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Vancouver is one of our favorite cities in the world – in fact, we lived here for a long time! But when we first arrived, of course, we wanted to learn the ropes, so we went searching for a great private tour to show us our new home. And, as travel experts, it’s our job to review these kinds of experiences anyway!
If you don’t have a lot of time in Vancouver, a private tour is a really great way to see some of the amazing attractions that this city has to offer. There are tons of sightseeing tours you can take, but this private tour is a clear winner for us, and we’re going to spill the beans on why that is, so stay tuned.
About the private tour we did in Vancouver
After reading the rave reviews, we just had to book this private sightseeing tour. We always choose top-rated experiences and this tour fits the bill. While we will give an in-depth review of our experience, you can always read the 5-star reviews from other travelers!
The tour started with pickup from our Vancouver hotel with a private driver for the day in a super comfy luxury vehicle. You can actually be picked up and dropped off from anywhere in the city – an advantage we love about private tours like this one. We felt like true VIPs!
The tour is 6 hours long with 5 main stops covering the highlights of Vancouver from Stanley Park to Capilano Suspension Bridge. We had about an hour at each, but of course, since it’s a private tour you can adjust that to your personal preference. Plus, our guide helped us skip the lines wherever we went so we didn’t have to waste time waiting around.
The price varies by group size, so since there were two of us we paid $450 CAD each, but in a bigger group you might end up only paying $300 CAD per person. The only extras we had to plan for on the day were admission to Capilano (although we got a discount!), lunch, and a tip for our fantastic driver Ricky.
We also liked that this tour has lots of availability, including next-day bookings. While we like to plan ahead, we booked this one last minute and had no issues! It also has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and an option to reserve now and pay nothing so you can keep saving for your trip!
Book our favorite private tour of Vancouver here with FREE cancellation!
Stop 1: Stanley Park
After our driver, Ricky, graciously agreed to a coffee pit stop, our first stop of the day was Stanley Park! After the tour, we hung out here a ton while living in the city and we really do consider it a must-do, so this definitely got the day off to a good start. Vancouver is where the mountains meet the ocean, and Stanley Park showcases that really well!
Ricky took us to the famous Seawall, which we’ve walked and cycled along many times since then, as well as to the iconic Italian Bandstand and Prospect Point. He also taught us some fun facts – did you know that Stanley Park is actually bigger than Central Park in New York City?
Stop 2: Gastown/Chinatown
Gastown and Chinatown are right next to one another, so we got to explore them both during our second stop of the day. Visiting Gastown was so much fun, because it’s actually where the city of Vancouver all started, so Ricky shared a ton of history with us. We loved learning about “Gassy Jack”, the enterprising but ethically questionable man who opened the first saloon in the area.
We went to the famous Maple Tree Square and glimpsed Vancouver’s Flatiron building – the old Hotel Europe. It’s not quite as impressive as the one in New York, but it’s still worth snapping a photo! Ricky also took us to see the iconic steam-powered clock, and gave us some killer restaurant recommendations that we came back to check out later.
Then, it was onto Chinatown where we saw the Sam Kee Building. Ricky told us that this was once the thinnest building in the world, although buildings in New York and Shanghai have since usurped that title. We also asked him to take us to some local street food spots so we could grab some snacks, and he helped us find some real gems.
Related Read: If you’d like to see the city from above or travel to Vancouver Island in style, a seaplane flight from Vancouver is one of our top recommendations!
Stop 3: Granville Island
Granville Island isn’t actually an island, but that’s a matter of semantics. It quickly became one of our favorite Vancouver hangouts after we visited on our sightseeing tour.
Ricky gave us a great overview of this not-quite-island, showing us the awesome public market, the best places to eat, and the fantastic brewery. If you’ve read any of our blogs before then you can probably guess that we came back and revisited this place many times after we settled into the city! We even wrote a guide on visiting Granville Island if you decide you want to come back on your own time.
There are five different official busking locations around Granville Island, so Ricky also took us to a couple of these so we could get a sense of the atmosphere here. He also told us about the regular festivals and events that are held here, like the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
Stop 4: Capilano Fish Hatchery
Capilano River Hatchery is only 20 minutes from the center of Vancouver but we loved it because it felt like we were a million miles away from … Well, anywhere! Plus the drive took us over the Lions Gate Bridge which is a Vancouver landmark.
Honestly, we weren’t sure what to expect from this stop, but we were very pleasantly surprised. Seeing the salmon swimming upstream was incredible, and the staff were so friendly. Between them and Ricky, we learned a ton about the work that the hatchery does and why it’s important to the local ecosystem.
Stop 5: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
The day ended on a real high with a visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park! It’s one of Vancouver’s most beautiful attractions and made us feel surrounded by nature, even though it’s so close to the city.
Ricky gave us a rundown of the park’s history as we entered, and we learned that it’s actually one of Vancouver’s oldest tourism hotspots, dating back to the 1800s. How cool is that? But though it’s old, this place is far from outdated. In fact, it’s timeless! You can almost feel the forest breathing as you explore the walkways and exhibits.
As we mentioned earlier, admission to the park isn’t included in the price of the tour, but we scored a discount on the day with Ricky’s help. He actually gave us the choice of the suspension bridge park or Grouse Mountain, but we chose the former as we had the mountain planned for another day.
The views from the main bridge were beautiful, but we also loved exploring the other walkways and exhibits. We especially enjoyed the Treetops Adventure and thought it was just as great as the main suspension bridge. On Ricky’s advice, we also went to check out the Raptors Ridge bird sanctuary. We learned a ton about their conservation efforts and how they rehabilitate birds of prey, so this was another highlight for us!
