Vancouver itinerary

© Kathrin Mantzel

Suggested 4-day Vancouver itinerary

Setting off

Vancouver is the undisputed launchpad for exploring western Canada, making it a lively hub for premier motorhome providers like CanaDream, Cruise Canada, and Fraserway RV. Booking your vehicle ahead through CU | Camper ensures your mobile home is ready to roll the moment you arrive, giving you the freedom to transition from urban life to deep wilderness effortlessly.

Classic Vancouver

The city is essentially a peninsula bounded by English Bay, Burrard Inlet, and the Fraser River. Getting around Vancouver nearly always involves crossing a body of water. The iconic Lions Gate Bridge connects downtown to the North Shore, while the Granville and Burrard bridges link the city centre to the vibrant southern districts.

© Kathrin Mantzel

© Kathrin Mantzel

Start your first morning at Canada Place, the iconic waterfront landmark with white fabric sails that mimic a massive ship heading out to sea. From there, take a short walk east into Gastown—Vancouver’s oldest district. Stroll along the historic cobblestone streets to see the famous Steam Clock, which whistles and shoots steam every 15 minutes, and admire Victorian-era architecture.

© Kathrin Mantzel

Next, make your way to Stanley Park. Here, you can walk or cycle the famous Seawall, where giant old-growth cedar trees meet the crashing ocean waves. Make sure to stop at Brockton Point to see the Coast Salish Totem Poles, which offer a fascinating look into the region’s rich indigenous history.

Cross the Lions Gate Bridge to the North Shore to experience the engineering marvel of the Capilano Suspension Bridge—hanging 230 feet (70 m) above the rushing Capilano River.

Afterward, head up the mountain highway to Grouse Mountain. Hop on the Skyride—North America’s largest aerial tramway system—to ascend to the alpine peak. From the summit, you’ll have a panoramic view of the city, Vancouver Island, and the surrounding peaks. 

© Kathrin Mantzel

Alternatively, you can either catch a similar view from Queen Elizabeth Quarry Gardens or book a flightseeing tour with Harbour Air Seaplanes for the ultimate view from above on your Vancouver itinerary.

Pacific flavours

Don’t miss out on Granville Island, a vibrant peninsula tucked beneath the Granville Street Bridge. Once a gritty industrial manufacturing hub, these historic tin-sided warehouses have been transformed into a bustling cultural haven. The crown jewel is the Granville Island Public Market, a food lover’s paradise humming with local produce. Sit out on the public docks to watch the tiny, colourful Aquabus ferries zip across False Creek.

© Kathrin Mantzel

For an authentic slice of Vancouver’s famous Asian culinary landscape, explore the city’s thriving Chinatown—one of the largest in North America—for authentic dim sum. Alternatively, track down the local-favourite food trucks parked around the downtown core serving up innovative fusion dishes, like Japanese-style hot dogs.

Vancouver is also renowned for its thriving coffee culture and craft beer scene, meaning you will have no trouble finding a cosy café for a delicious flat white and a pastry, or a small, independent brewery for a pint of local ale.

Vancouver surroundings

With a motorhome at your disposal on your Vancouver itinerary, you have easy, front-row access to the city’s surroundings.

Bowen Island

© Glib Albovsky

It takes roughly an hour to get to Bowen Island from Vancouver, including a short 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay.

In summer, this forested island is an outdoor sanctuary where you can go hiking (popular trails include the Killarney Lake Loop trail and Dorman Point lookout), mountain biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, scuba diving, playing a round of golf, or even joining a seaside yoga session.

Throughout the island, keep an eye out for local wildlife. Listen for the distinct drumming of woodpeckers and the calls of owls in the trees, scan the tidal shorelines for seals, otters, and herons, and look up to spot bald eagles—you may even spot a beaver working on its dam.

Squamish

Once you return to the mainland, a further hour’s drive north brings you to Squamish. Located halfway between Vancouver and Whistler, Squamish is a scenic stop on any Vancouver itinerary, nestled at the end of Howe Sound.

