Canada pairs big-nature drama with cosmopolitan cities. Indigenous cultures stewarded these lands for millennia before European arrival in the 16th century; today, you’ll feel that layered story in coastal cedar forests, mountain valleys, and dynamic neighborhoods powered by global cuisines.

This 7-day itinerary focuses on two heavyweights: Vancouver, a Pacific metropolis wrapped in water and mountains, and Banff, the gateway to the Canadian Rockies. You’ll trace seawalls, fly by seaplane, wander markets, and then trade skyline views for turquoise lakes and high-alpine trails.

Practical notes: weather shifts quickly in the mountains—pack layers, sturdy shoes, and rain protection. A Parks Canada pass is required in Banff. Wildlife is wild—give elk and bears ample space, and store food properly. In Vancouver, tap-enabled credit cards work on transit; in the Rockies, book popular shuttles and gondolas in advance.

Vancouver

Cradled by the Coast Mountains, Vancouver excels at one thing: everyday access to the outdoors. Stanley Park’s towering cedars, the seawall’s harbor panoramas, and beachy neighborhoods like Kitsilano make it a city where your morning cappuccino pairs naturally with a mountain view.

Food is a headline act. From impeccable sushi and Pacific Northwest seafood to Indian, Vietnamese, and farm-to-table bistros, you’ll eat very, very well. Granville Island Public Market hums with artisans; Gastown layers cobblestones and indie boutiques; Chinatown and Mount Pleasant fuel the city’s creative pulse.

• Getting there (Flights): Search fares into YVR on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Nonstops arrive from across North America and Asia; the Canada Line train connects the airport to downtown in ~25 minutes.
• Stay (Hotels & Rentals): Browse Vancouver stays on Hotels.com or VRBO. Excellent picks include Fairmont Pacific Rim (design-forward luxury and a standout cocktail bar), The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver (right on the seawall), Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown (kitchenettes), and budget-friendly Samesun Vancouver Hostel.
• Top highlights: Stanley Park totem poles and Prospect Point views; Granville Island’s artisans and eateries; Gastown’s indie shops; Capilano Suspension Bridge’s treetop walkways; seaplane panoramas; whales (seasonal) in the Salish Sea.

Day 1: Arrive and Meet the Pacific

Afternoon: Land at YVR and take the Canada Line downtown. Check into your hotel, then stretch your legs along Coal Harbour’s seawall to Canada Place—floatplanes, mountain silhouettes, and harbor life set the tone. Coffee fix: Nemesis (Deloitte Summit) for bright, modern roasts and inventive pastries.

Evening: Dinner by the water. Try Miku for flame-seared aburi sushi and ocean views, or Nightingale for wood-fired vegetables, pizzas, and seasonal small plates. Post-dinner, slip into The Keefer Bar in Chinatown for apothecary-inspired cocktails, or visit the Lobby Lounge at the Fairmont Pacific Rim for live music and a polished nightcap.

Day 2: Stanley Park, Hop-On Bus, and a Seaplane Thrill

Morning: Brunch at Café Medina—don’t miss a lavender latte and a crispy Belgian waffle with salted caramel. Pick up a 24-hour pass for the Vancouver: 24 or 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass to loop effortlessly between sights.

Stop in Stanley Park for the totem poles and seawall vistas; consider renting bikes for an hour to circle Brockton Point and English Bay.

Afternoon: Take to the sky on the Vancouver Panorama Scenic Seaplane Tour, a 20-minute flight that traces skyline, beaches, and mountains in one unforgettable sweep.

After landing, roll to Granville Island: snack on Lee’s Donuts (old-fashioned honey dip), charcuterie from Oyama Sausage, and fresh shellfish from "The Lobster Man".

Evening: Explore Gastown’s cobblestones and boutiques. Dinner ideas: L’Abattoir (French-influenced West Coast plates), Tacofino (Baja-style tacos and margaritas), or Phnom Penh (cult-favorite Cambodian/Vietnamese—order the chicken wings). For dessert, Earnest Ice Cream churns seasonal flavors worth the line.

Day 3: Whales, Capilano Forest, and Sunset Beach Time

Morning: Head to Coal Harbour for the Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos. From spring through early fall, spot orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, and eagles aboard stable, high-speed catamarans.

Afternoon: Cross Lions Gate Bridge to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park for rainforest air and swaying walkways. If time allows, add Cleveland Dam’s viewpoint or ride the Skyride up Grouse Mountain for city-to-fjord panoramas. Coffee stop: 49th Parallel (Kitsilano) for single-origin espresso and Lucky’s donuts.

Evening: Sunset at Kitsilano Beach or English Bay. Dinner at Vij’s (creative Indian—no reservations; arrive early) or Blue Water Cafe (sustainable seafood, excellent raw bar). Nightcap at Botanist Bar (botanical cocktails and polished service) before calling it a night.

