10 of the Most Scenic Vancouver Views — Instagram-Worthy Photo Spots from Stanley Park to Grouse Mountain
10 of the Most Scenic Vancouver Views — Instagram-Worthy Photo Spots from Stanley Park to Grouse Mountain
Vancouver is built for viewpoints—this hero image sets up the list by showing how mountains, water, and skyline stack into one scene. Photo credit: Destination BC/Alex Strohl
Quick Summary:
With modern glass buildings set along the water and large mountains as a background, you can't really question the beauty of Vancouver. While no photo can quite do the city justice, you won't have a hard time finding Instagram-worthy views. From the highest point in the city at Queen Elizabeth Park to panoramic vistas from Grouse Mountain, from waterfront dining at Cactus Club Coal Harbour to the revolving Top of Vancouver restaurant — these 10 scenic viewpoints will help you capture Vancouver's stunning blend of urban sophistication and natural splendour.
Quick Facts:
- Ten viewpoints: Queen Elizabeth Park, Charleson Park, Prospect Point, Jericho Beach, Lonsdale Quay, Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, Cactus Club Coal Harbour, Vancouver Lookout, Willow Stream Spa
- View types: Urban parks, mountain lookouts, waterfront, beaches, observation towers, restaurants with views
- Best for: Photography enthusiasts, Instagram content, romantic outings, first-time visitors, sunset watching
- Accessibility: Most viewpoints accessible by public transit; mountain lookouts require gondola or drive
- Neighbourhoods: Stanley Park, Point Grey, Coal Harbour, Gastown, North Vancouver, West Vancouver
Curated by Destination Canada. Charge your camera and discover why Vancouver consistently ranks among the world's most photogenic cities.
1. Queen Elizabeth Park
Type: Urban park · Location: Cambie Street, South Vancouver · Features: Highest point in Vancouver, Quarry Gardens, Bloedel Conservatory
The highest point in Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Park is a natural choice for a fantastic view of the city and the North Shore mountains beyond. While you're there, grab some photos of the incredible Quarry Gardens and Bloedel Conservatory, featuring an array of flowers, trees, birds and sculptures. The park's elevation provides unobstructed 360-degree views that encompass downtown Vancouver, the mountains, and on clear days, all the way to Vancouver Island.
Charleson Park is the quiet viewpoint—an easy walk that still delivers skyline-and-water perspective without the crowds. Credit: Albert Normandin
2. Charleson Park
Type: Waterfront park · Location: False Creek, near Olympic Village · Features: Seawall access, waterfall, pond, downtown skyline views
As you walk the many winding pathways of Charleson Park, passing around a waterfall and a pond towards the renowned Seawall, the downtown skyline will be at its biggest and brightest. In one shot you'll be able to capture the sun gleaming off of buildings, boats making their way through False Creek, and cyclists making the most of their commute. The park connects seamlessly to the Seawall, Vancouver's famous 28-kilometre waterfront path.
Prospect Point is Stanley Park’s signature lookout—bridge, harbour, and forest all in one frame for an iconic Vancouver moment. Credit: Hubert Kang
3. Prospect Point (Stanley Park)
Type: Park lookout · Location: Stanley Park, West End · Features: Lions Gate Bridge views, inner harbour, old-growth forest, Skalsh sea stack
Stanley Park is like Vancouver's Central Park: an oasis of nature right in the big city — except it's done West Coast style, with old growth forests and mountains just across the water. The park, and specifically the Prospect Point lookout, is home to incredible views of the city's inner harbour and of the Lions Gate Bridge. While you're in Stanley Park, make a point of walking the seawall and grabbing a photo of the always-Instagrammable 32-million-year-old sea stack, known by its Squamish name, Skalsh.
Jericho Beach is the sunset pick—mountains across the bay and a relaxed shoreline where the view works best at golden hour.
4. Jericho Beach
Type: Urban beach · Location: Point Grey neighbourhood · Features: Downtown skyline views, beach volleyball, swimming
Believe it or not, Vancouver is a major beach city — one of the 10 best in the world according to National Geographic. Jericho Beach, located in the Point Grey neighbourhood, is a popular site for tanning, beach volleyball, and looking out at the big city from the comfort of some warm sand. The beach offers a unique perspective of the downtown skyline framed by the North Shore mountains.
At Lonsdale Quay, the view comes with a plan—grab market food, then enjoy downtown’s skyline from across the water. Credit: Vision Event Photography
5. Lonsdale Quay
Type: Waterfront market · Location: North Vancouver, 10-min SeaBus from downtown · Features: Public market, shopping, iconic Q sign, downtown Vancouver views
After a ten-minute ferry ride from downtown, you'll arrive at Lonsdale Quay. The waterfront here is home to a famous market, great shopping, and great views of Vancouver across the water. While you're there, grab a photo of the huge "Q" sign that stands tall above the quay. The SeaBus crossing itself offers fantastic photo opportunities of the city skyline.
