Vancouver City Stopovers

Why go on a city break?

Sleek city sightseer - Extend your holiday and take time to explore the Canadian city of Vancouver. You can add days to the start or end of your holiday.

Travelling to Canada is not a quick journey, so why not make the most of your time in Canada and explore the stunning city of Vancouver. This is a great way to extend your holiday and enjoy a skiing / snowboarding break as well as a city sightseeing holiday and a chance to really soak up the culture of a new city.

• Make the most of the culture
• Enjoy sightseeing and exploring new places
• Make the most of the local cuisine
• Take advantage of the shopping, whether for yourself or as gifts
• Have fun doing activities somewhere new

Vancouver

Vancouver is consistently rated among the world’s most beautiful cities and winter is a great time to visit. There is so much to see and do and all sites are easily accessible by public transport. This cosmopolitan city is a great add-on destination to your Whistler winter holiday. Here are some city highlights or read our suggested itinerary below. 

Top things to do in Vancouver in the Winter:

• Visit Capilano Suspension Bridge & Vancouver Lookout
• Granville Island and Stanley Park are a must see
• Explore historic Gastown
• Watch an Ice Hockey game
• Try ice skating at Robson Square
• Dine in Chinatown one evening

Visit Vancouver's tourist information hub here to find out all there is to see and do in Vancouver. 

Vancouver Itinerary

We have put together an example of an itinerary that offers the best of Vancouver, with a chance to explore and experience the highlights of this vibrant city. 

Day 1​:

• Arrive in Vancouver after your ski holiday in Whistler or your flight from the UK. ​
• Drop your bags off at the hotel and go on a walking exploration of the city. Vancouver is an easily walkable city, taking roughly 35 minutes – 1 hour to get from one side to the other (or jump on the easily accessible public transport). ​
• Head to trendy neighbourhood Gastown and explore eating spots or maybe see if the Vancouver Canucks are playing an ice hockey game and indulge in Canada’s favourite pastime. ​

Day 2​:

• Spend your morning at Canada Place where you’ll find FlyOver, a 4D flight simulation ride and fly over the whole of Canada.​
• In the afternoon enjoy an organised Vancouver Brewery Tour - they are renowned for their craft beer. At the historic Waterfront Station, you can board a private bus to explore behind the scenes of some of the city’s favourite breweries, enjoying some well-earned samples along the way.​
• After enjoying the local brews, head to Capilano Suspension Bridge’s Canyon Lights experience. Serving up lights and heights, the annual event brings the rainforest to life with incredible illuminations. Once you’re finished, end your experience in style with dinner at Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar. With its dark wood walls and starched white tablecloths, this cosy spot is a bonafide Canadian classic serving some of Vancouver’s best steak alongside delicious cocktails.​

Day 3​:

• Get your bearings in the morning by heading up to the Vancouver Lookout for a 360-degree view of the city. From here, it’s a short walk to downtown Vancouver’s main shopping area - the Pacific Centre mall, where you’ll find some of North America’s best-known brands.​
• Take a short walk to Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Built in 1928, the city’s “grand dame” serves an elegant afternoon tea complete with scones, finger sandwiches, tartlets and even a glass of bubbles.
• Strap on your skates and enjoy the ice in the centre of the city. Surrounded by glistening skyscrapers, this unique downtown ice rink is located just steps from the iconic Vancouver Art Gallery.
• Spend the evening in the alpine forest. A short bus ride from downtown Vancouver, you can take a gondola ride up to experience Grouse Mountain’s Snowshoe Fondue. You’ll have a chance to breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy stunning views of the city below as your guide takes you on a tranquil one-hour tour. As night falls, you’ll retreat to a cosy wooden chalet where you can hang up your snowshoes and warm up by a roaring fire as you enjoy a three-course fondue dinner.​

Day 4​:

• Time to visit the food markets at Granville Island where you can make the most of all the delicious food around you.
• From there, walk or cycle it all off at Stanley Park. View the totem poles and take a stroll by the Seawall. ​
• After an enjoyable few days in Vancouver, it’s time to take your private transfer to Vancouver airport for your flight home, or a shared transfer to Whistler to start your epic ski adventure.