📜 Introduction.

In 2019, I had the amazing chance to live in Vancouver, British Columbia’s largest city, for my 4-month post-grad internship in Canada.

By living in this city, I had the chance to explore it deeply and to discover the breathtaking beauty of its surroundings.

Thus, in this post, I want to suggest a perfect 5-day itinerary to help you enjoy Vancouver to the fullest. I mix fun activities in nature (both beach and mountain vibes!), entertainment in the city, and day trip alternatives. Moreover, I recommend some restaurants so you can taste the incredible multiculturalism of British Columbia’s largest city.

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Day 1: Downtown, Gastown, Chinatown and even Japantown!

A Morning in Gastown and Chinatown.

Start your 5 days in Vancouver by stepping back in time. I suggest beginning your morning wandering through the cobblestone streets of Gastown. You absolutely have to snap a picture or video of the famous Gastown Steam Clock. It whistles and steams every 15 minutes!

From there, it’s just a short walk to Chinatown and even Japantown. The cultural vibe here is so rich! Don’t miss the Chinese Museum and the stunning Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. It’s like a peaceful, green oasis right in the middle of the urban hustle. In this area there are plenty of restaurants, not only Chinese or Japanese but from every Asian country!

Afternoon at the Waterfront.

After a delicious Asian-inspired lunch, head towards Downtown to visit Vancouver Art Gallery. If you are not up for a museum, explore the waterfront to see Canada Place. The architecture looks like giant white sails, and the views of the North Shore mountains are simply stunning. Here, you can also try the Flyover Experience, a virtual flight across Canada.

Finally, to finish the afternoon on a high note, take the elevator up to the Vancouver Lookout. Seeing the cityscape from above is the best way to get your bearings on your first day! Here there’s also the famous Revolving Restaurant, which is less expensive than you think. If you are on a budget, you can just enjoy a cocktail with a view.

Daily Plan.

• h 09.00 – Explore Gastown and the Steam Clock
• h 10.30 – Visit Chinatown, the Chinese Museum, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden
• h 13.00 – Lunch in Chinatown or Japantown
• h 14.00 – Visit Vancouver Art Gallery
• h 16.00 – Stroll around Canada Place and Canada Flyover Experience
• h 18.00 – Panoramic views at Vancouver Lookout
• h 20.00 – Dinner time

Day 2: Park Breeze and Sea Life.

Cycling in Stanley Park.

Rent a bike in the morning and cycle the famous Seawall around Stanley Park. The views are out of this world! Make sure to start on the west coast and to stop at Prospect Point Lookout to watch Lions Gate Bridge. Keep cycling on the coast and make several stops along the way. Don’t miss the Girl in a Wetsuit Sculpture, the Totem Poles at Brockton Point and Harry Jerome Statue.

There aren’t many restaurants or shops around, so be sure to bring some snacks. If not, there is a nice café at the Aquarium for a quick bite and a bit further, you can find Stanley’s Bar & Grill.

Aquarium and Beaches.

After lunch, head to the Vancouver Aquarium (located right inside the park) to marvel at the rescued marine life.

In the late afternoon, take a relaxing walk along the city’s beautiful coastline. Head to English Bay Beach to see the hilarious A-maze-ing Laughter bronze statues and the iconic Inukshuk. Keep walking towards Sunset Beach, where you’ll find the massive Engagement Rings sculptures. The sunset from here? Absolutely unreal!

Just a quick 10 to 15-minute walk from the beach, you absolutely have to check out Davie Street. It’s a super lively neighborhood LGBTQ+ friendly, completely packed with amazing restaurants!

Daily Plan.

• h 09.00 – Morning cycling in Stanley Park
• h 13.00 – Lunch at the park
• h 14.30 – Visit the Vancouver Aquarium
• h 17.00 – Walk from English Bay Beach to Sunset Beach
• h 20.00 – Dinner time

Day 3: A Day in the Nature.

Suspension Bridges.

You simply cannot spend 5 days in Vancouver without crossing the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge! Located in North Vancouver, it’s a thrilling, slightly wobbly walk suspended high above the Capilano River. The surrounding rainforest is so lush and green, you’ll feel completely disconnected from the city.

Day Trip Alternatives.

If heights aren’t your thing, or if you want to swap out this day for something different, you have amazing options! You could take a scenic ferry for a day trip to the charming city of Victoria (on Vancouver Island) to visit the Butchart Gardens, take the Skyride up Grouse Mountain for a hike or skiing, or enjoy a peaceful trek through the old-growth forests at Lighthouse Park.

