The ultimate guide for places to visit in Canada

O Canada! The fair, dear land. The True North. It’s a country that goes by many different names and is beloved for many different reasons. For us, Canada holds a special place in our hearts with its stunning scenery and warm, friendly locals.

Wondering where to go in Canada? Well, thankfully city-lovers and nature-seekers will feel equally inspired by their new Canadian surroundings. A holiday in Canada is a unique opportunity to take in the fresh mountain air of the Rockies, to sit down to a satisfying plate of poutine, and to climb high above the city of Toronto in the sky-piercing CN tower. From Lake Huron to Montreal, there is something for everyone in this extraordinary corner of North America.

The country offers a range of holidays catered to different tastes. Perhaps you have long been drawn to the allure of the cities and fancy a city stay on the shores of Lake Ontario.. Or you have been tempted to witness the country’s natural beauty, weaving through the country’s dramatic peaks and glacial valleys on the Rocky Mountaineer. Or perhaps you would like a combination of the two and see yourself sailing into Vancouver's waterfront on an Alaskan cruise.

If you are not quite sure where you will end up in this magnificent country, you're in the right place. We've put together this list of the best places to visit in Canada categorised by interest, so whether you fancy sampling the local delicacies on a food tour of the country or spotting the resident wildlife, you can plan your trip accordingly.

Best for outdoor activities

Unsurprisingly for a country famed for its incredible natural landscapes, Canada offers plenty in the way of outdoor activities. With dramatic peaks, expansive lakes and dense forests, it's the perfect place to get away from it all. Whether you're seeking true adventure or just the chance to enjoy the fresh air in stunning surroundings, the country is sure to take your breath away. Here are our top picks for outdoor pursuits.

Niagara Falls

No Canada travel guide would be worth its salt without including a visit to one of the most popular sights in Canada: Niagara Falls. Yes, the Canadian side is the best! Take a trip on the Hornblower Niagara Cruise for a thrilling passage near the foot of the raging falls, or ride the elevator down to the bottoms of the falls to view it from behind. To see the falls from above, head to the Skylon Tower observatory, or perhaps you might even like to spoil yourself with a helicopter ride for a truly unforgettable viewing experience.

Banff National Park

Located in the enigmatic Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is renowned for its unspoilt beauty, which includes glacial Lake Louise and Sulphur Mountain. Standing at almost 2,5000 metres high, the peak offers plenty for adventure lovers, with skiing, snowboarding, and a gondola ride to the summit. Elsewhere in Banff National Park, you can take your pick from hiking, ice skating, mountain biking, dog sledding, kayaking, fishing and swimming. For a seriously laid-back way to enjoy the park's scenery, take a dip in the Banff Upper Hot Springs to rejuvenate in the thermal, mineral-rich waters.

Vancouver

If you're looking for a more accessible way to enjoy some outdoor pursuits, look no further than lively Vancouver. As one of the country's most walkable cities, it offers plenty of opportunities to explore historic neighbourhoods such as Victorian Gastown by foot. There's also the nearby Capilano Suspension Bridge, which sits some 230 feet above the Capilano River and provides great views of the surrounding forest. Stanley Park offers the chance to test your golf or tennis skills, while Jericho Beach is a great spot to enjoy the summer heat. A little further afield, Grouse Mountain and Cyprus Mountain are a haven for skiers and hikers.

Best for food 

For many people, one of the biggest pleasures when visiting a new place is the chance to sample the local flavours. And if you consider yourself a foodie, you're in luck - Canada is home to a diverse and vibrant food scene formed from a true melting pot of cultures thanks to its long history of immigration. So, where are Canada's real foodie paradises?

Quebec

Foodies rejoice - Québec is a destination where you cannot miss the local culinary delights. The province's capital, Quebec City, is often hailed as one of the top food cities in the world, and with good reason - the city is home to a mix of traditional French restaurants, trendy food trucks, fine dining venues and innovative eateries. Quebec is also the birthplace of Canada's most famous dish - poutine, a mix of chips, cheese curds and gravy. The region is also home to many producers of cheese, maple syrup, wine and cider, making it one of the best places to go in Canada to enjoy fresh, locally produced goods. 

Prince Edward Island

Though Prince Edward Island is best known as the setting of the 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables, it is also a great foodie spot. Home to a number of quaint fishing villages, the island offers some of Canada's best fish and seafood, including lobster, halibut, oysters and mussels. And fear not if you are not a big fan of seafood - the island's fertile farmland also provides it with pork and beef and potatoes known for their excellent quality.

Toronto

When it comes to culinary-related places to visit in Toronto, Canada's most diverse food city is the gift that keeps on giving. Toronto is divided into distinct neighbourhoods which are rooted in the city’s different ethnic influences and settlements. Wander leisurely through Chinatown, Greektown, Little India, Little Italy, and Yorkville on foot, and leave plenty of room to sample all the diverse and delicious culinary offerings in Canada’s largest city. If you plan to visit the Toronto Islands, you can enjoy fresh seafood at one of the waterfront eateries while enjoying a view of the city.

