If you had to pick a perfect spot to build a city, Vancouver wouldn’t be a bad place to start. Vancouver is a modern metropolis nestled between the ocean and mountains, which gives it a unique look and feel: look to your left and marvel as the architectural beauty of its skyscrapers; look to your right and appreciate the luscious vistas of the mountainside or the Pacific Ocean.
Stanley Park
When Vancouver was founded, it was known as ‘Gastown’. Now Gastown is Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood located in the downtown core. The multicultural mix of the local indigenous peoples, Europeans and Chinese settlers exudes a uniquely modern, environment, rich with culture and perfect for any tourist.
Vancouver has its own unique atmosphere. It is an exceptionally clean, modern city and the Chinese influence ihas introduced a distinctly Asian feel to the city. There is no shortage of things to do and the city has a variety of parks, shops and museums, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of the biggest and most impressive suspension bridges in the world.
Things to do on a Vancouver holiday
When planning your sightseeing itinerary, you could organise it as a series of walks fanning out from the city centre, with a good starting point being the Vancouver Art Gallery. You don’t have to stray far to cover the bases: shopping, great restaurants, beaches and nature are all within easy distance of the city's downtown.
For shopping, head to Robson Street, the city’s most popular shopping destination or try the boutiques of Yaletown. You’ll discover that the ‘real Vancouver’ can be found in its neighbourhoods whether it is in the cool coffee shops of Commercial Drive, the hipster hangouts of SoMa, the leafy streets of the West End, the kaleidoscope of thoroughfares in Chinatown and the historic, re-invigorated cobblestoned streets of Gastown. For many, Vancouver truly offers urban adventures while also offering some of Canada’s most fantastic outdoor attractions, right on its doorstep.
Here are some of our favourite tourist attractions to visit on your Vancouver holiday;
Vancouver Tourist Attractions
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: Since 1989 people have been crossing the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Along with the Cliff Walk and a Treetop Adventure, the Park is a great day out for any family who enjoys getting outside and exploring something new.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden: This attraction comprises a beautiful traditional Chinese garden and a public park. The park is free to enter and the garden has an admission fee. The garden it is the first of its kind built outside of China and iwas built in order to promote the Chinese culture and to improve the cultural understanding between western and Chinese cultures.
Stanley Park: One of North America's largest urban parks, with over one thousand acres of dense woodland and scenic sea views of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay. While you’re in Stanley Park you can also visit the Vancouver Aquarium, which is located on the south east end of the park. Offering a perfect day out, the park is a tranquil haven for anyone that loves the outdoors, yet it is located right on the edge of Vancouver's downtown.
Museum of Anthropology: Just 20 minutes from downtown, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC houses one of the world's finest displays of Nortwest Coast First Nations arts in a spectacular Arthur Erickson designed building overlooking mountains and sea. On Tuesdays, the Museum of Anthropology offers discounted rates and later opening times, well worth a visit!
Museum of Vancouver: This award-winning museum in Kitsilano aims to inspire a deeper understanding of the city around us through stories, objects, and experiences. Permanent exhibitions include an exhibition on Vancouver’s neon lights and galleries profiling the city from the early 1900s to the 1970s.
Vancouver Art Gallery: Located downtown in what was once a courthouse building, the gallery combines both the traditional and the boundary-pushing all in one space. From indigenous Canadian works to French Impressionists as well as hosting an impressive collection of photographic art, the Vancouver Art Gallery has established a reputation for curating collections well worth seeing. Take a break at the Gallery Café, with its beautiful hidden-gem patio overlooking bustling Robson Street.
Beaty Biodiversity Museum: Identifiable to passing students, staff, and visitors at UBC by Canada’s largest blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling. The museum’s permanent exhibitions include 500 displays that celebrate and investigate natural history.
Places to Eat
There are many places to eat in Vancouver, below are some of our favourites;
Chambar, Beatty Street: This award winning restaurant refers to itself as ‘civilized debauchery’ and it prides itself in providing ‘unpretentious fine dining’.
West, Granville Street: This restaurant has been called the ‘jewel in Vancouver’s culinary crown’, creating exciting, modern dishes that will take your breath away.
Blue Water Café, Hamilton Street: This restaurant is consistently awarded “Best Seafood Restaurant” in Vancouver
How Expensive is Vancouver?
