8 of the Best Romantic Getaways in British Columbia, Canada

A land of misty mountains, azure lakes and rugged coastal scenery, the province of British Columbia is a pretty romantic place without even trying!

Having said that, there are quite a few places we have visited in BC over the years that definitely score higher in the romance department.

Here are our favourite romantic getaways in British Columbia, Canada. Where will you take your partner?

Last updated January 2024. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Wine tasting on the Naramata Bench

Enjoy your own little piece of Italy in British Columbia on the Naramata Bench.

Local wine, amazing views, warm weather and good company – what else could you ever need for a perfect romantic getaway in BC?

Located a short drive from Penticton, the Naramata Bench is one of BC’s premier wine regions. Overlooking rolling mountains and Okanagan Lake, the wineries here offer what must be the prettiest vineyard views in the world.

Staying at a small local hotel or B&B (Therapy Vineyards is particularly special) is one of the best ways to enjoy this special place.

Wake up with views of the lake, wander the vineyards and tour the wineries, picking up some local produce as you go. Return to the B&B and bask in the sun, eating and drinking as the sun goes down.

Try this:

• Keen cyclists should definitely bring their bikes! The Kettle Valley Railway trail snakes along the Naramata Bench
• If visiting at the weekend, definitely don’t miss the Penticton Farmer’s Market. It’s one of the biggest in BC!

Read Next: The Best Okanagan Valley Wineries

Storm watching in Tofino and Ucluelet

Whatever the time of year (or weather), the small coastal towns of Tofino and Ucluelet on Vancouver Island have everything you would expect for a cosy couples trip away.

Well known for rain, it’s the perfect excuse to stay inside and have some quality Netflix time. 

When the rain stops, enjoy sunset walks on the beach, discover old-growth forests, visit a lighthouse, go whale watching or try some local seafood.

In winter, the Pacific coast is famous for raging storms.

Hunker down with a bottle of wine and watch the waves roll in from the hot tub at your beachside hotel or cottage (we love Middle Beach Lodge). Can romantic getaways in BC get any better than this?!

Try this:

• How about a couples’ surf lesson? Rain or shine, surf lessons are available in Tofino all year round
• On the way to Tofino/Ucluelet, be sure to stop at Cathedral Grove to walk amongst the amazing old-growth trees

Read Next: A Complete Guide to Storm Watching in Tofino

Fun on the slopes at a BC ski resort

A cosy cabin covered in snow, skis propped outside the door, a fire crackling away inside…..I don’t know about you, but it sounds pretty perfect to me!

Whether you rent a cabin or a condo, a ski resort holiday has plenty of potential for romance, even if you don’t ski.

There are plenty of other options for fun in the snow, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice climbing, snow tubing and more. Whistler even has a thermal spa and year-round ziplines.

Whatever you get up to during the day, don’t forget to make time for apres-ski drinks or fondue in front of the fire!

Try this:

• Check AirBnB and VRBO for places to stay, not just the resort’s accommodation service
• Whistler is BC’s biggest ski resort but there are other great options out there! Head to one of the smaller resorts (Apex, Mount Washington, Red, Panorama) for a cosier feel

Camp out under the stars in BC’s backcountry

With a little bit of effort, it’s easy to find your own private island or lake for a romantic getaway. British Columbia’s wilderness has endless opportunities for camping out under the stars.

For a first-time experience, try E.C. Manning Provincial Park, Sheila Lake or Desolation Sound.

In the latter, we camped for three nights without seeing another person. Our little island paradise offered two beaches, plenty of oysters, wonderful sunsets and just a couple of local seals for company.

For those wanting some more home comforts, consider heading to one of the many backcountry lodges or cabins on offer. 

Try this:

• Frontcountry camping can be romantic too! Check out the BC Parks website for vehicle-accessible campground details
• Planning to have a campfire? Remember to follow campfire rules and restrictions and check for a campfire ban before you leave

Read Next: 25 of the Best Overnight Backpacking Trips in BC

Soak in one of British Columbia’s hot springs

Can there be anything more relaxing or romantic than a soak in hot springs with your significant other on a winter’s evening?

