43 most instagrammable places in Vancouver

Whether you’re a travel blogger or not chances are you take a hell of a lot of photos when you travel. If you’re planning a trip to Vancouver and want to grab some great photos of this beautiful city then check out this list of the most instagrammable places in Vancouver!

It’s no secret I love my adopted city of Vancouver. It’s a very pretty city (even in the rain). There are the mountains, the beaches, forests, cool cafes, murals…I could go on or better yet I could show you! Here’s a list of Vancouver instagram spots that covers everything from our mountain ranges to our beautiful markets and downtown instagram spots. Check out these places to take pictures in Vancouver for your holiday photos. 

Instagram spots, Vancouver

Looking for more things to do in Vancouver and nearby? Check out my Vancouver travel guides which are full of information on the best things to do in Vancouver, the best Vancouver restaurants, and detailed guides for each of the main neighborhoods.

1. Granville Island

There are a tonne of good spots and things to do in Granville Island that are worthy of being on the list of instagrammable places in Vancouver.

First, there’s the Granville Island sign which you’ll see when you enter from the south. This sign is definitely one of the best instagram worthy places in Vancouver.

Then, there are all the great views over to Burrard Bridge and across the water to downtown too.

2. Prospect Point

Even though it took me the best part of a year to make it up to Prospect Point I’ve now been up there a bunch of times. Trust me when I say you’ll want to add photos of this spot in Vancouver to your instagram.

The view from this high point in Stanley Park gives you great views of Lion’s Gate Bridge as you can see and is one of my fave Vancouver photography spots.

3. The view from Queen Elizabeth Park

When we first arrived in Vancouver we were living in our van Elvis right outside Queen Elizabeth Park. I’d often climb to the top of the park to take in this view!

It’s definitely a great place to grab a new Vancouver instagram photo!

4. Lions Gate Bridge

I honestly prefer Lions Gate Bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge. Sure, the Golden Gate Bridge is bigger but Lions Gate Bridge has funky lights, goes through a super pretty park, and has amazing mountain views (when it’s not raining that is!).

5. Pineapple Rock, Vancouver

Technically this is known as Siwash Rock but it’s Pineapple Rock to me and you’ll see why when you look at it. This rock is in Stanley Park and whenever I’ve run past it I’ve always been impressed. It’s definitely one of the unique instagram spots in Vancouver.

6. Vancouver Skyline from the Seabus

This view is so underrated but personally, I think it’s deserving of being one of the most instagram worthy spots in Vancouver. The Seabus goes from downtown Vancouver to North Vancouver and it’s one of the best-hidden views of downtown Vancouver there is.

7. Burrard Bridge

Vancouver has three bridges connecting downtown with the south and they make great instagram places in Vancouver. Of the three bridges connecting downtown Vancouver with the south, Burrard street is the more instagrammable especially from the seawall at sunset!

8. Sunset Beach

Sunset beach is so instagrammable. The name kinda gives away why but it really does have the best views of sunset in Vancouver. It’s one of the more cute places in Vancouver for a couple’s photo shoot thanks to this statue pictured below. 

Check out what else to do in Vancouver’s West End

9. Cypress Lookout

I’m always amazed by the view from Cypress Lookout, it’s hands down one of the best instagram spots in Vancouver.

The best is when the city is covered in fog and the tallest buildings pop out of it.

If you’re a tourist it’s easy to miss this so I like to think of it as one of the secret attractions in Vancouver and one of the top pretty places in Vancouver for photos at sunset.

10. Spanish Banks

Honestly, nature is one of the most attractive things about Vancouver and a trip to Spanish Banks and Locarno Beach in summer is one of the most aesthetic places in Vancouver.

Spanish Banks is probably the best beach in Vancouver, it’s a bit further out of the city but it’s sandy and stretches for ages.

Plus, there are some beautiful views! Go on Wednesday nights in summer (or most nights really) to capture volleyball players which makes it such a cool option if you’re looking for unique Vancouver photo spots.

11. Olympic Cauldron

When Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010 this was the cauldron that was lit. It’s still there now, just no longer lit. It looks pretty cool when the mountains are all snowy in the background.

12. The Digital Orca

This is probably one of the most instagrammed spots in Vancouver and you can see why as the backdrop alone makes it one of the best places to take pictures in Vancouver. The Orca sculpture is said to allow the viewer to travel in time between the past and the future.

13. Capilano Suspension Bridge

One of the most popular places in Vancouver, but technically just outside of the city, is Capilano Suspension Bridge. While I’d recommend you go to Lynn Canyon Suspension bridge which is quieter, and free, you can’t deny it’s pretty!

14. Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

I love exploring Lynn Canyon and the trails around there.

The bridge is the main attraction and it’s such a great place to go if you’re wondering where to take pictures in Vancouver. However, you can find plenty of other photo spots Vancouver has to offer right near the bridge by taking a walk along the trails towards Quarry Rock.

15. Vancouver’s Flat Iron Building

Lots of North American cities have their own Flat Iron Building and Vancouver is no exception. This Flat Iron Building is in Gastown and the shape of the building means it’s one of the best instagrammable places in Vancouver.

