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Vancouver itinerary

7 days, hour by hour · CanadaOctober–May

Days
7
Stops
33
Per day
≈ 161 CAD
First stop
08:30

By TripWalkers · Updated:

Short answer

The TripWalkers Vancouver itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 33 stops, hour by hour, for October–May. The first three days:

  1. Day 1 Stanley Park and Coal Harbour
  2. Day 2 Granville Island and Kitsilano
  3. Day 3 North Shore: Capilano and Grouse

Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Day 4 is a day trip out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 161 CAD a day (excluding accommodation and flights).

Day 1 · 09:00–17:00

Stanley Park and Coal Harbour

  1. Nature

    Stanley Park Seawall Bike Ride

    Rent a bike from Denny's or Spokes (15 CAD for 2 hours). The seawall is 9 km long and passes under Lions Gate Bridge and by Third Beach.

    ≈ 15 CAD per person

  2. Culture

    Stanley Park Totem Poles

    The totem poles at Brockton Point, a First Nations site.

    Free

  3. Culture

    Vancouver Aquarium

    Inside the park; sea otters and the Amazon gallery.

    ≈ 45 CAD per person

  4. Food

    Prospect Point Cafe

    A park cafe with views of the bridge.

    ≈ 20 CAD per person
  5. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Landmark

    Coal Harbour Seawall & Canada Place

    The terminal with its sail-shaped roof. Try FlyOver Canada (35 CAD) and watch seaplanes take off and land.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Cardero's Coal HarbourA marina restaurant; order the salmon.
  • Vancouver Lookout Harbour CentreAn observation tower; a swap for the aquarium.

Day 2 · 09:00–17:30

Granville Island and Kitsilano

  1. Food

    Granville Island Public Market

    An artists' island under the bridge. Try Lee's Donuts and the salmon, and take the Aquabus ferry (5 CAD) to get there.

    ≈ 20 CAD per person

  2. Shopping

    Granville Island Artist Studios

    Glass and ceramics, the Net Loft and the Kids Market.

    Free
  3. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Nature

    Kitsilano Beach

    A winter beach walk with snowy mountain views.

    Free

  5. Food

    Sophie's Cosmic Cafe Kitsilano

    Retro brunch on 4th Avenue.

    ≈ 18 CAD per person
  6. 45 min · travel, break, free time

  7. Culture

    Museum of Anthropology UBC

    Bill Reid's Raven sculpture and totem poles, in a glass building on the UBC campus.

    ≈ 25 CAD per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Vanier Park & Museum of VancouverA space centre and the city museum; a closer alternative to the MOA.
  • Go Fish GranvilleA fish taco shack on the dock.

Day 3 · 09:00–17:00

North Shore: Capilano and Grouse

  1. Nature

    Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

    A 137 m suspension bridge, plus Treetops and Cliffwalk. A free shuttle runs from Canada Place and is quiet at 09:00. In winter, see the Canyon Lights.

    ≈ 75 CAD per person
  2. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Nature

    Grouse Mountain Skyride

    Skiing and snowshoeing in winter, plus sleigh rides. The bears are hibernating.

    ≈ 80 CAD per person

  4. Food

    Grouse Mountain Altitudes Bistro

    Lunch at the summit with views over the city.

    ≈ 25 CAD per person
  5. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Nature

    Lynn Canyon Park

    A free suspension bridge and the 30 Foot Pool; Capilano's free cousin.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Lonsdale Quay MarketThe market by the SeaBus terminal in North Vancouver.
  • Deep CoveRent a canoe or hike to Quarry Rock, and try the Honey Doughnuts. A swap for Lynn.

Day 4 · 08:30–16:00Day trip

Whistler

  1. Nature

    Sea to Sky Highway Shannon Falls

    Take the bus (Skylynx or YVR) for 2 hours. On the way, stop at the 335 m waterfall and see the Stawamus Chief.

    Free

  2. Nature

    Sea to Sky Gondola Squamish

    A gondola up to 885 m, with a suspension bridge and fjord views.

    ≈ 70 CAD per person
  3. 45 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Landmark

    Whistler Village

    The Olympic village pedestrian zone, with the rings and shops.

    Free

  5. Nature

    Peak 2 Peak Gondola

    A record-breaking gondola (3 km) between Whistler and Blackcomb. Summit hikes and glacier views in summer, skiing in winter.

    ≈ 90 CAD per person

  6. Food

    Purebread Whistler

    A legendary bakery for scones and cakes. Then catch the bus back.

    ≈ 12 CAD per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Brandywine FallsA 70 m waterfall; a free alternative to the gondola.
  • Araxi WhistlerThe village's chef-led restaurant.