Capilano and Grouse Mountain are quite close so if you have energy, you can even do both in one day!

Daily Plan.

• h 09.30 – Head to North Vancouver
• h 10.30 – Explore Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Treetop Adventures
• h 13.30 – Lunch at the park
• h 15.00 – Continue to Grouse Mountain or head back to relax
• h 20.00 – Dinner time

Day 4: Markets and Museums.

Granville Island.

Start your morning at Granville Island. It’s not an actual island, but a quirky, artsy peninsula. Spend hours browsing the boutiques and artisan shops, and definitely grab lunch at the Public Market. The food stalls are a dream come true for foodies!

if you are an art lover, I highly suggest heading to the Vancouver Fine Art Gallery, only 15 minutes by walk from the market. They featured Impressionists, Surrealists, and Contemporary Masters like Picasso, Renoir, Frida Kahlo and many more.

Afternoon of Culture.

Afterwards, hop on a cute little Aquabus over to Kitsilano Beach. From the dock, you can easily walk to Vanier Park to visit the Museum of Vancouver or the Maritime Museum to learn more about the city’s history. Please note that they close at 5 PM. Specifically, Museum of Vancouver close at 8 PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and the Maritime Museum is closed on Monday.

End the end with a relaxing walk at Kitsilano Beach. “Kits” has such a cool, laid-back California vibe, perfect for a barefoot stroll on the sand and to watch the sunset.

Daily Plan.

• h 10.00 – Explore Granville Island
• h 13.00 – Lunch at Granville Island Public Market
• h 14.00 – Vist Vancouver Fine Art Gallery
• h 15.30 – Visit the Museum of Vancouver or the Maritime Museum
• h 17.30 – Walk and relax at Kitsilano Beach
• h 20.00 – Dinner time

Day 5: Last Day in Vancouver.

Botanical Beauty and Science World.

For your last day in British Columbia’s largest city, take it easy in the morning with a visit to either Queen Elizabeth Park or the stunning VanDusen Botanical Garden. Both are incredibly photogenic!

Next, head towards False Creek to spot the iconic geodesic dome of Science World. It’s super interactive and fun, even for adults. You can visit it either before or after lunch.

Yaletown.

From Science World you can reach the opposite site by walking around Olympic Village or by taking another Aquabus. Pass the Rogers Arena and BC Place and then head up to Robson Street for some last-minute shopping. If it’s winter, you can ice skating at Robson Square.

Spend your afternoon strolling through Yaletown, a trendy neighbourhood full of chic boutiques and converted heritage buildings.

To end your 5-day Vancouver itinerary like a true Canadian, you have to try and catch a live ice hockey match! Cheering for the Vancouver Canucks at the arena is an experience you will never forget.

Daily Plan.

• h 09.30 – Walk through Queen Elizabeth Park or VanDusen Botanical Garden
• h 13.00 – Lunch at False Creek
• h 14.00 – Enter the Science World
• h 16.00 – Stroll around BC Place, Yaletown and Robson Street
• h 20.00 – Dinner at Yaletown

🛏️ Where to Stay in Vancouver.

Vancouver’s accommodation market can be a bit pricey, especially in Downtown and the more famous neighborhoods. But don’t worry, girl! I’ve handpicked three options for your stay in Vancouver to fit different budgets:

• Samesun Vancouver. This fun hostel puts you right in the heart of the city! You’ll be just a quick 5-minute drive from Canada Place and BC Place Stadium. They offer both female-only dorms and private rooms, which is great for solo female travelers. Price for 5 nights in female dorm: €138.
• Tropicana Suite Hotel. If you want a bit more space, this is a fantastic choice. It’s perfectly located in the city center, just a 5-minute walk from the Buschlen Mowatt Fine Arts and the Roedde House Museum. Price for 5 nights in one-bedroom apartment: €514.
• Hotel Willo. Looking for a bit more privacy and comfort? This hotel is super central, only a 5-minute walk from the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and BC Place Stadium. You get a lovely room with your own private bathroom!. Price for 5 nights in private room: €655.

🎁Use the refer code below to register on Trip.com to unlock your €10 discount🎁

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🍜 What to Eat in Vancouver.

Although Canada it is not a popular foodie destination, thanks to its multiculturalism, the culinary scene in Vancouver is wide! You can find authentic ethnic food within the community areas such as Chinatown, Japantown, Koreantown, Punjabi Market, Little Italy, Greektown…

Nevertheless, you absolutely must eat sushi. In fact, Vancouver has some of the best and most affordable sushi outside of Japan (check out places in Japantown or along Robson St). Also, don’t leave without trying Japadog (a famous hot dog stand with a Japanese twist), fresh Pacific salmon and seafood, and of course, classic Canadian street food: Poutine!