Related Read: Another must-do is a whale watching tour in Vancouver if you’re going to be here between late April and October!
Would I recommend this Vancouver private tour?
Yes, 100%. As I mentioned, we took this tour when we first moved to Vancouver and wanted to check out our new home. We came away feeling so happy with our decision.
While we don’t tend to travel via cruises, if you were here on a shore excursion, we think that this tour would be the perfect way to see as much as possible in a single day! Of course, it’s impossible to see everything a city has to offer in one day, but this tour covers a TON of ground and shows you the places that make Vancouver so special.
We ended up becoming Vancouver locals, so with the benefit of hindsight, we can safely say that this tour shows you the highlights. And unlike generic, big group tours, it’s super personal and doesn’t make you feel rushed in the slightest. It deserves all of those 5-star ratings that made us choose it in the first place!
And you don’t just have to trust us, check out the stellar reviews below or read all the reviews here:
“Definitely worth it, saw everything we wanted to in Vancouver before our flight. No fighting with lines or waiting around.“
“Great introduction to Vancouver for those who have never been here. Our guide Joy was very knowledgeable and so nice. He took many pictures of us, knew all the best spots for photos and was very accommodating to our needs. We would highly recommend him and this tour. Very comfortable car and great dinner recommendation also!”
Ready to book? Reserve our favorite private tour of Vancouver here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Other Things to do While You’re in Vancouver
Vancouver is a city filled with tons of things to do and see. So while you’re here, don’t miss out on some of the top attractions and activities:
- Go whale watching – It’s not just people who flock to Vancouver every year! From the beautiful black and white orcas to the lively humpbacks, going whale watching in Vancouver makes for a truly unforgettable memory. This half-day whale watching tour offers an amazing experience with a guarantee you’ll see whales!
- Ride in a seaplane – One of our favorite memories in Vancouver was riding in a seaplane. Taking off and landing on the ocean is super exciting, and then the views from the air are breathtaking. This seaplane ride lasts for 20 minutes and costs $177 CAD. You can even take a seaplane to get from Vancouver to Victoria!
- Eat ALL the food! – Vancouver is a foodie destination. Showcasing cuisine from all around the world in top-rated restaurants, you really need to make an effort to eat out a few times. For breakfast, Jam Cafe or Medina are our go-to’s. For Asian cuisine, you can’t pass up Minami for sushi or Danbo for ramen. You can also join this highly-rated food tour of some of the city’s best restaurants.
- Explore Kitsilano – One of our favorite areas in all of Vancouver is Kitsilano. This suburb is super trendy and has many cute stores, cafés, and restaurants that are well worth checking out. On top of that, Kitsilano Beach is one of the best beaches in Vancouver and our top place to watch the sunset.
- Hiking – There are a ton of amazing hikes in and around Vancouver. Challenge yourself with the famous Grouse Grind, wander the trails near the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, or even drive towards Squamish and do The Chief.
Where to Stay in Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is one of the most popular cities in Canada. The fact is that in the summer and winter, the city books up in advance very fast! Booking your hotel or hostel well in advance is the only way to secure the best place to stay for you!
Some great hotels and hostels in Vancouver that we love are:
Hyatt Regency Vancouver – $$$
Can’t decide whether you’d prefer to stay near Stanley Park or Gastown? Well, the Hyatt Regency might just be right for you, as it’s located right between them! Rooms here enjoy gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows that help to bring in light and there is a small fridge, work desk, and toiletries in the bathroom too.
You can also conveniently enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at their beautiful Mosaic Bar and Grill just off the lobby. As you can imagine, it’s a luxury stay in a large hotel chain that is highly reviewed! So if you’re looking to celebrate something special, or just fancy taking your vacation to a whole new level, then staying here will definitely do the trick.
I’ve seen a one-night stay at the Hyatt Regency going as low as $232 CAD per night, although the rooms here on average are more around the $300-$500 CAD mark. So, for the best price, don’t forget to reserve your room in advance.
Times Square Suites – $$
For a beautiful hotel close to Stanley Park, the Times Square Hotel is a fantastic choice! It’s very hard to fault this hotel, and the location really is perfect. The fully equipped kitchens and gas fireplaces are a nice touch in all of the rooms, plus the suites have living rooms and a washer and dryer.
For being pretty affordable, it has a lot of amenities, which is just one of the reasons we love staying here! You can book a room here from $232 CAD per night, but as this is a popular stay, I recommend checking your dates and booking ahead of time to secure your preferred room type!
The Cambie Hostel Gastown – $
The Cambie Hostel is a great budget-friendly hostel that’s located right in the heart of Gastown and close to lots of bars and restaurants and attached to the hostel is a very lively bar too. The rooms are clean, although the bathrooms are a little on the small side (part of the fun when you’re staying cheap, though!).
It’s perfect for backpackers on a budget and is considerably cheaper than others offering comparable quality. A bed in a dorm here starts at around $50 CAD, and you can book a stay here through Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Didn’t find exactly what you’re looking for? Click here to browse all hotels in Vancouver!
For more info on the best areas and hotels, check out my complete guide on where to stay in Vancouver. It breaks down everything you need to know before choosing the right hotel!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
I hope you enjoyed our review of this private sightseeing tour in Vancouver! We learned a ton on our tour and loved seeing the highlights of the city before we decided to live here. If you’re looking for a way to discover Vancouver like a VIP, I can’t recommend this tour enough – especially if it’s your first time here!
For more ideas, read our guides to BC’s West Coast. We have everything from the best restaurants and tours to road trip ideas. Here are a few popular Vancouver blogs to get you started:
5 BEST Tours from Vancouver to Butchart Gardens (+Our Review!)
17 BEST Indoor Activities in Vancouver