As a local Vancouverite, I’m super excited to share with you this 7 day Vancouver itinerary that covers some of the best things to see and do in my beautiful city.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, this list of what to do in Vancouver in 7 days should provide you with a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences.
The seven day itinerary covers these main hotspots:
- Day 1 – Stanley Park & Yaletown: seawall + seafood!
- Day 2 – Granville Island: with honey crullers to die for
- Day 3 – Downtown & Waterfront: what locals would skip
- Day 4 – North Shore: Capilano Bridge plus one free alternative
- Day 5 – Neighbourhoods: East Van spots most tourists miss
- Day 6 – Gardens: Queen Elizabeth Gardens + others
- Day 7 – Day Trips: Sea to Sky Gondola paradise
Let’s explore the best of Vancouver in seven days!
What to Do in Vancouver for a Week: 7 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Stanley Park & Gourmet Food
- Start the day with a visit to Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre public park with scenic trails, beaches, and wildlife.
- Take a walk along the Vancouver Seawall, a scenic 22-km paved path that offers stunning views of the city skyline and mountains.
- Visit the Vancouver Aquarium, one of Canada’s largest aquariums, with over 50,000 animals, including beluga whales, sea otters, and dolphins.
- Finish your day with a meal in Yaletown: many of Vancouver’s best restaurants are here, including Tasty Indian Bistro and the Blue Water Cafe.
Related: Best Stanley Park Tours
Related: Best Things to Do in Vancouver
Day 2: Discover Granville Island
🙋♂️ My experience: I always tell tourists to hit Lee’s Donuts first – their honey cruller sells out by noon and locals guard this secret fiercely.
- Head to Granville Island, a bustling marketplace and artisan stronghold with hundreds of vendors selling fresh produce, seafood, and artisanal goods.
- Make sure you grab snacks at Lee’s Donuts and some candied salmon from Longliner Seafoods.
- Consider taking a Granville Island Food Tour to lock in all the local snacks and learn Vancouver
- Go for some of the best shopping in Vancouver at Granville Island’s huge list of artisan shops: Make, Granville Island Hat Shop, and the Wickannanish Gallery are a good start.
- Grab some drinks at Granville Island Brewing: Vancouver’s first craft beer creator
Related: Vancouver’s best food tours
Day 3: Experience Vancouver’s Outdoors
🙋♂️ My experience: I always tell tourists to hit the Seawall at Sunset Beach first – rent bikes there, then cycle to English Bay for the actual sunset views.
- Visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, a popular tourist attraction (I call it an outdoor amusement park) with a 450-foot-long suspension bridge, treetop walk, and cliff walk attractions.
- Head up to Grouse Mountain: Vancouver’s outdoor playground is home to skiing in winter and all sorts of great summer activities to keep you busy.
- Looking for an alternative? Go on one of the best Vancouver whale watching tours to see orcas, humpback whales, bald eagles, and more.
- Finish the day off in North Vancouver (or West Vancouver) in the Lonsdale Quay area: tons of shopping and dining options await you at this unique, seaside area that’s a bit off the beaten path.
Related: Best Walking Tours in Vancouver
Related: Vancouver’s best sightseeing tours
Day 4: Visit Vancouver’s Diverse Neighbourhoods
🙋♂️ My experience: I’d spend half my day in Chinatown with dim sum at Floata, then Commercial Drive for authentic Italian gelato at Dolce Vita for dessert.
- Start the day with a coffee on Commercial Drive: this vibrant neighbourhood, known as Vancouver’s Little Italy, is known for its mix of cafes, restaurants, and thrift shops.
- Head to Main Street between 26th and 16th: this trendy neighbourhood is known for boutique/second-hand/vintage stores and is a great place to find unique treasures.
- End the day with a visit to Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, with a rich history and charming cobblestone streets.
- The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour is a great way to learn about Vancouver’s sketchy history as a vagrant logging town.
Related: Best Areas to Stay in Vancouver
Day 5: Experience Vancouver’s Art, History, & Culture
- Visit the Museum of Anthropology, a museum dedicated to the culture and history of the First Nations people of British Columbia.
- Not wanting to leave downtown? The Bill Reid Gallery is a great alternative.
- Explore the Vancouver Art Gallery, a public art museum that showcases works by local and international artists.
- Sick and tired of museums? Check out the Vancouver Lookout around sunset for the best views of the city.
Related: Vancouver’s Best Museums
Day 6: Relax and Rejuvenate
ℹ️ Interesting fact: Vancouver has more spas per capita than any other Canadian city – the mineral-rich mountain water here creates uniquely therapeutic treatments you can’t get elsewhere.
- Visit the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a serene oasis in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown.