Best for art & culture

As a true melting pot of cultures, Canada is home to a mix of influences, most notably British, French and American. Home to a great array of vibrant and multicultural towns and cities, there is no shortage of cool places to visit in Canada for those looking to immerse themselves in the country's cultural scene.

Calgary

A relatively young city, Calgary is the financial centre of western Canada due to it being a base for the country's petroleum industry. While the city is incredibly culturally diverse, it is known historically as a cattle-ranching hub, and still hosts the annual Calgary Stampede - an event which can be traced right back to the late 1800s when the Calgary and District Agricultural Society had its first fair. This rodeo is locally known as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" and is a celebration that lasts for 10 whole days. 

Montreal

Montreal is not only the Arts and Festival Capital of Canada, but also the country's fashion capital. It is its music scene, however, that really shines - there’s no going to Montreal without watching a jazz gig. Montreal’s jazz roots stretch way back but were solidified during prohibition. As Montreal was the only major North American city where drinking was legal, the city truly became a centre of revelry. Musicians came flocking to the city and nightclubs were popping up all over town, and this sense of freedom still prevails. The presence of music is still strong in Montreal, with the city hosting the world’s largest jazz festival, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, for 40 years.

Ottawa

Canada's capital is home to a burgeoning and diverse art scene, ranging from world-class museums to contemporary galleries. Don't miss the National Gallery of Canada and Ottawa Art Gallery, as well as small independent galleries like SAW. If you prefer to enjoy art in the open air, the city boasts a great variety of murals and sculptures waiting to be discovered. Ottawa also hosts a variety of festivals, including Winterlude, with its impressive ice sculpture artists, and the colourful Tulip Festival in Commissioners Park.

Best for wildlife

Canada is home to an impressive 37 national parks. This, together with its great diversity of landscapes and low population density, makes it a true haven for flora and fauna. Whether you want to see bird or marine life, here are three of the top places to visit in Canada to spot its wildlife.  

Vancouver Island

If you want to whale watch, there are few better places in North America than Vancouver Island. In fact, it is one of the world's best destinations to spot orcas, with around 300 calling the waters home. You can also spot grey whales, humpback whales and white-sided dolphins off the island's coast, particularly in the months between May and October. Vancouver Island offers wildlife spotting on land too, with black bears, sea lions, marmots, and eagles among the island's inhabitants.  

Churchill

If you've ever dreamt of seeing polar bears in the wild, Churchill is one of the best places to visit in Canada, if not the world. This town, located in the far north of the Manitoba province, sees a large number of the bears visiting in the months between July and November. You can see them on a safari by boat, tundra vehicle or helicopter. Bears aren't the only thing a visit to Churchill offers - you'll also have the chance to spot beluga whales and the Northern Lights.

Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is not only one of the best places to travel in Canada for dramatic unspoilt scenery, but it is also a haven for wildlife, being home to around 55 species of mammals. A wildlife tour here will give you the opportunity to glimpse everything from wolves and bears to moose and mountain goats. While the best times to see the resident and visiting wildlife is in the spring and autumn, even in winter there are chances to spot elk, bighorn sheep, coyotes and many more.

Best for history

Canada has a diverse history, starting with the indigenous First Nations people who settled here by 500 BCE – 1,000 CE. Since then, the country has played host to Viking settlers and French and British colonists, resulting in a mix of historical attractions and cultural influences. There is plenty of heritage to fascinate history buffs, and these are the best places to find it.

Montreal

Montreal is a city characterised by its historic architecture and quaint cobblestone streets. The city’s structures reflect a fascinating combination of colonisation, with French and British influence. Be sure to visit the Notre-Dame Basilica, which was completed in 1880, and was the first neo-Gothic church in all of Canada. Fort de la Montagne is also worth the trip, as it is one of the oldest buildings in Montreal.

Lunenburg

The port town of Lunenburg is located in Nova Scotia and dates back to the mid-18th century. Its Old Town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its range of colourful 18th and 19th century colonial-era buildings. The charming town's other historical attractions include St John's Anglican Church, built in 1754, and the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, which details the region's important fishing background.

Victoria

The capital of British Columbia, Victoria was once a stronghold of British colonisation, having been named after Queen Victoria. This British influence can still be seen and felt today, with a large number of Victorian buildings such as Craigdarroch Castle, the Parliament Buildings, and Point Ellice House, as well as afternoon tea and English pubs.

As you can see, there is certainly no shortage of nice places in Canada to visit, whatever your passion. Indeed, with so much to do and see, the real challenge comes with choosing your holiday destination. Of course, there's always the option to enjoy a multi-city holiday. Our escorted tours visit many of the very best places to visit in Canada, and we've taken care of all the trip planning so you can sit back and enjoy the country's exceptional natural sights and world-class art, history and outdoor pursuits.