Vancouver Itinerary: 3 Days In Western Canada
Vancouver is one of the few major cities where you can go from a skyscraper to a hiking trail or a kayak in under 30 minutes. It’s no wonder it’s such a dreamy vacation destination!
If you’ve always wanted to explore Western Canada but are a little strapped for time, there are a few stops you definitely don’t want to miss.
How to Spend 3 Days in Vancouver
Whether you are grabbing a flight or sailing to and from Vancouver, here’s a 3-day itinerary you may want to consider.
Day 1: Experience the City
Spend your first day in Vancouver exploring the city and experiencing the sprawling coastline.
The Granville Island Public Market is the perfect place to grab some breakfast and indulge in a little shopping before renting a bicycle at Stanley Park to do the Seawall Loop. This loop will take you along 9 km of coastal path, with opportunities to stop over at the Totem Poles, Siwash Rock and Third Beach.
Head to Coal Harbour or Denman Street for lunch and a look into typical city life in Vancouver. The aquarium is always a fun stop, too.
Once the sun sets, there’s no better place to spend your evening than wandering the streets of Gastown, where you’ll find the famous Steam Clock.
Day 2: Enjoy the Mountain Views
Your second day in Vancouver should be spent taking in the natural sights and sounds.
Start off at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (earlier is better) to enjoy a treetop walk and the many cliffside paths.
From there, take the Skyride gondola up to Grouse Mountain (the views are unreal!). Depending on the time of the year, you can either do a hike or have some fun skiing.
After a morning of activities, head to Lonsdale Quay Market. It might be smaller than some other markets, but it’s charming and has some beautiful waterfront views. Pack a coat if you plan to take the SeaBus ferry to North Vancouver.
End your day with dinner in North Van or back downtown. And if you’re feeling really fancy, you can’t go wrong with Vancouver’s revolving restaurant, which will give you some of the best city views.
Day 3: Spend Some Time on the Beach
Use your final day for some relaxation, starting on Kits Beach. This popular beach is also close to the Museum of Anthropology at UBC—one of the best museums in the country.
West 4th Avenue is perfect for lunch, with several cute cafes and restaurants to choose from. You could also head to English Bay or Second Beach for some ice cream.
The VanDusen Botanical Garden or Queen Elizabeth Park come highly recommended if you feel like a walk and have some extra time to kill.
Once you’re ready to eat again, take in your last Vancouver sunset at Sunset Beach or Spanish Banks. The Sandbar and Blue Water Café are top spots for some delicious dinner.
Canada Is Calling
Vancouver is one of those destinations that gives you a little bit of everything you need to have a memorable holiday, even if you only have three days to spare. There’s a lot to see and do here, so you’ll need to pick carefully if your time is limited. Just don’t forget to work in time to see some of the city as well as the natural surroundings!
Amélie is a health and wellness junky. Certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance in the Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles, she has a Yoga Instructor Certification – Level I (300 hours) and Yoga Instructor Certification – Level II (200 hours) under her belt. She also has a certified Open Water Diver certification with PADI and SSI Scuba Schools International Freediving Level I certification with SSI Scuba Schools International. She’s been vegan for over 15 years and is obsessed with anything wellness-related.