Banff (via Calgary)

Banff National Park is the jewel of the Canadian Rockies—peaks chiseled by ice, lakes the color of gemstone glass, and a sky that feels close enough to touch. The town of Banff offers creature comforts, while trails, canyons, and gondolas launch you straight into alpine scenery.

Classic days here orbit around Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (seasonal), and Sulphur Mountain, with wildlife often stealing the show—elk grazing by the river, bighorn sheep on rocky slopes. In the evenings, craft spirits, cozy bistros, and starry skies complete the mountain mood.

• Getting there (Vancouver → Calgary → Banff): Fly YVR–YYC (~1h25m) from ~$80–$200 one-way depending on season via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Drive or shuttle YYC–Banff in ~1.5–2 hours along the Trans-Canada Highway.
• Stay (Hotels & Rentals): Compare Banff stays on Hotels.com or VRBO. Look near Banff Avenue for walkable dining, or consider condos with kitchens for longer stays.
• Top highlights: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (late May–early Oct), Banff Gondola, Johnston Canyon, Vermilion Lakes, Bow Valley Parkway, and stargazing under crisp mountain skies.

Day 4: Fly to Calgary, Into the Rockies, and Banff First Bites

Morning: Depart Vancouver on an early flight to Calgary via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pick up a rental car (most flexible) or a shared shuttle to Banff (budget-friendly). En route, pause in Canmore for a casual lunch—try Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. for hearty sandwiches or The Grizzly Paw for house-brewed beers and burgers.

Afternoon: Check into your Banff hotel, then take a gentle walk along the Bow River to the photogenic pedestrian bridge. Pop into the Whyte Museum for Rockies art and history if you’d like an overview of the region.

Evening: Dinner at The Bison for regionally sourced Canadian fare (elk tartare, bison short rib), or head to Brazen (modern classics in a heritage setting). Night ideas: soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs or catch alpenglow at Vermilion Lakes pullouts.

Day 5: Canyon Morning and the Banff Gondola

Morning: Breakfast at Tooloulou’s (big portions; Cajun-leaning options) or Wild Flour Bakery (sourdough toasts and excellent drip). Drive ~30 minutes to Johnston Canyon and walk the catwalks to the Lower and Upper Falls (icy beauty in winter, lush in summer). Go early to avoid crowds.

Afternoon: Ride the Banff Gondola Ride Admission up Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley.

Stroll the boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak; time lunch at Sky Bistro for a meal with a view.

Evening: Back in town, try Park Distillery for house spirits and campfire-style plates, or Block Kitchen + Bar for creative small plates. Drinks at Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant round out a relaxed mountain night.

Day 6: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Day

Morning: Secure seats on the Banff: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Shuttle | Limited time offer! for stress-free access to both legendary lakes.

Canoe Lake Louise in summer, or hike to Lake Agnes Tea House (allow 3–4 hours round-trip). Note: Moraine Lake road typically opens late May–early October; outside that window, focus on Lake Louise and alternate viewpoints.

Afternoon: Return via the scenic Bow Valley Parkway. Pause at Morant’s Curve for a classic train-meets-river photo and keep an eye out for wildlife. If legs allow, detour back to Johnston Canyon or stroll the lakeside at Two Jack Lake.

Evening: Celebrate your Rockies day with dinner at The Maple Leaf (Canadian steaks and seafood) or Saltlik (steakhouse classics). Grab a scoop at COWS Ice Cream for a sweet finish along Banff Avenue.

Day 7: Farewell Peaks and Departure

Morning: Catch sunrise at Vermilion Lakes or the shore of Two Jack Lake. Breakfast at Wild Flour or Coyotes Southwestern Grill. If time permits, stop in Canmore or Calgary’s Inglewood for a quick bite (think Spolumbo’s sandwiches) before the airport.

Afternoon: Drive back to Calgary (1.5–2 hours) for your flight. Check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; aim to reach YYC at least 2 hours before departure.

Optional Calgary Overnight (if you extend or have an early flight)

• Where to stay: The Fairmont Palliser (heritage elegance), Hotel Arts (boutique with a lively pool scene), or HI Calgary City Centre Hostel (budget).

Where to Sleep (Quick Links)

• Vancouver hotels: Fairmont Pacific Rim, The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown, Samesun Vancouver Hostel. Or browse all on Hotels.com Vancouver and VRBO Vancouver.
• Banff hotels and rentals: Compare options on Hotels.com Banff and VRBO Banff.

Trip at a glance—book these standout activities in advance:

• Vancouver: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass

  

• Vancouver: Panorama Scenic Seaplane Tour

  

• Vancouver: Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure

  

• Banff: Banff Gondola Ride Admission

  

• Banff: Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Shuttle

  

In one week, you’ve sipped ocean air, flown above a glittering skyline, crossed cedar forests, and stood at the shores of lakes so blue they seem unreal. The arc from Vancouver to Banff captures Canada’s greatest hits—urban energy and mountain grandeur—in a perfectly paced itinerary.