British Columbia boasts a whole host of hot springs, from luxurious modern resorts to more natural options.

For a mix of both, try Halcyon Hot Springs near Nakusp. The hot pool overlooks moody Arrow Lake and jagged Mount Thor.

Choose from a variety of cabins and cottages, all with free use of robes to wear to and from the springs.

Another favourite for a romantic getaway would be Liard Hot Springs, near the Yukon border.

Set into a lush boreal forest, Liard provides the most natural hot springs experience in BC without a long hike or boat ride in.

Try this:

• A day trip to Hot Springs Cove on the Pacific Coast is a great add-on for those on a Tofino or Ucluelet getaway
• Go hot springs hopping for the ultimate experience! BC’s Kootenays region has several vehicle-accessible hot springs all located relatively close together (Ainsworth, Nakusp, Halcyon)

Relax at a wellness resort

Slow down and enjoy quality time with your partner at one of BC’s amazing spa resorts.

My top pick for a romantic getaway has to be Sparkling Hill, located at the northern end of the beautiful Okanagan Valley.

Sitting atop of a granite bluff between two lakes, this luxurious adults-only resort has spectacular views and is also home to Canada’s largest spa.

Resort guests have complimentary access to the KurSpa’s eight themed steam and sauna rooms, two relaxation rooms, three pools and a Hydrotherapy circuit.

There are also 100+ treatments and services on offer. As well as side-by-side couples massages, there are several signature ‘Oasis for Two’ experiences.

And the romance doesn’t stop there. Each guest room features a two-person bathtub, set right in front of floor-to-ceiling windows. In-room dining means that you don’t even have to leave your gorgeous room to eat!

Try this:

• As soon as you reserve a stay at Sparkling Hill for your romantic getaway in BC, book your massages and treatments ASAP. I would also recommend securing evening reservations at the PeakFine restaurant
• Alternatives to Sparkling Hill include Tigh-Na-Mara and Kingfisher Oceanside Resort on Vancouver Island

Read Next: Our Review of Sparkling Hill Resort

Fine dining and entertainment in Vancouver

If it’s fine dining, high-rise views and city luxuries that bring you together, head for Vancouver. It’s hard to beat the award-winning restaurants on offer in the city alongside the multitude of different cuisines available.

For something extra special for your romantic getaway in British Columbia, consider taking the gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain and enjoy dining at Vancouver’s highest restaurant.

Or how about catching a show at the deceptively grand Orpheum Theatre on Granville Street?

In true Vancouver style, combine great food with the outdoors and take a trip to Stanley Park for a hand-in-hand walk along the seawall after brunch.

Try this:

• Combine your city break with an afternoon of skiing at one of the local mountains. Not a skier? Try a snowshoe and fondue evening at Cypress Mountain
• Upgrade the classic dinner and movie date night with a trip to the drive-thru movie theatre in Langley, one of three left in British Columbia

Where to stay in Vancouver

Find paradise on the Sunshine Coast

For a (usually) less stormy alternative to Vancouver Island, try the Sunshine Coast. The ocean views are just as wonderful as the Island, especially during sunset.

Get off the main highway to discover small communities and relaxing lakeside cottages with your loved one. 

Our cabin AirBnB near Sechelt was perched on a calm inlet, with sea-to-sky panoramas from the salt water hot tub.

On the private floating dock, we fished, swam and sunbathed all day long. If we had felt more adventurous (read: less lazy), we could have paddled and explored tiny islands and intricate bays with our kayaks. Paradise!

Try this:

• The Sunshine Coast has some great local produce to sample, such as Brickers Cider in West Sechelt
• If you have more time, consider completing a circular route – first, take the ferry over to Vancouver Island (Powell River to Comox) and then back to the Lower Mainland via Departure Bay, Nanaimo.

Book these romantic places to stay on the Sunshine Coast

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