September 22, 2026, 8:05 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
On September 22, 2026, it was that time again in Berlin: The annual TRAVELBOOK Awards were presented, and the trend travel destinations for 2027 were announced. One of them is the most extraordinary city beach in the world. Five contenders were on the shortlist for this: Haeundae Beach in South Korea, Mole Beach in Namibia, Praia de Matosinhos in Portugal, Playa de San Lorenzo in Spain, and English Bay Beach in Vancouver, Canada. The latter ultimately won, receiving the most votes in a large online poll.
English Bay Beach in Canada
A trip to western Canada often includes a stay in the coastal metropolis of Vancouver. And although the Canadian city offers plenty of good reasons to visit–including Stanley Park, the historic Gastown district with its Steam Clock, or the Science World museum–one stands out, especially for those who love both city and beach life: Vancouver has a city beach. And not just any beach.
English Bay Beach, also known as First Beach in Vancouver, is considered one of the most beautiful in the city–and now worldwide. It’s a relaxed natural spot just minutes from the city, offering stunning views of the Pacific, the North Shore Mountains, and the city’s skyscrapers. The wide sandy beach runs along Beach Avenue and the Stanley Park Seawall Path, between Gilford and Bidwell Street in Vancouver’s West End. At the southern end of the approximately 400-meter-long beach stands the Inukshuk sculpture. According to Vancouver’s information page, it is the most densely populated beach section in the Canadian coastal city.
What can you experience at English Bay Beach?
On sunny days, locals and tourists alike gather at English Bay Beach in Canada to sunbathe, daringly jump into the cool Pacific, paddle back and forth with kayaks and more, or play volleyball at the provided nets. There is a swimming raft with a slide and a boat rental on site. Accessibility is also provided at Vancouver’s First Beach: There is a Mobi-Mat for wheelchairs and, from late May to early September, two water wheelchairs. During this period, lifeguards also ensure safety at the beach.
The wide beach promenade, the Stanley Park Seawall, is also a popular route for runners, cyclists, and inline skaters, as well as for long walks. With the right clothing, English Bay Beach is a year-round destination for joggers and walkers, who may even have the popular city beach all (or almost) to themselves depending on the time of day and weather outside the summer months.
In addition to daytime activities, English Bay Beach is particularly popular as a sunset spot–and is even described in some places as the best in Vancouver. To watch the picturesque sky spectacle, people position themselves all along the Seawall, on the various benches with sea views, or on blankets they bring to the beach.
A yearly highlight, also widely mentioned, is the annual Polar Bear Swim. For 106 years, swimmers and spectators have gathered at English Bay Beach on New Year’s Day for the traditional cold-water swim.
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Getting There
English Bay Beach is about three kilometers from downtown Vancouver and, depending on your starting point, may be within walking distance. There are also paid parking spaces near the beach. However, it is often easier to reach the beach using public transportation.
Location of English Bay Beach in Canada:
Also interesting: The 17 most beautiful city beaches in the world
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK Award
Again this year, we say: All nominated regions, countries, and more for the TRAVELBOOK Awards are already winners. Even if they didn’t achieve overall victory. This also applies to English Bay Beach in Vancouver, Canada. Because: Every insider travel destination has already made it to the shortlist in advance, meaning it was selected from a large number of contenders in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team asked the community on Facebook and Instagram for help and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. For the first time this year, not only TRAVELBOOK readers but also BILD readers voted. In total, more than 150,000 votes were cast to determine the trend travel destinations for 2027.