Canada is a tapestry of coastlines, mountains, and multicultural cities. This 7-day itinerary focuses on two icons—Vancouver and Toronto—giving you rainforest walks by the Pacific, urban architecture on Lake Ontario, and a day at mighty Niagara Falls.

Vancouver grew from a sawmill settlement called Gastown in the 1860s into a world-class outdoors city; Toronto evolved from a lakeside trading post into Canada’s largest metropolis with neighborhoods that read like a global atlas. Both are easy to navigate, packed with phenomenal food, and rich in Indigenous and immigrant histories.

Practical notes: Entry rules may require an eTA or visa; carry CAD for tips (15–20% typical). Weather shifts quickly—layers are your friend. This plan assumes afternoon arrival on Day 1 and afternoon departure on Day 7 for smooth pacing.

Vancouver

Framed by the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver pairs skyscrapers with old-growth forest. It’s a place where you can bike the seawall in the morning, nibble your way through Granville Island at lunch, then watch the harbor glow at sunset.

Top highlights include Stanley Park’s cedar-scented trails, Gastown’s brick lanes and steam clock, and North Shore icons like Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain. Food-wise, expect standout sushi, creative farm-to-table, and beloved mom-and-pop spots from Cambodian to Cantonese.

How to get here: Book flights to Vancouver (YVR) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From YVR, the Canada Line SkyTrain to downtown takes ~26 minutes (about CAD 9–10 from the airport).

Where to stay: Browse central options on Hotels.com (Vancouver) or apartments on VRBO (Vancouver). Favorites:

• Fairmont Pacific Rim — harbor views and a stellar sushi lounge steps from the seawall.
• The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver — resort feel on Coal Harbour with pool and bikes.
• Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown — suites with kitchenettes, great for longer stays.
• Samesun Vancouver Hostel — social budget base near Granville Street.

Day 1: Arrival, Seawall Stroll, and a West Coast Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Ease in with a walk along the Coal Harbour seawall—floatplanes taxiing, mountains in the distance—then through the Olympic Cauldron plaza.

Evening: Dinner at Miku for flame-seared aburi sushi and sashimi or at Ask For Luigi for hand-made pasta in a cozy room. Nightcap at Botanist Bar for seasonal cocktails or Steamworks for local craft beer with a harbor view.

Day 2: Stanley Park, Granville Island, and Gastown Food Tour

Morning: Grab coffee at Revolver (precision brews) or Nemesis (house roasts and pastries). Rent bikes at Denman Street and loop the 10-km Stanley Park Seawall—stop at the totem poles and Siwash Rock.

Afternoon: Ferry across False Creek to Granville Island Public Market. Sample Lee’s Donuts, Oyama Sausage, and Benton Brothers Cheese, then browse local studios.

Evening: Join the Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour to pair neighborhood lore with tastings from indie eateries and bars.

After, linger for dessert at soft-serve cult favorite Popina Canteen (seasonal) or a digestif at The Diamond overlooking Maple Tree Square.

Day 3: North Shore Icons—Capilano & Grouse—Plus Waterfront Dining

Morning: Cross the inlet to rainforest heights on the Small Group Tour: Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain. Walk the swaying bridge, canopy treetop walk, and cliff walk; then ride the Skyride up Grouse for alpine views and wildlife refuge exhibits.

Afternoon: Back in the city, explore Canada Place’s sails and the waterfront promenade. Coffee fix at Thierry for macarons and mousse cakes.

Evening: Sushi night at Tetsu or Miku (reserve), or go casual at Green Leaf (aburi oshi). For a late pint, Brassneck Brewery pours small-batch favorites on Main Street.

Day 4: Beaches, Culture, and Neighborhoods

Morning: Brunch at Café Medina (fragrant waffles and lavender latte) or Jam Café (hearty plates). Head to UBC’s Museum of Anthropology to see powerful Northwest Coast Indigenous art, including dramatic totem poles and carved screens.

Afternoon: Catch city views at Queen Elizabeth Park and the domed Bloedel Conservatory, then wander Kitsilano Beach and West 4th boutiques. Espresso at 49th Parallel with a Lucky’s doughnut.

