Where To Find The Best Views Of Vancouver
Vancouver, a city renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, offers some of the most stunning views in the world. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Coast Mountains, this vibrant city is a paradise for nature lovers and urban explorers alike.
As proud locals, we know that Vancouver is more than just a beautiful city, it’s our home. Whether you’re drawn to sweeping mountain vistas, or peaceful waterfronts, the best views in our city are waiting to be explored. In this article, we’re sharing our favorite spots to soak in the city’s natural beauty.
We’ll explore popular destinations like Grouse Mountain and Stanley Park, as well as lesser-known viewpoints that promise unforgettable experiences. Prepare to be inspired as we unveil the perfect locations to capture the essence of Vancouver’s stunning scenery.
Vancouver is such a photogenic city both day and night. So if you’re spending a weekend in Vancouver, take time to admire the skyline during the day and after the sunset. While downtown offers breathtaking scenic Vancouver views, consider some of the sky-high and mountainous lookouts.
The best views in Vancouver come from the ground, up high, and from the air. But how you choose to see Vancouver, is up to you. For those who want stunning shots from above, these are the top places to view Vancouver from above.
Grouse Mountain
Just a quick trip from downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain or the Peak of Vancouver is one of my favorite spots for epic views. The gondola ride up shows off metro Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, and Stanley Park, and on a clear day, even Vancouver Island.
At the top, I always take the small chairlift even higher. The views up there are unreal. If the weather’s right, I love watching parasailers launch from the peak—it’s mesmerizing.
For something totally unique, I recommend the Eye of the Wind. It’s a glass pod on a wind turbine that lets you see the views from way up high—there’s even a glass floor if you’re feeling brave.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is one of my go-to spots for amazing (and free) views of Vancouver—just pay for parking. I usually park near the Bloedel Conservatory for a short walk to the main lookout.
The city views are a bit distant, but with the mountains and water in the backdrop, it’s absolutely stunning. For an unforgettable night view, I recommend going around sunset.
Cypress Bowl Lookout
If I want to skip the pricey Grouse Skyride, I head to the Cypress Mountain lookout. It’s totally free, and who doesn’t love that? The Cypress Bowl Road has one particular looout with incredible views.
For adventurous individuals, keep driving to Cypress Provincial Park. A ride on the Cypress Eagle Coaster, which requires a fee, offers a fun, fast way to take in the scenery. Mount Seymour is another great spot nearby for stunning city views.
Burnaby Mountain
At just over 1,000 feet, Burnaby Mountains offers amazing views of the Vancouver skyline without the crowds. Home to a collection of totem poles, the parks give visitors westerly views of Burrard Inlet and Vancouver.
During the Celebration of Light (Vancouver’s firework show), Burnaby Mountain provides great distant viewing without having to struggle with traffic congestion in downtown Vancouver.
Harbour Centre Lookout
For one of the best city views, head to the Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre—it’s the tall tower with the “flying saucer” on top at 555 W. Hastings. It’s been an iconic part of the skyline since 1977.
Admission is inexpensive and the 40-second glass elevator ride is a thrill. The views from the top stretch across Gastown, Stanley Park, False Creek, and even out to Burnaby Mountain. Even in the rain, the views of Vancouver are amazing.
What I love is that tickets last all day, so visit in daylight and come back after sunset for the city lights.
Prospect Point, Stanley Park
No trip to Vancouver is complete without a day in Stanley Park. At over 1,000 acres, it’s one of the best urban parks in the world. We love walking or biking the Seawall—it’s a great way to take in the ocean air and views of North and West Van, English Bay, Siwash Rock, and Jericho Beach.
For the best view of Burrard Inlet, the Lions Gate Bridge, and the North Shore Mountains, I always stop at Prospect Point. There’s a small café and an unbeatable lookout.
Ambleside Park
Located in West Vancouver, Ambleside Park is adjacent to a lovely boardwalk that follows the waterfront. Visitors can park for free and enjoy a couple’s stroll or watch a perfect sunset.
The park provides scenic views of the Lionsgate Bridge, Stanley Park, and downtown. It’s an ideal place to walk a dog or hang out on a warm summer evening.
Lonsdale Quay Market
Located on the north shore, Lonsdale Quay Market’s address is 123 Carrie Cates Court in North Vancouver, across the Lions Gate Bridge. Not only does the quay offer locally grown produce, fresh baked goods, and unique giftware, but the boardwalk provides ocean and city skyline views.
Grab a latte or espresso from a nearby coffee shop and enjoy your surroundings outside. While the multi-storied car park charges a fee during the week, it’s complimentary to park in select spots on the weekend.
