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Summer in Vancouver is tourist season. It’s also cruise season. Vancouver is a major starting point for many Alaskan cruises. With 10 000+ people passing through the Port of Vancouver some days, the most that the average person sees of Vancouver is from the drive from the airport to the cruise port and then sailing out of the Burrard Inlet. I’ve heard from so many people say yes, they’ve been to Vancouver, but only to take a cruise or passing through on a cruise, which always makes me sad.
I’ve put together a quick itinerary to see the best of Vancouver in 8 hours, whether you’re passing through on a cruise or starting or ending your cruise journey in the city.
Stanley Park
Shall we walk along the seawall? Photo: InSapphoWeTrust
With enough time, the best way to see Stanley Park is to walk or bike the Seawall that goes around Stanley Park, but this 9 km route would eat up much of your 8 hours. Instead, grab an hourly rental car, like Zipcar or Vancouver based, Modo, to drive around the park. You can find pick up points for these cars all around the downtown core. While you can’t drive the same exact route the Seawall takes, there is still plenty to see. Head up to Prospect Point for a great view and to see some Totem Poles. Brockton Point offers an interesting lighthouse and fabulous views of Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains. For those who like to get out and walk a bit, a wander around Beaver Lake is always fun. In the summer, there are plenty of beaches as well.
Time to spend: 2 – 3 hours
West End
Ramen from Santouka Photo: Raj Taneja
On your way out of Stanley Park, stop on the corner of Denman St. and Robson St. to grab some delicious and authentic ethnic food. Vancouver is home to some amazing Asian foods which you wouldn’t want to miss. This corner is crowded with amazing Korean and Japanese Ramen shops. A few of my favourites are Damso (Korean), Madangcoul Korean Restaurant, Ramen Santouka and Kintaro Ramen Noodle. These restaurants get busy so I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a line out the door, especially on a weekend. No problem, just head down to the next option. They’re all so good! Further up Robson is a great Shanghai dumpling restaurant. Dinesty is a great place to grab some pork soup dumplings or xiao long bao. I love this place for the friendly menu – everything has a photo so you know exactly what you’re ordering!
Time to spend: 1.5 hours
Gastown
Bellies full, mosy on over to Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood. It’s a long (uphill) walk so consider taking the bus, or keeping your hourly car. Gastown’s streets are full of great restaurants, pubs and designer boutiques. There are also a lot of souvenir shops if you have the desire to pick up some I <3 Vancouver shirts (which I know you’ll want to do). Stop at Steamworks Brew Pub for a pint of their house made beer. If coffee is more your thing, Revolver has a great cup of jo. There are plenty to choose from and you can’t go wrong in this neighbourhood.
Time to spend: 1.5 hours
Read more: Step Into History in Vancouver’s Gastown
Granville Island
Last stop of the day and it’s a food stop! Granville Island was formerly an industrial area and now has been transformed into the arts centre of the city. Getting there can be difficult as parking is a nightmare. Taking the bus is a good option, but better yet, take the Aquabus from across the creek!
With plenty of artist studios, quirky shops, and cafes, the Island is great to wander through. However, the best place to explore is the Granville Island Public Market. Filled with tempting food stalls and artisan foods, it’s a food lover’s dream. When you’re properly hungry, stop by Lee’s Donuts or Siegel’s Bagels for a quick bite or Market Grill for something a little more substantial. If you’re craving some good ‘ol fish and chips, Go Fish is the place to be. For dessert hit up GI Gelato & Coffee House and for a bit of local brew, the Granville Island Brewing Company is great.
Time to spend: 2 – 3 hours
Read more: Granville Island – Where Art Meets the Great Outdoors (and Lots of Food!)
So there you have it. Highlights of the city in 8 hours. There are of course plenty to see outside of the main downtown core, but these few places will give you a quick taste of what Vancouver has to offer.
Don’t want to do it yourself? How about one of these tours?
Have you ever pass through a city wanting to go back or stay longer? Have you passed through Vancouver en route to a cruise? What did you see, do and most importantly, eat?
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looks gorgeous! You always present Vancouver so well!
Thanks Andrew! 🙂
I have not been to Canada yet, but you make Vancouver look lovely in a short amount of time! 😀 Those Korean restaurants sound especially delicious 😀
Vancouver is even better with a longer period of time. And yes, so much good food in the city!
My husband + I went to Vancouver recently for a concert. We had a few extra hours to kill so we just packed and walked around. We had a great time! Vancouver is a diverse and lively city with a lot to offer! However, Victoria is still my favorite Canadian city 🙂
Victoria definitely has its charms. I love the small town feel you get there whereas Vancouver is very big. I don’t think I could choose between the two. I like both for different reasons!
Gastown looks perfect! Older architecture, good coffee and beer are all I need to be happy in a city. I’d love to hit the market too…although I think hours 1-7 might be spent in Gastown.
