Best places in Canada to travel: a guide to Canadian provinces

Travellers come to Canada to sample charming and cosmopolitan cities – such as Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto – where they can slip into the cool café culture and mirror the locals’ laidback lifestyles. Lovers of the great outdoors are in their element as shimmering glaciers, snow-capped mountains, secluded beaches and dense forests, combine with roaring waterfalls and aqua marine lakes to create the ultimate natural playground.

But in a country so vast and so varied where should you head to first? Our Canada holidays have been carefully crafted so that each itinerary showcases the very best highlights. You can travel coast to coast or combine a rail ride through the Canadian Rockies with an Alaskan cruise. And if you’re looking to learn more about the different provinces and territories of Canada, including what they’re best known for and their standout sights, read on…

Moraine Lake, Alberta

Experience Alberta

Location: Western Canada

Best for: Mountain landscapes, wildlife watching and outdoor activities

Standout sights: Banff National Park, Lake Louise

Sandwiched between Saskatchewan and British Columbia with a 298-kilometre southern border with Montana in the USA, Alberta is Canada’s fourth largest province. If it’s jaw-dropping scenery and a seemingly endless horizon of natural wonders you’re looking for, you’ll be hard pushed to discover a more dramatic destination. This is where you’ll find the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the enormous Athabasca Glacier on the Icefields Parkway.

Alberta is also home to the legendary alpine resorts of Banff and Jasper where world-class winter sports make way for hikers, bikers, and leisurely lake cruisers during the summer. If you’re looking to experience Alberta without compromising on comfort, a Rocky Mountaineer train tour takes in the rugged splendour and vast pine forests from the most luxurious of angles. It’s a great way to see the highlights of Alberta before crossing the border into BC on route to Vancouver and Victoria.

Banff National Park

The pristine wilderness surrounding the sophisticated mountain town of Banff has been attracting visitors keen to ski, explore and soak up the awe-inspiring views, for generations. Although hugely popular, Banff is also hugely big – Banff National Park extends to over 4,000 square miles so crowds are never a problem.

The range of outdoor activities is endless, from canoeing and mountain climbing to dog sledding and snowshoe shuffling. There’s also an incredible array of wild animals to look out for, too. Banff is home to elk, wolves, bears, big horn sheep, coyotes, moose, deer and mountain lions. Head into town and you’ll find the wonderful Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies where you can find out more about the region’s natural history. You can also become immersed in First Nation culture at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site or enjoy a rejuvenating thermal soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Lake Louise

The turquoise waters of Lake Louise in Banff National Park are framed by the near vertical slopes of Mount Victoria and the spectacular Victoria hanging glacier. As views go, there are maybe a handful of places on the planet that offer such a remarkable vista, it’s quite simply spectacular. No trip to Alberta would be complete without a visit to this wonderful lake.

Being glacial, swimming in Lake Louise is only for the hardy as the water temperature rarely gets above 8°C. However, you’ll find a warm welcome at the magnificent Fairmont Chateaux on the shores of the lake or in any of the homely restaurants in the hamlet of Lake Louise itself. Outside of summer Lake Louise freezes over and kayakers are replaced by ice-skaters and Nordic skiers.

Stanley Park, Vancouver

Visit British Columbia

Location: Western Canada

Best for: Mild weather, Pacific beaches, and forested nature trails

Stand-out sights: Watching whales around Vancouver Island

As Canada’s westernmost province, British Columbia – more commonly known as BC – has a Pacific coastline and shares borders with southern Alaska and the Yukon territory. It’s the epitome of ‘cool Canada’ with the popular alpine resort, Whistler, and the richly diverse and hip, Vancouver, conjuring up a raft of things to do surrounded by mountain peaks and pine forests.

You can visit Vancouver Island’s picturesque capital, Victoria, by ferry from Vancouver or enjoy an unforgettable float plane ride where you can see Victoria’s vast and untouched wilderness from above. One of the best ways to enter British Columbia is onboard the Rocky Mountaineer as it completes its scenic rail journey from across the border in Alberta. One of the highlights is an overnight stop in the lakeside city of Kamloops, famed for its riverside parks, nature trails, and stunning backdrop which includes one of BC’s tallest peaks, Skihist (2,968 metres).

Vancouver

Vancouver’s a must visit if you’re in British Columbia. It’s amongst the most densely populated and ethnically diverse cities in Canada with the country’s largest Chinatown one of the cultural highlights – if only for the dim sum. One of the best ways to get around Vancouver is by hop on/hop off bus. It takes in all the sights – 28 stops altogether – including the famous steam clock in Gastown and the historic market on Granville Island. If you’re looking for somewhere to walk or cycle, head to the Seawall in Stanley Park. This 10-kilometre circular trail is one of the best things to do in Vancouver especially if you’re into fresh air and Pacific northwest scenery.

The Inside Passage

After setting sail from Vancouver, cruise ships will skirt the crinkle cut coastline of British Columbia on route to the southernmost tip of Alaska. It’s here you’ll find the Inside Passage, a scenic coastal route navigating the forest-fringed islands and fjord carved shoreline. Historic harbour towns such as Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, provide onshore things to do before you reach the stunning Glacier Bay National Park where scenic cruising really comes into its own.

A Cruise and Tour holiday is an extra special experience to enjoy if you’re thinking about travelling in British Columbia, and certainly so if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of harbour seals, humpback whales, sea eagles, and maybe even a grizzly bear or two.

