7-day itinerary
7 Days in British Columbia
Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria — city, mountains and island coast in one unhurried week.
Last reviewed September 2026
Three bases, each distinct, connected by a scenic highway and a ferry crossing. This week suits travelers who want variety without long days of travel.
- Length
- 7 days
- Pace
- Relaxed — three bases, two short transfers
- Best for
- City and nature • Scenic drives • Couples • First visits
Day 1
Arrive in Vancouver
Morning
Land at YVR and take the Canada Line downtown in about 25 minutes.
Afternoon
Walk the seawall at Coal Harbour; get your bearings along the water.
Evening
Dinner downtown or in Gastown.
Where to eat
Gastown or Yaletown.
Where to stay
Downtown or Coal Harbour.
Transportation
SkyTrain from the airport — no car needed for the city days.
Map & location
Downtown Vancouver sits on a peninsula, with Stanley Park at its northwest tip.
Helpful tipLeave the rental car until day 4; parking downtown is expensive.
Day 2
Stanley Park and the city
Morning
Cycle or walk the Stanley Park seawall.
Afternoon
Granville Island market, then across to Kitsilano Beach.
Evening
Sunset at Kitsilano or English Bay.
Where to eat
Granville Island at lunch, Kitsilano for dinner.
Where to stay
Same base.
Transportation
Transit, walking and the small False Creek ferries.
Map & location
Stanley Park, Granville Island and Kitsilano form a loop around False Creek and English Bay.
Helpful tipRent bikes near the park entrance rather than downtown.
Day 3
Vancouver — neighbourhoods and views
Morning
Capilano or Lynn Canyon suspension bridges on the North Shore.
Afternoon
Grouse Mountain or a quieter North Shore trail.
Evening
Return by SeaBus at dusk for the harbour view.
Where to eat
North Vancouver's Lonsdale Quay at lunch.
Where to stay
Same base.
Transportation
SeaBus and bus, or a short drive.
Map & location
The North Shore sits across Burrard Inlet, reached by SeaBus or the Lions Gate Bridge.
Helpful tipLynn Canyon is free and less crowded than Capilano.
Day 4
Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler
Morning
Collect the rental car and drive north, stopping at Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola.
Afternoon
Arrive in Whistler; walk the village and ride the lifts if they're running.
Evening
Dinner in Whistler Village.
Where to eat
Whistler Village.
Where to stay
Whistler Village — car-free once you arrive.
Transportation
About 2 hours of driving, one of the most scenic in the country.
Map & location
Highway 99 follows Howe Sound north from Vancouver through Squamish to Whistler.
Helpful tipLeave the highway at Porteau Cove for the best viewpoint of the drive.
Day 5
Whistler
Morning
Peak 2 Peak gondola in summer, or ski and ride in winter.
Afternoon
Lost Lake trails or the valley cycle path.
Evening
Dinner in the village; early night before the ferry day.
Where to eat
Village restaurants — book ahead in high season.
Where to stay
Same base.
Transportation
Walking and lifts; the car stays parked.
Map & location
The village sits between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, with trails radiating from it.
Helpful tipMountain weather differs from the valley — check both forecasts.
Day 6
Ferry to Victoria
Morning
Drive back toward Vancouver and on to the ferry terminal at Tsawwassen.
Afternoon
Cross to Swartz Bay, then drive into Victoria and check in.
Evening
Inner Harbour walk and dinner nearby.
Where to eat
Inner Harbour or Chinatown.
Where to stay
Victoria Inner Harbour.
Transportation
Ferry crossing about 1.5 hours plus terminal time — reserve in summer.
Map & location
Tsawwassen is south of Vancouver; Swartz Bay sits north of Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Helpful tipArrive at the terminal well before your sailing, even with a reservation.
Day 7
Victoria, then home
Morning
Butchart Gardens or the harbour and Beacon Hill Park.
Afternoon
Fly home from Victoria, or return by ferry or floatplane to Vancouver.
Evening
Depart.
Where to eat
Brunch near the harbour.
Where to stay
—
Transportation
Floatplanes land in downtown Vancouver, saving considerable time.
Map & location
Victoria sits at the island's southern tip; the gardens are about 30 minutes north.
Helpful tipReturning your rental car in Victoria may cost a drop fee — check before booking.
Before you book this route
- Reserve summer ferry sailings in advance, especially with a vehicle.
- You only need the rental car from day 4 — the city days work better on transit.
- With ten days, add Tofino on Vancouver Island's west coast.