16. Gastown Steam Clock

There’s always a crowd around the Gastown Steam Clock and for good reason!

17. Vancouver Public Library

The Vancouver Public Library almost looks like a colosseum. It’s absolutely massive inside too but the outside is the coolest part. There’s a great sign that says “The words don’t fit the picture” too.

And don’t forget to check out the rooftop patio!

18. Grouse Mountain

When we went up to Grouse Mountain in the summer we hiked up the Grouse Grind. I was so surprised at the great view from the top and it was well worth the climb.

However, you could also just get the Grouse Gondola to the top too!

19. Museum of Vancouver

The Museum of Vancouver is the ideal place to get an understanding of the history of Vancouver. And…it’s a good place to get an instagram of Vancouver too!

20. View from Vancouver Lookout

The Vancouver Lookout has 360-degree views of Vancouver. Make sure you go on a clear day and you can see across to America and the North Shore.

21. Vancouver City Hall

Vancouver City Hall almost looks a bit like a castle. It sits up a bit of a hill from downtown Vancouver and you can usually get a great mountain backdrop.

22. CRAB Park

I love CRAB Park and I think it’s seriously underrated.

Though it’s changed in more recent years as more an more people find themselves without shelter and are moved from the other areas of the city, you can still get some impressive views from this park in Vancouver.

23. Wreck Beach

Vancouver’s only nudist beach! Of course, there’s a lot more to it than that. Like the fact you have to go down a load of stairs to get to the beach and that it’s beautiful.

24. Kitsilano Beach

The area of Kitsilano Vancouver, in general, has such a chilled, laid-back vibe. It was the first place we parked up in Vancouver as I’d heard so much about it and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest.

25. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

A tiny slice of China in the middle of Vancouver. Part of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden is free and I’d recommend you add it to your list of instagrammable places in Vancouver!

26. Brockton Point Lighthouse

As you go across the northern edge of Stanley Park you’ll spot the Brockton Point Lighthouse. You even get to walk right underneath it.

27. Lighthouse Park

Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver is a very easy day trip from the city. It’s also got this beautiful lighthouse at the end of the park.

28. Science World

Vancouver’s Science World is like a big globe. It looks even better at night than in the day thanks to how it lights up!

29. The East Van Sign

East Vancouver has its own logo and you’ll see it on shirts and baseball caps all over the city. Make sure you check out the sign too.

30. Olive and Ruby Cafe

Olive and Ruby Cafe is all over many Vancouverites’ instagrams. There are cute plants on the wall, a swinging seat and great coffee to keep you fuelled.

31. Birds and the Beets

Another great Vancouver cafe is Birds and the Beets. This cafe is in Gastown so you can pop there after checking out the Flat Iron Building and the Steam Clock.

There are usually a load of flowers in here and they have tasty food on the menu too.

32. MacLeod’s Books

If you love bookshops you’ll love MacLeod’s Books. There are second-hand books all over the shop and it is great fun sorting through them.

33. Nelson the Seagull

If you go to Nelson the Seagull you simply have to get their famous avocado on toast. With a big flat white alongside it!

34. Old Faithful Shop

I love, love, love this shop. It’s one of Vancouver’s best independent shops and it’s so beautifully merchandised.

35. Kits Wings

Some Vancouver street art to check off are the Kits Wings! Position yourself in the middle and get that angel picture.

36. La Pentola Mural / Yaletown Umbrellas

This used to say “It’s love Baby”, but now it’s changed to be more seasonally appropriate! *No longer there!

Instead, you can now check out the Yaletown Umbrella or other Yaletown art installations that change most seasons.

Read more: More best things to do in Yaletown

37. Colourful Alleyway at Seymour and Granville

Plenty of people stop by here to pose with their ice cream in the summer and their coffee in the winter. It’s so colourful!

38. Cambie Street

Pick a clear day and you’ll get such a beautiful shot of the mountains at the end of Cambie Street.

39. Lonsdale Quay

North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay is worth a visit itself but walk along the front and you’ll be able to take in the skyscrapers of downtown Vancouver for your instagram.

40. Quarry Rock

Head over to Quarry Rock for this easy hike. It’s busy at sunset but it’s easy to see why…

41. St Mark’s Summit

St Mark’s Summit is a longer hike than Quarry Rock (about 11km) but has even better views!

42. The Totem Poles

You can’t really visit Vancouver without checking out the Totem Poles in Stanley Park!

Read more about biking Stanley Park

43. Vancouver Art Gallery

Vancouver’s Art Gallery is the 5th largest gallery in Canada and the largest in the West. Just like the Public Library it’s architecture is very instagrammable.

44. Secret Sunset platform near Vancouver

This beautiful sunset-watching spot is one of the best Vancouver hidden gems and will look great on your insta-feed!

If you’re looking for Instagram worthy places in Vancouver then be sure to check out this post for more information on how to find one of the best instagram spots Vancouver has to offer.

Last Updated on December 28, 2023 by Hannah