This is the Perfect Vancouver Itinerary for 3 Days (2025)

Vancouver is one of Canada‘s most popular cities to visit. With its outdoor lifestyle of skiing, beaches and hiking, it’s easy to see why. It was the first stop on my two-month trip across Canada and I stayed with a friend living in Vancouver who gave me great recommendations. In my guide to the best Vancouver itinerary for 3 days, you’ll discover where to stay, what to see and my insider tips for exploring Vancouver like a local.

I’ll share the money-saving secrets I learned, including which suspension bridge to visit for free instead of the expensive famous one. This 3-day Vancouver itinerary will help you make the most of your time in this beautiful city, even if you’re on a budget.

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Where to stay in Vancouver

Finding affordable accommodation for your 3 day Vancouver itinerary might seem daunting, but there are several wallet-friendly options in the heart of the city.

The HI Vancouver Downtown Hostel has mixed or gender specific dorm rooms and private rooms. Its location near English Bay Beach means you can enjoy sunset walks along the seawall right from your doorstep. There’s also a shared kitchen where you can prepare your own meals, a significant money-saver in Vancouver.

If you prefer a hotel, try The Victorian Hotel, which is charming, historic and affordable. It’s located between Gastown and Chinatown, meaning you’ll have easy access to public transport and local restaurants.

Vancouver’s downtown accommodation often fills up quickly during summer months and major events. Book at least two months in advance for visits between June and September to secure the best rates.

Explore the map below to find the availability and best prices for your dates:

Planning your perfect Vancouver 3 day itinerary

From hidden suspension bridges to local foodie spots, I’ll show you how to experience the best of Vancouver in 3 days.

Day 1: Discover Downtown Vancouver and Gastown

The first day of your 3 day Vancouver itinerary combines the city’s best urban and natural attractions.

I started my Canadian adventure exploring downtown Vancouver, and it’s the perfect introduction to the city. From the spectacular mountain views along the seawall to the historic streets of Gastown, this day showcases Vancouver’s special mix of outdoor beauty and city life.

Pack comfortable walking shoes – you’ll want them for exploring everything from Stanley Park’s vast trails to Granville Island’s artsy corners.

Morning: Walk along the scenic seawall and explore Stanley Park

Start your Vancouver adventure with a morning walk along the scenic seawall, a waterfront pathway along the city’s boat-filled bay.

Follow the seawall into Stanley Park, Vancouver’s magnificent 1,000-acre urban park. The park’s seawall loop will give you stunning views of the mountains, Lions Gate Bridge and across the harbour.

You can rent bikes or go on an organised bike tour to explore the park’s highlights, including the Vancouver Aquarium, totem poles and hidden beaches. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours here.

Why not book your place on the popular hop-on, hop-off Vancouver sightseeing bus tour here.

Lunchtime: Visit Granville Island

After exploring Stanley Park, take one of the cute aqua-taxis across to Granville Island for lunch. The market here sells a range of specialty food ingredients – perfect for a budget-friendly meal. We enjoyed sampling local beers at the pub here, which they brew on the premises.

The island’s artistic side shows as you pass artisan craft shops, an art college and a giant colourful mural. Created by noted twin Brazilian street artists Osgemeos, they transformed grey concrete plant silos into an attractive landmark.

Enjoy a guided tour of Granville Island, complete with tastings – book here.

Afternoon: Go to historic Gastown

In the afternoon, explore historic Gastown, where cobblestone streets and vintage lampposts transport you to old Vancouver. A walk around this neighborhood reveals one of the city’s quirkier attractions – a steam-powered grandfather clock. As you wander through the area, you’ll discover trendy boutiques and restaurants housed in beautifully preserved Victorian buildings.

There seem to be a lot of sunflowers here, which is a delight for me as they are one of my favourite flowers. We found a gorgeously tall one standing proudly over the community gardens at False Creek Village.

End your day in Morton Park, where Canadian flags wave against the sunset skyline. You’ll often see flags flying in this city, displaying Vancouver’s sense of national pride.

Book your place on a guided walking tour of Gastown here.

