Holiday houses in Vancouver

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and British Columbia’s Coast Mountains on Canada’s west coast, Vancouver is surrounded by towering peaks, sweeping beaches, and lush rainforests. At the heart of the city is Stanley Park — one of the largest city parks in the world with a vintage train and resident great blue herons. Spanning more than 1,000 acres, it features old-growth cedar forests, manicured botanical gardens, and sandy shoreline. The city is full of contrasting neighbourhoods, including West End with its Victorian homes and ramen spots on tree-lined Denman Street. Head to the historic Gastown district for highly regarded restaurants and bars, while South Granville is home to galleries and homeware stores.

Just 30 minutes from the city centre, the imposing North Shore Mountains are packed full of ski resorts boasting spectacular views back across the city. People also come to Vancouver to make the most of its easy access to some of Canada’s most scenic destinations, including the famous Whistler ski resort, the Canadian Rockies, and Vancouver Island.

Compared to the rest of Canada, the city experiences a mild climate all year round, and snowfall is rare. The warmest months are July and August, when you can expect warm days and cooler evenings, so pack a jacket alongside your sunscreen. In July, the Celebration of Light boasts the biggest offshore fireworks competition in the world. Autumn and spring can also be pleasant with plenty of sunny days. However, the weather can be changeable, so packing an umbrella is wise. Winter in Vancouver is milder than most places in the country, but it can still get very cold, so make sure you pack layers. The Aurora Winter Festival in Hastings Park features an ice rink and tube park, as well as colourful light displays, an illuminated Ferris wheel, and festive sculptures.

Stanley Park

This park at the city’s northern edge blends beaches, lush botanical gardens, and kilometres of trails through cedar forest. The park has activities for all ages, including playgrounds, a pool and splash park, a golf course, and tennis courts. Walking or cycling along Vancouver’s famous undulating seawall is a scenic way to explore the park and admire views of the city and the surrounding mountain ranges. The structure was built to protect the city from erosion, and, at 28 kilometres, it’s the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path.

Grouse Mountain

Board a gondola up to the mighty Peak of Vancouver, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the city and ocean. In summer, you can go hiking along the many trails or have a go at ziplining, while winter brings ice skating and snowshoeing among the snow-capped pines. Many visitors come here to take on the epic Grouse Grind — a three-kilometre trail consisting of nearly 3,000 stairs that takes you over 900 metres up the mountain.

Gastown

One of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Gastown’s cobblestone streets are lined with 19th-century buildings housing interesting shops, boutiques, and art galleries, as well as many restaurants and bars. You’ll also find the famous Gastown Steam Clock, one of the only working steam clocks remaining in the world. Every 15 minutes, the clock’s whistles shoot steam into the air, and each of the five whistles let out a toot on the hour.