With its vibrant culture, diverse neighbourhoods and stunning natural beauty, Vancouver was last year voted the fifth-most-attractive city in the world to live in (Global Liveability Index 2022). It's home to world-class art galleries, theatre companies, universities and libraries, a thriving craft beer scene and first-rate international cuisine.
Depending on your mode of transportation, you'll notice a few key things when you arrive. Those of you who fly here will touch down in Richmond, the fourth-largest city in British Columbia and a hub for Chinese and South-East Asian communities. If you're feeling adventurous, go straight to Chinese Sauerkraut Fish on No. 3 Road. Or head to the Aberdeen Centre and sample some Taiwanese candy at Taiwan Kwong Leung Hing Dried Food Ltd.
Arriving by cruise ship will bring you to the Downtown core, where architectural wonders like the Convention Centre and the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver stretch above the port. The Harbour Centre Lookout offers great views of the city and surrounding mountains, while nearby Gastown is full of history, culture and boutique shopping.
If you come by car, you'll travel along routes that wind through dense forests and parks. You'll see bald eagles soaring overhead and snow-capped coastal mountains.
The walkabout
The beauty of a small city like Vancouver is its walkability. Downtown, you can see everything on foot. Most of the Downtown core is quite flat, so put on your sneakers and make a day of it.
If you're comfortable on a bike, you'll find plenty of bike lanes throughout the city. There are rental shops everywhere, especially in the Stanley Park area. Cycle City Tours and Bike Rentals, for example, is located near the intersection of Hornby and Georgia Streets. It's a great place to start.
Public transit is also an inexpensive and efficient way to see the city. The SkyTrain covers metropolitan Vancouver, while the buses are perfect for getting around the neighbourhoods. Use the SeaBus, a ferry service that connects Downtown to North Vancouver.
If you're looking for adventure and would like to explore areas outside of Downtown, there are plenty of tour companies offering sightseeing tours. From helicopter rides over the city skyline to whale watching in Howe Sound, you'll find something to fit your interests and budget.
While you're there, be sure to visit Stanley Park. With more than 400 hectares of lush rainforest, bicycle and walking paths, beaches, gardens and stunning views of the North Shore Mountains and Burrard Inlet, this is the city's central green oasis.
Notable neighbourhoods
Vancouver has several unique neighbourhoods that are worth exploring while you're in town. In the West End, you'll find Stanley Park and its iconic seawall, as well as nearby beaches. Davie Village, Vancouver's LGBTQ2+-friendly neighbourhood, is full of quirky bars, boutiques and bookshops.
Head through Downtown, past the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Orpheum Theatre - home to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra - and you'll hit Yaletown, the trendy home of upscale eateries and nightlife venues. Expect to find unique boutiques showcasing local fashion and decor, along with outdoor terraces to enjoy in warm weather.
On the waterfront is David Lam Park, a great spot for a picnic or an afternoon stroll. Continue across Granville Bridge to the famous shops of Granville Island Public Market and explore local artisan studios while you're there.
Further east, you'll find Vancouver's Chinatown, the oldest neighbourhood in the city and the largest Chinatown in Canada, with the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Sai Woo restaurant, Chinese herbalists and street art.
In Gastown, the famous Gastown Steam Clock is a kitschy but beloved landmark. The steam-powered clock chimes every 15 minutes. Stop by local favourites like the Blue Water Cafe seafood restaurant for an upscale lunch, or keep it casual at the Meat & Bread sandwich shop. At night, Gastown's Guilt & Company is the perfect space for cocktails, food and live performances of blues, soul, jazz, funk, fusion, country music - and everything in between.
If you keep going east, you'll soon come to Commercial Drive, a neighbourhood known as "The Drive" or "Little Italy". This is where Italian immigrants came to live from the 1940s to the 1970s. It's a culturally rich district with quaint boutiques, eclectic restaurants, live music venues, coffee houses, speciality food stores and bakeries. If you enjoy the theatre, visit the Cultch, a contemporary arts theatre and gallery with an exciting programme of performance art, solo shows and contemporary dance.
Finally, the Mount Pleasant area, south-east of Downtown, is the epicentre of the Vancouver Mural Festival, with events and exhibitions held throughout the year. You'll find huge, bold, colourful street art, indie fashion shops and a fantastic view of the famous Science World globe here. If you're in town on a Sunday, don't miss the Sunday Service. This weekly improvisation comedy show at the Fox Cabaret is one of Vancouver's best-loved local events.