How to spend 7 days in Vancouver
After living and working in the city for a number of years now I am excited to share my Vancouver Travel Guide. Vancouver is such a unique City as the mountains are visible from downtown and only a 30 minute drive away. If you’re wanting a trip that blends for a city destination which is also close to nature, you’ve come to the right place! In my total honest opinion, 7 days is not nearly enough to see everything in Vancouver so refining this itinerary was challenging. I’ve had lots of family and friends visit during the five years I’ve lived here and it’s been great to get feedback on what activities cannot be missed. Vancouver is very much a seasonal city, unlike a lot of Canada. I would say the best time to visit Vancouver is from May – September for summer weather and December – February for a more wintery festive trip! Vancouver is located within the unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
This Vancouver Travel Guide has been put together on the basis that you are fitting in as much as possible with the time that you have. The days will be on the longer side and you’ll end up with a rather high step count, BUT you’ll see all the best things! You can take a few extra days to really explore these areas if you have longer. The activities can also change depending on the season so for example any of the hikes mentioned you can also do in snow. You will just need snow shoes, which you can rent from any of the local mountains. Compared to the rest of Canada the seasons here are super mild so there will only be a few snowy days in the city per year and it rarely goes below -5 in the winter. That’s why having the mountains nearby for skiing is great as the snow is super accessible should you choose to immerse yourself in it! I have created this Vancouver Travel Guide with the idea in mind that you have 7 full days in the city. Therefore you essentially arrive and leave the afternoon or night before this starts and finishes.
Transport around Vancouver
Whether you have flown in, got the train, boat or car, the public transport around the city is great if you plan on using it. I usually take the 9 hour direct from London Heathrow as it makes the journey easier, rather than having a stop over. If you’re flying into Vancouver you can get a quick 30 minute Uber or taxi from the airport, which should cost you around $25-35 dollars. Alternatively you can take the Skytrain (Canada Line) into the city which is a flat $12 fee for adults.
It will be super tough to stay awake if you’ve travelled through various time zones. The best way to adjust to the new time zone I’ve found is to try to stay awake as late as possible and eat meals according to your new time zone. I hope you enjoy this 7 Day Vancouver Travel Guide!


Day 1 in Vancouver
Downtown, Gastown and Chinatown
9am – 12pm
Downtown Vancouver is quite a large area so it’s best to pick a specific spot to venture around initially if you only have a short amount of time. My favourite area is Gastown, purely for its cobbled streets and pretty street lights. The Gastown Steam Clock is one of the main attractions to see here. It was built in 1977 and is powered by steam and whistles to tell the time – try to be there on the hour and watch the steam at work. There are lots of unique stores around to pop in and out of and plenty of breakfast and coffee shops! Vancouver’s Chinatown is the largest in Canada, and second largest in North America.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
1:30pm – 3:30pm
This magical treetop walking experience is one of a kind that I’ve not seen anywhere else. I can only explain the experience as walking through an enchanted forest. Capilano Suspension Bridge is open all year round and can be visited throughout the day or at night when the millions of fairy lights will light up your path. Check out their website to see all the up to date information here.
Grouse Mountain
4pm – 7pm
Grouse Mountain is known as the Peak of Vancouver. It is an incredible family friendly mountain which is packed with activities for all ages at the peak. This is the closest mountain to Vancouver and if you don’t have a car – you can take the bus right to it. There are daily bird and lumberjack shows in the spring and summer, as well as BBQ nights or sunset dinners at their panoramic restaurant. Seeing the Grizzlies, Grinder and Cooler is my favourite. If you’re an avid hiker you can also hike to the peak and just take the gondola down. In the winter it has a ton of activities daily as well. More information can be found directly on their website here.


Day 2 in Vancouver
Whale Watching Boat Tour
8:30am – 1:30pm
Whale watching tours are always a huge hit with family and friends when they come and visit. I always say to schedule this at the beginning of the trip as the company who I recommend that run the tour, The Prince of Wales, has a great policy where you can book on again if you don’t spot any initially. Prince of Wales runs this tour from March – November seasonally. Depending on the time of year, there are a few time slots leaving from Granville Island which are 8:30am, 10am and 2:30pm. Check out the dates here.
Granville Island
2pm-6pm
Granville Island is one of those places where you can spend as much or as little time as you want wandering. The famous public market, The Net Loft shops, and the Artisan District make this a truly unique artistic and cultural hub. Being located in an Urban, waterfront location, this spot brings millions of local and international visitors per year.


