Take your Instagram selfies to the next level here in Vancouver – where almost every corner here is an Instagrammable piece of eye candy. You want jawdropping selfies with panoramic views of the great outdoors as your backdrop? Vancouver has the perfect spots for your spectacular nature shots. How about a night selfie in the midst of neon lights and a bustling urbanscape? Vancouver’s got your back for that, too!
For livening up your Instagram feed and raking in those likes, check out the most Instagram-worthy areas in Vancouver:
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
- Stanley Park Seawall
- Lions Gate Bridge
- Bloedel Conservatory
- Neighbourhood of Gastown
- Alley Oop
3735 Capilano Road
This ethereal nature spot rises several feet above the Capilano River and is nestled among the towering trees of the West Coast rainforest. During the Canyon Lights Festival, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is lit up for the holiday season. The sparkling lights and nature views make for the perfect Instagram combination. Go there as soon as nightfall sets for a solo shot on the bridge before the crowds come in.
The park’s Cliffwalk is another great photo opportunity. This new attraction gives visitors a unique perspective of the forest and the Capilano River.
Vancouver, BC
The Stanley Park Seawall offers spectacular views of the waterfront and the city skyline. Be here by sundown when the skies are painted in a dazzling array of colours. From Coal Harbour you can see soaring modern skyscrapers set against the thick swath of trees in Stanley Park. The Seawall is also the perfect place for panoramic shots because of the uninterrupted waterfront path.
Lions Gate Bridge Road
One of Vancouver’s most iconic sites, Lions Gate Bridge is a great area for taking cityscape selfies. Come here in the mornings for a gorgeous view of the sunrise. The bridge is also a great vantage point for taking shots of the skyscrapers, Prospect Point, and the sea fog.
In the evenings, the bridge beckons with its dazzling display of streetlights, combined with the streaks of vehicle lights passing on it. Find yourself a spot where your backdrop includes both the illuminated bridge and the vehicles below for the perfect shot.
4600 Cambie Street
You don’t have to travel far for a picturesque tropical backdrop with the Bloedel Conservatory. Found in Queen Elizabeth Park, the conservatory is an indoor garden that features different species of birds, plants, and flowers. The brightly coloured flora and fauna make for a vibrant, picture-perfect Instagram post.
Gastown, Vancouver
The neighbourhood of Gastown is one of the most photogenic communities in Vancouver. It has an Old-World look that’s perfect for vintage shots. Water Street’s cobblestones, vintage lamp posts, and Victorian-style buildings add to the nostalgic vibe.
Must-see spots in the neighbourhood include Gastown’s Hotel Europe, an iconic six-story heritage building, and the Gastown Steam Clock, an antique clock that blows steam and whistles every hour.
688 West Hastings
Alley Oop is one of the city’s best hidden gems. Once an underused laneway in Downtown Vancouver, it’s now overflowing with urban art in bright yellows and pinks. If you think it’s bright during the day, at night there’s an illuminated orb on display here.
For the best shots, visit in the mornings to avoid harsh shadows in the area. Use natural light to enhance the background colours and to really make your post pop.
Learn more about Vancouver and your real estate options in the area with me, Don Munro — the most trusted real estate agent in BC for over 35 years. Contact 604.817.7338 or email botsoldmunro(at)gmail(dotted)com.