Vancouver Holidays

There is simply nowhere in the world quite like Vancouver

Overview

Vancouver is a coastal gem of natural beauty, nestled in an idyllic setting between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountain range. This is far from your average holiday destination: nowhere else enables you to sail in the morning and ski in the afternoon, shop in world-class shopping districts and indulge in out-of-this-world culinary adventures. There are few places in the world where you can have so many different types of experiences in one trip. And the perfect holiday to Vancouver includes them all.

Vancouver Sightseeing & Activities

The biggest city in British Columbia, Vancouver is the perfect choice for a Canada city break with a twist. Think glamorous city chic meets the outdoor adventure enthusiast and you might have an idea of how active yet uber-cool the city is. Spend your days sailing on the Strait of Georgia, shopping on Robson Street, hiking Cypress Mountain, cycling the seawall, exploring Granville Market, indulging in Chinatown...the list of things to do and see in Vancouver is endless.

Vancouver’s culture

Voted the best place in the world to live, you won’t want to leave when you visit Vancouver! Vancouver has a golden reputation for friendly locals, clean public areas and safe streets, which all add up to a very warm welcome to this popular city. Diverse and multicultural, it caters well for a range of visitors from families and groups of friends to gay and lesbian travellers.

Exploring Vancouver and beyond

Vancouver is a gateway city with easy access to the Rockies, Vancouver Island and other vibrant BC cities, as well as the port where Alaska cruises depart during the warmer months. With that in mind, a fly drive holiday is an excellent option. Check out our Vancouver car hire for great deals on your self drive holiday.

A short but incredibly scenic drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway brings you to Whistler, the year round mountain resort town. The pedestrian village means that you don’t need the hassle of driving as everything is on your doorstep, from dining, shopping and bars to outdoor and adventure activities. The surrounding scenery is breathtaking, so you will want to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Explore the endless hiking trails, go mountain biking, or enjoy the view from the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. If you prefer not to drive, or are looking for an extra special way to travel Canada, many journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer train start and end in Vancouver.

A trip to Victoria kicks off with a short 90-minute ferry ride across the Strait of Georgia, where you can look back and view Vancouver from a different angle. Once you arrive in Victoria make the most of its boast to having the mildest climate in Canada. Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the Inner Harbour towards Fisherman’s Wharf, where you'll find floating houses and shops. And if you fancy adding an Alaska cruise to your holiday, the port will be here waiting for you.

So what’s stopping you? Get booking your Vancouver flights and holiday today. 

Things to do

Things to do in Vancouver

There is so much to see and do on holiday in Vancouver; it is hard to know where to start! Whether you are visiting for one night or two weeks, your days will be filled with endless activities and experiences. Just 15-minutes from the downtown core you can be in the outdoor paradise of Grouse Mountain. Year round the mountain offers outdoor enthusiasts a wealth of activities to try, whether it’s skiing in the winter months, hiking, paragliding or ziplining in the summer months, you can enjoy all this with stunning views down to the city and across the Ocean.

Calling all foodies; Vancouver is the place to indulge your taste buds in some of the most incredible culinary experiences and cultures. Visit Chinatown, America’s third largest, for incredible authentic Chinese cuisine and street food. Venture to Granville Island and enjoy a day wandering the Public Market and tasting the local delicacies of freshly baked bread, freshly caught seafood and the aromas of ground coffee and spices. Be sure to visit with an appetite, and for the ultimate foodie experience book a Vancouver Foodie Tour, where you will enjoy the knowledge of a local expert guide.

If you have any time to unwind on your holiday, be sure to hire bikes and cycle Stanley Park and the sea wall, stopping at English Bay to watch the sail boats coming in and out of the harbour. This is also the perfect spot to enjoy one of Vancouver’s famous sunsets, with your favourite drink in hand soaking in the city vibes before topping off your night in one of Vancouver’s best nightclubs or comedy clubs.

Popular things to do in Vancouver

  • Capilano Canyon Suspension Bridge and Park Admission

    from £48pp

    Breathtakingly suspended 230 feet above and 450 feet across the Capilano River, Capilano Suspension Bridge takes you into towering evergreens, serene trails and the Treetops Adventure attraction. Seven suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet, take you high into the treetops for this adventure. Located on Vancouver’s North Shore this makes an excellent day out for the whole family.

    Departures: Daily (Except Dec 25)

  • Granville Island Market Tour

    from £107pp

    Vancouver’s destination for lovers of food, art and culture, offering local, seasonal products you will see Vancouver’s top chefs shopping for their menu’s. Around 20 tastings are included within this tour from duck confit, cheeses, melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts, world-class coffee and chai to name but a few.

