Vancouver is one of those cities that seems to have it all — ocean, mountains, a world-class food scene, and plenty of unique neighborhoods to explore.
If you only have 2 days here (maybe before or after a cruise, or as a quick getaway), this itinerary will help you make the most of it.
In this post you’ll find the google map pins to some great restaurants, my hotel recommendations and several options to choose from to spend 2 great days in this west coast city.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase I may make a small commission. I only share information about things I know, love and trust!
Where to Stay in Vancouver
For this trip, we stayed at the OPUS Hotel in Yaletown, and after three nights we’d absolutely stay again.
It’s boutique, stylish, and thoughtful — cozy beds, heated bathroom floors, a great shower, and a location you can’t beat.
It’s right across from the Yaletown Metro station, which connects you to the airport in just 20 minutes.
👉 Book your stay at the OPUS Hotel here
➡️ Pro tip: Hotels in Vancouver are pricey! Book early and check deals on Booking.com or Plannin.
Other great options:
- Fairmont Waterfront – Luxury with harbor views.
- The Burrard – Retro vibes and a budget-friendly boutique option.
- The Sylvia Hotel – Historic, right on English Bay.
Day 1: English Bay, Stanley Park & Sunset Cruise
Breakfast at Café Portrait
Start in the English Bay neighborhood at Café Portrait, a cozy family-run café that doubles as an art gallery.
Try their Turkish coffee brewed over hot sand — strong and traditional. Don’t skip their shakshuka or Turkish eggs with garlic yogurt.
Bike the Seawall & Stanley Park
Fuel up, then rent bicycles! We found using Mobi Bike Share was easy and convenient.
Then, ride the famous Seawall around Stanley Park. From the English Bay area, it’s about a 12 km loop.
This route offers beaches, towering cedar forests, and Indigenous totem poles. If biking isn’t your style, walking trails run through the park too.
How to Rent Bikes: visit the Mobi website, create an account and then follow the prompts. You’ll find docking stations all over the city and you can pick up and drop off bikes at any of them.
We had the bikes for about 2 hours and it cost about $38 CAD each.
Patio Drinks at The Sylvia Hotel
End your ride at the Sylvia Hotel, a heritage spot with a patio overlooking Sunset Beach.
Perfect for a mid-day break with a cold drink.
Or, if you’re visiting on a hot summer day, grab lunch to go from a nearby restaurant (there are lots lining Denman Street) and have a picnic on Sunset Beach.
Lunch at Luck Sushi Co or Peaked Pies
Close by is Lucky Sushi Co. – a retro izakaya with unique sushi creations and big windows overlooking the water. Try to snag a window seat for great views.
Another great spot is Peaked Pies – an Australian inspired café serving handmade savory pies, meat pies, sweet pies and breakfast pies! With great coffee of course.
Evening Yacht Cruise
Enjoy a chill evening on the water at sunset on a 2-hour luxury yacht cruise!
As a small group tour (only up to 9 passengers), it felt like a luxury private cruise.
You’ll sail past Granville Island, English Bay, Stanley Park, and under the Lions Gate Bridge at sunset — all while enjoying a local beer or cocktail.
This is the yacht cruise we booked and I would highly recommend it!
Dinner at Rodney’s Oyster House
End your first day at Rodney’s Oyster House.
Order fresh West Coast oysters and pair them with British Columbia wine — very little of which ever gets exported, so this is your chance to try it!
Day 2: Granville Island, Gastown & Sushi
Morning at Capilano Suspension Bridge (Optional)
If you don’t mind heights or crowds, start at the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which hangs 230 feet above the river.
Go early for fewer crowds, or head to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge (not quite as high but more local-feeling).
It’s free to visit Lynn Canyon, but there is paid parking in effect.
If you don’t have a car, a great way to experience the Capilano Suspension Bridge is by booking a tour, which includes all your transportation and a few extras!
Explore Granville Island
Hop a False Creek Ferry or Aquabus to Granville Island — part artist colony, part foodie Disneyland. Wander artisan shops and the Public Market, where you’ll find:
- Maple-candied salmon nuggets
- Artisanal cheeses and breads
- Artisan SakeMaker (small-batch sake made from BC rice)
- Local crafts and handmade soap
There’s live music, buskers, galleries, and plenty of restaurants if you want to linger longer.
I will say Granville Island Market is definitely overwhelming (and crowded). It can be hard to know what to look for so that you don’t miss anything special.
👉Tip: I recommend booking a 2-hour market tour: you get VIP access and a bunch of tastings. And a great way to learn about some great Canadian food and specialties!
Good to know: there are two water taxi companies: False Creek Ferries and Aquabus. They both charge roughly the same and visit the same places, so it doesn’t matter which one you choose.
Seaplane Tour (Optional)
If you’re lucky enough to get a sunny day, a seaplane tour is one of the best ways to see Vancouver’s skyline, mountains, and ocean all at once.
If it’s out of your budget or the weather isn’t the best, it’s still fun to watch the planes take off and land at Coal Harbour.
Grab a coffee and hang out around this spot.
Afternoon in Gastown
Head to Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, with its brick buildings, narrow alleys, and the famous steam clock.
- Stop at Casa de Nata for Portuguese custard tarts — as authentic as they get without leaving Canada. Limited hours though, 10 to 3 pm!
- Join a Gastown Food Tour to taste local specialties while learning the history of the area.
- Or simply people-watch with a drink in hand.
Good to know: Gastown is a little rough around the edges – it’s safe but don’t be alarmed when you see some homeless people and those struggling with addiction.
Dinner at Sushi Maro
End your trip with sushi — Vancouver is obsessed with it (the California roll was invented here!).
We loved Sushi Maro, because it was just across from our hotel and had a large menu which also has a vegan/vegetarian-friendly menu.
📌 Pro tip: Order a BC roll if you see it on a menu wherever you stop for sushi— barbecued salmon skin, cucumber, and sweet sauce. A true Vancouver classic.
Extra Options if You Have More Time
- VanDusen Botanical Garden – Seasonal blooms & a hedge maze.
- Queen Elizabeth Park – Stunning views over the city.
- Kitsilano Beach – Laid-back beach with volleyball and mountain views.
- Museum of Anthropology (UBC) – Indigenous art and cultural exhibits.
- Greenheart TreeWalk – great alternative to the more popular suspension bridges
- Cypress Lookout: if you have a car it’s one of the best views of Vancouver for free
Book the Experiences From This Itinerary
- OPUS Hotel on Plannin (prices might be cheaper)
Miriam Jacobson
Thursday 18th of September 2025
Was there years ago, saving this for next time, great suggestions!
Marla
Thursday 18th of September 2025
For anyone with a bit more time, a trip over to Victoria on Vancouver Island is worth the effort. The ferry trip is lovely and if you are lucky, you might even see Orcas. Lots to see and do in Victoria from the beautiful Butchart Gardens, to the Royal BC Museum in downtown Victoria. And of course there is afternoon high tea to enjoy at the Empress Hotel.
Jane Jerger
Monday 8th of September 2025
We’re in Vancouver after a cruise. I was SO happy to see this right after we disembarked. We are doing some of your suggestions combined with others. Best thing yet? WE GOT TO TELL THE FOLKS AT CAFE PORTRAIT ABOUT YOU THIS MORNING!!!