- In Vancouver in summer? Take a dip in the warm waters of Canada’s largest swimming pool at Kitsilano Beach, one of Vancouver’s best beaches with stunning city views.
- Head to Queen Elizabeth Park (a public park with a rose garden, a pitch and putt golf course, and amazing views) or Vandusen Gardens (the city’s botanical gardens).
- Indulge in a spa treatment at one of Vancouver’s many luxury spas, such as the Spa at the Wedgewood Hotel or the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.
Day 7: Explore Beyond Vancouver
My travel tip: I always tell tourists heading to Whistler or Bowen Island to pack layers – mountain weather changes fast and ferry decks get chilly.
- Head to the Sea to Sky Gondola attraction near Squamish BC: this Swiss/style gondola takes you up into old growth forest and unlocks British Columbia nature like little else.
- Visit the Britannia Mine Museum, a former copper mine turned museum that showcases the history of the mining industry in British Columbia.
- Go from Vancouver to Victoria: the capital city of British Columbia is a fantastic place to explore a historic downtown, beautiful gardens, and quaint shops.
- Take a trip from Vancouver to Whistler: one of North America’s premier ski resorts is just 2 hours from the city, and its village is home to amazing dining options.
- Check off some off the beaten path things to do in Vancouver.
Feel like it’s too much? Check out my Vancouver 3 day itinerary for a shortened version or Vancouver in 5 days.
Related: Best Day Trips from Vancouver
🚘 Thinking of renting a vehicle? We’ll answer the question: Do you need a rental car in Vancouver?
7 Days in Vancouver Itinerary FAQ
What to do for a week in Vancouver?
If you’re visiting Vancouver for a week, you should see major attractions like the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain, explore exciting neighbourhoods like Gastown, Commercial Drive and Granville Island, and lock in outdoor activities like the city’s beaches & Queen Elizabeth Park.
⏱️ What to do after: After a week exploring, locals recommend day trips to Whistler or Victoria – both are 2-hour journeys that show off BC’s mountains and islands.
How much spending money for a week in Vancouver?
Priceoftravel.com’s Vancouver backpacker rating is $107.27 USD (or $144.11 CAD). This basic Vancouver budget means that each day you can get the following:
- A decent hostel bed (shared dorm)
- 3 meals from cheap takeaway places
- A few rides on Vancouver public transit
- One paid attraction, like the Vancouver Art Gallery or Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Three beers
Of course, if you’re going to be staying at Vancouver’s best hotels (not to mention eating at the city’s best restaurants) you’ll be looking at closer to $250.00 a day.
Spending money for a week in Vancouver thus starts at about $1000 and could go all the way up to about $1800 and beyond.
💰 Money-saving tip: Cook at hostels with kitchens, buy groceries at No Frills instead of downtown markets, and take transit daily passes over single rides.
Related: Best cheap things to do in Vancouver
Can you spend a week in Vancouver?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to spend a week in Vancouver, but to do so, you’ll need to include all sorts of outdoor excursions and generally spread out the attractions to just one or two a day. If you’re looking to just see the major sights without living the city and nature, a four-day Vancouver itinerary should be enough.
🗺️ What’s cool nearby: Whistler’s 2-hour drive for skiing, Bowen Island’s 20-minute ferry for hiking, and Victoria’s seaplane trips make perfect day excursions when stretching Vancouver into a week.
Is a week in Vancouver too long?
Honestly, if you’re using Vancouver as part of a greater trip around the west coast of North America, then three or four days should be enough to check off the major sights.
If you’re coming here to really get your hand on the pulse, though, a seven-day visit to Vancouver is the perfect amount to master the city.
💰 How I’d max value here: I’d book accommodations outside downtown core – East Van or Kitsilano give you local flavor at 40% less cost than Coal Harbour hotels.
More Vancouver Itineraries
Planning a different length trip? Check out our complete Vancouver itinerary guides:
Vancouver Itineraries by Month
Still Need Help With Your 7 Day Vancouver Itinerary?
I hope this 7 day Vancouver itinerary has given you a taste of what Vancouver has to offer.
From its stunning natural beauty to its vibrant neighborhoods and rich culture, there’s truly something for everyone here.
That said, if there’s something missing please don’t hesitate to write me in the comments below!
Enjoy your week in Vancouver.
Be aware: some of the links provided above are affiliate links. This means that, at no extra cost to you, I may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. The revenue helps maintain our site as a community-supported and ad-free platform. More info: Vancouver Planner affiliate disclaimer.
Content Manager
Writer and social media pro who ditched fishing for film school, then pivoted into online poker, Europe, and beyond. Co-founder of Barcelona Hacks. Now splitting time between Barcelona and Vancouver, working in content, translation, and still trying to get a script sold.
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