great grizzly bears during the late summer/fall salmon run. Start with an early morning boat journey past Toba Inlet waterfalls, keeping your eyes peeled for an abundance of marine life. You’ll then descend into the lush temperate rainforest and glacier-blue river waters of the Toba Valley, where you’ll have the rare opportunity for intimate viewings of the grizzly bears – you may even get close enough to hear them breathing. The tours are led by local indigenous guides with a deep knowledge of the land and sacred connections to the animals – the perfect way for you to respectfully experience the pristine sanctuaries of the grizzly bears and the abundance of the rainforests and waters they call home.
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On day 5, start the morning by ocean foraging for wild food with a guide from the resort – you’ll find and learn about different types of edible seaweed, kelp, shellfish and local crustaceans. You can also learn more about Indigenous culture with storytelling and cedar weaving sessions on-site. Then head out for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on a helicopter-paddle day tour of the area, soaring into the clouds for exquisite panoramic views of remote peaks and jaw-droppingly stunning glaciers. You’ll end the tour with the chance to kayak on the turquoise-blue waters of some of the oldest glaciers in BC. Come nightfall, the resort serves fresh, sustainable cuisine with locally sourced ingredients and a lovely selection of local beer and wine.
Book your stay at Rosewood Hotel Georgia via Booking.com
Book your stay at Rosewood Hotel Georgia via Agoda.com
Day 6 to 7 – Cocktails and beach days
On day 6 of your Vancouver itinerary, make your way back to the city for a leisurely day exploring the charming neighbourhood of Gastown, a hub for the city’s creatives teeming with old-world charm and cobblestone streets, quaint Victorian architecture and the famous Gastown Steam Clock. Pit stop at Kimoto Gallery to peruse its extensive selection of paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works on display by both emerging and established artists, with a focus on contemporary Canadian art. The trendy neighbourhood of Gastown is also a buzzing nightlife hub – as day turns to dusk, make your way over to Pourhouse, a hip cocktail lounge set in a 100-year-old building with sexy exposed brick walls, Douglas Fir wooden ceilings and a fabulous spread of antiques and curiosities on display. The cocktail list is extensive and particularly innovative – try the Sotol Eclipse, a luxuriously aromatic blend of Flor del Desierto Sotol, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, Benedictine, passion fruit, and lime (for the uninitiated, Sotol is a Mexican distilled spirit made from a desert succulent called Dasylirion wheeleri, found in the deserts of Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Durango in Mexico. Sotol is more flavourful than tequila and not as smoky as mezcal).
Spend day 7 exploring the lush wilderness of Stanley Park, one of Vancouver’s most beloved natural spaces for its 1000 acres of forest trails with trees that are hundreds of years old, stunning ocean and mountain views, pristine beaches and a majestic six-mile (9 km) seawall. Rent a bike and cycle across the seawall, soaking in breathtaking views of Vancouver’s skyline and the North Shore mountains, or pack a swimsuit and a picnic and spend the day swimming at the beach.
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Vancouver itinerary days 8-10 – Across oceans and mountains
On the morning of day 8, head out into the open waters for an incredible sea otter and whale-watching tour with Coastal Rainforest Safaris, departing from Port Hardy on Northern Vancouver Island. You’ll have the incredible opportunity to see humpback whales, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, orcas, sea lions, and a diverse variety of seabirds in their natural environment.
Spend day 9 of your Vancouver itinerary venturing out to Grouse Mountain to hike the beautiful Grouse Grind trail, go zip-lining across its rugged peaks, or explore the area on foot with a guided eco-walk. If you’re not feeling so peppy, choose the more leisurely option of taking the Skyride gondola to the summit for incredible 360-degree views of Vancouver and some lovely restaurant options for lunch. At the summit, you can also visit the Refuge for Endangered Wildlife to see grizzly bears.
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On the morning of day 10, make a beeline for Vancouver’s hustling, bustling Chinatown – one of North America’s largest (and oldest) Chinatowns and a veritable hot spot of sights, sounds and scents. Stroll through traditional Chinese pagoda-style buildings, ornate gates, and lantern-lined alleyways, and stop for a serene touch of green at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, an urban garden meticulously constructed using techniques that date all the way back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Once you’ve worked up an appetite, settle into a sumptuous Dim Sum lunch at Jade Dynasty Restaurant with its incredible spread of har gao, shiu-mai, wild sticky rice buns and pork Shanghai dumplings, all served with complimentary Chinese tea.
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Book your stay at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver via Booking.com
Book your stay at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver via Agoda.com
Things to remember while travelling to Vancouver
- When travelling to Vancouver, pack for variable weather; Vancouver is known for its mild, but unpredictable climate conditions that can change in a heartbeat, so bring layers and waterproof gear.
- Secondly, plan out your transportation options in advance since the city offers excellent public transit but also has traffic congestion during peak hours.
- Finally, pack for the great outdoors – Vancouver’s outdoor attractions are an absolute must-see, so pack comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, and any other outdoor essentials you require.
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(Feature Image Credit: Seán Ó Domhnaill/Flickr)
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The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
A recommended 7 to 10 days would be enough to thoroughly explore Vancouver.
There are day trips you can take from Vancouver including to Granville Island, Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver Island and Great Bear Rainforest.
For your trip to Vancouver you should pack layers and waterproof gear, comfortable shoes, essentials like sunscreen and insect repellent for outdoor activities, and travel adapters for Canadian plug points.
Getting around Vancouver is efficient with options like the SkyTrain, buses, and SeaBus for public transit, while taxis, ride-sharing services, cycling, walking or renting a car are also popular choices for navigating the city.
Many travellers to Vancouver may require a visa, such as those from countries outside of the Visa Waiver Program or those needing a Canadian visa based on their nationality.
In Vancouver, you can enjoy adventure activities like hiking the Grouse Grind for stunning city views, kayaking in False Creek or Deep Cove, mountain biking on the North Shore trails, and zip-lining, skiing or snowboarding on Grouse Mountain.
Some of the best dining options in Vancouver can be found in neighbourhoods like Yaletown, Gastown, and along Main Street, offering diverse cuisines ranging from fresh seafood and farm-to-table cuisine to international flavours and sushi restaurants.
Besides sightseeing, in Vancouver you can enjoy activities like hiking in local parks like Stanley Park or Lynn Canyon, biking along the Seawall, exploring Granville Island's markets and galleries, visiting the Vancouver Aquarium, or taking part in outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, and kayaking depending on the season.
Some of the best things to buy from Vancouver include indigenous art and crafts, locally made goods like maple syrup, artisanal jewellery featuring local gemstones, and outdoor gear suited for Vancouver’s active lifestyle and outdoor activities.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Vancouver include the Fairmont Pacific Rim, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, the Opus Hotel, The Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver and the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.
Some of the best restaurants in Vancouver include Hawksworth Restaurant for inventive Pacific Northwest cuisine, Vij's for innovative Indian cuisine, Miku for Japanese sushi and seafood, and Published On Main for farm-to-table, locally sourced fine dining.
Written By
Nirupama Belliappa
Nirupama Belliappa is a features journalist and a classical harpist. She has previously worked at NDTV ..Read More