Average meal at an inexpensive restaurant $13.00
A 3 course meal for 2 at a mid-range restaurant $65.00
Taxi starting price $3.22
Taxi per 1km $1.89
10km Taxi journey $22.12
Places to Stay
As with restaurants, there are plenty of hotels in Vancouver, catering to all budgets Below are some of our (and our customers') favourites;
Vancouver Holidays
Below is a selection of our Canada holidays including Vancouver
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Rockies & Alaska Experience
15 Nights
Banff
Lake Louise
Jasper
Rocky Mountaineer
Kamloops
Vancouver
Alaska Cruise
From £3979pp
Canada Luxury Holidays
Rockies & Alaska in Style
16 Nights
Banff
Jasper
Kamloops
Vancouver
Victoria
Canada Place
Inside Passage
Ketchikan
Juneau
Skagway
Sitka
Hubbard Glacier
Anchorage
From £9499pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Lakes & Lodges Self Drive
13 Nights
Vancouver
Gold Bridge
Clearwater
Jasper
Moraine Lake
Emerald Lake
Banff
Calgary
From £3529pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Rockies & Rainforest East Bound Fly Drive
15 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Tofino
Parksville
Whistler
Clearwater
Jasper
Banff
Calgary
From £2699pp
Canada Rail Holidays
Canada's West & East Tour
12 Nights
Banff
Jasper
Kamloops
Vancouver
Toronto
From £3329pp
Canada Rail Holidays
Canadian Gold Rush
11 Nights
Vancouver
Rocky Mountaineer
Whistler
Quesnel
Jasper
Lake Louise
Banff
From £3229pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Ultimate West Fly Drive
20 Nights
Vancouver
Kelowna
Emerald Lake
Banff
Jasper
Clearwater
Gold Bridge
Whistler
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Victoria
From £3679pp
Alaska Cruises
Canada & Alaska Sojourn
19 Nights
Toronto
Niagara Falls
Banff
Jasper
Rocky Mountaineer
Kamloops
Vancouver
Alaska Cruise
From £4529pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
The Splendour of Canada & Alaska
17 Nights
Toronto
Niagara Falls
Banff
Kamloops
Vancouver
Alaska Cruise
From £4579pp
Canada Rail Holidays
Coastal Cities & the Rocky Mountains
12 Nights
Victoria
Vancouver
Rocky Mountaineer
Kamloops
Jasper
Lake Louise
Banff
Calgary
From £3159pp
Canada Rail Holidays
Classic Rockies & BC
13 Nights
Banff
Kamloops
Vancouver
Victoria
Whistler
From £3389pp
Canada Rail Holidays
Canadian Discovery
14 Nights
Vancouver
Kamloops
Jasper
Banff
Calgary
Toronto
From £3189pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Vancouver, Bears & Whales
14 Nights
Vancouver
Whistler
Campbell River
Knight Inlet
Tofino
Victoria
From £3969pp
Canada Rail Holidays
Niagara Falls & Rockies Delights
15 Nights
Toronto
Niagara Falls
Calgary
Banff
Jasper
Quesnel
Whistler
Vancouver
Victoria
From £3819pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Wilderness Explorer Fly Drive
14 Nights
Vancouver
Manning Park
Penticton
Clearwater
Jasper
Emerald Lake
Banff
Kananaskis
Calgary
From £2159pp
Spectacular Rail Journeys
Highlights of Eastern & Western Canada
16 Nights
Toronto
Niagara Falls
Banff
Jasper
Rocky Mountaineer
Vancouver
Whistler
From £3829pp
Alaska Cruises
The Rockies, Alaska & Toronto
17 Nights
Toronto
Niagara Falls
Banff
Rocky Mountaineer
Kamloops
Vancouver
Alaska Cruise
Inside Passage
Skagway
Glacier Bay
Ketchikan
From £3999pp
Canada Rail Holidays
The Rockies, Vancouver & Victoria
13 Nights
Banff
Lake Louise
Jasper
Vancouver
Victoria
From £3599pp
Alaska Cruises
Grizzlies and Alaska Cruise
14 Nights
Vancouver
Knight Inlet
Alaska Cruise
From £3839pp
Canada Motorhome Holidays
Southern BC to the Rockies and Back Motorhome Tour
17 Nights
Victoria
Tofino
Whistler
Sun Peaks Resort
Jasper
Banff
Revelstoke
Hope
Vancouver
From £1649pp
Canada Motorhome Holidays
Sunshine Coast Tour
6 Nights
Vancouver
Gibsons
Earls Cove
Powell River
Lund
Sechelt
From £899pp
Ski Aava Hotel
7 Nights
Ski Whistler
From £939pp
Canada City Breaks
Vancouver City Break
6 Nights
Vancouver
