Why visit
Vancouver is Stanley Park's seawall, Granville Island's market, Gastown's restored old streets, and the North Shore mountains + Whistler 2 hours away.
Vancouver at a glance
City population
680k
Metro: 2.6 million
Elevation
70 m
230 ft
Time zone
UTC-8 (UTC-7 DST)
America/Vancouver
Airport
YVR
Vancouver International
Founded
1886
Getting around
SkyTrain (3 lines, driverless) + buses + SeaBus + West Coast Express
Signature dish
Japadog, salmon candy, Nanaimo bar, dim sum, spot prawns (seasonal)
Neighborhoods for travelers
GastownYaletownGranville IslandCommercial DriveKitsilano
Canada at a glance
Country center
60.0°, -95.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
9,984,670 km²
3,855,101 mi²
Country population
39.9 million
4/km²
Subregion
North America
Currency
Canadian dollar ($)
CAD
Dial
+1204
Languages
English, French
Demonym
Canadian
Internet
.ca
UN
Member state
ISO code
CA / CAN
Where in the world
60.0° · -95.0°
Canada
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Did you know
- Vancouver consistently ranks among the world's most livable cities in The Economist's EIU index.
- Stanley Park, at 400+ hectares, is larger than New York's Central Park and surrounds the downtown peninsula.
- The city has the densest population of any major North American city: denser than Manhattan on some measures.
- Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined: over 2 million.
- It is the second-largest country by area (9.98 million km²), but its population density is one of the lowest on earth.
Bordering Canada
Traveler notes
- Stanley Park seawall bike (9 km loop)
- Grouse Grind or Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Whistler day-trip or overnight
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Vancouver
What currency is used in Vancouver?
Vancouver uses the Canadian dollar ($), ISO code CAD.
What languages are spoken in Canada?
The primary languages are English and French.
What is the international calling code for Canada?
The calling code is +1204.
What airport serves Vancouver?
Vancouver International (IATA: YVR).
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Nicaragua
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Panama
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