Vancouver 5 Day Itinerary

5-Day Vancouver Itinerary:

This itinerary focuses on popular tourist attractions and experiences. Feel free to customize it based on your interests!

Day 1: Exploring the City Center

  • Morning: Arrive in Vancouver, check into your hotel (see “Where to Stay” below). Explore Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, known for its cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture, and vibrant atmosphere.

    • Things to do: Stroll through the cobblestone alleys of Gastown, admire the steam clock, enjoy a street art tour in the surrounding areas, grab a coffee at one of the many historic cafes.

  • Afternoon: Visit Stanley Park, a massive urban park with stunning views, lush forests, and historical landmarks.

    • Activities: Walk or bike along the seawall, explore the totem poles at Brockton Point, relax on the beach, wander through the Stanley Park Conservatory, enjoy the outdoor activities like cycling, kayaking, or paddle boarding.

  • Evening: Dinner at a Gastown restaurant.

    • Restaurant recommendations: The Flying Pig (gastropub), Glowbal (fine dining), or Water Street Cafe (casual dining) for diverse culinary experiences.

Day 2: Granville Island & Urban Delights

  • Morning: Immerse yourself in the creative hub of Granville Island. Explore the Public Market, a foodie paradise with fresh produce, seafood, and artisan treats.

  • Afternoon: Granville Island offers more than just the market! Enjoy the vibrant street performers, visit the Granville Island Brewing for a taste of local craft beer, or take a ferry across False Creek for breathtaking views.

    • Alternative activities: Explore the Granville Island Brewery Market, check out the quirky shops and galleries, or watch a free performance at the outdoor stage.

  • Evening: Dinner with a view! Try one of the restaurants on Granville Island like The Sandbar (fine dining seafood), Bridges Restaurant (classic with a twist), or Edible Canada (Canadian cuisine).

Day 3: Granville Island & Urban Delights

  • Morning: Take a stroll through Granville Island’s charming streets and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this island marketplace.

  • Afternoon: Explore the Granville Island Public Market, wander through the artisan workshops, or catch a live music performance at the Market Square.

  • Ecotourism option: Spend the morning at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park for stunning views of the rainforest and the Capilano River.

    • Restaurant recommendations: Enjoy a delicious seafood dinner at the Dockside Restaurant, savor some Canadian comfort food at The Sandbar (a classic choice!), or indulge in a gourmet experience at The Flying Pig’s Vancouver location.

Evening: Take a **water taxi to a restaurant on the opposite side of False Creek! This gives you a chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery and sunset views while heading out for a unique dining experience.

Day 4:

  • Morning: Visit Gastown’s Steam Clock, a popular landmark that whistles and hisses every 15 minutes, drawing crowds with its steam-powered spectacle.

  • Afternoon: Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Granville Island Market with a visit to the Granville Island Brewing for a refreshing brew or explore the Vancouver Art Gallery’s renowned collection.

    • Alternative activity: Take a scenic hike in Pacific Spirit Park, a beautiful green space within Vancouver offering various trails for all levels.

  • Things to know:

    • Vancouver is known for its rainy weather, so pack an umbrella and waterproof jacket!
    • Granville Island Market is a great place to find fresh, local ingredients (many of which are used by the restaurants on this side of the island).

  • Restaurant recommendations:

    • The Flying Pig: This popular Gastown gastropub offers delicious food and drinks in a lively setting.

Granville Island Market:

  • Explore: Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, browse local vendors, and try the fresh seafood.

Day 4:
Enjoy the diverse selection of restaurants and eateries at Granville Island Market for dinner.

  • Vancouver Aquarium: Explore marine life from around the world.

Day 5:

  • Things to do:

  • Enjoy a final meal in Vancouver (see “Restaurant recommendations” above).

  • Take a ferry across Granville Island and explore the beautiful views of the city skyline.

  • Ecotourism options:

  • Explore Stanley Park, a must-see for any visitor to Vancouver.

Things to know:

  • Vancouver Aquarium: It’s one of the best in the world, with over 70,000 animals and a wide range of exhibits.

  • Granville Island Market: A vibrant hub with fresh produce, seafood, and artisan treats.

  • Transportation: Vancouver has an excellent public transportation system, so it’s easy to get around by bus, train, or ferry.

Things to do:

  • Take a walk along the Stanley Park Seawall: Enjoy the fresh air and stunning views of the ocean.
  • Visit the Museum of Anthropology at UBC: Explore the unique and fascinating exhibits of First Nations artifacts and art.