From £999pp
Canada Motorhome Holidays
Vancouver Island Motorhome Experience
10 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Malahat
Nanaimo
Tofino
Tofino / Ucluelet
Courtnenay
Horseshoe Bay
From £1039pp
Canada Family Holidays
Discover Whistler & the Rockies
7 Nights
Calgary
Banff
Jasper
Sun Peaks Resort
Whistler
Vancouver
From £1159pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Whistler & Pacific Coast Fly Drive
6 Nights
Vancouver
Whistler
Tofino
Victoria
From £1169pp
Canada Motorhome Holidays
Okanagan Motorhome Wine Tour
10 Nights
Vancouver
Kelowna
Penticton
Osoyoos
Peachland
Shuswap Lake
From £1249pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Peaks & Grapes Fly Drive
9 Nights
Vancouver
Whistler
Sun Peaks Resort
Jasper
Banff
Kelowna
From £1289pp
Canada Holiday Offers
Royal Hideaway
6 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Whistler
From £1399pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Spirit of the West Self Drive
11 Nights
Calgary
Banff
Lake Louise
Jasper
Sun Peaks Resort
Vancouver
From £1439pp
Canada Escorted Tours 2022-2023
Canadian Rockies - an escorted tour
10 Nights
Banff
Jasper
Sun Peaks Resort
Vancouver
Victoria
From £1795pp
Canada Winter Experiences
Rockies Snow Train
9 Nights
Vancouver
Jasper
Lake Louise
Banff
Calgary
From £1839pp
Canada Winter Experiences
Winter Escapades
9 Nights
Vancouver
Jasper
Lake Louise
Banff
Calgary
From £1839pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Alaska Cruise & Vancouver Stay
11 Nights
Vancouver
Inside Passage
Icy Strait
Hubbard Glacier
Juneau
Ketchikan
From £1839pp
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Great Bear Nature Tours
4 Nights
Port Hardy
Great Bear Rainforest
From £1879pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Mountain Magic in BC Fly Drive
14 Nights
Vancouver
Osoyoos
Nelson
Invermere
Golden
Revelstoke
Sun Peaks Resort
From £1899pp
Canada Motorhome Holidays
Totem Circle
25 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Tofino
Campbell River
Port Hardy
Prince Rupert
Prince George
Jasper
Lake Louise
Banff
Calgary
Osoyoos
From £1909pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Pacific Coast & Whistler Self Drive
13 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Parksville
Tofino
Campbell River
Whistler
From £1989pp
Canada Escorted Tours 2022-2023
Niagara Falls to the Rockies
13 Nights
Toronto
Niagara Falls
Ottawa
Montreal
Quebec City
Banff
Lake Louise
Jasper
Sun Peaks Resort
Vancouver
From £2222pp
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Farewell Harbour Lodge
3 Nights
Vancouver
Port Hardy
Farewell Harbour on Berry Island
From £2229pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Rockies Road & Rail Retreat
10 Nights
Vancouver
Jasper
Lake Louise
Banff
Sun Peaks Resort
From £2289pp
Canada Winter Experiences
East & West Canada Winter Adventure
10 Nights
Toronto
Niagara Falls
Via Rail
Jasper
Vancouver
From £2549pp
Canada Holidays 2021
Best of British Columbia
14 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Whistler
Vernon
Field
Invermere
Nelson
Osoyoos
From £2549pp
Alaska Cruises
Denali Explorer & Glaciers
12 Nights
Anchorage
McKinley Wilderness Lodge
Denali Wilderness Lodge
Whittier
Hubbard Glacier
Glacier Bay National Park
Skagway
Juneau
Ketchikan
At Sea
Vancouver Port
Hotel Loden
Vancouver
From £2559pp
Canadian Rocky Mountains
Rockies and Whistler Ski Explorer
14 Nights
Banff
Kamloops
Vancouver
Whistler
From £2599pp
Canada Adventure Holidays
BC Cities & Natural Charms
13 Nights
Whistler
Vancouver
Sunshine Coast
Victoria
From £2599pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Vancouver & Alaska Adventure
15 Nights
Vancouver
The Inside Passage
Ketchikan
Juneau
Skagway
Glacier Bay
The Gulf of Alaska
Denali National Park
Anchorage
From £2669pp
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
3 Nights
Vancouver
