Modern city and spectacular nature
Vancouver combines the energy of a modern city with the refreshing appeal of the outdoors. From spring's abundance of cherry blossoms and summer's sparkling waterfront, to fall’s cultural festivals and the snowy winter wonderland on the mountain peaks, Vancouver offers year-round adventures.
From the 7th of June till 13rd of October, Air Canada offers five times a week nonstop service from Zürich to Vancouver. Get the ultimate in inflight comfort by choosing from three classes of service aboard our Boeing 787 Dreamliner to arrive feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.
Stanley Park
Vancouver is home to one of the best parks in the world: the sprawling 404 hectares (1,000 acres) Stanley Park. Dozens of marked trails allow visitors to meander through soaring trees and dense West Coast forest while the seawall pathway offers some of the best sea-to-sky mountain views anywhere in the world.
Granville Island
Granville Island is both a locals' favourite and a huge draw for visitors, and sits just south of the downtown peninsula, right under the Granville Bridge. The Granville Island Public Market acts as a hub of activity, while Granville Island is also one of the city's most important cultural districts with theatres, artisan workshops and craft studios. This is a great place to explore Vancouver's foodie-scene, whether you take a tour or stroll independently.
Vancouver's Neighbourhoods
If a city is judged by its diversity and culture, we're proud to say that Vancouver's neighbourhoods take top honours. No less than a dozen different enclaves invite visitors and locals to stroll colourful sidewalks, enjoy spectacular settings and soak in a wide range of urban vibes with roots in many different cultures and ways of life. And the bonus for visitors is that many of the neighbourhoods in Vancouver are located close to each other, making it possible to see many sides of the city during your visit.
Culinary Scene
Vancouverites take food seriously – and are seriously good at it. As a mosaic of diverse cultures, Vancouver's culinary scene is widely acknowledged as one of the most exciting and varied in the world.
Outdoor Adventure
Locals have perfected the art of outdoor adventure. Given the city's stunning surroundings and mild year-round climate, you'll find Vancouverites exploring their outdoor backyard all year long.
Top 5 Outdoor Adventures
In Vancouver, nature is ever present: mountains, just 20 minutes from downtown, loom over the city; and the fresh scent of the forest is in every breath. With that in mind, why not try one or all of these outdoor adventures?
- 1. Ease into nature with a leisurely cycle around Stanley Park's seawall - or for something a little more adventurous, head up to the North Shore for some of the world's best mountain biking.
- 2. Hike through urban rainforest or up one of the local mountains, only 20 minutes from downtown!
- 3. Get to know the region's wilder inhabitants with a whale watching excursion or visit Grouse Mountain's Refuge for Endangered Wildlife to see the resident grizzly bears, Grinder and Coola.
- 4. Watersports enthusiasts can try their hand at sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, kiteboarding, scuba diving and more.
- 5. Test your flexibility by joining one of more than 1,500 yoga classes a week, including spectacular (free!) outdoor waterfront classes in the summer.