Haha! I agree. I can easily spend a couple hours just wandering from coffee shop to brewery to restaurant and repeating it all over again. Lots in the area to taste.
Fabulous guide for getting the most out of the city is a short time period. And, as always, your post has made me hungry. 😉
That Ramen looks sooo good. I love the variety of your tour and would love to visit Vancouver one day. So far I’ve only been to Toronto in Canada which is not enough!!
Ohh Toronto and Vancouver are pretty different for big cities. Hope you get a chance to come out to the West coast one day!
Your blog always makes me want to head to Vacncouver. Next stop, Granville Isl. 😉
Thanks Lisa! Granville Island definitely has lots of interesting corners to explore.
8 hours? Gosh I’m such a slow traveller I’d need 8 days!
But I can clearly make time for that ramen! Thanks for sharing, I’ve not been to Vancouver yet but will get there one day!
8 days! Even better. I can put together a whole ramen tour of the city and you won’t go to the same place twice, there are so many around!
Great ideas! I would love to visit Vancouver, although preferably for a little longer than just 8 hours 🙂 It’s a beautiful city, definitely on my bucket list!
Yay! Yes, Vancouver deserves more than just 8 hours, but sometimes it just can’t be done. I hope you get a chance to head out to see the city one day!
Again, more reasons to revisit Vancouver! Canada is looking more and more appealing with each new travel article I see written about it. 🙂
It’s definitely a great city to explore! However, only in the summer really. Once the rain sets in, its rather depressing, unless you like the rain.
I just love Van! My fave is Stanley Park and the sea wall 🙂
Those are the local’s favourites too! So many people head out onto the seawall when the weather is nice.
I spend four days in Vancouver, and I think you’ve covered the highlights very well. A fabulous city!
Thanks Amy! 4 days in Vancouver is just about the perfect amount of time to see and experience everything in the city.
Great review of Vancouver – I absolutely love it there!!
I promise to spend at least an afternoon in Vancouver once I get there! I would not want to make you sad and it sounds like it has a lot to offer:)
Haha excellent! Yes, there is plenty to do in the city.
As Vancouverites, we can vouch for your great suggestions for those short on time in Vancouver! We too often hear from people going on Alaska cruises that they regret not planning more time in Vancouver.
Thanks guys! I’m glad you agree with my itinerary. It’s such a shame that so many people have pass through the city without ever really seeing it.
It looks like to would be a shame to ONLY spend 8 hours in this lovely city!
Yes! Definitely agree. A couple days is considerably better, but if you only have a day…
Vancouver looks awesome 🙂
Vancouver looks a lot like San Francisco, doesn’t it? Very good guide for a short visit.
In many ways the two cities are similar. I feel incredibly comfortable in San Francisco as well.
Excellent suggestions, Adelina! Totally spot on. I’ve been to Vancouver a bunch of times to visit family and absolutely adore the city. It’s no shocker that it’s regularly rated as one of the best cities to live in the world. Mountains, oceans, forest, and a happening city to boot—you really can’t go wrong. Whenever people ask me which city to visit in Canada, the answer is so easy: Vancouver! (Sorry, Toronto—you just can’t compete.)
Thanks Ryan! Vancouver > Toronto any day, but of course I’m a little biased 🙂 There is so much to see and do here!
I would be all over that Asian food corner… mmmm the bowl of ramen looks so good. When I eventually get to Vancouver, I hope to spend wayyy more than just 8 hours!
You’ll need a whole year (and more!) to eat your way through the city. So many yummy places!
Hello, on behalf of Christa, host of The Sunday Traveler, I was stopping by to check out your article. What an excellent and informative article! I wish more people would do articles like this that are great for people who are stepping off a cruise ship or with limited time who want to get the most out of a notorious location. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I love Vancouver especially during the summer. I was one of those who passed by on my way to a cruise or to Whistler a few times. But, we finally spent a few days in Vancouver after a cruise a few years ago and had a great time. We can’t get enough of Stanley Park. How lucky for all of you to have that great area that offers so much. We’re hoping to go to Whistler this winter and we’ll be sure to spend a few days in Vancouver again – never did make it to Gas Town. Great round-up of places!
I’m planning 2 days in Vancouver in early November so this is so helpful in organizing our day. If we were to stay in the waterfront area near the convention center and the hotel offers bikes, it is possible/safe to bike to Stanley Park from there?
Thanks for reading Tamara. Yes, you can absolutely ride your bikes from your hotel to Stanley Park. There is a bike path along the water that is an extension of the seawall. However, if it is a nice day, be prepared to see lots of pedestrians (though, to be fair, Vancouver in November usually means a lot of rain). Let me know if you need any suggestions for your second day in the city. Have a great time in Vancouver!
Vancouver city for me is one the best city in Canada, such an amazing place to have fun.