With its mountain backdrop and urban beaches, Vancouver has the rightly earned reputation of being one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Downtown Vancouver is superbly situated on a peninsula in the Strait of Georgia, bounded to the south by the delta of the Fraser River and to the north by a deep fiord reaching far inland (Burrard Inlet). Also to the north, you will find the often snow-covered ranges of the Coast Mountains. With its extensive parks and relatively equable climate keeping temperatures mild throughout the year, Vancouver is a paradise for leisure activities. But it also boasts a busy cultural life, and the modern Downtown is easily explored on foot.

Surrounded by mountains and sea, no visit to Vancouver is complete without taking a moment to admire the scenery. Whether it’s a hike up Grouse Mountain or a relaxed stroll on cherry tree-lined streets, the city has loads to offer. Fuel up with a proper brunch or a hearty meal and then get ready to walk, hike and discover all that vancouver has to offer.

Below are some of the highlights:

• Stanley Park is a peninsula park of huge trees adjacent to Downtown Vancouver. A paved seawall path surrounds the green space. Most visitors take the time to explore on foot or by bicycle. Inland, the park offers many things to do, and visitors can spend a full day exploring attractions ranging from the totem poles at Brockton Point to the west coast sea life at the Vancouver Aquarium. Spectacular views are available all over the park.You can walk to the park easily from downtown, taking around 20 minutes to reach it.
  

• Grouse Mountain offers both in both winter and summer, an unmatched panorama in clear weather. That's especially so in the evenings when the city lights are on. A gondola operates daily running from street level to the summit, where dining, activities, and wildlife await mountaintop explorers year-round. Especially for families, Grouse Mountain is a winter wonderland offering outdoor skating, skiing and snowboarding. In summer, Grouse Mountain is a hiker's paradise with trails, including the famed Grouse Grind - affectionately called Mother Nature's Stairmaster. Tickets cost $59-80 for the general admission, depending on how many activities you include. 

✔️Tip: Buy your tickets online: When purchasing online at Grousemountain,you can get free transportation from Canada Place. The shuttle seating is on a first come, first served basis. Purchase of a Mountain Admission Ticket is required. Trip takes approximately 30 minutes each way. Alternative transportation is available via public transit. Ride the Seabus from Waterfront Station, located adjacent to Canada Place, to the Lonsdale Quay and connect with Bus 236 directly to Grouse Mountain. (Note that the Free shuttle bus only operates during the Summer months).

• Gastown, is the oldest part of the city,  it is an area of restaurants, galleries, and shops set in carefully restored Victorian buildings. Heritage structures, cobblestone streets, and iron lampposts give the district its distinctive atmosphere. Gastown came into existence in 1867 when a man called John Deighton arrived on the scene. Deighton had a habit of launching into lengthy stories and soon acquired the nickname "Gassy Jack." As a result, the vicinity became known as "Gassy's Town" or "Gastown". A statue of the proprietor now watches over the neighborhood in Maple Tree Square. Tourists stop for photos with Gassy Jack, and also love to visit the nearby Steam Clock, which puffs steam-powered chimes every 15 minutes. To get there it's a short walk from Waterfront station.

• Canada Place, you can say that for many Vancouver visitors, Canada Place is where a trip begins. The unusual roof creates the impression of a huge sailing vessel. The architecturally remarkable structure is part cruise ship terminal, part convention center and hotel, and part hub for sightseeing bus tours. At the end of the pier, there are panoramic views and the Flyover Canada attraction. You will find information stands, tours and shuttle busses for the major attractions departing from here. Also nearby Waterfront Station, is the major transit hub for the Seabus ferries departing for the public market at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver.

• Kitsilano Beach, the sandy shoreline defines the laid-back, fun-loving Vancouver lifestyle. It's a place locals hang out with friends or take a dip in the outdoor heated seawater swimming pool, and visitors come to admire the mountain backdrop. Views from Kitsilano over the city center are wonderful. In addition to the beach and oceanfront, the area has a number of cafés and walking trails, and a vibrant shopping strip lies a few blocks south on West Fourth Avenue. To get there take bus 2,4 or 7 from the downtown. 

• English Bay, this oceanfront beach is located on one of the city's loveliest and busiest areas. Part of the West End neighborhood, English Bay offers shopping and high-end restaurants, but is also a popular outdoor area where people come to walk, bike, rollerblade, or hang out with the public art installations. The biggest event comes in summer when thousands crowd the shores to watch three nights of fireworks set to music. Another popular event is the New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim, when hardy swimmers take a dip in the chilly Pacific waters. To get there take bus 5 from the downtown.
  
