These are the best places to travel this summer

British Columbia

British Columbia & the Canadian Rockies Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Boardwalk through the rainforest of Vancouver Island British Columbia. 858027160 wood, park, planks, hike, trail, walk, green

Getty Images/iStockphoto

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in British Columbia

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

Visitors to Canada's westernmost province should pack a long list of superlatives to deploy here; the words 'wow,' 'amazing' and 'spectacular' will only go so far. Luckily, it's not too hard to wax lyrical about the mighty mountains, deep forests and dramatic coastlines that instantly lower heart rates to tranquil levels.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Colors of the autumn. Gorgeous sea walk in the park. Stanley Park in Vancouver. Canada.; Shutterstock ID 115945702; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Stanley Park

    Vancouver

    One of North America’s largest urban green spaces, Stanley Park is revered for its dramatic forest-and-mountain oceanfront views. But there’s more to this…

  • Takakia Lake at sunset, Moresby Island, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada.

    Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve & Haida Heritage Site

    Haida Gwaii

    This huge Unesco World Heritage site encompasses Moresby and 137 smaller islands at its southern end. It combines a time-capsule look at abandoned Haida…

  • Vancouver at night architecture, british columbia, british columbia canada, buildings night, canada, city, city night, city reflection, modern, modern architecture, modern buildings, reflection, science museum, science world, vancouver, vancouver british columbia, vancouver canada, vancouver night

    Science World

    Vancouver

    Under Vancouver's favorite geodesic dome (OK, it's only one), this ever-popular science showcase has tonnes of hands-on galleries and a cool outdoor park…

  • Roedde House Museum

    Roedde House Museum

    Vancouver

    For a glimpse of what the West End looked like before the apartment blocks, visit this handsome 1893 Queen Anne–style mansion, now a lovingly preserved…

  • The Arbutus Greenway is transformed from historic rail corridor to a nature walkway for people to do cycling, rolling and strolling, in Vancouver BC Canada.

    Arbutus Greenway

    Vancouver

    A former disused urban rail line that's being transformed by the city into a cool linear park, this 8.5km-long flora-fringed walking and cycling route is…

  • VANCOUVER - APRIL 12, 2014: Founded in 1931, Vancouver Art Gallery is the fifth-largest art gallery in Canada. Neoclassical building was designed by F. Rattenbury and is located at 750 Hornby Street. 187310384 art, british, british columbia, building, canada, city, columbia, f.rattenbury, gallery, historic, hornby, hornby street, hotel, neoclassical, old, robson, square, stairs, street, vancouver, vancouver art gallery, vancouver b.c., vancouver bc, vancouver british columbia

    Vancouver Art Gallery

    Vancouver

    Combining blockbuster international shows with selections from its striking contemporary collection, the VAG is a magnet for art fans. There are often…

  • Canada,BC,Bowron Lake Provincial Park.Close to campground.From the shore of a mountain lake.in the background forests, sky and clouds.Very quiet area, great for canoeing and fishing.; Shutterstock ID 1712807968; full: 65050; gl: 65050; netsuite: POI; your: Erin Lenczycki 1712807968

    Bowron Lake Provincial Park

    British Columbia

    Forming a natural circle with sections of the Isaac, Cariboo and Bowron Rivers, the park's 116km canoe circuit (permits $30 to $60) is one of the world’s…

  • Granville Island Public Market Apartment, BC, Blue, Boat, Bridge, British Columbia, Building, Buildings, Burrard, Business, Canada, City, Cityscape, Construction, Corporate, Downtown, Estate, False, Ferry, Granville, Granville island, Island, Landscape, Lights, Marina, Market, Mountain, Public, Real, Sea, Sky, Skyline, Summer, Sunset, Travel, Vancouver, Water, Wide Angle, Yaletown, architecture, british, columbia, destination, fresh, living, luxury, nobody, outdoors, scene, skyscraper, tourism, tourist, tower, urban, waterfront, yacht The view of Granville Island from Granville street bridge.

    Granville Island Public Market

    Vancouver

    Granville Island's highlight is the covered Public Market, a multisensory smorgasbord of fish, cheese, fruit, teas and bakery treats (near-legendary Lee's…

View more attractions

Plan with a local

Experience the real Canada

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.
Get started

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in British Columbia

Go Beyond

British Columbia and beyond

Beyond British Columbia