Bella Coola
From £2669pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Rockies & Rainforests Fly Drive
15 Nights
Calgary
Banff
Jasper
Clearwater
Whistler
Parksville
Tofino
Victoria
Vancouver
From £2699pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Sunshine Coast Spectacular
13 Nights
Whistler
Vancouver
Sunshine Coast
Victoria
From £2779pp
Alaska Cruises
Majestic Alaska & Rocky Mountains
14 Nights
Calgary
Banff
Rocky Mountaineer
Vancouver
Alaska Cruise
From £2789pp
Discover the Canadian Rockies
11 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Whistler
Blue River
Jasper
Lake Louise
Banff
Calgary
From £2799pp
Canada Adventure Holidays
Ski Whistler with Northern Lights & Vancouver
12 Nights
Vancouver
Whistler
Whitehorse
From £2859pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Victoria, Vancouver & Alaska Highlights
14 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Alaska Cruise
From £2889pp
Alberta, BC & the Rockies
Ultimate Pacific Coast Experience Fly Drive
14 Nights
Vancouver
Whistler
Sunshine Coast
Quadra Island
Tofino
Victoria
From £2899pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Wine & Dine the Okanagan Valley
15 Nights
Vancouver
Manning Park
Osoyoos
Penticton
Kelowna
Vernon
Ashcroft
Whistler
From £2959pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Coastal Peaks to Plains Fly Drive
13 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Quadra Island
Port Hardy
Prince Rupert
Prince George
Jasper
Banff
Calgary
From £2999pp
Canada Holidays 2021
Pacific Coast & Alaska Cruise & Fly Drive
20 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Tofino
Campbell River
Whistler
Alaska Cruise
From £3299pp
Canada Escorted Tours 2022-2023
Rockies & Alaska Grand Discovery
17 Nights
Calgary
Banff
Jasper
Sun Peaks
Vancouver
Inside Passage
Juneau
Skagway
Glacier Bay
Ketchikan
From £3299pp
Canada Escorted Tours 2022-2023
Canadian Rockies & Vancouver Escorted Tour
13 Nights
Calgary
Banff
Lake Louise
Jasper
Kelowna
Victoria
Vancouver
From £3299pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Canadian Rockies & Grand Alaska
13 Nights
Calgary
Banff
Kamloops
Vancouver
Vancouver Port
Inside Passage
Icy Strait Point
Juneau
Skagway
Glacier Bay
College Fjord
Whittier
Anchorage
From £3309pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Bears, Whales & Glaciers
14 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Tofino
Alaska Cruise
From £3319pp
Canada Rail Holidays
Vancouver, Alaska & the Rockies
18 Nights
Vancouver
Canada Place
Inside Passage
Tracy Arm/Juneau
Skagway
Glacier Bay
Ketchikan
Kamloops
Jasper
Banff
Calgary
From £3419pp
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Vancouver Island & the Grizzlies Fly Drive
15 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Tofino
Campbell River
Great Bear Lodge
Port Hardy
Parksville
From £3439pp
Canada Holidays 2021
Lakes & Lodges - East Bound Fly Drive
13 Nights
Vancouver
Gold Bridge
Clearwater
Jasper
Moraine Lake
Emerald Lake
Banff
From £3529pp
Canadian Rocky Mountains
Canadian Rockies & Azamara Quest
14 Nights
Calgary
Banff
Kamloops
Vancouver
Ketchikan
Juneau
Skagway
Icy Strait Point
Sitka
At Sea
Seattle
From £3689pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Canadian Rockies & Alaskan Explorer
14 Nights
Banff Aspen Lodge
Icefields Parkway
Kamloops
Sheraton Wall Centre
Vancouver
The Inside Passage
Icy Strait Point
Hubbard Glacier
Juneau
Ketchikan
From £3689pp
Canada Escorted Tours 2022-2023
Grand Canadian Coast to Coast - an escorted tour
16 Nights
Montreal
Quebec City
Ottawa
Toronto
Niagara Falls
Banff
Lake Louise
Jasper
Sun Peaks Resort
Vancouver
From £3699pp
Canada Rail Holidays
Canada by Rail, Road & Vineyards
15 Nights
Toronto
Niagara Falls
Jasper
Banff
Emerald Lake
Vernon
Whistler
Vancouver
From £3749pp
Calgary Stampede
Cowboys & Trains - The Calgary Stampede
13 Nights
Vancouver
