Vancouver is wedged between the Pacific and the snow-capped Coast Mountains, a city of glass and green where you can ski in the morning and hit the beach in the afternoon. Glass towers press up against ancient rainforest, and the sea is never far away.
It's one of North America's most diverse cities, and you taste that best in the food: world-class sushi, steaming bowls of noodles and wild-caught salmon. Add the Seawall bike paths, a buzzing craft-beer scene and day trips to Whistler, and Vancouver feels both urban and wild.
Start at Coal Harbour and cycle the Seawall around Stanley Park, past the totem poles and lighthouse. In the afternoon head into Gastown for the steam clock, followed by dinner and local craft beer in the neighbourhood.
Take the Aquabus to Granville Island Public Market and graze your way through the morning. Then cross to the North Shore for the Capilano Suspension Bridge and a gondola up Grouse Mountain for city views.
Drive the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway up to Whistler, stopping at Shannon Falls. In the mountain village you can hike, bike or ski before rolling back down to Vancouver in the evening.
A 400-hectare rainforest on the edge of downtown, hugged by a 9-kilometre waterfront path with views of sea and mountains. Rent a bike and loop the Seawall anticlockwise, past totem poles, beaches and the Brockton Point lighthouse.
A former industrial island under the Granville Bridge, now packed with a food hall of producers, artisans and buskers. Come hungry, graze on cheese, fresh salmon and pastries, then take the tiny Aquabus ferry back downtown.
Vancouver's oldest quarter, all cobblestones, cast-iron lamps and the hissing steam clock on the corner. Wander among brick warehouses filled with design shops, coffee roasters and some of the city's best restaurants.
A 137-metre suspension bridge swaying 70 metres above the Capilano River through dense rainforest. Wobble across to Treetops Adventure, a web of smaller bridges high in the Douglas firs, and brave the cantilevered Cliffwalk.
A local peak above North Vancouver, reached by gondola or the lung-busting Grouse Grind trail. Up top you'll find ski runs in winter, birds-of-prey shows in summer, and always a sweeping view over the city, the sound and the islands.
A laid-back sandy beach west of downtown, lined with driftwood logs, volleyball courts and Canada's largest outdoor pool. Come at sunset, when the city and mountains reflect off the water, and picnic looking over English Bay.
The glassy heart of the city between the harbour and Stanley Park, with the busy Coal Harbour waterfront and float planes taking off across the sound. Handy for walking everywhere and starting the Seawall.
The historic quarter of cobblestones, brick warehouses and a steam clock, now full of boutiques, coffee roasters and restaurants. Ideal for a night of cocktails and good food.
A laid-back beach neighbourhood west of False Creek, full of yoga studios, brunch cafés and outdoor-gear shops. Perfect for beach days and a sunset over English Bay.
Former warehouses on the False Creek waterfront, converted into sleek restaurants, wine bars and patios. Best for a stylish dinner and a stroll along the downtown Seawall.
Vancouver ranks among the best sushi cities outside Japan, thanks to Pacific freshness and a large Japanese community. From cheap rolls to omakase at the counter, this is world-class sushi.
A Vancouver original: a hot dog loaded with Japanese toppings like teriyaki, seaweed flakes, bonito and Japanese mayo. Grab one from a downtown street cart and eat it on the move.
Wild-caught sockeye or king salmon, grilled over cedar or served as sticky-sweet candied salmon. A cornerstone of the coast and of First Nations cuisine.
The Canadian classic: fries topped with squeaky cheese curds and drowned in hot gravy. Perfect late at night after a few local craft beers.
June to September is the sweet spot: warm, mostly dry days, long evenings and the whole coastline open for biking and kayaking. Winter is mild but grey and wet — great if you want to ski at Whistler or on Grouse Mountain.
Downtown and the central neighbourhoods are best explored on foot or by rental bike along the Seawall. TransLink's SkyTrain, bus and SeaBus network covers the wider region; for Whistler and the Sea-to-Sky coast, a rental car is easiest.
A realistic daily budget per person, in three styles.
Vancouver is known for its high cost of living, especially in accommodation and dining.