Evening: Cambodian specialties at Phnom Penh (butter beef, legendary wings) or wood-fired Italian at Osteria Savio Volpe. Sunset on English Bay seals the Vancouver chapter.

Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s cultural capital—towers and theaters, indie coffee, street art, and serious dining. Neighborhood-hopping is the joy: Greek on the Danforth, Little Portugal’s bakeries, and Chinatown’s dim sum within streetcar reach.

Must-sees include the CN Tower skyline, waterfront trails, the historic Distillery District, St. Lawrence Market’s 120+ years of bites, and Kensington Market’s vintage-cool lanes. Sports fans can time a Blue Jays, Raptors, Leafs, or TFC game.

Getting here from Vancouver: Fly YVR → YYZ in ~4.5–5 hours (3-hour time difference). Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Pearson Airport, the UP Express train takes ~25 minutes to Union Station.

Where to stay: Compare stays on Hotels.com (Toronto) or find apartments on VRBO (Toronto). Standouts:

• The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto — refined rooms near the CN Tower and Roy Thomson Hall.
• Chelsea Hotel, Toronto — family-friendly with a pool and central location.
• The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar — live music and a casual, creative vibe on Queen West.

Day 5: Fly to Toronto, PATH, and Skyline Night

Morning: Early flight to Toronto; drop bags downtown.

Afternoon: Explore the city beneath the streets on the Discover Toronto's Underground - PATH walking tour—a fascinating way to see landmarks via the world’s largest underground shopping complex.

Evening: Dinner at Pai (Northern Thai hits like khao soi), or farm-driven Canadian plates at Richmond Station (co-founded by a Top Chef winner). End with skyline views—walk the waterfront boardwalks or head up the CN Tower for a golden-hour panorama.

Day 6: Niagara Falls Day Trip (from Toronto)

Set aside a full day for a classic: the Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto. You’ll see the Horseshoe Falls up close, whirlpools, seasonal stops like the Floral Clock, and time for the boat (in season) or viewpoints.

For lunch, try Queen Street spots in Niagara-on-the-Lake or taste local ice wine at nearby wineries if included/time permits. Back in Toronto, keep it casual with late bites in the Distillery District or a gelato stroll on King Street.

Day 7: Markets, Neighborhoods, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen (fluffy pancakes) or Lady Marmalade (creative bennies). Wander St. Lawrence Market—grab a peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery, oysters at Buster’s Sea Cove, and mustards to go.

Afternoon: Explore Kensington Market and Chinatown—street art, vintage shops, and snack stops like empanadas or bao. Coffee at Dineen (glam art deco room) or Sam James (minimalist espresso) before your afternoon departure.

Evening: If you have extra time, toast the trip with cocktails at BarChef (avant-garde) or on The Pilot’s Flight Deck rooftop in Yorkville.

Dining Shortlist to Book Early

• Vancouver: Miku (aburi sushi), Ask For Luigi (pasta), Phnom Penh (Cambodian-Vietnamese), Savio Volpe (Italian osteria), Green Leaf (aburi), Botanist Bar (craft cocktails), Brassneck Brewery (tasting room).
• Toronto: Pai (Northern Thai), Richmond Station (seasonal Canadian), Bar Raval (Gaudí-inspired pintxos), Grey Gardens (natural wines), Kinka Izakaya (shared plates), Sud Forno (Italian bakery-café).

Logistics & Getting Around

• Flights: Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com for your inbound flight to Vancouver and the Vancouver–Toronto hop.
• Local transit: In Vancouver, the SkyTrain and SeaBus are fast; in Toronto, the TTC subways and streetcars connect most sights. Both cities are walkable in their cores—bring comfortable shoes.
• Budgeting: Expect CAD 15–25 for casual lunches, CAD 30–60+ for sit-down dinners, and attractions averaging CAD 15–60 each. Tipping 15–20% is standard in restaurants and for guides.

In one unforgettable week, you’ll trace the curve of Vancouver’s seawall, cross a rainforest canyon, taste through historic neighborhoods, and feel the mist of Niagara Falls. It’s a coast-to-coast sampler—two great Canadian cities, one spectacular natural wonder, and countless bites and views in between.