Rocky Mountaineer
Kamloops
Jasper
Banff
Calgary
From £3929pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Alaskan Wilderness Discovery
20 Nights
Vancouver
Alaska Cruise
Alyeska
Anchorage
Talkeenta
Denali National Park
Fairbanks
From £3999pp
Canada Escorted Tours 2022-2023
Rocky Mountain RailTour - an escorted tour
10 Nights
Lake Louise
Rocky Mountaineer
Kamloops
Banff
Jasper
Victoria
Vancouver
Calgary
From £4299pp
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Coast Discovery & the Rockies
17 Nights
Banff Caribou Lodge
Jasper
Alpine Meadows Resort
Williams Lake
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
Bella Coola Mountain Lodge
Quarterdeck Inn
April Point Resort & Spa
West Coast Wilderness Lodge
Sutton Place
Vancouver
From £4339pp
Canada Escorted Tours 2022-2023
Rockies Grand Circle - an escorted tour
14 Nights
Vancouver
Whistler
Sun Peaks Resort
Jasper
Banff
Rocky Mountaineer
Kamloops
Victoria
From £4399pp
Canada Adventure Holidays
British Columbia's Whales & Bears
12 Nights
Victoria
Vancouver
Farewell Harbour on Berry Island
Whistler
From £4419pp
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Best of BC with Bears & Whales
12 Nights
Victoria
Vancouver
Farewell Harbour on Berry Island
Whistler
From £4459pp
Canada Family Holidays
Northern BC & Rockies Explorer
17 Nights
Whistler
Jasper
Banff
Prince George
Prince Rupert
Port Hardy
Vancouver
From £4699pp
Canada Rail Holidays
Rainforest to Goldrush & Calgary Stampede
17 Nights
Victoria
Vancouver
Whistler
Quesnel
Jasper
Banff
From £4719pp
Canada Rail Holidays
Across Canada by Rail
27 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Edmonton
Jasper
Banff
Calgary
Toronto
Montreal
Halifax
From £4729pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Jewels of Alaska & Canada
19 Nights
Vancouver
Victoria
Alaska Cruise
Whistler
Quesnel
Jasper
Banff
From £4799pp
Calgary Stampede
Cowboys, Trains & Cruise - The Calgary Stampede
18 Nights
Calgary
Banff
Jasper
Kamloops
Vancouver
Alaska Cruise
From £4889pp
Ontario & Quebec
Grand Canadian Adventure
17 Nights
Toronto
Banff
Jasper
Kamloops
Vancouver
Victoria
Whistler
From £5029pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Rockies & Alaska Explorer
17 Nights
Banff
Jasper
Rocky Mountaineer
Kamloops
Vancouver
Alaska Cruise
Whitehorse
Dawson City
Fairbanks
Denali National Park
Anchorage
From £5179pp
Canada Luxury Holidays
Rockies & Sunshine Coast Spectacular
15 Nights
Calgary
Banff
Jasper
Kamloops
Rocky Mountaineer
Vancouver
Sunshine Coast
From £5789pp
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Rainforest Cruise, Whistler & Vancouver
14 Nights
Great Bear Rainforest
Whistler
Vancouver
From £5999pp
Alaska Cruises
Grandeur of BC & Alaska
15 Nights
Whistler
Vancouver
Victoria
Alaska Cruise
From £7259pp
Alaska Cruises
Canada & Alaska Extravagance
16 Nights
Banff
Lake Louise
Jasper
Kamloops
Vancouver
Canada Place Vancouver
Inside Passage
Ketchikan
Juneau
Skagway
Icy Strait Point
Hubbard Glacier
From £9189pp
Canada Adventure Holidays
Grizzly Bears & Alaska Odyssey
16 Nights
Vancouver
Great Bear Rainforest
Whistler
Alaska Cruise
From £9479pp
Alaska Luxury Cruises
Wilderness of Alaska & Canada
16 Nights
Anchorage
Alaska Cruise
Vancouver
Sonora Island
Campbell River
Knight Inlet
From £9995pp
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Celebrity Millennium Alaska Cruise
7 Nights
Vancouver Port
Inside Passage
Sitka
Icy Strait Point
Juneau
Ketchikan
Vancouver
Call Us
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Silversea Muse
7 Nights
Vancouver Port
Inside Passage
Ketchikan
Juneau
Skagway
Sitka
Hubbard Glacier
Seward
Call Us
Alaska Cruises
Oceania Regatta
7 Nights
Vancouver
Inside Passage
Ketchikan
Icy Strait Point
Skagway
Juneau
Hubbard Glacier
Seward
Call Us
Vancouver Hotels
Below is a small selection of the hotels we use in our Canada holidays which visit Vancouver