Day 2: Go on a North Vancouver nature day

When planning to visit Vancouver’s famous suspension bridges, I was initially drawn to the popular Capilano Suspension Bridge, one of the area’s most famous tourist attractions. However, my friend Ling let me in on a local secret – if you don’t want to buy a ticket for Capilano, you can visit Lynn Canyon Park, which has its own suspension bridge that’s completely free.

Getting to Lynn Canyon Park

Traveling on a backpacker’s budget, this was an easy choice. Getting to Lynn Canyon Park requires three buses from downtown, but Vancouver’s bus drivers are incredibly helpful. They patiently guided us along the way, telling us exactly when to get off at each stop.

The suspension bridge itself is just as impressive as I’d imagined – a walkway suspended high between tree-covered banks of a valley, with a waterfall crashing down over rocks below. While the height might seem daunting, the views are absolutely worth it.

If you prefer not to take the bus, book this tour of Lynn Canyon Park that picks you up from your hotel.

Hiking in the park

Lynn Canyon Park offers much more than just the bridge. We spent hours exploring the numerous hiking trails, climbing around massive boulders and uniquely shaped tree stumps, and discovering peaceful swimming holes. Pack a picnic lunch to save money and make a full day of it – there are plenty of beautiful spots to stop and eat.

One word of warning about the trails – we made the long trek to see the ‘twin bridges’, only to find they’d been demolished years ago. The replacement is a rather ordinary single bridge, though the trail still carries the historic name. Despite this small disappointment, the park’s natural beauty and free admission make it a perfect destination for budget-conscious travellers wanting to experience Vancouver’s stunning wilderness.

Day 3: Explore Kitsilano and enjoy the beach

On my flight from London to Vancouver, I sat next to a couple from Canada. When I told them I would be visiting Kitsilano, their eyes lit up. This, apparently, is the place to be – and after visiting, I understood why.

Discovering Kits Beach

Start your day at Kitsilano Beach (‘Kits Beach’ to locals), a beloved neighbourhood just south of downtown Vancouver. The beach is home to North America’s largest outdoor swimming pool, as one proud local resident informed me. Take time to relax on the sand or, if you’re visiting in summer, take a dip in the impressive pool.

The neighborhood perfectly captures Vancouver’s wellness culture. Wander down West 4th Avenue to find the original Lululemon store, which started as a small shop in 1998 sharing its space with a yoga studio – it’s now a global yoga-wear brand. The street is lined with delightful cafés and restaurants, many serving organic, vegetarian dishes made with seasonal local ingredients.

See Kitsilano Beach from another angle on this city and seal boat tour.

Park stroll and sunset views

Take a stroll through Hadden Park, where you’ll spot a towering totem pole – one of many reminders of the region’s Indigenous heritage. The park offers beautiful waterfront views and plenty of grassy areas perfect for a picnic.

End your day with my favorite Vancouver view – a sunset walk across Burrard Bridge. From here, you’ll get panoramic views of the mountains, the beach, and the city skyline. It’s the perfect way to say goodbye to your three days in Vancouver.

Final thoughts on the perfect Vancouver itinerary for 3 days

Three days in Vancouver will keep you busy – by the time we headed to the bus depot for our midnight Greyhound to our next destination, we were exhausted in the best way. The city’s mixture of urban exploring and natural beauty means you’ll spend plenty of time on your feet, but every step is worth it.

What struck me most about Vancouver was the incredible warmth of its people. From bus drivers who made sure we never missed our stop (even with our huge backpacks in tow), to shop workers who offered local tips with genuine enthusiasm, the city’s residents made exploring a joy.

The city’s best experiences are often its most affordable: hiking in Lynn Canyon, lounging on Kits Beach, wandering through Granville Island Market and taking in those mountain views from the seawall. Just one tip: avoid getting a local SIM card – a salesperson warned us that Vancouver has some of the world’s priciest phone networks!

This 3-day itinerary gives you a perfect taste of what makes Vancouver special – its stunning natural setting, cool neighbourhoods and laid-back West Coast lifestyle. These three days will show you why Vancouver is one of Canada’s best-loved cities.

Next up, discover my ultimate guide to planning a cross Canada backpacking trip, here.