Perfect 3 day Vancouver itinerary

Are you looking for a great way to spend 3 days in Vancouver? Look no further than this post, which will cover a breakdown of the best places to visit, things to eat, and other recommendations! These are the activities that I take friends and family to when they visit – so it’s tried and true.

Where to stay

Most major hotels are located in the heart of downtown. However, if possible, I’d recommend checking out airbnbs, VRBOs or bed and breakfasts in either the Kitsilano or Mount Pleasant neighborhoods. Both offer a chance to better integrate into the Vancouver experience and see the shops and restaurants locals love! Check out Booking.com, which is what I use whenever I travel.

Safety tips

Vancouver is a very safe city. That being said, there has been an increase in crime and drug overdoses in the vicinity around East Hastings and Chinatown. It’s a sad sight that the city is actively working to find solutions for. It is not recommended to walk around this area at night.

Great breakfast spots / Cute cafes

• 49th Parallel – A local coffee chain with amazing donuts!
• Jam Cafe – Always a line out the door for this classic brunch spot.
• Breka Bakery – A chain throughout the city, one of the few places open 24/7.
• Wicked Cafe – Delicious pastries in an Instagrammable environs.
• Cafe Lokal – A Kitsilano hot spot.
• Their There – Trendy, with both takeaway and sit in options – great donuts too.
• Just Another – Portugese tarts, cute digs and a full breakfast menu.
• Grounds for Coffee – The best cinnamon rolls on the planet!

Great lunch spots

• Ramen Danbo – world famous ramen! Always a line out the door, arrive early to put your name on the Yelp waitlist.
• Connie’s Cook House – No frills but beloved, with fantastic prices and American style Chinese food in Canada.
• Chickpea Food Truck or Restaurant – Fantastic vegan Israeli food.
• Dynasty Seafood – famous dim sum. Dim sum is often only served at lunch. For more traditional options, head to Richmond and the heart of the Chinese community in Vancouver.
• Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions – eat and drink in a spot filled with Vancouver history
• The lunch lady – fantastic Vietnamese that locals love

Great dinner spots

• Sushi:
  • Tom Sushi – locals agree, this is the best. You can’t make a reservation so go early!
  • The Eatery – instagrammable and wacky decor, with the most unique rolls you’ll ever encounter!
  • Tozen Sushi Bar – more upscale version of Tom’s (same chef).
• Persian:
  • Akhbar Joojeh – authentic Persian in the Persian side of town – always packed with locals.
  • Delara – upscale with impeccable flavors and a great aesthetic.
• Afghan:
  • East is East – Live music every night and a great all you can eat tasting menu.
• Indian
  • Vij’s – High end Indian with a Bib Gourmand. Make a reservation!
  • Head to Surrey for more authentic, hole in the wall Indian options – this is where the heart of the South Asian community in Vancouver lies!
• Hot Pot
  • Hai Di Lao – an international chain but fantastic hot pot and a unique experience. Make a reservation!
• Thai
  • Maenam – high end Thai with tasting menus and a Bib Gourmand. Beautiful interior. Make a reservation!
  • Sawasdee Thai – delicious traditional Thai. Make a reservation or get there early!
• Indigenous
  • Salmon N’ Bannock – the only indigenous run restaurant in Vancouver – delicious fish and traditional Salish foods.
• Pizza / Italian
  • Via Tevere – delicate pizza in an intimate setting.

Beer and Bars

• Key Party – my favorite speakeasy. Tiny, so get there early for a table!
• Glitch – arcade bar!
• 33 Acres – indoor/outdoor seating, instagram worthy and delicious beers
• Superflux – fantastic IPAs
• The Narrow Lounge – a hidden speakeasy with Mexican food

Dessert

• Mello – best donuts in the city, hand’s down
• La Casa Gelato – over 200 flavors, it’s an experience in and of itself!
• Earnest Ice cream – best ice cream in the city – get the chocolate!
• Fratelli Authentic Italian Baking – incredible cannolis and cookies

Day 1: Take it all in

With a city as gorgeous as Vancouver, it’s a great idea to get a sense of place before venturing further a field. You can do this a few ways, depending on your mobility:

• Bike ride around Stanley Park – and the rest of the sea wall. Do it on your own or join a tour.
• Drive and park at scenic areas throughout Stanley Park. If you need a rental car, check out Rentalcars.com to find a good deal.
• Take the false creek ferries around false creek, from Kitsilano to Science World and back

No matter which option you go with, make sure to end up at Granville Island for a snack or a meal. While it’s definitely a tourist hotspot, Granville Island fits this rare breed of attraction in that it is also beloved by locals, who shop for produce or date night desserts, or their favorite pastas, olives or chocolates.

