City guide

Vancouver, BC

Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the city, up from 631,486 in 2016.

Type CityPopulation 921,000Metro Area Population 2,600,000

Why go

  • City in British Columbia, Canada.
  • 1 curated must-see attraction on record, including Spanish Banks Beach.
  • 2 recommended spots to eat and drink.
  • Served by Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
  • Home to roughly 921,000 people.

History

Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the city, up from 631,486 in 2016. The Metro Vancouver area had a population of 2.6 million in 2021, making it the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada. Greater Vancouver, along with the Fraser Valley, comprises the Lower Mainland with a regional population of over 3 million. Vancouver has the highest population density in Canada, with over 5,700 inhabitants per square kilometre (15,000/sq mi), and the fourth highest in North America.

Must-see attractions

NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1A1 · vancouver.ca
Outdoor

61 more attractions in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Where to stay

1825 Comox St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1P9, Canada · thecomohotel.com
Indoor
1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0E2, Canada · fairmont.com
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801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7, Canada · rosewoodhotels.com
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900 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L5, Canada · fairmont.com
Indoor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4YOd0EXgPo · 999 Canada Pl #300, Vancouver, BC V6C 3B5, Canada · panpacific.com
Indoor
791 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1A1, Canada
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123 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X3, Canada · kalidohotels.com
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833 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1K7, Canada · azurhotelvancouver.com
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1821 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E4, Canada · timessquaresuites.com
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446 W 13th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1W5, Canada · cambie.beautifulguesthouse.ca
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1161 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6E 0C6, Canada · paradoxhotels.com
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1225 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C3, Canada · bluehorizonhotel.com
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177 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0N3, Canada · hotelbluvancouver.com
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1180 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6E 4R5, Canada · coasthotels.com
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1253 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R8, Canada · granvilleislandhotel.com
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1221 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1B6, Canada · qualityinndowntownvancouver.com
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733 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2M4, Canada · hotelwillo.com
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1154 Gilford St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2P6, Canada · sylviahotel.com
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1100 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y7, Canada · theburrard.com
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@, 711 W. Broadway, Heather St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3Y2, Canada · ihg.com
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1431 Robson St #1, Vancouver, BC V6G 1C1, Canada · hotelopportune.com
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180 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4P4, Canada · sandmanhotels.com
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510 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2V6, Canada · victorianhotel.ca
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1133 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6E 3T3, Canada · pinnacleharbourfronthotel.com
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Indoor
2030 Barclay St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1L5, Canada · rosellensuites.com
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1379 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2R5, Canada · vancouverdowntownhotel.net
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900 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3L9, Canada · modahotel.ca
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757 Richards St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3A6, Canada · kingstonhotelvancouver.com
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1348 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C5, Canada · barclayhotel.ca
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1150 Denman St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2M9, Canada · englishbayhotel.com
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550 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1L6, Canada · marriott.com
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655 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2R7, Canada · hyatt.com
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1601 Bayshore Dr., Vancouver, BC V6G 2V4, Canada · marriott.com
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1361 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C6, Canada · pavillonimperial.com
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1128 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6E 4R5, Canada · marriott.com
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111 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2A8, Canada · hilton.com
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1018 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1L5, Canada · samesun.com
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1755 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1W5, Canada · bestwestern.com
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707 E 23rd Ave, Vancouver, BC V5V 1Y2, Canada · braydens-tip-is.eu
Indoor
325 W 11th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1T3, Canada · beautifulguesthouse.ca
Indoor

5 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Eat & drink

Restaurant — 1640 E Kent Avenue S, Vancouver, BC V5P 2S7
Indoor
Indoor

Restaurants & places to go

Strathcona Beer Company || Open noon til 11:00 pm each day (12:00 on Fri Sat) || 895 East Hastings St. # strathconabeer . VANCOUVER || BEER 📍Vancouver, BC… · strathconabeer.com
Indoor
bars, pubs · A long standing haunt for west side locals and energetic college folk, The Bimini remains a Kitsilano institution and historic neighbourhood pub.… · biminispub.ca
Indoor
steakhouses, steak restaurants, seafoods, sushi restaurants, Teppanyaki restaurants · . Here at the "KOBE", we carry on the ancient art of teppanyaki -… · koberestaurant.com
Indoor
Fork Lift Kitchen & Bar · A Totally New Grocery Experience . · freshstmarket.com
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organic cold pressed juices, juicing, juice bars, restaurants · 488 Gore Ave, Vancouver, BC V6A 2Z4 · kevinandkevinjuice.com
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Brazilian steakhouses · boteco.ca
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sports bars, sports bars, arcades, arcade games · gretabar.com
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Vancouver retaurants · mumukitchen.ca
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rollerskating, rollerskates, rollerskate clubs, roller skates · rollaskateclub.com
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1650 Marine Dr., West Vancouver. Where Fresh Meets Everyday. . The Instagram home for all Fresh St. Market locations! Here to motivate you to eat delicious… · freshstmarket.com
Indoor
restaurants · ondayvr.ca
Indoor
The jewel in Vancouver s culinary crown, featuring outstanding contemporary regional cuisine and exceptional service | Use # WestOnSouth to be featured . · westrestaurant.com
Indoor
Official Twitter account for anything Spaghetti in Canada. . · oldspaghettifactory.ca
Indoor
Brazilian Steakhouse in Downtown Vancouver . · riobraziliansteakhouse.ca
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1447 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3X8 · thecharlatanrestaurant.com
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. Dining Room | Bar | Lounge | Private Dining Open 5:30 nightly 3106 Cambie St. Vancouver | BC | Canada First-come, First-seated + Online Reservations · 3106…
Indoor
Indoor

