Framed by coastal mountains and the ocean, the gleaming city of Vancouver is known for its stunning location, beautiful green spaces and beaches, diverse population, walkable neighbourhoods, and a laid-back West Coast lifestyle. The city is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts who can ski in the morning and paddleboard or kayak in the afternoon.

But Vancouver isn’t just about active adventures in the great outdoors. It’s filled with artistic and culinary experiences that highlight First Nations and immigrant cultures. Vancouver has produced some of the most innovative and delicious cuisine in Canada, featuring local ingredients and flavours, accompanied by creations from award-winning local craft brewers and distillers.

Whether you’re dining on delectable fresh seafood on a sunny patio, cycling along the False Creek Seawall, or wandering through museums and independent local boutiques, expect a vibrant urban experience among nature in Vancouver.

Drivers will take the Trans-Canada Highway 1 to reach Vancouver from the east, or sail with BC Ferries from Vancouver Island. If you’re traveling by plane, Vancouver is accessible by frequent airline service to the international airport hub in Vancouver (YVR), just 25 minutes from downtown. Many visitors arriving by air may rent vehicles to get around Vancouver, but you can use the extensive public transit network of buses, the Canada Line, and SkyTrain services, along with False Creek jitney ferries, to easily move through the city. Ridesharing, taxis, bicycle rentals, and walking are great choices for visiting the compact downtown and the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods.

Vancouver’s peak visitation period takes place during the summer months, from May to August. The bustling summer season coincides with the city’s best and sunniest weather, when temperatures reach into the mid- and upper-20s Celsius. Expect the city’s beaches, streets, and seawalls to be packed with people sunbathing, walking, and cycling during summer. Fall is a lovely time to visit to enjoy sunny days and fewer crowds. The cooler rainy season begins in November and lasts into March, ushering in a long spring highlighted by the spectacular blossoms of the city’s 40,000 blooming cherry trees. Winter snowfall is rare, as winter temperatures usually hover above freezing, but on the three north shore mountains that frame the city, snow provides great skiing opportunities just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.

Stanley Park

Vancouver’s downtown peninsula is anchored by Stanley Park, one of the most beautiful and popular urban green spaces in the world. Walk or rent bicycles to ride along the nearly-9-kilometre Stanley Park Seawall, experience a First Nations cultural tour of the forest, or simply enjoy the stunning city and water views from the park’s beaches, playgrounds, and walking trails.

Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art

Displaying Coast Salish First Nations carvings and works by a master carver and Haida artist as well as other Indigenous artists, this downtown art gallery is the only public gallery in Canada dedicated to contemporary Northwest Coast Indigenous art. Visitors can enjoy guided tours and appreciate the artists’ intricate carvings in gold, bronze, jade, and wood.

Spanish Banks Beach

Vancouver is graced with a surprising number of beaches, including the wide sandy expanse of Spanish Banks Beach. Located on the waterfront of the city’s Point Grey neighbourhood, this low-key stretch of sand is a local favorite. It’s ideal for picnics, sunbathing, kite flying, and beach volleyball — or for just enjoying the beach and exploring its extensive low tide all summer long.