How Many Days in Vancouver? My Ideal Itinerary from First-Hand Experience
How many days in Vancouver do you really need? It’s one of the most common questions travelers ask—and the truth is, the answer depends on how you like to travel.
For me, three days was the perfect amount.
I visited Vancouver in late May after an Alaska cruise with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. (Virgin Voyages will be sailing to Vancouver in 2026 – can’t wait !) The sun was out, the city was blooming. It was actually the hottest day of the year when I arrived.
As a luxury travel advisor and itinerary planner, I specialize in crafting effortless travel experiences that blend iconic sights with personal flavor.
I don’t just write about places—I test them out myself so I can share exactly what’s worth your time.
Whether you’re coming off a cruise, stopping through for a long weekend, or planning a Pacific Northwest escape, this guide will help you decide how many days in Vancouver is right for you.
My friend Kelcie, who just moved to Seattle, joined me for the trip. She’s gluten-free, so we made it a mission to find the best GF gems in town.
From walking lush neighborhoods to crossing one of the highest (and most thrilling!) pedestrian suspension bridges in North America, this itinerary covers my favorite stops in the city.
Plus, I’ve included plenty of foodie finds, including gluten-free gems, happy hour hits, and a lemon square you shouldn’t skip.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to plan a perfect itinerary in Vancouver! We have tips on what to see, do, and eat, as well as how to get around.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Vancouver?
If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Vancouver for sightseeing, food, and outdoor adventure, here’s my first-hand take:
- 1 Day: One day is good for cruise stopovers or long layovers. Stick to Granville Island, Stanley Park, and a standout dinner. One day really is too short of a time to spend exploring this lovely city!
- 2 Days: Gives you time for the highlights plus a taste of neighborhood charm – like exploring Yaletown or Gastown.
- 3 Days: The sweet spot. You can do the big sights and enjoy slow mornings, scenic ferry rides, and a cocktail or two.
- 4+ Days: Ideal if you’re adding a day trip to Whistler, Victoria, or Grouse Mountain.
Insider Tip: Vancouver’s transit system is clean, safe, and easy to navigate. But I often used Uber for hopping around the city with ease – it was quick and well-priced, especially sharing with a friend.
We also walked a lot so we could enjoy the beautiful neighborhoods! The residential areas are so well-kept.
My 3-Day Vancouver Itinerary (With Food, Nature, and Neighborhoods)
Day 1 – Settle In, Walk the City, and Sip Cocktails
After arriving in Vancouver, check into a centrally located hotel like the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver (Marriott property). It’s quiet, well-situated, and puts you within walking distance of most downtown highlights.
You may be coming off a flight and/or adjusting to a new time zone, or just finished up an active cruise, so we scheduled this day to be fairly light.
Start with coffee at Revolver, a top-tier café that serves espresso with a chill vibe. Then spend the morning exploring Yaletown and Gastown, two of Vancouver’s most walkable neighborhoods.
Stroll the waterfront, pop into boutiques, and soak up the city’s laid-back vibe. We just wandered around enjoying the laid-back nature of the city.
For lunch, head to Nuba in Gastown, a vibrant Lebanese restaurant with lots of gluten-free options and tons of flavor.
First, we shared the delightful “Feast of Dips” with hummus, jalapeño & herb hummus, pomegranate & sumac hummus, baba ganoush & mama dallou’ah.
I had the Chicken Shisk Tawkook pita and Kelcie had the lunch plate. Great choices. The chicken was so flavorful!
We also enjoyed the Najib’s special cauliflower on the side – also highly recommend!
In the afternoon, visit Keefer Bar, an award-winning cocktail lounge in Chinatown. It’s one of the top 50 cocktail bars in the world, and their happy hour is a steal.
I enjoyed a $6 rosemary gimlet, $8 Antidote, and $6 pork + shrimp dumplings—all packed with flavor in a moody, urban-chic setting. The bartenders were top-notch and very friendly!
Wrap your day with a fun and casual bite: grab a Japadog from one of the many street carts scattered around downtown.
It’s a local favorite, though not gluten-free. So, I was the only one who ate the Japadog – the fan-fave Kurobuta Terimayo!
Day 2 – Stanley Park and Granville Island
Day two hits on Vancouver’s top highlights.
After breakfast, spend your morning at Stanley Park. This park is way bigger than you’d think – 400 hectares to be exact.
Start at the Totem Poles on the eastern edge and walk or bike along the Seawall. The views of the harbor, mountains, and skyline are stunning.
We took some breaks for photos and to soak in the views along the seawall.
Since neither of us are confident cyclists, we chose to walk but biking is said to be one of the best ways to take in the park if you’re comfortable.
Horse-drawn carriages are available near the entrance, but I’d recommend exploring the park on foot or by bike for a more animal-friendly (and immersive) experience.
You can spend all day at the park! We explored for about two hours.
After walking around Stanley Park, you’ll probably be hungry! Head over to Granville Island.
We stopped by our hotel for a quick work break and then walked to the Aquabus! It’s a a colorful water taxi that’ll take you across False Creek to Granville Island.
You can catch the Aquabus from Hornby Street. The ride offers gorgeous views of the skyline and mountains.. It was so much fun!