261 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) 9.7 km to the centre
Vancouver, BC, CA — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 30 airlines (Air Canada, WestJet, Pacific Coastal Airline, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 75 destinations incl. London, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 30 airlines, 75 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Boundary Bay Airport (YDT) 24 km to the centre
Delta, BC, CA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor

Regional airports

Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) 73 km to the centre
1640 Electra Blvd, Sidney, BC V8L 5V4 — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 5 airlines (WestJet, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Pacific Coastal Airline…) · direct flights to 8 destinations incl. Vancouver, Calgary, San Francisco, Toronto, Edmonton… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 73 km from Vancouver · WestJet, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines · Getting around Victoria, BC →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 5 airlines, 8 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Bellingham International Airport (BLI) 69 km to the centre
Bellingham, WA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines) · direct flights to 9 destinations incl. Las Vegas, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Mesa, Oakland… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 69 km from Vancouver · Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines · Getting around Bellingham, WA →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 9 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Hornby Terminal (Aquabus)
Ferry terminal · 0.1 km from the centre · Aquabus
Outdoor
Granville Island Dock (False Creek Ferries)
Ferry terminal · 0.2 km from the centre · False Creek Ferries
Outdoor
Aquatic Centre Dock (False Creek Ferries)
Ferry terminal · 0.3 km from the centre · False Creek Ferries
Outdoor
Granville Island Terminal (Aquabus)
Ferry terminal · 0.3 km from the centre · Aquabus
Outdoor
David Lam Park Terminal
Ferry terminal · 0.8 km from the centre · Aquabus & False Creek Ferries
Outdoor
Maritime Museum Dock (False Creek Ferries)
Ferry terminal · 1 km from the centre · False Creek Ferries
Outdoor
Granville Island - Hornby
Ferry route · Aquabus
Outdoor
Granville Island - Aquatic Centre
Ferry route · False Creek Ferries
Outdoor
1 Aquatic Centre
Ferry route · False Creek Ferries
Outdoor
1 Granville Island
Ferry route · False Creek Ferries
Outdoor
Granville Island - David Lam Park
Ferry route · False Creek Ferries
Outdoor
Yaletown - Spyglass
Ferry route · Aquabus
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Stamps Landing - Spyglass
Ferry route · Aquabus
Outdoor
David Lam Park - Stamps Landing
Ferry route · Aquabus
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: YVR has direct flights to 75 destinations on 30 airlines (incl. London, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Hornby Terminal (Aquabus), 0.1 km); routes include Granville Island - Hornby, Granville Island - Aquatic Centre, 1 Aquatic Centre.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Vancouver, BC. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

SkyTrain, bus, SeaBus · Metro Vancouver's SkyTrain, buses, SeaBus and West Coast Express. · Fares: Compass card or contactless tap · Airport: Canada Line SkyTrain, YVR to dow
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

Rail operator
Rail operator
Daylight luxury rail Vancouver–Kamloops–Banff or Jasper through the Rockies, April to October. · Banff, Alberta guide →
National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Vancouver to Kelowna through the Coquihalla, about six hours. · Kelowna, BC guide →
Direct coach, about two hours; picks up downtown and at YVR, more departures in ski season. · Whistler, BC guide →
Pacific Coach → Whistler, BC
Coach to Whistler, BC · Whistler, BC guide →
Vancouver airport and downtown to Whistler village, roughly two and a half hours. · Whistler, BC guide →
Cross-border coach Vancouver–Seattle, about four hours including the border. · Seattle, Washington guide →
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Charter · Learjet, Challenger · Vancouver-based charter operator.
Charter, management · Light to large-cabin · Toronto-based charter and aircraft management.
Charter, management, FBO · Managed fleet, Challenger, Global · Canada's largest business-aviation company: charter, management and FBOs in Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Vancouver.
Fractional · Praetor 500, Citation CJ3+, Legacy 450 · Canada's fractional-ownership operator, based in Calgary.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.