**Day 5:

  • Granville Island Ferry: Take a scenic ferry ride across False Creek to Granville Island.

  • Granville Island Public Market (for foodies):

  • Granville Island Market:

    • Explore: Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, browse local vendors, and try fresh seafood and local artisan goods.

Day 5:

Enjoy a picnic at Granville Island:

Pick up some delicious food from one of the many vendors and enjoy it with views of the water.

  • Take a walk through Granville Island’s Craft Market: Explore the stalls, meet local artisans, and find unique souvenirs.

Activities:

  • Granville Island Market: Visit the Granville Island Brewing, a popular brewery offering tours and tastings.

Where to Stay:

Vancouver has a wide range of accommodation options for all budgets:

  • Budget: HI Vancouver Central Hostel (centrally located, social atmosphere), The Cambie Hostel (social events, budget-friendly rooms)
  • Mid-range: The Sylvia Hotel (historic hotel near the beach), Hotel BLU (boutique hotel with modern amenities), The Burrard (stylish hotel in a vibrant location)

Day 5:

  • Granville Island Market: Enjoy a final evening meal and stroll through the market, checking out the local vendors.

Ecotourism Options:

  • Granville Island offers various boat tours exploring the beautiful scenery of False Creek, including the opportunity to see wildlife on the waterfront.

Things to Know:

  • Vancouver is known for its rainy weather, so pack accordingly! A good raincoat and umbrella are essential items.
  • The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with many theatres, museums, and art galleries.
  • Daylight Savings Time: Vancouver observes Daylight Saving Time, so remember to adjust your watch when necessary.

Where to Eat:

  • Granville Island: Enjoy fresh seafood at The Sandbar, or try a variety of cuisines from the food stalls.

  • Public Market (for a unique experience):

    • Food Trucks: Vancouver is home to a thriving food truck scene. Check out the schedule and see what’s available on the day you visit.

  • Granville Island Brewing: Enjoy a variety of craft beers, including seasonal brews and local favorites.

  • Mid-range:

    • Granville Island Market:

The Flying Pig (Granville Island):

  • Brewery tours and tastings: Learn about the brewing process and sample some delicious local brews.

  • Local brewery: Enjoy a fresh, local beer at Evolver.

  • For a more detailed culinary adventure:

Granville Island Brewing: Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the brewery and try a variety of their seasonal beers.

The Flying Pig:

Take a tour and learn about the unique process of brewing craft beer, and enjoy the experience of fresh-brewed beer in a casual setting.

  • Ecotourism: Take a ferry across the water to Granville Island.

Granville Island Brewery (for a unique experience): Enjoy the craft beer scene and see how local breweries are using sustainable practices.

  • Market:

Explore the unique food stalls and brewery vendors at Granville Island, enjoying the fresh, local ingredients and brews they offer.

Day 5:

  • Brewery Tours & Tastings: Explore the process of brewing beer from the perspective of a craft brewer.

Where to stay:

  • The Granville Island Brewing is located on the waterfront, so you can enjoy beautiful views while sipping a craft brew.

  • Other options:

  • The Sylvia Hotel: A great choice for a unique and charming experience.

  • The Granville Island Market (for a brewery experience): Enjoy a variety of beers on tap, as well as bottled and canned varieties.

  • Hostel:

Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Craft Beer scene and sample a diverse range of brews.

Where to Stay:

  • Budget-friendly:

  • Hostels:

The HI Vancouver Central Hostel:

Known for its affordability and social atmosphere, this hostel offers a great way to meet other travelers while enjoying their “Welcome to the Craft Beer Scene” experience:

  • Enjoy the vibrant craft beer scene at Granville Island.
  • Meet fellow beer enthusiasts from around the world.
  • Learn about the history of brewing in Vancouver (great for a rainy day):

Where to Stay:

  • Granville Island Brewing: This is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike, with a wide variety of beers on tap.

  • Other options:

  • Explore: Explore the vibrant neighborhood of Granville Island, enjoying its many shops, restaurants, and markets.

  • The “Granville Island Brewery” (for a final day outing):

Enjoy a variety of food stalls and breweries.

Vancouver: Enjoying a Variety of Experiences:

  • Gastown Market:

Experience the charm of Vancouver’s historic neighborhood while exploring the diverse culinary offerings at the Evolver Beer Pub.

  • Granville Island Market (Alternative): Explore the vibrant craft beer scene and enjoy the local breweries.