    Duration: 2 hours
    Departures: Selected Departure dates between Jan 2 - Dec 30

  • Hop on Hop off & Vancouver lookout Admission

    from £58pp

    See Vancouver from a vintage double-decker or retro open-top bus. Explore at your own pace over two days, with over 28 localities around the city where you can hop on or hop off, including a free ferry ride over to Granville Island. This flexible Dual Pass allows you to enjoy the incredible views from the top of the Harbour Centre Tower

    Departures: Daily (Except Jul 10 & Dec 25)
    Valid for 2 days

  • Vancouver City Tour & Capilano Suspension Bridge

    from £110pp

    Departing from individual hotels across the city, you’ll enjoy a narrated tour picking out all the major downtown attractions and districts. The tour stops in Stanley Park before heading over to Cleveland Dam and Capilano Suspension Bridge in the North shore Rainforest. The tour includes a stop on Granville Island with its public market.

    Duration: 5 hours
    Departures: Daily

  • Victoria day trip from Vancouver (Round Trip)

    from £181pp

    Departing Vancouver you’ll enjoy the 95-minute ferry ride to Vancouver Island. You’ll experience the exhilarating scenery and picturesque charms of historic Victoria ‘Capital city of British Columbia’. An insightful commentary is provided by the driver and admission to spectacular Butchart Gardens is included. You’ll have free time to wander the quaint streets of Victoria and the Inner Harbour.

    Duration: 13 hours
    Departures: Daily between May 1 to Oct 15

  • Whale Watching in the Strait of Georgia with transfers (Explorathor)

    from £128pp

    Embark on an exciting whale watching excursion on the new Explorathor. Your trip will take you through the Gulf Islands region and a professional wildlife guide will explain all there is to know about the majestic killer whales, porpoises, sea lions, seals, bald eagles and other wildlife.

    Duration: 4 hours
    Departures: Daily between Apr 1 - Oct 31

Holidays

Browse our amazing range of holidays in Vancouver

Top tips

Top tips for visiting Vancouver

Top Tip 1

• Hire a bike: cycle around the beautiful Stanley Park and the sea wall, and stop at English Bay to watch the sail boats drift in and out of the harbour at sunset


Top Tip 2

• Try a Vancouver Foodie Tour: for the ultimate food experience while enjoying the knowledge of a local guide


Top Tip 3

• Be adventurous: paraglide or zip-line in Grouse Mountain in the summer


Top Tip 4

• Visit Chinatown: this is the third largest Chinatown in the world and serves up some of the most authentic cuisine and street food in the country


Top Tip 5

• Visit Granville Island: wander around the Public Market and taste some of the local delicacies; Granville is famous for its freshly caught seafood


Top Tip 6

• Take a day trip: to Victoria and Vancouver Island. A short ferry ride across the Strait of Georgia will take you to the magical capital of BC, Victoria. Stroll along the Inner Harbour towards Fisherman's Wharf and see the charming floating shops and houses


Top Tip 7

• Vancouver Island is a great place for spotting wildlife, especially Orca Whales and Harbour seals – try one of our amazing Wildlife Packages!


Top Tip 8

• Get fit: Take the scenic drive to the beautiful mountain village of Whistler, which is an outdoor playground offering the very best hiking and mountain biking opportunities


Gallery

At a glance


  • Essential Vancouver Information

  • Local time: -8 hours
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Canadian Dollar
  • Flight time: approx. 10 hrs
  • Nearest airport: Vancouver YVR
  • Do I need a Visa? Yes, you will need an eTA
  • Public transport: the Hop on Hop off Trolley is great to explore Vancouver

Trusted travel partner


Winner of British Travel Awards 2020 - Gold award for Best Holiday Company to Canada (Large)
Winner of British Travel Awards 2020

Gold award for Best Holiday Company to Canada (Large)


Fully protected - We are members of ATOL, ABTA and IATA
Fully Protected

ATOL, ABTA and IATA logos

We are members of ATOL, ABTA and IATA.

Price Match Guarantee
Price Match Guarantee

If you find the same tour cheaper through another operator, we'll match the price.

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Talk to us

Speak to our travel experts to book or tailor-make this holiday.

Canadian Affair Travel Expert

020 7616 9949

 

At a glance


  • Essential Vancouver Information

  • Local time: -8 hours
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Canadian Dollar
  • Flight time: approx. 10 hrs
  • Nearest airport: Vancouver YVR
  • Do I need a Visa? Yes, you will need an eTA
  • Public transport: the Hop on Hop off Trolley is great to explore Vancouver

Trusted travel partner


Winner of British Travel Awards 2020 - Gold award for Best Holiday Company to Canada (Large)
Winner of British Travel Awards 2020

Gold award for Best Holiday Company to Canada (Large)


Fully protected - We are members of ATOL, ABTA and IATA
Fully Protected

ATOL, ABTA and IATA logos

We are members of ATOL, ABTA and IATA.

Price Match Guarantee
Price Match Guarantee

If you find the same tour cheaper through another operator, we'll match the price.

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