© Lena Weigert

Step onto the Sea to Sky Gondola, providing panoramic views over the turquoise fjord, or head to the waterfront at Sp’akw’us Feather Park to admire one of the largest granite monoliths in North America—Stawamus Chief.

Beyond the world-class rock climbing and steep mountain bike trails, you can also go whitewater rafting down the glacial currents of the Elaho River, or enjoy a peaceful afternoon paddleboarding on the calmer waters of Alice Lake. Before leaving the area, make sure to stop by the roaring 1,105 feet (335 m) cascade of Shannon Falls.

Whistler

From Squamish, it is a further 45 minutes to Whistler—a must-see destination on your Vancouver itinerary—consistently ranked as the top ski resort in North America. Winter here is all about hitting the slopes, with Whistler and Blackcomb offering some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world.

© Dustan Woodhouse

Once the snow clears, the landscape transforms into a premier destination for mountain biking and alpine hiking.

If you’re looking for incredible views and a bit of a thrill, head straight for the Cloudraker Skybridge. This 427-foot (130 m) walkway stretches from Whistler Peak to the West Ridge, linking up with the Raven’s Eye Cliff Walk platform for some seriously dramatic, 360-degree views of the Coast Mountains.

For views with speed, Ziptrek Ecotours offers a heart-pounding Falcon tour, which sends you soaring through the air across the Fitzsimmons Valley.

Once you’ve had your fill of high-altitude adrenaline, head down into the town itself, where you’ll find a vibrant arts scene. It is well worth spending an afternoon drifting through the local galleries.

Vancouver: Launching point for legendary scenic drives

Beyond scouting the surroundings, Vancouver proves an ideal hub for some of the greatest driving routes in North America. From the city, you can either point your wheels inland towards the jagged peaks of Calgary or cross the water to explore the wild, untamed coastline of Vancouver Island.

The Canadian Rockies

Drive the legendary Icefields Parkway—famous for the glowing blue ice of the massive Athabasca Glacier—and explore the dramatic, towering peaks of Banff and Jasper National Parks, passing the iconic, turquoise waters of Lake Louise along the way.

© Lukas Kaj Hewson

@ Lukas Kaj Hewson

For a step-by-step route, check out our Calgary to Vancouver road trip guide.

Vancouver Island loop

© EB Adventure Photography

Alternatively, you can cross the water to explore the rugged coastlines of Vancouver Island. Board a BC Ferry from Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay over to Nanaimo and drive straight across the island to Tofino, Canada’s surf capital. Spend an afternoon at Cox Bay watching the massive Pacific swells roll in, or wander through the moss-draped rainforest trails of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Afterward, head south to Victoria, BC’s capital. It’s the perfect base for catching a whale-watching tour or taking a relaxed stroll through Butchart Gardens. If you’re looking to map this out, we recommend our detailed Vancouver Island itinerary.

Best Vancouver overnight spots

Securing a scenic site to park up for the night during your Vancouver itinerary isn’t that hard in British Columbia, thanks to the region’s camping infrastructure. While there are plenty of options, here are a few spots we recommend:

• Capilano River RV Park: Sitting just across the Lions Gate Bridge in West Vancouver, this riverside campsite places Stanley Park and the North Shore highlights practically on your doorstep whilst offering full hookups in a lush, peaceful setting.
• Porteau Cove Provincial Park: Situated 45 minutes north of Vancouver on the edge of Howe Sound, this site offers waterfront pitches with spectacular views across the fjord.
• Alice Lake Provincial Park: Surrounded by dense forest, this campsite provides immediate access to the scenic Four Lakes Loop trail whilst remaining a convenient 15-minute drive from the eateries of Squamish.
• Whistler RV Park: Perched roughly 20 minutes south of Whistler Village, this spacious alpine campsite offers a fantastic view of the striking volcanic spire of Black Tusk and Whistler Mountain.

The mild West Coast climate

Because Vancouver is shielded by the towering wall of the North Shore Mountains and constantly warmed by Pacific Ocean currents, it enjoys a remarkably mild, marine climate.