  🌈Near by you will find Davie street, its along commercial street full of shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and is home to the LGBT community of Vancouver. Take a stroll around it and discover the colourful neighbourhood open to everyone! You will recognise it by all the flags around the street and stickers on the shop windows. 
  

• Capilano Suspension Bridge, its Vancouver's first tourist attraction opened in 1889 and has been thrilling visitors with its swaying bridge over a plummeting canyon. The footbridge spans a 70-meter deep river canyon leading to an activity park filled with forest trails and a treetop walk through old-growth giants. There's also a collection of totem poles and a transparent suspended platform known as the Cliff-Walk. Also along Capilano Road, Capilano Salmon Hatchery is worth a visit (in fall especially) to spot flashing salmon as they try to swim upstream. The fish ladder, a series of staggered pools, allows fish to bypass Cleveland Dam. Underwater windows give visitors a look at their efforts.

✔️Tip: Buy tickets online: If you are staying in Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge Admission, which costs $54 includes a free shuttle to the site. The shuttle runs from downtown Vancouver. Alternative transportation is available via public transit. Ride the Seabus from Waterfront Station, located adjacent to Canada Place, to the Lonsdale Quay and connect with Bus 236 to the Suspension Bridge which stops outside.

• Vancouver Lookout Tower, located in the heart of the city, this tower is a must see attraction for those who are keen to view the city from a bird's perspective, available day and evening time for the city's night lights scene. The Panoramic 360° views of Vancouver gives visitors a unique sight of all the city. The ride to the top is only 40 second in a glass lift! The tower observation deck is located at 168.80m above Vancouver. Tickets cost $17 and are best bought online at Vancouver Lookout. Closest skytrain station: Waterfront.

• Granville Island, once mainly industrial, is now a thriving center of activity with a relaxed and distinctive atmosphere. Artists and retailers have moved into converted warehouses alongside houseboats, theaters, galleries, and restaurants. The Granville Island Public Market is one of the most popular attractions selling fruit and vegetables, seafood, and a great variety of other specialties as well as ready-to-eat items. Not truly an island, the arts hub is linked to residential areas by one road and footbridges to the south, and to the Downtown peninsula (across False Creek) by ferry. Location: South of the Granville Street Bridge. You can get there by public transport. First take the Skytrain to Olympic Village and then bus 50 which leaves you very close to the island. 

• Chinatown you will see the entrance to Chinatown beyond the ornate Millennium Gate. Vancouver's exotic and interesting Chinatown features modern buildings amid many older ones dating from Victorian times. Signs at shops and restaurants are often written in Chinese characters, particularly along East Pender, Keefer, and Main streets - the main shopping areas. Local attractions include the pretty walled Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, modeled after a traditional garden from the Ming Dynasty. Also worth seeing is the Sam Kee Building, which at barely two meters wide claims to be the narrowest office building in the world. Every year, Chinese New Year is celebrated with an excellent parade. Closest skytrain is Stadium-Chinatown.

• Lonsdale Quay: Situated in North Vancouver, Lonsdale Quay offers spectacular views of downtown Vancouver, its harbour, and the North Shore Mountains. There are also a variety of shops, restaurants, and an excellent public market. The market, though slightly smaller than that of Granville Island, boasts fresh goods, from seafood to fresh fruit and vegetables, pastries and sweets, and there is a wide range of restaurants available, including Mexican, Greek, Japanese, Indian, and more. To get there, the best way to experience the quay is to catch the SeaBus from Waterfront Station, a fifteen-minute ride that allows one to relax and enjoy the view, watch seaplanes land and see cruise ships in the harbour.

• The Museum of Anthropology: It's part of the University of British Columbia, that deals with cultures from around the world, but places particular emphasis on British Columbia First Nations. Exhibits display native art, including large totem poles in the Great Hall. Other presentations explore ethnographic and archaeological objects representing Asia, the South Pacific, the Americas, Africa, and Europe. The interesting building was originally part of a WWII-era fort, and local architect Arthur Erickson transformed the spaces into this world-class museum. Other attractions on the university campus include the clothing-optional shoreline of Wreck Beach, the natural-history-focused Beaty Biodiversity Museum, and the rambling UBC Botanical Garden with its many interesting plantings and delicate Nitobe Japanese Garden. Admission to the museum is $17. To get there, take express bus 99B from Commercial–Broadway Station and ride the bus to the last stop.

✔️Tip: Also in the area, you will find plenty of open green spaces where to walk and enjoy the beautiful scenery. You are able to access a series of trails that take you down to the coastline and walk along the front. The beach however is full of rocks and pebbles but it's nice for a walk.