Vancouver
Super useful & totally free travel guides, written by locals who love Vancouver.
Catherine Driver is a travel writer and tour guide from Vancouver, Canada. Her first taste of travel was back in the nineties on a school trip to Europe. And she hasn’t stopped since. After a year-long stint teaching English in Madrid, Spain, Catherine is now back home in Vancouver. When she’s not planning her next adventure abroad, she can be found enjoying live music and training for her next Camino.
Why We Love Vancouver: Vancouver has it all! Surrounded by mountains and the ocean, Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You can ski, mountain bike or hike in the morning and hit the beach in the afternoon. If outdoor activities aren’t your thing, Vancouver still has plenty to enjoy. The city is full of great museums, historic sites, and cool neighborhoods. Vancouver is also one of the most diverse cities in Canada. And with this comes great food! With its top-notch restaurant scene, you will not leave Vancouver hungry. Everyone will find something to love in Vancouver.
Best of Vancouver
✨ Things to Do
Vancouver’s many neighborhoods, museums, and attractions make it easy to fill your days. There are endless things to do in Vancouver:
- Stanley Park – Burrard Inlet and English Bay surround this huge urban park. Stanley Park is the most scenic place for walking and cycling.
- Granville Island – Home to a bustling public market and a thriving arts community, Granville Island is a Vancouver treasure.
- Vancouver Aquarium – Enjoy a close-up view of the animals and marine life that inhabit Vancouver’s waters.
- Science World – Families will want to head to Vancouver’s iconic dome for interactive, hands-on science exhibits.
- Vancouver Lookout – A glass elevator takes visitors up 40 stories for sweeping 360-degree views of the city.
✨ See the full list of best things to do in Vancouver.
🗺️ Where to Stay
To fully enjoy Vancouver, it’s best to stay somewhere central with easy access to transportation. Here are the best areas for first-time visitors to stay:
- Downtown Vancouver – Best for visitors who want to stay near the tourist sites and trendy restaurants.
- North Vancouver – Recommended for those looking for a vibrant yet quiet location close to the city and the mountains.
- Richmond – Best spot for travelers who want to stay near the airport. Downtown Vancouver is only 20 minutes away.
👉 Read the full guide to where to stay in Vancouver.
🛎️ Best Hotels
Although Vancouver’s hotels can be expensive, there is a wide range of options to accommodate every taste and budget. Some of the best hotels in Vancouver include:
- Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – The oldest hotel in the city exudes old-world luxury. Even Queen Elizabeth II stayed here!
- The Burrard – This hotel’s retro vibe and mid-century design make it the coolest place to stay in the heart of Downtown.
- The Sylvia Hotel – This gorgeous hotel is a designated heritage building, and the beach is just a few steps out the front door.
🍽️ Restaurants
Vancouver has one of the best culinary scenes in Canada. Whatever you’re craving, Vancouver’s got it. Here are some of our favorites:
- Joe Fortes – A Vancouver classic. The best place for award-winning steak and seafood with American steakhouse charm.
- Bodega on Main – A fresh spin on traditional Spanish tapas. Their patatas bravas and sangria are legendary.
- The Sandbar – With fresh seafood and spectacular views of False Creek, don’t miss this Granville Island hotspot.
- Nuba – Traditional meets modern at this popular restaurant. It’s a favorite for tasty and guilt-free Lebanese food.
- Tacofino – This Gastown hangout is the go-to for tacos with a West Coast twist. Their fish tacos are the best!
🚗 Day Trips
- North Vancouver– Mountain attractions and the lively Shipyards District are just across the water from Downtown Vancouver.
- Steveston – A charming, historic fishing village on the banks of the Fraser River.
- Whistler – This famous resort town is the number one spot for year-round outdoor activities.
- Fort Langley – Visit a historic fort and shop for antiques in this quaint waterfront town.
- Squamish – Ride a gondola high up the mountain for breathtaking views of Howe Sound.
👉 Read the complete guide to the best day trips from Vancouver.
🏘️ Neighborhoods
- Gastown – Historic architecture and cobbled streets make up Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood.
- Yaletown – This refurbished warehouse district is home to some of the city’s trendiest restaurants and boutiques.
- Commercial Drive – A vibrant, diverse neighborhood full of unique restaurants and eclectic shops.
