Glistening skyscrapers fill Vancouver’s modern neighbourhood of Coal Harbour. Most of the architecture comes from the last two decades, and this is very much a place of modern design and fast-paced living. The neighbourhood lies to the north-east of the West End and north-west of Downtown Vancouver, adjacent to Canada Place. Gazing across the water towards Stanley Park and North Vancouver, this up and coming neighbourhood is home to a number of private marinas and high-rise office space.

Coal Harbour’s location is ideal for exploring many of Vancouver’s sights. The restaurants of Downtown are within walking distance while the serene space of Stanley Park is less than a kilometre away. Follow the coastal path east, and it’s only a few minutes’ walk to Canada Place, the city’s most popular tourist destination. Kayaks and sailboats set out from the different marinas, and high-end condos have unbeatable views across the bay, while there’s always a new upcoming restaurant to try. In recent years, Coal Harbour has become Vancouver’s premier address.

Transport links make this modern neighbourhood an excellent place to be. A relatively quiet highway provides connections to Stanley Park and the rest of the city. Although Burrard is the only SkyTrain station in Coal Harbour, Vancouver’s central stations are within easy walking distance. The iconic thing to do is to walk along the shore, admiring the boats on route to Canada Place.

The neighbourhood’s skyline doesn’t do justice to its name and history. Since the mid 19th century, the area was populated by low-grade coal mines and a very busy steamship terminal. The bellowing industrial fumes have long since disappeared, replaced by the glass-fronted elegance of modern Vancouver.