Day 5 · 09:30–17:00

Gastown, Chinatown and Yaletown

  1. Landmark

    Gastown Steam Clock

    The steam clock whistles every 15 minutes. Look around Gassy Jack Square and its cobblestones.

    Free
  2. 1 h 15 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Nature

    Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

    The first Ming-style garden outside China. The neighbouring park is free.

    ≈ 16 CAD per person

  4. Food

    Phnom Penh

    Cambodian-Vietnamese food. Order the chicken wings and beef luc lac, and expect a queue.

    ≈ 25 CAD per person
  5. 45 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Landmark

    Yaletown

    A former warehouse district. See the Roundhouse locomotive, David Lam Park and the False Creek seawall.

    Free

  7. Food

    Japadog Robson

    Japanese-style hot dogs (try the terimayo) on Robson Street.

    ≈ 10 CAD per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Meat & Bread GastownPorchetta sandwiches in Gastown.
  • Vancouver Art GalleryThe Emily Carr collection; a swap for the police museum.

Day 6 · 09:30–17:00

Queen Elizabeth Park and Commercial Drive

  1. Nature

    Queen Elizabeth Park

    The city's highest point, with quarry gardens and the skyline. The Bloedel Conservatory costs 8 CAD.

    Free

  2. Nature

    VanDusen Botanical Garden

    A 22-hectare garden with a maze; the Festival of Lights runs in winter.

    ≈ 13 CAD per person

  3. Shopping

    Main Street Vintage

    Vintage and design shops in Mount Pleasant, plus murals (August festival).

    Free
  4. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  5. Food

    Commercial Drive

    Little Italy. Try the coffee at Cafe Calabria, Havana, and the sandwiches at La Grotta del Formaggio.

    ≈ 20 CAD per person

  6. Nature

    Trout Lake Park

    A neighbourhood lake with a farmers' market on Saturdays.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Vij's RestaurantCanada's famous Indian restaurant on Cambie. No reservations, so expect a queue.
  • Science WorldA science museum in a spherical building on False Creek; a swap for the garden (with kids).

Day 7 · 09:00–13:15

English Bay: a gentle farewell

  1. Nature

    English Bay Beach

    See the A-maze-ing Laughter sculptures and the Inukshuk on a morning walk.

    Free

  2. Landmark

    Davie Village

    Rainbow crosswalks and cafes in the West End.

    Free

  3. Food

    Medina Cafe

    The city's most famous brunch spot. Try the waffles and tagine, and expect a queue.

    ≈ 22 CAD per person
  4. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  5. Landmark

    Waterfront Canada Line YVR

    The Canada Line reaches the airport in 25 minutes. Time to say goodbye.

    ≈ 10 CAD per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Breka Bakery DavieA 24-hour bakery for breakfast.
  • Roedde House MuseumA Victorian house in the West End; a swap for Davie.

Good to know: 6 things that make a Vancouver trip easier

  1. Use the Compass card for SkyTrain, buses and SeaBus (to North Vancouver). The Canada Line to YVR takes 25 minutes (5 CAD extra). Free shuttles to Capilano and Grouse leave from Canada Place.
  2. Winter is 3-8°C and rainy (Raincouver). Ski at Whistler and Grouse; the Capilano and VanDusen lights run in December; the cherry blossom festival is in April.
  3. The 12% tax is not included in prices, and tips run to 18%. Capilano is pricey at 75 CAD (Lynn is free), Grouse is 80 CAD and the Whistler bus is 50-70 CAD.
  4. Try salmon, sushi (Miku aburi), Japadog and spot prawns (May). Have breakfast at Granville Market.
  5. Book the Whistler bus (Skylynx) days ahead. Peak 2 Peak is cheaper on summer weekdays; combine it with the Sea to Sky Gondola.
  6. Apply for the Canada eTA online. Vancouver is safe; just pass through the Downtown Eastside (Hastings) without stopping.

Spending: ≈ 1,150 CAD per person for 7 days

  • Food450 CAD
  • Entry and tours450 CAD
  • Local transport150 CAD
  • Other80 CAD

Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.

We did the planning. You just pick the dates.

TripWalkers rebuilds this route around your number of days, budget and pace — on a map, day by day, in your pocket.

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Vancouver?

This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 4; skip it on a short stay.

How much does a day in Vancouver cost?

In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 161 CAD per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.

What time should you start the day in Vancouver?

The first stop is at 08:30. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.

Which season is this itinerary for?

This page covers October–May. There is a separate plan for June–September: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.