At the Granville Island Public Market, you can snack your way through the stalls. Don’t miss:
- The Lemon Square – so bright + creamy. I did my research ahead – this was a must on my list!
- Parmesan chive buttermilk scone from Terra Breads – flaky with a light kick
You may choose to eat more at Granville Public Market – there are just so many options! The meat and cheese looked great, too.
We opted to head across the street to Tap & Barrel to have some food and drinks along the water. They offer an entire gluten-free menu.
Kelcie enjoyed the Ranchero Rice Bowl with chicken. I had the Lobster Roll (not GF) – I couldn’t resist seafood in this oceanside city!
We then decided to go over to Kitsilano Beach, so we took the False Creek Ferry to the Maritime Museum Ferry Dock stop. This route runs every 15 minutes.
We walked along the waterfront, took in the views, and then went to explore the adorable Kitsilano neighborhood.
Kelcie was super excited to get a bunch of Gluten Free treats from Bakery by Jany. She raved about the croissants!
Day 3 – Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Tasty Food
The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is Vancouver’s best outdoor experience. I’ve been on suspension bridges in Costa Rica before but not quite like this one. It’s a must for your trip to Vancouver.
Now, it’s a pricey ticket. Tickets are $75.95 CAD or $55.44 USD. Buy online to save $3 OR go after 5 p.m. to save 25%.
Since it’s still light into the evening during the summer, going after 5 p.m. can be a great idea!
Your park ticket includes a free shuttle from Canada Place—no car or transit pass needed. It was so easy to find the bus and ride there.
Go early (right when it opens around 9:00 am) to avoid the mid-day crowds. Or, go after 5 p.m. to avoid crowds and get that discount!. You’ll want 2–3 hours to explore:
- The 450-foot swaying suspension bridge over a canyon and river (so impressive!),
- The Treetops Adventure through a forest canopy,
- And the Cliffwalk plus Kia’Palano totem poles, honoring Indigenous artistry and stories.
I walked the entire park solo in about 2 hours. I really enjoyed the bridge but it was a little freaky to be up that high “unsupported”.
It does sway quite a bit, especially when people are walking across more quickly!
I found myself holding on to the side quite a bit. I would not recommend it for people with a fear of heights!
There’s also Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, a free, lesser-known option in North Vancouver. While it’s quieter and beautifully rugged, it lacks the dramatic scale and polish of Capilano.
If you’re looking for a more immersive, well-maintained experience with added attractions, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is worth the ticket price.
I just had this convo with a friend – I wonder which shell to pick!
After your adventure, return downtown via shuttle and stop at Saan Saan Chinese Bakery. It’s a fully gluten-free spot with delicious options.
Saan Saan has a lovely backstory – Jamie, Sarena, & Eric founded the bakery at their grandparents address, where they grew up having family gatherings around the dinner table.
The Ginger Scallion Chicken Wing dish was my favorite meal of the trip. I also had the Char Siu BBQ Pork Puff and really enjoyed that, too.
Kelcie had the Mushroom Puff and was not as amused, but I did share some of my wings with her, and she really liked those!
Specific snacks, like the wings, are only served 10:30 – 3:30 p.m., while the puffs are sold as inventory allows.
Tip: This bakery is on the edge of a few rough blocks (Downtown Eastside / Main and Hastings Streets), so you may choose to Uber there. We walked to the restaurant – I was surprised to be uneasy at times but it was overall fine.
Spend some more time wandering around the city, popping into shops, or catching up on some rest.
For dinner, head to MeeT Gastown, a plant-based comfort food restaurant that’s also gluten-free friendly. It has a great warehouse-like vibe with some outdoor seating.
I had the Mighty Mac – MeeT’s signature burger topped with creamy mac’n’cheez, lettuce, tomato, pickled jalapeños, chipotle mayo & crispy onion rings (not GF). Kelcie had the ‘Mac and Cheese’. Clearly, we were feeling the same theme!
What If You Only Have One Day in Vancouver?
Only have a day in Vancouver? You can still hit the highlights and get a real feel for the city.
Here’s a sample one-day plan:
- Start with coffee at Revolver
- Ride the Aquabus to Stanley Park, walk the Seawall and stop at the Totem Poles
- Hop the Aquabus from Hornby Street to Granville Island and snack your way through the Public Market
- Enjoy dinner at Nuba in Gastown
- Wrap up with cocktails at Keefer Bar
You’ll probably spend your day wishing you had more time in this beautiful city!
Final Thoughts: How Many Days in Vancouver Is Enough?
Whether you’re asking how many days in Vancouver is ideal for first-time visitors or how to make the most of a short trip, three days strikes the perfect balance.
Three days in Vancouver gives you the perfect blend of nature, culture, and cuisine – without feeling rushed.
You can walk cutesy neighborhoods, sip waterfront drinks, ferry between islands, and even swing across a 450-foot suspension bridge.
Coming off Regent Seven Seas Cruises, three days gave me time to unwind, eat well, and explore without a strict itinerary. I never felt like I was racing from one sight to the next.
Hire me to plan your Vancouver trip!
el@elevateyourescapes.com
I also specialize in Alaskan cruises.
Just reach out to chat.
