A Week in Beautiful Vancouver – A Perfect City (With Itinerary)

I’ve always noticed that Vancouver regularly tops the charts as being one of the world’s most liveable cities, but I’ve always been curious as to why it’s always deemed to be just so perfect! Determined to find out for my myself I flew out to spend a week in the diversely populated city located on the west coast in British Columbia.

From soaring mountain views to seaplane rides, laid-back markets to axe-throwing on mountaintops, here is my dreamy week spent in the famously easy-on-the-eye Canadian city and I’ve included my week’s itinerary at the end too, in case you want to do the same trip…

1. Grouse Mountain Adventures – Skyline Views and Axe-Throwing Thrills

To really appreciate a city like Vancouver, I wanted to view it from above so I headed straight for Grouse Mountain. This was one of the city’s most famous spots which was also home to the Skyride Gondola.

The gondola ride to the top had a distinct twist – I opted to stand securely on the roof of the gondola (yes really)! I have to admit it was slightly vertigo but I enjoyed truly jaw-dropping views of the city, forest, and coastline far below me.

Once at the top, I quickly realised Grouse Mountain was more than just a lookout, there was zip-lining, paragliding, cheesy-but-fun lumberjack shows, and even helicopter rides—I could have easily spent a full day up there.

I saw the mountain was also home to two rescued – and very gorgeous – grizzly bears who were named Grinder and Coola, who have lived in a protected wildlife enclosure since 2001. Seeing them up close (in an environment that thankfully mimicked their natural habitat – I’m not a fan of zoos at all!) was a real highlight.

I also indulged in a bit of axe-throwing. As a total pacifist, I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did but I found not only was it surprisingly addictive, I also found I was surprisingly good at it!

Before leaving I also discovered the unusual attraction the Eye of the Wind, which was a 65-metre-high wind turbine with a unique viewing pod where I saw superb panoramic vistas of the city and its surroundings. 

Grouse Mountain – At a Glance

• Location: 15 minutes north of downtown Vancouver
• Getting There: Drive or take the free shuttle from Canada Place (seasonal)
• My Top Experiences: Ride the Skyride Gondola (or take the Skyride Surf Adventure on the roof!), Watch the lumberjack show (seasonal and family-friendly), Visit Grinder and Coola, the resident grizzly bears, Try axe-throwing or zip-lining, Take in the views from the Eye of the Wind turbine
• My Tip: Arrive early in summer to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler weather for hikes

‍2. Stanley Park by Bike & Granville Island

After taking in the city from above, I came back down to explore it at ground level – and there was no better way to do that than by hopping on a bike and riding the loop around Stanley Park. The park was a stunning urban oasis in the heart of the city which spanned over 1,000 acres.

One of the largest city parks in the whole of North America, it genuinely felt like riding through a slice of West Coast paradise.

The trail was easy but with some very interesting highlights, I passed quiet forested paths, sandy beaches, colorful totem poles, gorgeous views of the city skyline and spotted wildlife around Beaver Lake and Lost Lagoon. 

Stanley Park – At a Glance

• Location: Bordering downtown Vancouver, wrapped by the Pacific Ocean
• Size: 1,000 acres (larger than NYC’s Central Park!)
• Best For: Nature lovers, cyclists, families, photographers, and culture seekers
• Top Things to Do:
• Cycle or walk the 9 km Seawall for epic water and skyline views
• Visit Brockton Point Totem Poles – the most visited in BC
• Spot seals near the seawall or herons near Lost Lagoon
• Wander forest trails through dense coastal rainforest
• Relax at Second & Third Beach or catch sunset at Prospect Point
• Entry Fee: Free (attractions within the park may charge separately)
• My Tip: Go early to enjoy peaceful paths and the better light for photos

Granville Island – At a Glance

• Location: Just south of downtown, accessible via Granville Bridge or False Creek ferry
• Famous For: Granville Island Public Market – fresh produce, baked goods, deli treats, Artisan shops & galleries – local ceramics, jewellery, and textiles and Granville Island Brewing – one of Canada’s first microbreweries, “Giants” mural by OSGEMEOS – massive, colourful public art painted on silos
• Vibe: Creative, colourful, and always buzzing with energy
• My Tip: Go in the morning to beat the crowds or in the evening to watch the sunset

3. Granville Island Market – fresh produce and artisanal delights

One of my favourite parts of the island was the incredible Granville Island Market which was a busy and popular indoor market which was home to incredible fresh produce, gourmet foods, baked goods, artisanal products, and local specialties, all set in a lively waterfront atmosphere.

All my senses were overloaded as I spent two hours walking around trying the tasty food samples and picking up warm, flaky almond croissants from A Bread Affair and gluten-free flourless chocolate cakes from La Baguette et l’Échalote.

Where To Eat in Vancouver – At a Quick Glance

• Blue Water Café – Upscale seafood platters, sushi & oysters in trendy Yaletown
• Tacofino – Legendary fish tacos from a cult-favourite food truck turned local chain
• Japadog – Iconic food truck serving Japanese-style hotdogs (try the Terimayo!)
• Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – Interactive DIY grilling at your table, fun and flavourful
• Granville Island Market – Indoor public market with artisan goods, fresh produce, and baked treats—perfect for DIY picnics
• Bonus: Don’t miss trying local BC wines and craft beers

4. Seaplane Thrills & Sky Views

Just when I thought Vancouver couldn’t get any more scenic, I hopped aboard a Harbour Air seaplane – and this turned out to be one of my favourite parts of the whole trip! 

The take-off alone was exhilarating – one moment we were gliding gently across the water near Canada Place, the next we were soaring into the sky with the North Shore Mountains on one side and the glistening city skyline on the other. 

