Vancouver - The Ultimate Destination Guide

Is Vancouver on your bucket list? Check out our guide to this Canadian hotspot including must-see hotspots, best time to visit, and travel tips.

Vancouver is a colourful multicultural coastal city in British Columbia, framed by ocean and mountains. Known for its out-of-this-world natural scenery, diverse neighbourhoods, and world-class food, it's a year-round destination for adventurers, foodies, and urban explorers.

Top Vancouver Attractions

Stanley Park

This 1,000-acre urban oasis boasts rainforest trails, beaches, and the scenic Seawall. Highlights include the Totem Poles, Lost Lagoon, and Vancouver Aquarium.

Granville Island

This bustling market street is filled with artisan goods, local produce, art galleries, and theatres. It's where you can try the legendary local Lee’s Donuts. 

Capilano Suspension Bridge

The 137m long Capilano Suspension Bridge is located over a canyon and lush forest, and offers treetop walks as well as a cliff walk for the brave hearted!

Grouse Mountain

The awe-inspiring Grouse Mountain is one of Vancouver’s most visited attractions. In the summer, enjoy hikes, animal shows, and mountain zipline tours, and in the winter, ski the slopes of the Sliding Zone.

Vancouver Art Gallery

Explore Western Canada’s largest art museum for a taste of culture, showcasing Indigenous, Canadian, and international art, with exhibitions and public programmes hosted throughout the year.

Neighbourhood Guide

Downtown Vancouver

Downtown is the energetic core of the city, offering a fast-paced, cosmopolitan lifestyle with stunning waterfront views. Within downtown, areas like Yaletown boast upscale dining and trendy nightlife, and Coal Harbour offers serene marinas and luxury high-rises with views of the North Shore mountains. The West End adds a residential touch with leafy streets, heritage apartments, and access to English Bay and Stanley Park. 

Kitsilano

Often referred to as Kits, this beloved beachside neighbourhood is located along the city’s west side, just minutes from downtown. It’s most famous for Kitsilano Beach, a popular hangout spot with superb views of the mountains and downtown skyline.  The heart of the neighbourhood lies along West 4th Avenue and Broadway, where you’ll find a mix of trendy cafes, organic grocery stores, and boutique clothing shops. 

Mount Pleasant / Main Street

Mount Pleasant is one of Vancouver’s trendiest neighbourhoods. Centered around Main Street, it’s known for its eclectic mix of vintage stores, craft breweries, coffee shops, and colourful street art. There's a strong sense of community here, with regular events, farmer’s markets, and local festivals. 

Coal Harbour

Coal Harbour is among Vancouver’s most exclusive and scenic neighbourhoods, where stylish high-rise structures overlook the water, marina, and mountains. It’s peaceful, clean, upscale, close to Stanley Park and the city’s business district, and offers access to the seawall and elegant cafes.

Olympic Village 

Built for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Olympic Village is now a model for sustainable urban living. Located along False Creek, it’s home to modern architecture and a walkable design with parks, bike paths, and picturesque views. Amenities include microbreweries, cafes, the Science World centre, and waterfront plazas.

Shaughnessy

Shaughnessy is Vancouver’s most prestigious residential neighbourhood boasting grand estates, historic mansions, and lush, tree-lined streets. Protected by zoning laws that preserve its character, the area has a quiet, stately atmosphere with minimal commercial development. 

Vancouver Food Guide

Must-Try foods:

Sushi - Vancouver has some of the best (and cheapest) sushi outside Japan.
JapaDog - Japanese-style hot dogs - unmissable street food.
Poutine - classic Canadian comfort food.
Salmon candy - indigenous smoked salmon jerky.

Best Restaurants:

Miku – sushi with a view, famous for Aburi-style sushi.
Vij’s – iconic Indian fusion cuisine.
Tacofino – Baja-style tacos born from a food truck.
Tojo’s – for upscale omakase.
MeeT on Main – plant-based comfort food.

Best Time to Visit Vancouver

It's always a great time to visit Vancouver. In the summer between June-August, the weather is warm and it’s festival season – perfect for lots of outdoor fun. In autumn between September and November, take pleasure in less crowds, crisp weather, and beautiful foliage. Winter between December and February offers prime conditions for snow sports at the nearby resorts of Grouse, Cypress, and Whistler, and come spring, the city turns lush with greenery galore and cherry blossoms. 

Getting Around

The Vancouver TransLink includes SkyTrain, buses, and SeaBus which are efficient and safe ways of getting around. Vancouver is also one of the most bike-friendly cities in North America, so biking is a popular way of exploring. Alternatively, if you’re exploring outside the city, you can rent a car.

Events & Festivals

Vancouver International Film Festival – 2nd-12th October 2025 – an incredible showcase of cinema.
Celebration of Light – fireworks competition over English Bay, usually held in July.
Pride Parade – this is one of the largest pride parade celebrations in North America, held every summer. This year it took place on 3rd August.
Dine Out Vancouver – held every January, Dine Out Vancouver is the largest food and drink celebration in Canada, celebrated at over 350 of the city’s top restaurants.

Hidden Gems of Vancouver

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden - a tranquil retreat in Chinatown.
Nitobe Memorial Garden - an authentic Japanese garden.
Bloedel Conservatory – explore tropical plants and birds under a giant dome.
Wreck Beach – a clothing-optional beach with epic sunsets.
Brewery Creek - a historic brewing district reborn as a hip microbrew haven.

Day Trips from Vancouver

Whistler - 1.5 hours north from the city, this is a famous ski resort and summer adventure hub.
Squamish & Sea-to-Sky Gondola - great for hiking and breathtaking views, less than an hour’s drive from Vancouver.
Harrison Hot Springs - relax in natural hot pools, around 1.5 hours’ drive from the city. 
Victoria - capital of BC, reachable by ferry or seaplane.

Travel Need-to-Knows

Currency - Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Safety - Vancouver is very safe, but be mindful in areas with high homelessness (like East Hastings).
Language - English, with wide multicultural presence (especially Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi).

Vancouver is a place where mountains meet modern life, and cultures mix in every corner. Whether you’re hiking a forest trail, dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or watching a sunset from English Bay, you’ll feel pleasantly at peace in this must-visit city. 

If you’d like to tick Vancouver off your bucket list, give our experts a call on 0208 819 0531 and let us help plan you the ultimate Canadian adventure.