Vancouver is one of the largest and liveliest cities in huge Canada. In the heart of the city center, you can enjoy the offer of cafés and museums. The nature surrounding the city offers opportunities for a wide range of activities, whether you enjoy skiing or photography.
VANCOUVER AS A TRAVEL DESTINATION
A big city close to nature
Vancouver, the host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics, is located on the west coast of Canada in British Columbia. The cultural center of the province bordering the Pacific is a large city of about 2.5 million inhabitants and a major port city.
Founded in the 19th century, Vancouver has become one of the best-performing cities in the world over the decades – at least according to international quality of life comparisons. So it is no wonder that the locals are often in a good mood and there is also a lot to offer the tourist.
Vancouver is a travel destination especially for city breaks and sports enthusiasts. The city’s most popular attractions include Stanley Park and the Vancouver Lookout. The nearby mountains, on the other hand, offer good opportunities for hiking and skiing, for example.
Surprisingly mild climate
Compared to many other corners of Canada, Vancouver can be considered a city with a mild climate. Summers are reasonably warm and winters are mild.
The driest and warmest in Vancouver is in midsummer. In July-August, average daytime temperatures rise to 22 degrees and rainfall is relatively low. The city rains most heavily in late November-December, and there is often enough rain well into spring.
City life and park days
In Vancouver, there’s plenty to see for every day of travel, whether you’re in museums, parks, nightclubs or cafes watching the local way of life. The lively Stanley Park is one of the city’s most popular places to spend time.
In the field of food culture, the traveler will not be disappointed, as there are plenty of restaurants in Vancouver for every finger and every day of the holiday. The city hosts The Dine Out Vancouver Festival at the turn of January-February .
The big city also offers a lot for the shopper. Interesting places to shop can be found in the East Van district, along Robson Street and Granville Street. There are also several shopping malls in the city.
Sports celebration
Canadians are known to be big friends of winter sports and in 2010 Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympics. The enthusiasm of the locals is a rare contagious variety: at least one hockey match ranks on the schedule of many tourists – even those who don’t otherwise care about the sport.
In addition to bench sports, Vancouver also offers many opportunities to build your own muscles. The stunning nature of the area is teeming with recreational opportunities, and the beautiful mountain scenery attracts not only hikers enjoying the fresh air, but also photographers walking around the neck of the camera.
The slopes of the rocky mountains also offer good opportunities for downhill skiing. Well-known ski resorts include Grouse Mountain, Cypress and Mount Seymour.
FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN VANCOUVER
Flying to your destination
There are reasonably good flight connections to Vancouver from Finland, although there are no direct flights available. You can get to Vancouver from Finland from Helsinki, for example, and a stopover can be made at London Heathrow Airport. Flights cost around 700-1200 euros.
The city’s bustling international airport, Vancouver International Airport, is a 25-minute drive from downtown.
Extensive range of hotels
There is no shortage of hotels and accommodation in and around the big city: a tourist can stay in a luxury hotel penthouse in the city center or in a wilderness cottage in the middle of nature.
Many of Vancouver’s hotels are centrally located close to downtown and attractions. There are also more specialized accommodation options, such as particularly child- or eco-friendly hotels.
Easily accessible around the city
Getting around The urban area is easy and public transport works well. In Vancouver, you can get around by bus or SkyTrain, for example. In pricing, the city is divided into three areas and the ticket costs about 2-4 euros, depending on the area. Series and monthly tickets are also available.
The city center area is conveniently accessible on foot and bike rental is also a good option. The roads in the Vancouver area are in good condition and there are plenty of rental car dealerships in the city.
VANCOUVER ATTRACTIONS
Vancouver Lookout
The best landscape in the city is provided by the Vancouver Lookout. The tower in the Harbor Center is 130 meters high and can be reached by a glass lift.
The ticket price per adult is about 12 euros.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is one of the largest and most famous parks in North America, and rightly a popular tourist attraction. There is plenty to do in the large park, from mini train rides and restaurants. You can come here to spend the whole day with the family.
Capilano suspension bridge
Crossing the 137-meter-long and 70-meter-high suspension bridge over the canyon and the Capilano River is an experience. The bridge is located in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The lush park is one of the most popular places to visit in the area.
Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour
Grouse Mountain is a popular ski resort about 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver. Another of the most famous ski resorts in the Vancouver area is Mount Seymour.
THE BEST OF VANCOUVER
The best scenery
- Vancouver Lookout
- Capilano Suspencion Bridge Park
- Stanley Park
The number one hobbies in the area
- Hiking
- Downhill skiing
- Hockey
The disadvantages of Vancouver
- Earthquakes