From above, Vancouver revealed itself in layers – I saw the neat green grid of Stanley Park, the shimmering waters of False Creek, and beyond that, the misty blue peaks that seemed to stretch as far as I could see.

Seaplane Tours – At a Glance

• Operator: Harbour Air Seaplanes (main provider)
• Departure Point: Coal Harbour Terminal, near Canada Place
• Flight Duration: around 20 minutes (for the classic city panorama tour)
• What You’ll See: Downtown skyline, Stanley Park & Lions Gate Bridge, North Shore Mountains, False Creek & English Bay
• Best Time to Go: Clear mornings for smooth flying and crisp mountain views
• Cost: Starting from around $160 CAD per person (book in advance for deals)
• Vibe: Short, thrilling, scenic—ideal for first-timers and photographers
• My Bonus Tip: Ask for a window seat (they all kind of are, but still!)

5. Creative City: Street Art & Sculptures

One of the things I loved most about this city was how creativity seemed to spill out into every corner—from murals to metalwork to quirky oversized sculptures, I saw them everywhere!

My favorites were the “A-maze-ing Laughter” statues in Morton Park near English Bay which were 14 larger-than-life bronze figures by Yue Minjun are all frozen in fits of exaggerated laughter.

I also loved the bold “Giants” mural on Granville Island and created in 2014 by Brazilian twin artists (Gustavo and Otávio Pandolfo), they transformed six 70-foot-tall concrete silos at the Ocean Concrete plant into colorful, whimsical characters.

I found my other favorite along the waterfront – it was the fierce-looking bow of a traditional Chinese junk ship, complete with a vivid red and green dragon curling out angrily into the harbour sky. 

This was actually part of a striking public art piece located at Vanier Park, near the Vancouver Maritime Museum and to me it perfectly represented how incredibly diverse the city was.

My Final Thoughts

As each day I spent exploring the city got better and better, I often wondered if there were any downsides to the city. There was the rain and also the nightlife wasn’t as hip or lively as say I what I’d experienced in Berlin and London, but to be honest that was a small price to pay!

It struck me as a city completely at ease in its own skin – clean without being sterile, interesting without trying too hard, beautiful but never arrogant – and by the time I left, it had definitely gained a new fan in me! 

️ My 7-Day Vancouver Itinerary 

This itinerary covers everything I managed to squeezed into my fun-filled, easy-paced week in Vancouver week… 

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Day 1 – Get the Best View First: Grouse Mountain + Skyline Gondola

• Kicked things off with a real “wow” moment — a trip up Grouse Mountain via the Skyride Gondola

• Braved the Skyride Surf Adventure (yes, you stand on top of the gondola!) — easily one of the most thrilling things I’ve done

• Met Grinder and Coola, the resident grizzlies, tried my hand at axe throwing, and caught an old-school lumberjack show

• Took in jaw-dropping views from the Eye of the Wind wind turbine lookout

Evening: I grabbed dinner at The Sandbar on Granville Island but there were also great restaurants in Gastown (hello glowing lampposts and cocktails!)

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Day 2 – Stanley Park + Totem Poles + Seaplane Ride

• Cycled the full Stanley Park Seawall loop — stopped at Second Beach and Prospect Point

• Paused to admire the incredible First Nations totem poles at Brockton Point

• Picked up a picnic at Granville Island Market earlier in the day (yes, it was perfect!)

• Later, I boarded a Harbour Air seaplane from Canada Place — soaring over the city and mountains was unforgettable

Dinner: I ended the day with fresh seafood at Blue Water Café in Yaletown

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Day 3 – Granville Island + Public Art & Street Food

• Started at Granville Island Market for breakfast goodies (and espresso with a view!)

• Explored the artists’ studios, indie boutiques, and waterfront walkways

• Took street art photos of the Giants mural silos at Ocean Concrete — one of the most unexpectedly colourful highlights!

• Grabbed lunch from a food truck and treated myself to Japadog — Vancouver’s famous Japanese-style hotdog

Afternoon tip: Take the little Aquabus for a fun ride across False Creek

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Day 4 – Quirky Statues & Chinatown Discoveries

• I found my way to A-Maze-Ing Laughter sculptures in Morton Park and couldn’t help laughing along

• Wandered into Chinatown and admired the striking Chinese junk sculpture near Vanier Park

• Discovered fun shops and heritage facades in the area — full of character and contrast

Dinner idea: Grab a cocktail at Storm Crow Tavern (think: board games meets Mad Max), then explore nearby eats

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Day 5 – Forest Escapes: Lynn Canyon Park

• I took the bus out to Lynn Canyon National Park — the perfect free alternative to Capilano

• I crossed the suspension bridge, wandered the shady forest trails, and watched families splash in the streams

Evening: I chilled out with pizza and prosecco by the water at El Chioschetto on the Zattere

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Day 6 – Museums, Orcas & Orca Sculptures

• I visited the fascinating Museum of Anthropology and learned about First Nations cultures

• I saw the Digital Orca sculpture at Canada Place — much more humane (and photogenic!) than seeing one in an aquarium!

• I walked along the Waterfront Promenade and watched the floatplanes come and go

Lunch: Tacofino tacos and people-watching near the Waterfront

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Day 7 – Culture + Catch-Ups + Sunsets

• I spent the morning revisiting favourite spots or shopping along Robson Street

• I picked up treats and souvenirs from Lonsdale Quay

• I finished the trip with sunset at English Bay — the city glowing, waves lapping, people relaxing

• I watched the sky fade from pink to purple, feeling very full!

Final night: I celebrate with dinner at Alibi Room where there was craft beer and farm-to-table deliciousness