Always wanted to go to Canada? If you only get to do it once, you’ll want to see the best sights this spectacularly beautiful country has to offer.
The only problem is that Canada is huge, with a breathtaking variety of must-see destinations – from towering mountain ranges to beach-fringed islands, sprawling national parks to culture-rich cities. So what do you see first?
To help you plan your adventure, we’ve put together a list of 5 of the best places to visit in Canada. There are many more, but these are just a handful of our favourites.
1. Canadian Rockies
The most famous landmark in Canada, the Rockies are a magnificent snow-covered mountain range running along the border between Alberta and British Colombia.
There are lots of places to explore, hike, ski and even go white water rafting in the Canadian Rockies. It’s an outdoor adventure playground, with no fewer than five huge national parks – Jasper, Banff, Yoho, Waterton Lakes and Kootenay.
If you can’t decide where to go or want to see as much of the Rockies as possible, why not take a grand train tour? The Rocky Mountaineer is a world-class travel experience, running three different routes through the mountains from April to October.
2. Vancouver
Although Vancouver is famously laid-back, you’ll never be short of fun and exciting things to do in one of Canada’s best cities. Vancouver offers the best of both worlds – a buzzing, culture-rich metropolis with fantastic restaurants, museums and galleries galore, and a chance to explore the great outdoors. The city is surrounded by beaches, mountains and even rainforests.
You can spend your days strolling through its charming neighbourhoods, street markets, award-winning museums or pretty public parks. And when you fancy a little adventure, you can hit the ski slopes on nearby Cypress Mountain.
Quite simply – Vancouver has it all, and all wrapped up in one year-round gorgeous package.
3. Banff
The small mountain town of Banff in Alberta is a little trickier to get to than other locations, but it’s worth it. Land at Calgary Airport and drive 90 minutes, and you’ll soon be immersed in some truly jaw-dropping scenery.
It sits at the foothills of the Rockies, and boasts some of the best things to do in Canada right on its doorstep. You can ski and hike in Banff National Park, ride the Banff Gondola for panoramic mountain views or take a day trip to the famous Lake Louise.
Banff itself has the feel of a Swiss skiing village, with plenty of luxurious accommodation available. So you can play intrepid explorer by day, and nestle into a cosy bolthole at night.
4. Whistler
The alpine village of Whistler is one of the best places for skiing in Canada. In fact, it’s one of the largest and best equipped ski resorts in the world, with over 200 marked runs down the towering mountains of Blackcomb and Whistler.
But away from the slopes, Whistler also has a burgeoning arts and culture scene, from the Audain Art Museum to the Squamish Li’lwat Cultural Centre.
5. Montréal
Canada’s second biggest city is also its beating cultural heart, a hub of arts, festivals and simply amazing food. Every year, it hosts the Montréal International Jazz Festival, the largest of its kind in the world. And you can also find live music venues both large and small dotted throughout the city.
This fascinating and multi-faceted city is simply made for exploring, with its ancient cobblestone streets, historic cathedrals and traditional French cafes. And of course, there’s the leafy loveliness of Parc du Mont-Royal, perfect for picnics.
Ready to go? Plan the trip of a lifetime to Canada with Blank Canvas, where you’ll get your own personal travel expert and a tailored itinerary – so you can see the best of the best in every destination.