As one of two primary gateways to the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver is the perfect city to spend some time. It’s well-regarded for its liveability, friendly locals and easy atmosphere despite being such a dynamic city. To stamp your mark during your travels, here are nine of the best photo spots in Vancouver, Canada.
1. Stanley Park
Let’s start with Stanley Park, one of Vancouver’s prized green spaces. It’s bigger than New York City’s Central Park, jam-packed with gardens, forests, a waterpark, train, lighthouse, beaches, and totem poles. Take a lovely stroll along the park’s Seawall, the longest uninterrupted waterfront path in Canada. You’ll encounter some of the best views of Vancouver from here.
2. Vancouver Public Library
The Vancouver Public Library will take your breath away with its sheer size (taking up one whole city block) and architecture. Reminiscent of the Colosseum in Rome, it’s worth a visit to take photos of its unique design.
3. Digital Orca
Designed by Douglas Coupland, the digital orca draws on pixel art. Built to be in mid-leap, you can frame your photo against the blue harbour waters.
4. Granville Island
There are plenty of photo spots to be found on Granville Island. Start with the Granville Public Market and its stalls carefully stacked with local produce; check out the various murals thanks to a thriving art scene; and even exploring its streets is fun, with urban vibes from its previous industrial manufacturing era.
5. Gastown
Gastown is one of Vancouver’s liveliest and most popular neighbourhoods. Its streets are filled with buildings of Victorian architecture, creating a unique kind of charm. Two of its most famous landmarks are the Hotel Europe, similar in looks to New York City’s Flatiron building; and the Steam Clock, built in 1977 to blow steam every 15 minutes and whistle every hour.
6. Cypress Mountain Lookout
While you do need a car to get here, the Cypress Mountain Lookout is worth the effort! You’ll be rewarded with grand views across Vancouver’s skyline, the perfect place to visit at sunrise or sunset with your camera.
7. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Picture yourself walking amongst the treetops where the air feels fresher than ever. At the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, you can have your head amongst the clouds by checking out either the suspension bridge itself or the treetop walk. If you’re visiting Vancouver during late November – January, don’t miss the Canyon Lights Festival where the rainforest comes alive at night with twinkling lights.
8. Queen Elizabeth Park
Another of Vancouver’s renowned green spaces, the Queen Elizabeth Park has an assortment of gardens in a variety of creative settings. Stroll through its quarry garden or the Bloedel Conservatory to fill your camera roll with photos of birds, plants and flowers. The park is also one of the highest vantage points in Vancouver at 125 metres above sea level, giving you another great view of the city.
9. Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
As the first Chinese garden built in Canada, don’t miss the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Inspired by the Ming dynasty, it’s the perfect spot if you’re after some tranquility. In amongst its manicured gardens, ponds and pagodas, you may find it intriguing to see so many round and square shapes, too. These were purposely created to showcase yin (the round shapes to represent feminine energy) and yang (the square shapes to represent masculine energy).
Vancouver is a spectacular city to have on your bucket list. Tick off some of these photo spots when exploring the city on a Globus or Cosmos tour.
