Welcome Back to Vancouver! 🇨🇦
Hey fellow travelers! Traveler Kim here. It’s been a while, but I’m finally back in beautiful Vancouver! This time, I’m staying for two full weeks. Since this is my third trip here, I’ve put together the ultimate itinerary, budget tips, and some local secrets just for you. Let’s dive in!
Days 1 & 2: Arriving and Exploring the Coast 🌊
Finding cheap flights to Vancouver can be tricky, so I ended up flying into Seattle/San Francisco and taking a short hop over! I arrived in June, and the weather was absolutely perfect—bright, sunny, and begging for a walk. ☀️
After settling in, my cousin and I grabbed lunch near Marine Drive. If you’re looking for great coffee and food, check out Maxine’s Cafe & Bar—it’s super highly recommended by locals! Later, we took a sunset stroll down to English Bay. There’s nothing like grabbing a coffee and watching the sunset over the water. It’s pure magic. ✨
Days 3 & 4: Shopping and Local Eats 🛍️🍜
Vancouver downtown is a paradise for shoppers. If you want the best shopping experience, you must visit Robson Street! They have everything from Zara to Lululemon and Arc’teryx. After walking all day, you really need to fuel up.
Oh, and speaking of walking around the city, finding your way to these hidden gems means you’ll be using your maps app a lot. Don’t waste your precious vacation time looking for a local SIM shop at the airport! Grab our instant email eSIM before you fly, and you’ll be instantly connected the second you land. No waiting, no hassle. 📱✈️
Days 5 & 6: UBC Campus & The Best Banh Mi 🥖
I headed over to the UBC (University of British Columbia) area, where I used to live during my language exchange days. It has such a fantastic, local vibe! While you’re there, you absolutely cannot miss Baoguette Vietnamese Bistro. I used to hate cilantro, but their Banh Mi completely changed my mind. It’s incredibly flavorful and crispy!
Later in the week, I caught up with an old friend near Broadway Station, which is super easy to reach via the Skytrain. We had amazing Japanese food at SAKU—their tonkatsu is definitely worth the hype.
Days 7 to 10: Deep Cove Hiking & Outlet Shopping 🌲🛒
If you want to experience Vancouver’s legendary nature, Deep Cove is a mandatory stop. It’s a gorgeous, easy hike with a breathtaking view at the top. Once you come back down, treat yourself to a massive sandwich at Dip Co. Sandwich. You’ve earned it! 🥪
Later in the week, my friends and I decided we needed to prep for an upcoming trip, so we hit the Vancouver Designer Outlets near the airport. The discounts were unbelievable, and we came back with our hands completely full. 🛍️
Days 11 & 12: Classic Eats & Granville Island 🍔
Before leaving, I had to grab a classic Canadian A&W burger. But the real secret here? You have to order the Sweet Potato Fries (Yam Fries)—they are incredibly sweet and crispy. For my final day, I soaked up the quieter vibes at Kitsilano Beach, and then went full tourist mode at Granville Island. It’s an amazing public market filled with fresh local food and artisan goods. 🎨
Two weeks in Vancouver flew by way too fast. I hope my itinerary helps you plan your next amazing trip to Canada! Let me know if you have any questions, and safe travels! ✈️📸