Holiday in Vancouver

What makes Vancouver special as a destination?

Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world — nestled between the snow-capped peaks of the Coast Mountains and the shimmering Pacific, the metropolis on Canada's west coast combines urban world-class amenities with immediate wilderness. Within half an hour, you can stand on a ski slope or hike in a rainforest from the skyscraper district of Downtown. Stanley Park is the green heart of the city: at 405 hectares, it is one of the largest urban parks in North America — larger than Central Park in New York. The 8.8-kilometer-long Seawall promenade encircles the park with views of the Lions Gate Bridge, the North Shore Mountains, and the harbor. Inside, you will find totem poles of the Coast Salish First Nations, lakes, rose gardens, and the Vancouver Aquarium. Granville Island, a former industrial island under the Granville Bridge, has transformed into a vibrant cultural district: the Public Market offers fresh seafood, local cheeses, craft beers, and handicrafts. Galleries, theaters, and microbreweries line the converted warehouses. The Gastown district is Vancouver's historical core: cobblestone streets, the famous Steam Clock, and trendy bars and restaurants in Victorian brick buildings. Chinatown, the third largest in North America, is home to the classic Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden — the first authentic Chinese garden outside of China. The Grouse Grind — 2,830 steps steeply up Grouse Mountain — is Vancouver's most famous fitness trail. At the top, a panorama awaits that on clear days stretches from Vancouver Island to Mount Baker.