Vancouver, British Columbia
Plan a trip to Vancouver
Mountains on one side, ocean on the other, and a seawall connecting most of what you came for. Easy to do without a car.
- Weekend getaways
- Food trips
- Hiking
- Couples
Free to run, and you keep editing after. Add who's coming or a pace like “slow mornings” to shape the result.
Vancouver at a glance
Most trips run 3 to 5 days. This page covers the 4 stops worth anchoring a plan around, 3 neighborhoods to base yourself in, and what the timing looks like across the year — then you can turn any of it into a mapped Vancouver itinerary you can edit and share.
- How long
- 3–5 days
- When to go
- June to September is dry and mild, with long evenings. October through April is rainy and green, and the ski season on the North Shore runs December to March.
- Getting around
- SkyTrain runs from the airport downtown in about 25 minutes. Walk, bike the seawall, and take SeaBus to the North Shore. A car is only useful for Whistler or the Sea-to-Sky drive.
What to build the plan around
- 1
Stanley Park seawall
A 5.5-mile loop around the park, best by bike. Rentals sit at the Denman Street entrance.
- 2
Granville Island
Public market and craft studios, reached by a two-minute Aquabus ferry from downtown.
- 3
Capilano Suspension Bridge
North Shore, busy by mid-morning. Lynn Canyon nearby is free and nearly as good.
- 4
Grouse Mountain
A gondola from North Vancouver, or the Grouse Grind if you want the stairs version.
Where to stay in Vancouver
- West End
- Between downtown and Stanley Park, walkable, with the best density of casual food.
- Gastown
- Oldest part of the city, good bars, closest to the cruise terminal and transit.
- Kitsilano
- Beach neighborhood across the bridge, quieter, near Granville Island.
Vancouver planning questions
- How many days do you need in Vancouver?
- 3 to 5 days. Three days covers Stanley Park, Granville Island, and the North Shore. Five makes room for Whistler or Victoria.
- What is the best time to visit Vancouver?
- June to September is dry and mild, with long evenings. October through April is rainy and green, and the ski season on the North Shore runs December to March.
- Where should I stay in Vancouver?
- Three areas cover most trips — West End (between downtown and stanley park, walkable, with the best density of casual food); Gastown (oldest part of the city, good bars, closest to the cruise terminal and transit); Kitsilano (beach neighborhood across the bridge, quieter, near granville island). Pick based on whether you'd rather walk to dinner or pay less per night.
- How do you get around Vancouver?
- SkyTrain runs from the airport downtown in about 25 minutes. Walk, bike the seawall, and take SeaBus to the North Shore. A car is only useful for Whistler or the Sea-to-Sky drive.
- What should I see first in Vancouver?
- Start with Stanley Park seawall, Granville Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge. Stanley Park seawall is the one to schedule first: a 5.5-mile loop around the park, best by bike. Rentals sit at the Denman Street entrance.
- Can I build a Vancouver itinerary automatically?
- Yes. Describe the trip — length, pace, who's coming — and Arriv builds a Vancouver itinerary with real, mapped venues you can reorder or replace. It's free to run, and you only sign in to save it or share it with your group.