Granville Island
Granville Island is an Instagram paradise with the waterfront, Vancouver backdrop, and a food lovers’ market that has something for everyone. From the water, enjoy views of English Bay to the far left as well as the interesting architectural buildings to the north across the waterway.
While at Granville Island, try visiting one of the top restaurants in Vancouver. If you prefer a casual meal, grab a tasty lunch at one of the market food stalls. If it’s warm, sit outside and enjoy the bustling vibe of the area, while savoring the city views.
Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano Beach, or “Kits” as locals call it, is a favorite spot for laid-back views of Vancouver’s skyline and mountains. Just minutes from downtown, the beach offers a perfect blend of sand, sea, and scenery.
Locals love strolling along the waterfront or lounging on the grass with a latte, taking in the stunning views across English Bay. At sunset, the city lights start to glow, making it one of the most photogenic places in Vancouver.
Coal Harbour
Walking along the waterfront at Coal Harbour, you can watch the seaplanes come and go. It’s undoubtedly one of the nicest places to see Stanley Park and the north shore.
From the cruise terminal westwards, you can see the Digital Orca, a large black and white sculpture reminiscent of Lego bricks, and the 2010 Olympic Cauldron.If you prefer not to walk, nearby shops offer inexpensive bike rentals.
Ride The Aquabus
A ride on the Aquabus is an easy, affordable way to enjoy scenic views of False Creek. With multiple stops, riders can hop on and off to explore spots like Olympic Village, Science World, BC Place, and more.
The colorful boats don’t offer commentary, but locals are usually happy to chat. They run often, so there’s little waiting, and there are plenty of waterside patios to stop for lunch.
Lighthouse Park
Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver is a hidden gem. Just a short drive from the city, it feels like a world away. The forested trails wind through old-growth trees and lead to dramatic cliffs and ocean views.
From spots like Juniper Point, savor the city skyline and Lions Gate Bridge. Wear good walking shoes and bring a pcnic. Come sunset, the views are unforgettable.
Helicopter Tour
What better way to view a city skyline than from the sky? Helicopter tours are available from downtown Vancouver near Canada Place, from the top of Grouse Mountain, and Pitt Meadows airport.
There are a variety of tours from a short 8-minutes for the first-timer, to an hour or longer. I took a Grouse Mountain Helitour on my day trip to Grouse Mountain. I took the 15-minute tour which flew me over Lions Peak, and Horseshoe Bay, and circled back to see downtown Vancouver.
Places to take a helicopter tour:
Sky Helicopters
Vancouver Harbour Heliport
455 West Waterfront Road, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5E8
Tours vary from 15-minutes to 30-minutes. There is also a 30-minute sunset tour option for viewing an amazing sunset from the sky.
Grouse Mountain Helitours
Only available during the summer months at the Peak of Vancouver. Tours start at 8-minutes to a 20-minutes.
Seaplane Tour
If a helicopter ride scares you silly, how about a seaplane excursion? Located right in the heart of downtown, Harbour Air offers views of the iconic city from a float plane. Like the helicopters, the flight is noisy, but the sights from the sky are amazing.
Harbour Air is located on the waterfront, in Coal Harbour to the west of Canada Place. You can literally hear the planes take off as you approach the area. If you’re new to seaplanes, you may enjoy the introduction tour to floatplanes. This tour is a 20-minute excursion that includes a 10-minute flight.
For extensive views of Vancouver and an additional trip up the Sea to Sky Highway, consider the longer Vancouver Extended Panorama tour which is 45-minutes with 35-minutes of flying time.
Olympic Village
Olympic Village is a fantastic spot for waterfront views. The False Creek seawall offers amazing views of downtown Vancouver, the mountains, Science World, and BC Place. Along the path, there’s public art, including those massive sparrow statues, and plenty of patios where I like to grab a drink or snack.
In the warmer months, I recommend renting a kayak or taking the Aquabus. Viewing the skylie from the water gives a diferent perspective of the city. Then, unwind at Hinge Park, watching boats, wildlife, and people go by.
While all of the above offer the skyline’s best views, don’t forget about the downtown hotels. Hotels with the best views in Vancouver include the Pan Pacific Hotel (300 – 999 Canada Place), Fairmont Pacific Rim (1038 Canada Place), and the Westin Bayshore (1601 Bayshore Drive).
With so much waterfront, there are picturesque views of the ocean too. Further out of the city, the Coquitlam Crunch trail offers spectacular vistas of Mount Baker in Washington State on a clear day.
