Vancouver, the relaxed metropolis on Canada's Pacific coast. You only have 2 days/48 hours? Here are my travel tips to make it perfect!
Vancouver, the metropolis on Canada's Pacific coast, lies between everything that defines the country: high mountains and the sea. Skyscrapers contrast with snow-capped mountains and old brick buildings that testify to the city's history. Bridges connect the different parts of the city - the sea, fjords and rivers are omnipresent in Vancouver. The green lung is Stanley Park, which is worth visiting on foot or by bike.
Attractive neighborhoods and a great restaurant and bar scene, lots of culture and numerous outdoor activities in the midst of a breathtaking natural backdrop - there are many good reasons to come to the metropolis on the Pacific and fall in love. Here you will find my tips for 48h in Vancouver/Canada.
Day 1 - 48h in Vancouver/Canada
9-11 a.m.: A morning on Granville Island
The Market on Granville Island is a fresh food institution open 365 days a year. Here you can have a leisurely breakfast with what ever you have just bought and enjoy the view of the busy harbor district. Where heavy industry used to be at home, numerous galleries, small shops and restaurants have now settled.
Adventure seekers can rent a kayak or SUP from Ecomarine Paddlesport Centers or take a course from Dragon Boat BC.
11 a.m. ferry from “Granville Island Ferry Dock” to “Plaza of Nations”
Duration: 20 min.
The little Passenger ferries around False Creek are a wonderful means of transport and a cheap harbor tour.
To get from A to B easily for the rest of the day, it is a good idea to rent a bike.
For example at https://cyclevancouver.com
It's best to reserve in advance.
12-1:30 Talking Tree Tour
In the one and a half hour long “Talking Tree Tour“ in Vancouver, Seraphine Lewis greets her group in the local Squamish dialect with “Halhskwel" - which in translated means something like “a beautiful, blue sky day”. Every plant and every tree has its own story for the First Nations. While walking through Stanley Park, Indigenous Seraphine explains how her ancestors have used the land for food, medicine and technology for thousands of years. She also speaks openly about the dark past of colonial history. A topic that is almost unknown to us.
1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Lunch at the 'Teahouse in Stanley Park' …
… on the west side of Stanley Park. Surrounded by tall trees and with a view of the sea, you can have lunch in style in the winter garden in the middle of the city.
3-6 pm bike ride or walk Stanley Park
The 404 hectare park combines top attractions with mystical nature.
A highlight is a walk or bike ride along the Seawall.
The beautiful 9.3km loop trail, lined with 150,000 temperate rainforest trees, passes the park's popular totem poles. Here the rainforest and the sea meet just a few meters from the city center.
If you still have energy, you can cycle (or use public transport) another 5 km north over the Lions Gate Bridge to Capilano Suspension Bridgedrive. At 140 meters, it is one of the longest and at 70 meters one of the highest pedestrian suspension bridges in the world.
Dinner at Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro
The Salmon n' Bannock Bistro is the only Indigenous-owned restaurant in Vancouver. Here you can enjoy First Nations dishes such as bannock bread with cedar jelly and candied wild salmon in a relaxed atmosphere.
Day 2 - 48h in Vancouver/Canada
8-9 a.m. Kitsilano outdoor pool
Morning grumpy? In Kitsilano Pool (open from June to September) with its 137 meters Long salt water pool will make your bad mood disappear in no time. With a view of snow-capped mountains and the sea, you can do your laps here early in the morning with the locals.
9-10am Breakfast Kits Beach Coffee
Breakfast tastes twice as good. In Kits Beach Coffee there are homemade baked goods, breakfast, lunch, smoothies and delicious coffee. Everything in a chilled beach atmosphere - hanging swing included.
1945 Cornwall Avenue, Vancouver
Take bus 004 heading west.
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Museum of Anthropology
Vancouver's best museum - the Museum of Anthropology houses one of the world's finest exhibitions of Northwest Coast First Nations art in a spectacular building overlooking mountains and sea. Massive totem poles, carved bowls, canoes and unique bending boxes by Haida, Kwakawaka'wakw, Nisga'a and other indigenous artists are on display beneath the tall glass walls of the great hall. Daily free tours (it's best to check dates in advance) provide background information. But you should definitely plan a few more hours for exploring on your own - it's easy to lose track of time here!
13-14:30 Lunch at “The Boathouse Restaurant at Kits Beach”
Back on Kitsilano Beach is the Boathouse Restaurant directly on Kits Beach. Here you can eat steaks and seafood on the terrace with a view of the mountains and the sea.
Or you can go straight to Chinatown for food ...
3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Chinatown & Gastown
Vancouver's Chinatown, one of North America's largest historic Chinese enclaves, is today in transition - lively bars and cool restaurants nest among traditional grocery stores and import shops. An oasis in the city center is the classic Chinese garden by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, built in the Ming Dynasty tradition, with its winding paths, waterways and lush stands of bamboo and rhododendrons. In addition to traditional Chinese cuisine like in Floata Seafood Restaurant there are also trendy restaurants like Mamie Tavlor (Southern cuisine) and The Union.
Historic Gastown is just a few minutes' walk away.
Local entrepreneur John “Gassx” aka Jack Deigton opened a bar in 1867 on the forested shores of Burrard Inlet. This triggered a series of construction projects and so “Gastown”, the cradle of today's Vancouver, was born.
But not everything went according to plan. While Vancouver's population grew rapidly to 1,000 residents, a fire in 1886 destroyed almost all of the buildings: The fire went down in history as the "Great Fire" - even though it only lasted 20 minutes. Reconstruction began immediately and the new city center soon took shape. Some of the brick buildings from this period still stand today. Here, noble fashion boutiques are lined up next to ugly tourist traps. Halfway up Water Street is the much-photographed Steam Clock
From the 168 meter high observation deck of the Vancouver Lookout you have a good panoramic view of the city .
Dinner at Pier7
What better way your 48h in Vancouver than with a boat trip across Vancouver Harbor? The ferry from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay SeaBus Terminal takes just 12 minutes. From the terrace of the restaurant Pier 7 has a perfect box seat to watch the sunset behind downtown Vancouver.
INFO
On the website of Destination Vancouver you can find tips on restaurants, hotels, events and Activities.
ARRIVAL
There are several scheduled flights every day from Germany to Vancouver. An electronic travel document (eTA) is required to enter Canada.
With the Canada Line the journey from the airport to the city center only takes half an hour.
If you want to explore Canada further, it's best to book a rental car. These are available, for example, at www.billiger-mietwagen.de
SLEEP
The centrally located Victorian Hotel was built in 1898 during the gold rush built. Modern amenities and historic character combine to create an unforgettable experience. One of the hotel's most famous guests was Klondike-Kate Rockwell, queen of the Klondike Gold Rush in Dawson City. Double rooms from €230, with a shared bathroom around €50 cheaper
514 Homer Street, Vancouver, V6B 2V6, Tel: +1 604 681 6369
The Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown offers good value for money, which isn't always easy to find in Vancouver. Centrally located and with a fitness center and heated indoor pool, it is a real insider tip.
Double room with breakfast from € 165
1110 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1R2, Tel +1 604 6842151
The Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel is ideal Self-catering: Each suite has a fully equipped kitchenette. The hotel also includes a sauna and swimming pool.
Double room with kitchenette from € 170
838 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 6A2, Tel: +1 800 661 8870