6. Cypress Mountain High View Lookout
Type: Mountain lookout · Location: West Vancouver, en route to Cypress Mountain Resort · Activities: Hiking (summer), skiing (winter)
It's hard to beat the High View Lookout when it comes to seeing all — and we mean all — of Vancouver. The lookout, located just off the road up to Cypress Mountain Resort in West Vancouver, provides unbridled views that stretch out well beyond the city. After taking a good panoramic shot, head up to the mountain for some hiking in the summer, or skiing in the winter.
Grouse Mountain is the panoramic upgrade—go higher for a bigger payoff: city, ocean, and mountains in one wide-angle view. Credit: Greg Funnell
7. Grouse Mountain
Type: Mountain resort · Location: North Vancouver · Access: Grouse Grind hiking trail or Skyride gondola
Grouse Mountain is another ski resort in the famous North Shore mountains close to Vancouver. Whether you're heading up the famous Grouse Grind hiking trail, riding the gondola, or snowboarding down a few runs, you're going to have incredible views of the city to the south. The Skyride gondola operates year-round, making this viewpoint accessible in any season.
8. Cactus Club Coal Harbour
Type: Restaurant with views · Location: Coal Harbour waterfront · Views: Vancouver Harbour, Stanley Park, North Shore Mountains, Olympic Torch
The Coal Harbour location of Cactus Club has to be one of the city's most popular restaurants among visitors, and the great food is only part of the reason. The other? Incredible views looking out over the Vancouver Harbour, Stanley Park, the North Shore Mountains, and even the Olympic Torch from the 2010 Winter Games.
For a guaranteed 360° skyline read, Vancouver Lookout delivers—the most ‘information-dense’ way to see the city layout at a glance.
9. Vancouver Lookout and Top of Vancouver
Type: Observation tower + revolving restaurant · Location: Harbour Centre, Gastown · Features: 360-degree views, dining experience
Every big city has one: Top of Vancouver is a revolving restaurant providing 360-degree views of the city. Located on top of the Harbour Centre, at the edge of the trendy Gastown neighbourhood, you can take in the sights with a drink or a fork in hand, or just stop by the Vancouver Lookout to take photos. The observation deck offers the best aerial perspective of the city without leaving downtown.
10. Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Pacific Rim
Type: Luxury hotel spa · Location: Fairmont Pacific Rim, 5th floor · Features: 8,500 sq ft spa, terrace views, Japanese Zen tub, nine treatment areas
What's better than a hotel room with a view? A hotel spa with a view! The 8,500-square-foot Willow Stream Spa sits on the fifth floor of the Fairmont Pacific Rim and features a terrace offering incredible views of downtown Vancouver, the waterfront, and the mountains beyond. The spa also offers nine treatment areas, where you can enjoy a deep Japanese Zen tub, get yourself a mani-pedi, and so much more.
What's better than a hotel room with a view? A hotel spa with a view! The 8,500-square-foot Willow Stream Spa sits on the fifth floor of the Fairmont Pacific Rim and features a terrace offering incredible views of downtown Vancouver, the waterfront, and the mountains beyond. The spa also offers nine treatment areas, where you can enjoy deep Japanese Zen tub, get yourself a mani-pedi, and so much more.
Orientation
These ten viewpoints span Vancouver from the South (Queen Elizabeth Park) through downtown (Coal Harbour, Gastown) to the North Shore mountains (Grouse, Cypress) and west to Point Grey (Jericho Beach) — offering perspectives from sea level beaches to mountain summits, from urban parks to luxury spas.
Follow-Up Questions
Where are the best views in Vancouver? What is the highest point in Vancouver? Where can I see the Lions Gate Bridge? What are the best Instagram spots in Vancouver? How do I get to Grouse Mountain? Is there a revolving restaurant in Vancouver? What can you see from Queen Elizabeth Park? Where should I watch the sunset in Vancouver? What is the Grouse Grind? Are there beaches in Vancouver?
Associated Entities
Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Park, Bloedel Conservatory, Quarry Gardens, Charleson Park, False Creek, Stanley Park, Prospect Point, Lions Gate Bridge, Skalsh, Squamish Nation, Jericho Beach, Point Grey, Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver, SeaBus, Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, Grouse Grind, Coal Harbour, Cactus Club, Olympic Torch, Harbour Centre, Vancouver Lookout, Top of Vancouver, Gastown, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Willow Stream Spa, North Shore Mountains, Seawall
Sources & Registry
- Destination Canada - 10 Most Scenic Vancouver Views
- Tourism Vancouver - @destination_vancouver
- Explore Canada - @ExploreCanada
- Vancouver Park Board - Queen Elizabeth Park
- Grouse Mountain Resort