Vancouver may not be the capital of Canada, but what this vibrant city may lack in its official title, it makes up for in its diverse music and art scene, mountainous neighbourhoods and architectural staples which peak among the Canadian clouds. Vancouver offers the ingredients of three mini-breaks mixed together, as, alongside the attractions of this city break, you can spend your days skiing on Cypress Mountain or bathing on the shores of Kitsilano beach, creating one rare and delicious cocktail of a city. Reserve the perfect accommodation and secure an apartment rental to give you the best of what Vancouver has to offer.
Find and book the perfect apartment or holiday home in Vancouver
Visit Vancouver, the urban paradise for snowboarders and sunbathers!
As a destination which offers snow-covered mountains for winter sports enthusiasts, sandy shores for sun worshippers and a dramatic cityscape for visitors who want a slice of Canadian culture, there is nowhere quite like Vancouver. There is a range of holiday apartments, bed and breakfasts and townhouses which are as almost as diverse as this city itself in terms of character, views and cost. Browse the vast selection available and secure your home away from home in the heart of British Columbia on Airbnb or TripAdvisor today.
When to go to Vancouver
Visit Vancouver in the months of March to early June, then late September and October, when the climate is mild enough to enjoy the range of outdoor activities the city offers, while the major attractions are not too populated with summer holidaymakers. If you choose to visit early in March, you might even catch Stanley Park in blossom, showcasing pastel colours which make the park even more spectacular.
What types of holiday rentals are available in Vancouver?
From a holiday apartment for the artistic beach bathers or a luxury suite for the business crowds in the downtown quarter to a villa with a private garden at the foot of Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, there is the ideal accommodation combination for every visitor. If you are visiting British Columbia's cosmopolitan heart to experience the fast-paced cityscape and renowned music scene, rent an exclusive luxury apartment at a surprisingly affordable cost, and wake up in a room with a view overlooking Vancouver's most striking structures. For a peaceful retreat in the more rural neighbourhoods of the city, look no further than a bed and breakfast or a rustic Canadian holiday cottage in the North Shore district, where you are in prime position to enjoy the verdant surroundings of the nearby Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, and the winter sport opportunities on Cypress Mountain.
How to get there?
The port of Vancouver is located in southern Canada, at the fringe of the North Pacific Ocean, meaning the quickest way of reaching this west coast city is by air. Fly directly to Vancouver International Airport from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow with frequent flights from Air Canada, British Airways, Finnair or Air Transat. The terminal is just 8 miles from downtown Vancouver, and the city centre can easily be accessed by boarding the SkyTrain or jumping in a taxi when you arrive.
Where to stay in Vancouver
The Financial District
There are many factors which contribute in making the Financial District one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in the city, from its impressive office structures, to the artistic spectacles in Robson Square and the cocktail infused nightlife experiences on the neon kissed Granville Street. Choose a downtown penthouse to wake up nestled amongst the city's towers which make up the famous skyline.
Gastown
Gastown's age-old presence is showcased through the cobbled streets, famous Gastown Steam Clock and restored Victorian architecture, where you can wake up in a century old townhouse or bed and breakfast. Staying in a holiday rental in Gastown puts you within walking distance of Chinatown, so stay out and enjoy the vibrancy of this area from dawn until dusk, and beyond.
The West End
Known as the neighbourhood which runs parallel to the tourist-friendly Stanley Park, The West End stands out as a prime rental area in the city, though the beauty of this park is not the only magnet attracting visitors to its apartment rentals. The lively shopping haven of Robson Street offers more than labels as it brings Vancouver's Watersport scene down from the mountains and into the streets with its ice-skating rink, alongside the chance to sample a piece of the Spanish influence through Sunday afternoon salsa in the square.
The North Shore
Vancouver undeniably has a vivid soul which illuminates its streets right into the night, but if you would instead rejuvenate in a quieter neighbourhood when the sun goes down, look no further than The North Shore. This peaceful neighbourhood boasts the Park and Tilford Gardens, where visitors can wander away their days in the botanical surroundings and watch the sunset across the Waterfront Park, before retiring to a quaint guesthouse or larger holiday villa at the foot of the famous the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and the Grouse Mountain Cable car.
Cypress Mountain
Vancouver has a Watersport scene which rivals any resort across the globe, and no mountain stands out as the epitome of the Vancouver water-sport scene quite like Cypress Mountain. Secure a charming holiday chalet with a garden in the Cypress Mountain and wake up feeling ready to drench yourself in some of the best skiing and snowboarding experiences Canada has to offer.
Yaletown
Though the entirety of Vancouver has an artistic vibe running through its veins, there is nowhere quite as chic as Yaletown. Choose a waterfront suite or a modern condo in this trendy district and spend your dollars on a souvenir from one of the many boutiques before lazing away your afternoon alongside the river. Yaletown is also the ideal place to try a self-catered apartment rental, as the independent restaurant and coffee bar scene are in Yaletown are among the most adventurous in Canada and serve up unmissable cuisine.
What activities to do?
Cycle around Stanley Park
Holding the crown as the World's Best Park on TripAdvisor, there is more to this green paradise than you might expect. Alongside offering a therapeutic viewing point of the city, there is a rose garden, an Aboriginal village and even a beach to be discovered among the trees.
Explore Canada's oldest Chinatown
Only in Vancouver can you be skiing or surfing in one hour, then exploring a Chinese market in the next, so why not make the most of these extraordinary cultural opportunities and spend an evening enjoying the oriental sights and flavours of Chinatown.
Cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge
As one half of an impressive pair of suspension bridges in the city, crossing the Capilano Suspension Bridge offers the greatest views of Vancouver's wild jungle landscape.
Ski on Cypress Mountain
Skiers and snowboarders alike flock to the snow-glazed mountains surrounding the city, but this is no surprise, as you cannot leave Vancouver without throwing on some boards and seeing the city from thousands of feet above.
Bathe on the shores of Kitsilano Beach
Whichever beach you choose to soak up the West Coast sun, it promises to offer some respite from the bustling downtown streets. However, the most golden of these sandy shores is Kitsilano Beach which offers calm water and endless ice cream kiosks in the shadow of the buzzing downtown hub.
Get your morning coffee in Downtown Vancouver
Coffee is a big deal in Vancouver, with the coffee culture holding a high place in the city's culture since the post-war era. One thing locals expect in the morning is a cup of coffee which has been roasted to perfection. Ensure you begin your day of exploring in the same way at Elysian Coffee Roasters in Downtown Vancouver, then see where the day takes you.