Day 3 in Vancouver
Hike on Cypress Mountain
9am-1:30pm
If you’re into hiking and want to experience the nature of BC I recommend St Mark’s Summit. It is a 10km out and back hike which is considered moderately challenging. The trail will take an average of 3h45 to complete and you’ll have gorgeous views of Howe sound from the top! The best times to hike this are from May – September for fair weather and October onwards, you will need spikes/snowshoes. It’s best to check conditions beforehand on all trails here. If this hike in particular doesn’t appeal feel free to check out my 10 Top 12 Easy Hikes in Vancouver post to find an alternative option.
Deep Cove
3pm-7pm
Deep Cove is an amazing seaside village on the eastern part of North Vancouver. Its a great spot for walks, hikes, – specifically Quarry Rock, kayaking and paddle boarding. Depending on how energetic you’re feeling there are lots of activities to be found. A picnic and walk around the shops is equally as lovely, there are various coffee shops and restaurants here to choose from. Honey’s donuts is a stop not to be missed, they’re a very different kind than any I’ve had before, and SO delicious. Fun fact – this is also Kate Winslet’s favourite donut shop and has been spotted there a number of times over the years.


Day 4 in Vancouver
North Vancouver - Lower Lonsdale Market & Shipyards
9am-2pm
To get across the water to North Vancouver you can take the scenic Seabus from Waterfront station downtown to Lower Lonsdale, this takes only 12 minutes and operates super frequently. The Shipyards is a year-round covered events space on Vancouver’s North shore. It is an ice skating plaza in winter and a splash park in summer. The best part is – that it’s free. The Lower Lonsdale Market is home to over 60 locally owned businesses, it’s the best place to get gifts! The market is also a culinary destination for fresh, local and unique foods so be sure to plan to eat here.
The Polygon Gallery
2pm-5pm
The Polygon gallery is a public art gallery with a focus on photography and media based art. The gallery is a beautifully designed space and is a great incubator for new ideas. Be sure to Check out Nemesis Coffee shop inside too, they have the most incredible selection of tasty treats as well as great coffee.


Day 5 in Vancouver
Stanley Park
9am-1pm
Stanley Park is a green oasis in the midst of the urban city of Vancouver. It is the second largest park in North America, after New York’s Central Park. There are gorgeous views of the ocean, mountains and majestic trees dotted along the seawall. Various trails meander through the park which will take you to various beaches. While it is lovely to walk around the seawall it is 10KM in distance, you can also rent a bike and enjoy the the park that way! You will find Canada’s largest aquarium, a teahouse, and food vendors. Like any large park, it is best to plan a route beforehand, there is a great digital map and a printable map to check out. You could spend as little or as much time here as you’d like.
Robson Street
2pm-7pm
Robson Street has various local Vancouver companies and well known international retail stores. There are lots of food options around this area, two of my favourites include Cin Cin, Ramen Dambo and Nook. If you’d prefer to eat outside with a view there’s a variety of take out options where you can watch the sunset from Sunset Beach or English Bay.


Day 6 in Vancouver
Queen Elizabeth Park
9am – 2pm
Queen Elizabeth Park is a short 15 minute drive from Downtown Vancouver. It is accessible via various bus routes or you can take an Uber. The Park is actually 125m above sea level so there is a bit of an incline if you’re walking from the very bottom. The most popular things to do here are visiting the gardens, check out the amazing city views, pitch and putt, tennis, visit Blodel Conservatory or have some food at Seasons in the Park. The restaurant has a great brunch menu but do book ahead of time as it is a popular spot!
Kitsilano
2:30pm – 8pm
The Kitsilano neighbourhood is truly one of a kind. This area is super well known for its huge saltwater pool and mountain views from the beach. West 4th Avenue shops are super nearby and sell everything from fashion to outdoor gear, and yogawear. This could be an afternoon in itself exploring but depending on what floats your boat – you can decide! The Museum of Vancouver is an amazing place for getting a better understanding of Vancouver through learning of new experiences of Vancouver’s diverse communities and histories. Check out what exhibits are on beforehand here. A walk around Kits beach is great in any season or any weather to be honest. The views are stunning! I highly recommend The Boathouse for dinner as it has amazing panoramic views of the beach and a great outdoor area in the summer. This fine dining spot has the best seafood, the fish and chips are my personal fave.


Day 7 in Vancouver
University of British Columbia
9am – 1pm
The museum of Anthropology is a place of world arts and cultures with a special emphasis on the First Nations peoples and other cultural communities of BC. Before moving to Canada I honestly didn’t know much about this area so I’m very grateful to have been able to gain a deeper understanding of the history! Wreck Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Vancouver area, however it is quite a few hundred stairs down and then back up to visit it. I’d personally say it’s very worth it due to how quiet and secluded it is compared to all others in the area. Also just a head’s up – this one is clothing optional! Lastly, the UBC Botanical Gardens are Canada’s oldest botanical garden, so well worth stopping in while you’re in the area.
Pacific Spirit Park
2pm – 4pm
Pacific Spirit Park is one of the most popular dog walking parks in Vancouver. There are up to 10 trails inside the park, however I would say they’re more of a relaxed walk so if you’re looking for a nice walk then this would be perfect!


Thanks for reading my Vancouver Travel Guide!
I hope you’ve found this post useful and it’s given you an idea of what to pack when moving to Canada. If there’s anything I’ve missed or anything else you want to know, please reach out here!
If you happen to be in Vancouver late March/April – be sure to check out the Cherry Blossoms, they’re gorgeous and not to be missed!
Love, Chrissy x