Suggested Restaurants.

• Stanley’s Bar & Grill (Stanley Park). Located right inside the historic Stanley Park Pavilion, this is the perfect spot to rest your legs after biking the seawall. They serve delicious West Coast classics.
• Central Restaurants – Vancouver Bentall (Downtown). A trendy spot with a modern vibe. Their happy hour is amazing, and I highly recommend trying their truffle fries and fun cocktails!
• Revolving Restaurant Vancouver Lookout (Downtown). If you want to treat yourself to a fancy dinner with breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, this is the place.
• PiDGiN Restaurant (Gastown/Chinatown). If you cannot decide which Asian cuisine you would like to try, here they fuse Asian flavours with French cooking techniques. Michelin recommended.
• Japadog (various locations). You literally cannot leave Vancouver without trying this famous street food! It’s a classic hot dog but loaded with delicious Japanese toppings like teriyaki sauce, mayo, and seaweed.
• La Belle Patate (West End at Davie Street). Craving authentic Canadian poutine? This cozy, hockey-themed spot is the real deal. They serve over 40 unique poutines and the famoous Montreal smoked meat sandwich.
• Granville Island Public Market (Granville Island). This place is so much more than just fresh fish and veggies! It’s an absolute foodie paradise packed with cute cafés, cozy restaurants, and lively bars to keep you fueled from breakfast all the way to dinner.
• Oddfish Restaurant (Kitsilano). If you love seafood, you have to check this out. It has a really cool, relaxed vibe, perfect for fresh oysters and sharing plates after a sunny walk on Kits Beach.
• CRAFT Beer Market False Creek (Olympic Village). Located right by the water, this massive, lively venue boasts over 100 beers on tap! It’s such a fun atmosphere to grab a drink and some elevated pub food.
• The Flying Pig (Yaletown). A bustling “Nouveau Canadian Bistro” with a super fun vibe. They offer incredible, hearty dishes, perfect for a cozy dinner after a day of exploring!

🎫 Where to Buy Tickets.

While you can definitely buy all your tickets right at the attraction counters or on their official websites, I highly recommend grabbing the Vancouver Explorer Card on Tiqets. It includes admission to three of my absolute favourite spots: the Vancouver Aquarium, the Vancouver Lookout, and Flyover Canada. Not only does it save you up to 6% compared to buying individual tickets, but they also email you a 10% discount code to use on your next 5 attraction bookings in the city, like Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Grouse Mountain, Science World, and so many more!

If you want to assist to a Ice Hockey match, check the NHL schedule before your trip and secure your Canucks tickets online as early as possible so you don’t miss out. You can purchase your ticket also via GetYourGuide.

💡 Travel Tips.

• Visa and Entry Requirements. Depending on where your passport is from, you’ll likely need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) or a visitor visa to fly into Canada. The eTA is super quick and you can apply for it online!
• Customs Checks. When you arrive, border officers can sometimes be a bit strict. Make sure you have proof of a return ticket and evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay ready on your phone or printed out, just in case they ask. It saves so much stress!
• Transit. Get a Compass Card for easy tapping on the SkyTrain, SeaBus, and buses. The public transport system here is brilliant!
• Safety. Overall, Vancouver is an incredibly safe and welcoming city. However, I definitely advise you to avoid walking down East Hastings Street (specifically the Downtown Eastside neighborhood). Unfortunately, it’s an area that struggles heavily with homelessness and drug issues, so it’s best to steer clear and stick to the tourist-friendly streets, especially if you are wandering around at night.

🎈 Conclusion.

Even if it didn’t immediately hit me with that overwhelming “wow” factor, I can honestly say Vancouver is a fantastic destination to visit all year round.

However, with this complete 5-day itinerary, you can easily discover the absolute best of what the city has to offer. From biking the seawall to tasting incredible global cuisines and crossing dizzying suspension bridges, British Columbia’s largest city truly has it all! If you are lucky enough to stay for more than 5 days, make sure you don’t miss a single thing by checking out my dedicated post: 35 Top Things to See and Do in Vancouver.

Finally, did you know that Seattle is just a few hours’ drive away? It makes for the perfect combo trip!

💬 And you? Have you ever been to Vancouver? Which of these days sounds like the most fun to you?

Are you dreaming of your next trip but not sure where to start?

Book a 1:1 travel consultation or request a personalised itinerary and I will design the trip of your dreams!

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