  • For a budget-friendly stay:

  • The Granville Island Hotel: Enjoy a variety of beers on tap, from local brews to international favorites.

Enjoy the social atmosphere and discover the history of brewing at Granville Island’s “Brewery by the Bridge”. Other options:

Note: This is a popular brewery in Vancouver, so it’s a good idea to make reservations.

  • Granville Island Brewery: A great option for a beer-themed day trip!

For the other days of your itinerary:

Enjoy a variety of experiences:

  • Enjoy a picnic at the Stanley Park Seawall (for a casual, budget-friendly option).
  • Explore the diverse food stalls and enjoy the “Brewery Tours” experience.

Food Stalls:

  • Explore the Granville Island Brewery: Enjoy a variety of craft beers.

  • Local breweries:

Enjoy a variety of local beers and brewery experiences.

Day 1: Granville Island (Vancouver):

  • Visit the “Ecotourism” section:

  • Explore the diverse range of food stalls at Granville Island Market, like the “Market Kitchen” or “Granville Island Food Market.”

  • Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and sample a variety of local dishes.

  • Enjoy the delicious brews and beer-tasting experiences:

  • Meet the artisans:

  • Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s public markets.

  • Enjoy a unique experience:

  • Explore the diverse offerings of the “Ecotourism” area.

Other options:

  • Experience the vibrant nightlife on Granville Island.

  • Explore Vancouver’s historic breweries and enjoy local brews.

  • Visit the Public Market for a variety of local food stalls and restaurants.

  • Visit: The Granville Island Brewing company for a final beer tasting experience.

This is just one example of how you can use this format. You can easily adapt it to other cities or destinations by changing the “Brewery” and “Where to Eat” suggestions.

Granville Island Brewery:

  • Granville Island Brewing: Enjoy fresh, local ingredients and learn about brewing processes.

Granville Island Food Market (for unique experiences):

You can also include information about the history of the brewery, its location on Granville Island, and the types of beers they offer.

Things to do:

  • Granville Island Brewing Company: Learn about local craft breweries and how they contribute to the Vancouver community.

Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and learn about the process of brewing, a popular activity for visitors who want to experience the local scene.

  • Enjoy a variety of beers at the Granville Island Brewery, including seasonal brews.
  • Enjoy the diverse culinary experiences offered by the breweries.

Things:

  • Granville Island Public Market (for a “Food” Experience:

  • Enjoy delicious food and beer pairings: The brewery’s location in Vancouver makes it a great place to explore local flavors and ingredients.

Note: This is a good opportunity to mention the unique brews available, like “Rainmaker IPA” or “Granville Island Lager.”

  • Explore the history of craft brewing in Vancouver:

  • Explore the variety of beers at Granville Island Brewery:

  • Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

  • Visit the brewery for a fun and informative experience.

  • Discover the different types of beer they brew, including local favorites.

Enjoy the diverse food stalls and breweries:

  • Explore the breweries:

Find out about the “Brewery” history and its role in Vancouver’s cultural scene.

  • Enjoy a variety of brews:

The Granville Island Brewery should be a highlight for your brewery experience.

  • Explore the brewery’s diverse range:**

Explore the unique offerings at the various breweries.

Don’t forget to add details about the “Food” options:

  • Craft beers, local wines and spirits, and delicious food pairings are all available in the vibrant atmosphere of Granville Island.

Enjoy the variety of brews:

  • The Granville Island Brewery:

Offers a range of craft beers for visitors to enjoy.

  • Granville Island:

A great place to explore the diverse flavors of Vancouver’s brewing scene, offering unique experiences and delicious food.

  • Enjoy a variety of breweries:

  • Ecotourism:

Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the “Food” area at Granville Island.

  • Explore: The different types of food and drinks available on the island.
  • Note: This is a fun and exciting place to visit!

Granville Island Brewery (for a charming and scenic experience):

  • Enjoy the diverse offerings:

Enjoy a variety of breweries and their unique atmospheres.

  • A Taste of Vancouver:

Enjoy a variety of craft beers in Granville Island’s “Food” stalls.

  • Enjoy a variety of breweries with local food vendors.

Enjoy a variety of options for beer enthusiasts:

  • Explore the range of local brews and the “Brewery” experience at different locations.

  • Explore: Discover unique flavors and brewing techniques.

  • Granville Island Market (for a fun day trip):

  • Enjoy the history of Vancouver’s craft breweries, like the Granville Island Brewery.

Enjoy the variety of local beers and food.