- Kitsilano – A relaxed, beachside neighborhood with a youthful vibe and lots of yoga studios.
- Mount Pleasant – Independent galleries, shops, and cafés fill this artsy neighborhood.
👉 Read the full list of best neighborhoods in Vancouver.
🍸 Bars
- Guilt & Co. – Live music and great cocktails every night of the week at this intimate Gastown bar.
- The Shameful Tiki Room – Enjoy Polynesian-inspired food and drink at this hip tiki lounge.
- Clough Club – Old-fashioned cocktails, gourmet pub food and live music are served up in a cozy atmosphere.
- The Roxy Cabaret – Dance the night away to DJs and live bands every night of the week at this legendary Vancouver club.
- Celebrities – Located in Davie Village, this long-standing nightclub is a favorite of Vancouver’s LGBT community.
🏛️ Best Museums
- Vancouver Art Gallery – Western Canada’s largest public art museum with rotating exhibitions featuring recognized and emerging artists.
- Museum of Anthropology – Located at UBC, this museum highlights world cultures and Indigenous art of the Pacific Northwest.
- Bill Reid Gallery – A gallery dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast art.
- Museum of Vancouver – This museum tells the story of Vancouver from its beginnings to the modern-day.
- Vancouver Police Museum – Learn about some of Vancouver’s most infamous criminal cases and visit the former city morgue.
🏖️ Best Beaches
- Kitsilano – “Kits” Beach is popular in the summer months for its public pool with a view of English Bay and the mountains.
- Jericho – This beautiful beach is perfect for water sports. Here, you can kayak, sail, and windsurf.
- Spanish Banks – Have a picnic, swim or play volleyball while enjoying the best views of Downtown Vancouver.
- English Bay – A popular beach in the heart of Downtown, famous for its annual summer fireworks festival.
- Ambleside – Here, you’ll find the best views of Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge, and Kitsilano.
🥾 Nearby Hikes
- Pacific Spirit Regional Park – This urban forest at UBC is home to an extensive network of easy walking trails.
- Quarry Rock – This moderate hike takes you to a natural rock formation overlooking Indian Arm and Deep Cove.
- Lighthouse Park – Hike and picnic in this old-growth forest. Be sure to visit the lighthouse at Point Atkinson.
- The Grouse Grind – “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster” is a challenging 2.5 km hike up the face of Grouse Mountain.
- Lynn Canyon Park – Explore a suspension bridge and a network of peaceful hiking trails at this famous park.
Vancouver Travel Advice
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
Vancouver is fantastic all year round, but fall offers great weather and fewer crowds. Summer is busy, but full of fun activities in and around the city.
- 🍂 Fall – September is the best month to visit Vancouver. The air is crisp and the days are sunny.
- 🌞 Summer – Crowds descend on Vancouver in the summer. The days are long, warm, and filled with sunshine.
- 🌼 Spring – Spring can be very rainy. But the days are warm and the flowers always come out early.
- ❄️ Winter – Winter is cold and rainy. Expect the occasional snowfall from December to April.
👉 Read the full guide to when to visit Vancouver.
🚌 Getting Around
Vancouver is notorious for bad traffic and expensive parking. Luckily, there are plenty of options to get you around the city.
- 🚶♀️ Walking – With miles of seawall and compact neighborhoods, one of the best ways to get around Vancouver is by foot.
- 🚗 Driving – You won’t need a car if you’re only staying in the city. Renting a car is worthwhile for day trips.
- 🚇 Public Transit – Vancouver’s public transit is a reliable option for visitors. There are plenty of buses, the rapid-transit SkyTrain, and the SeaBus passenger ferry.
- 📲 Ride Share – They took a long time to arrive, but Lyft and Uber are finally available in Vancouver.
- 🚴♀️ Biking – Vancouver has an extensive network of bike lanes and the Mobi public bike share service.
- 🛴 Scooters – E-scooters are popular in Vancouver. They may be used in cycling lanes and on local side streets.
👉 Tips & Things to Know
- 💸 – Tipping is an expectation in Vancouver – It is appropriate to leave 15% in restaurants. 10% for taxi drivers. And $2-$5 for hotel staff.
- 👕 – There’s no need to dress up – Vancouver is a very casual city. Don’t worry about packing too many fancy clothes.
- 💻 – Stay connected – You don’t necessarily need a mobile data plan in Vancouver. There are over 500 free Wi-Fi locations around the city.
