Overview
Vancouver is No. 58 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. British Columbia's largest city sits on the Pacific coast, with the Coast Mountains rising behind its glass towers.
It combines city life with the outdoors: beaches, seawall paths and forest trails are close to the centre, and its food scene reflects strong Asian influences.
Best time to go
June to September is the driest and sunniest time, ideal for the seawall, beaches and hiking.
From October to April it rains often in the city, while the nearby mountains, and Whistler further north, offer skiing.
Top sights
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1
Stanley Park
A large park of rainforest, beaches and totem poles, ringed by the seawall path; rent a bike to ride it.
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2
Granville Island
A busy public market, artists' studios and theatres under a bridge, reached by small ferries.
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3
Gastown
The oldest part of the city, with cobbled streets, restaurants and the steam clock.
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4
Capilano Suspension Bridge
A long swaying footbridge over a canyon in North Vancouver, with treetop walkways.
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5
Grouse Mountain
A gondola climbs to views over the city, with trails in summer and skiing in winter.
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6
Museum of Anthropology
Northwest Coast Indigenous art, including great carved poles, at the University of British Columbia.
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7
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
A tranquil walled garden in Chinatown.
Getting there
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is about 12 km south of downtown. The Canada Line SkyTrain reaches downtown in about 25 minutes.
Ferries connect with Vancouver Island, and trains and buses arrive at Pacific Central Station.
Getting around
TransLink runs SkyTrain, buses and the SeaBus ferry to North Vancouver; pay with a Compass Card or tap a contactless bank card or phone.
Downtown and the seawall are great for walking and cycling.
Practical tips
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD). Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Prices usually exclude sales tax, and tipping of 15–20% is customary in restaurants.
- Language
- English. French is Canada's other official language.
- Safety
- Vancouver is generally safe; take normal big-city care at night, and do not leave valuables in parked cars. The emergency number is 911.
- Visa & entry
- US citizens need only a valid passport. Most other visa-exempt visitors flying to or through Canada, including citizens of the UK, EU countries and Australia, need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA); apply only on the official site canada.ca. Other nationalities need a visitor visa.
- Power
- 120 V, 60 Hz; plug types A and B.
Official information: Destination Vancouver (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.
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