Canada

Vancouver Holidays

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Why visit Vancouver

Vancouver is a city in British Columbia, where mountains rise behind the skyline and the Pacific stretches ahead. Urban energy blends with nature.

Each neighbourhood has its own character. Gastown’s cobbled streets mix history with designer shops and bars, Granville Island buzzes with artists and local produce, and Chinatown reflects the city’s deep cultural roots. On Commercial Drive, cafés spill onto pavements in a relaxed, creative atmosphere.

Food is central to life here. Chefs make the most of regional ingredients, from wild salmon and spot prawns to forest mushrooms, creating fresh and seasonal dishes. Waterfront restaurants, quiet bistros and private tastings or coastal foraging tours all offer a taste of Vancouver’s connection to land and sea.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Highlights of Vancouver

  • Stanley Park: Cycle or walk the 400-hectare seawall, pausing for harbour views and wildlife, or join a private bike tour to explore hidden corners.

  • Gastown: Vancouver’s historic heart, with cobbled streets, Victorian architecture and galleries. Take an evening walk or a full-day city & food tour to enjoy its sights and flavours.

  • Granville Island: Explore markets, artisan studios and cafés, and sample local delicacies on a Bike & Market Tasting Tour.

  • Vancouver Aquarium: Go behind the scenes with marine biologists to learn about ocean conservation and the city’s aquatic treasures.

  • Capilano Suspension Bridge: Cross the bridge, explore treetop walkways or the glass-bottomed Cliff walk, and combine with a full-day city & nature tour with picnic.

  • Grouse Mountain: Ride the cable-car to summit views, hike or zipline in summer, or meet the resident grizzly bears. In winter, ski, snowboard or snowshoe with lantern-lit evening walks.

  • English Bay: Swim, paddleboard or take a thrilling zodiac tour to spot marine life. Summer evenings include the Celebration of Light fireworks at sunset.

From Slopes to Sea in a Single Day

Vancouver is one of the few cities in the world where you can ski, sail and play golf all on the same day. Thanks to its coastal setting and nearby mountains, it’s entirely possible to spend the morning skiing on Grouse or Cypress Mountain, enjoy a midday sail across English Bay, and round off the day with a late-afternoon round of golf.

Hollywood of the North

In North America, Vancouver ranks second only to Los Angeles for television and third for film production. Its mix of modern architecture, ocean views and forested mountains allows it to double for cities from New York to Tokyo. Productions including The Good Doctor, Once Upon a Time and The Man in the High Castle have all filmed here, giving the city a quietly cinematic edge.

Good to know

Getting to Vancouver

Vancouver is easily reached by air via Vancouver International Airport (YVR), located on Sea Island in Richmond, just 25 minutes from downtown.

Direct flights from London take around nine and a half hours, while frequent services operate from major US cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Seattle.

Within Canada, regular flights and scenic train routes connect Vancouver to destinations such as Toronto, Calgary and Montréal.

When to go

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OUR FAVOURITE TIME TO VISIT

Vancouver is pleasant all year round. Late spring to early autumn (May–September) offers mild weather, long days and outdoor festivals. The summer is best for beaches and whale-watching, autumn for colourful parks and quieter streets, while the winter brings nearby skiing and snowboarding.

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