- 🐻 – Be bear aware – The mountains around Vancouver are bear country. Brush up on bear safety if you plan to go hiking.
- 🌿- Marijuana is legal – Marijuana for personal use is legal in Canada. You can find many dispensaries around Vancouver.
🧳 What to Pack
- ☂️ – Umbrella – The city is not called “Raincouver” for nothing. Always walk with an umbrella just in case.
- 📷 – Camera – Vancouver has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Keep your camera handy.
- 🧥 – Layers – There can be four seasons in one day in Vancouver, so you’ll want to layer your clothing.
- 🧴 – Sun Protection – Vancouver has so many fantastic beaches. Bring sunscreen if you’re visiting in the summer.
- 🥾 – Walking Shoes – Vancouver is a very walkable city. Bring comfortable walking shoes because you’ll get your steps in!
🤓 Facts & Info
- Census Population (2021) – 662,248 (city), 2,581,000 (metro area)
- Time Zone – Pacific Time (UTC – 08:00 / UTC – 07:00 during daylight savings)
- Area Codes – 604, 778, 236 & 250
- Airports – Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- Nickname – Hollywood North
- Demonynm – Vancouverite
- Province – British Columbia
- Country – Canada
💵 Costs & Budgeting
- 3 Star Hotel Room – $150-$300/night
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $150-$300/night
- Rental Car – $50/day
- Public Transit Ticket – ~$11.25 day passes ($9.55 to airport from center)
- Ride Share from Downtown to Airport – $30- $70
- Take Out Meal for Two – $30-$50
- Sit Down Dinner for Two – $70-$100
- Draft Beer – $8.00
FAQs About Visiting Vancouver
Is Vancouver safe for tourists?
Vancouver is considered safe for tourists. Just like everywhere, use your common sense and walk in well-lit, busy areas at night. Property crime is rampant. Be mindful of your belongings and never leave anything in a vehicle. Women should never leave drinks unattended.
Are there any areas to avoid in Vancouver?
It is best to avoid the Downtown Eastside area of Vancouver. While it’s unlikely you will be physically harmed, homelessness and drug addiction are prolific in the Downtown Eastside.
How many days do you need in Vancouver?
For a first-time visit to Vancouver, 5 days is a great amount of time to explore the Downtown core, visit surrounding neighborhoods, and take a day trip.
Is Vancouver expensive?
Vancouver is such an expensive city that locals say that B.C. stands for “Bring Cash.” It’s the truth, but you can still visit Vancouver on a budget. Save money by purchasing attraction tickets in bundles and eating at the city’s many food trucks. Luckily, our stunning scenery is free.
What is the cheapest way to get around Vancouver?
The cheapest ways to get around Vancouver are walking and cycling. Public transit is also affordable in Vancouver and can take you anywhere you want to go.
What is Vancouver famous for?
Vancouver is famous for being rated one of the most liveable cities in the world. Natural beauty and outdoor adventure are what the city is most known for. Vancouver is also home to the largest Chinatown in Canada. You will also recognize Vancouver from some of your favorite movies and TV shows like Deadpool, Firefly Lane, and Riverdale.
Meet Our Vancouver Travel Experts
Catherine Driver
Catherine Driver is a travel writer and tour guide from Vancouver, Canada. Her first taste of travel was back in the nineties on a school trip to Europe. And she hasn’t stopped since. After a year-long stint teaching English in Madrid, Spain, Catherine is now back home in Vancouver. When she’s not planning her next adventure abroad, she can be found enjoying live music and training for her next Camino.
📰 Vancouver Travel Guides
Vancouver is an amazing place to visit, but don’t just stick to the city! There is majestic scenery and amazing towns to enjoy all over the province. Check out some of Travel Lemming’s Vancouver guides for inspiration:
- The Best Time to Visit Vancouver (According to a Local)
- 37 Best Things to Do in British Columbia (By a Local)
- 9 Best Vancouver Neighbourhoods in 2024 (By a Local)
- Is Vancouver Safe in 2024? (Honest Advice, By a Local)
- Where to Stay in Vancouver (Best Places & Areas, By a Local)
- 41 Best Things to Do in Vancouver in 2024 (By a Local)
- 21 Best Day Trips from Vancouver in 2024 (By a Local)