Vancouver Holidays

Discover Vancouver

Vancouver holidays offer a perfect mix of great outdoors and glamorous city chic. Nestled in an idyllic setting between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountain range, the young and vibrant city of Vancouver is not only a popular holiday destination but is regarded as one of the best places in the world to live.

It has a golden reputation for friendly locals and clean and safe public areas. The biggest city in British Columbia boasts a thriving art, culture, and culinary scene. Travellers who want to be active will find majestic mountains, beautiful coasts and beaches, evergreen forests, and incredible wildlife-watching opportunities at the city’s doorsteps.

Vancouver is the perfect choice for a Canada city break with a twist. Spend your days sailing on the Strait of Georgia, shopping on Robson Street in the city centre, hiking Cypress Mountain, cycling the seawall, exploring Granville Market, and indulging in Chinatown...the list of things to do and see in Vancouver is endless.

Vancouver is also a gateway city with easy access to the iconic Canadian Rockies, Vancouver Island, and British Columbia’s other vibrant cities. With its Rocky Mountaineer train terminal and Alaska cruise port, it is the best start or end to your Canada holiday. A short ferry or a float plane ride will get you to the beautiful Vancouver Island and BC’s capital city, Victoria, where you can enjoy iconic Canadian experiences such as whale watching and bear watching. North America’s biggest ski resort, Whistler, is a short drive from Vancouver on the scenic Sea-to-sky Highway.

Vibrant, multicultural, and with diverse landscapes and activities on offer, Vancouver caters well for all visitors, from families with little ones to groups of friends to LGBT+ travellers.

Best time to visit Vancouver

Protected by majestic mountains and warmed by the Pacific Ocean currents, Vancouver enjoys a temperate oceanic climate, meaning the weather doesn’t get too hot or frosty.

Summer (June to August): In summer, the temperate rainforests have atmospheric mist and drizzle, while the beaches and Vancouver’s downtown bask in the lovely sun. Between July and September, temperatures can reach up to 22°C. This is the peak season for wildlife watching, hiking and mountain biking. Many of the city’s festivals take place in summer, too.

Autumn (September to November): Autumn sees average temperatures of around 5°C to 11°C, and the fall foliage turns Vancouver into a magical place to visit on a holiday.

Winter (December to February): Vancouver winters are cool but mild, and snow rarely falls. You can enjoy festive shopping and beautiful light displays outdoors. While the city gets a fair portion of rain, the surrounding mountains get covered in snow, and the ski season is in full swing.

Spring (March to May): In spring, cherry blossoms bloom as animals come out of hibernation. Black bears, grizzlies, orcas, and humpback whales can be spotted from May until November.

If you are looking at the different options for Vancouver holidays and are wondering when the best time to go is, it ultimately depends on your individual preferences and what you're hoping to experience. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures, vibrant festivals and cultural experiences, or a touch of winter magic with snow-kissed landscapes, Vancouver offers something for everyone.

Things to do on your holiday to 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 downtown Vancouver, 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 around its glorious green spaces, 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 for incredible authentic Chinese cuisine and street food and to explore the first Chinese garden built outside of China. Then, 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 Food Tour, where you will enjoy the knowledge of a local expert guide.

Suppose you have time to unwind on your holiday, 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.

Top tips for Vancouver holidays

Below are some top tips to consider for a holiday to Vancouver:

• Hire a bike and cycle around the beautiful Stanley Park and the sea wall. Stop at English Bay to watch the sailboats drift in and out of the harbour at sunset.
• Try a Vancouver Food Tour for the ultimate culinary experience while enjoying the knowledge of a local guide.
• Be adventurous and paraglide or zip-line in Grouse Mountain in the summer.
• 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.
• Visit Granville Island and wander around the Public Market, tasting some of the local delicacies; Granville is famous for its freshly caught seafood.
• 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.
• Vancouver Island is a great place for spotting wildlife, especially orca whales and harbour seals – try one of our amazing wildlife packages.
• 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.

If you’d like more information about booking your holiday to Vancouver, contact us and speak to one of our dedicated team members, who will help you plan the trip of a lifetime.

Ideas for Vancouver Holidays

A holiday to Vancouver can be whatever you want it to be with our tailor-made holidays to Canada.

If you are looking for an unforgettable Canada city break, then Vancouver is the perfect place. The city is bursting with galleries, gardens, and cultural attractions. It boasts great shopping opportunities, innovative restaurants and bars, and vibrant nightlife too.

Vancouver is a gateway city with easy access to the Rockies, Vancouver Island, and other vibrant cities in British Columbia, as well as the port where Alaska cruises depart during the warmer months. With that in mind, a fly-drive Canada 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 world-class dining, great shopping and vibrant bars to outdoor and adventure activities. The scenery is breathtaking, so you will want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. 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 of having the mildest climate in Canada. Then, enjoy a relaxing stroll along the Inner Harbour towards Fisherman’s Wharf, where you'll find floating houses and shops. 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.