Day 2: Museums, Beaches, Parks (or all 3!)

The UBC Anthropology Museum is a world famous museum, and is reopening after years of renovation in June 2024! Take a walk around the gorgeous UBC campus while there, or check out the UBC Japanese Garden, Botanical Garden, including suspension bridges (Greenheart tree walk). You can also explore Wreck Beach, which is popular with nudists in the summer months.

If you are traveling with kids, Science World or The Aquarium are good alternatives!

On your way back from UBC, check out Spanish Banks or Kitsilano Beach, both usually oveflowing with volleyballers and seagoers, especially in the summer. The Kitsilano Pool is a sight to be seen as well, at nearly 135 meters long, it is the longest salt water pool in North America. There’s a kiddie section, too! Book in advance in the summer (opening in August 2024 – try Second Beach pool instead which is similar!).

Things to see in Vancouver’s downtown

The area isn’t very large, but if you are in the vicinity here are some nice things to check out:

• English Bay or Sunset Beach – for people watching and sunsets
• Walk a loop between Davie Street, Denman Street, and Robson Street, to enjoy some nice restaurants and shopping
• Sea Plane terminal – watching these amazing planes take off and land is pretty entertaining, for adults and children alike. Plus, there are great views of the North Shore mountains.

Other great walking areas

• Main St (16th-30th avenues are the cutest)
• Commercial Avenue
• 4th Avenue in Kitsilano from Alma to Burrard

Day 3: Get out of the city and into nature

One of Vancouver’s great appeals is it’s proximity to nature. It’s possible to get out into the mountains by public transit or by car, though car obviously offers some more flexibility. My favorite local spots include, and are accessible year round (enjoyable rain or shine!):

• Pacific Spirit Regional Park – if you’re short on time, this regional park near UBC allows you to get lost in the magnificent Douglas firs and pacific red cedar’s while being right in the heart of the city. With mostly flat and even trails, this park is for everyone.
• Capilano Regional Park – Just north of the tourist attraction Capilano Suspension Bridge, you can enjoy a free experience that includes mountain vistas, waterfalls, suspension bridges, beautiful hiking trails around a river gorge and a salmon fish hatchery.
• Lynn Valley Regional Park – Slightly east of Capilano is Lynn Valley, which offers a network of trails that go on for miles. Highlights in this park include a beautiful suspension bridge, multiple water falls, and a gorgeous aquamarine pool where you’ll find hearty locals taking cold plunges year round.

If you have the time, taking a trip up the Sea to Sky Highway offers world-renowned views of the Howe Sound, the southern-most fjord on the continent, and the mountains of the Tantalus and Coast mountain ranges. Along the way, there are magnificant waterfalls and great hikes, as well as access to tourist attractions like the Sea to Sky Gondola. You can read more about the Sea to Sky in this blog post.

Finally, if you are more interested in the islands of British Columbia, have a little adventure and take the ferry to Bowen Island. It only takes 15 minutes and from there, you can do some great hiking or kayaking.

If you don’t have a car and want to stay within Vancouver proper, another great way to get out into nature and onto the water is by renting a kayak or signing up for a kayak tour with Jericho Beach Kayak. On the organized tours, you also receive a guide who not only helps you understanding kayaking but explains the history and culture of the area. This is a great way to combine learning more about Vancouver with an exciting physical activity. Plus, after the tour you can take a dip in beautiful Jericho beach!

Another great way to spend your third day in Vancouver is Whale Watching. Whales are present in English Bay and Howe Sound near Vancouver year round, but in summer you are more likely to spot them. This is also a great activity rain or shine because if you book with Prince of Whales, their boats have amazing large windows for viewing indoors as well as outdoors. They also provide hot drinks and educational commentary from their naturalists onboard. I did their tour on a rainy day and we spotted over 12 whales. They have a 95% success rate for spotting whales, and if you don’t see one, their guarantee allows you to hop on another tour for free and try again. Plus, they have a dedicated photographer on board that provides free images so you don’t have to stress about getting the perfect shot and can just enjoy the amazing animal sightings.

With more than 3 days…

If you’re looking to extend your trip, here are a few ideas:

• Take a trip up to Whistler, or go to popular Joffre lakes for the day
• Spend a few days on Vancouver Island. I have a 7 day itinerary as well as beginner’s guide to check out, as long as weekend in Victoria or weekend in Tofino itineraries.
• Go wine tasting in the Okanagan (Canada’s Napa Valley).
• Head down to Mt. Baker and Bellingham in Washington State
• Spend a few days relaxing on the Sunshine Coast
• My favorite hikes near Vancouver
• Explore the Sea to Sky Corridor with this itinerary
• Check out some other day trips near Vancouver