Polar bears near Churchill, Manitoba

Make the most of Manitoba

Location: Eastern Canada

Best for: Arctic wildlife, wilderness

Stand-out sights: Lake Winnipeg

This often-overlooked province sits alongside Saskatchewan and Ontario in Canada’s mid-west. It’s an outdoor lovers’ dream with wide open scenery stretching from southern farmlands and prairies to vast Arctic tundra fringed by thick pine and spruce forests.

Although Manitoba doesn’t have the draw of big cities – other than Winnipeg, the capital – or mountain resorts, it’s got almost 100 provincial parks providing visitors with plenty of chances to paddle on lakes, hike through wilderness areas, and kayak or fish on fast-moving rivers. Lake Winnipeg – in the middle of Manitoba – is the province’s most popular natural highlight and features some lovely white-sand beaches – ideal for picnics, sunbathing, and swimming in the relatively shallow water.

Winnipeg

Manitoba’s provincial capital, Winnipeg, is situated 30 minutes south of Lake Winnipeg and is a popular stop on the trans-Canadian train ride travelling from Toronto to Vancouver. Located at the meeting place for the Red and Assiniboine rivers, Winnipeg has long been a rest stop for traders and trappers, and still provides a welcome break for travellers with food markets – including the fabulous The Forks – art galleries, and waterside restaurants. It’s perfect for walking along tree lined paths by the river or popping into the immersive Manitoba Museum to learn more about the region’s natural and social history.

Moncton City, New Brunswick

Beautiful New Brunswick

Location: Eastern Canada

Best for: Forests and coastal trails

Stand-out sights: Bay of Fundy National Park

New Brunswick is bilingual – both French and English are spoken here – and is one of Canada’s three Maritime Provinces found on the southeastern tip.

Featuring a rich variety of woodland – more than 80% is forested – this is where the Appalachian Mountains end and the Atlantic begins. New Brunswick’s dramatic coastline is a big reason to visit, with the Bay of Fundy famed for its fossil finds and for having the world’s highest tides. In Fundy National Park you can follow walking trails through old-growth Acadian forests or skirt the shoreline looking for sea-eroded rock formations sticking out from the sand like russet-coloured flowerpots.

Discover Newfoundland and Labrador

Location: Eastern Canada

Best for: Whale watching and Atlantic coastline

Stand out sights: Gros Morne National Park

The Canadian Maritime province of Newfoundland and Labrador is the closest point of North America to the UK. It’s renowned for ruggedly attractive coastlines, lush forests, abundant wildlife, intriguing Viking past and unique blend of French, English, Irish and Scottish heritage.

This is one of the best places in the world for whale-watching, too, while its picturesque fishing towns are a delight to explore. You can tie in a tour of Newfoundland with Canada’s other easterly province Nova Scotia. It’s an excellent introduction to the region’s stunning, iceberg-encrusted coastline as well as showcasing the unique cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Gros Morne National Park

Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering a vast area of forests, bogs, dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, waterfalls and freshwater fjords. It’s home to a thriving population of moose and caribou, as well as black bears and beavers, and has numerous hiking trails for those who wish to explore further. You can also take a boat trip around the park’s coast to spot the local marine wildlife.

Iceberg Alley

Follow the old Viking Trail to Newfoundland’s northern coast, and you’ll find Iceberg Alley, in the coastal waters of St Anthony. Humpback, minke and fin whales, and dolphins, can be found here amongst the drifting icebergs. There are very few places in the world where you can sail among icebergs, so a cruise through Iceberg Alley is an authentic highlight on a visit to Atlantic Canada.

St John’s

Don’t miss Newfoundland’s charming capital, St John’s. It’s the most easterly town in North America, and one of the oldest. Take a walk along George Street, lined with restaurants, bars and live music venues or snap some photos of the colourful jellybean-coloured terraces on Wellington Row. If the sun’s out, you can follow the boreal forest walking trails in the Memorial University botanical garden or visit the former fishing sheds – The Rooms – that house the city’s cultural museum and art gallery.

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Unlock the Northwest Territories

Location: Northern Canada

Best for: Arctic tundra and the Northern Lights

Stand out sights: Great Slave Lake

This remote mountainous region of Northern Canada is partially covered in Arctic tundra – cold, dry and rugged untamed land – but also features expansive pine and fir forests, massive lakes and fast-flowing rivers.

Most of the area is uninhabited with the majority of locals living in and around the city of Yellowknife. Situated on the northern shores of Great Slave Lake, this is where you can learn more about the Northwest Territories at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre or set off on a scenic section of the Ingraham Trail which is awash with glittering waterways and pine-covered outcrops.

Peggy's Cove lighthouse, Nova Scotia

Dive into Nova Scotia

Location: Eastern Canada

Best for: Lobsters and lighthouses

Stand out sights: Peggy’s Cove

Nova Scotia is famous for its lighthouses, with more than 160 dotted around its coastline. One of the most popular day trips from Halifax, the coastal capital, is to the little seaside village of Peggy’s Cove. This is where you’ll find perhaps the best-known, and most photographed lighthouse in Canada perched on a rugged granite peninsula. Also, while you’re visiting Nova Scotia, be sure to try a freshly caught, cooked, and buttered lobster. Served to eat on the go or as a part of a sit-down meal, this is a must try for all fans of finger-licking, fresh local seafood.

Halifax

Nova Scotia’s vibrant capital, Halifax, offers an ideal introduction to Atlantic Canada. It’s a lively and welcoming place, with inviting restaurants, bars, shops and museums hugging its attractive waterfront area; and it makes a good base for exploring the rest of this small province. You can visit Halifax on a tour of eastern Canada’s great cities which includes a three-night stay as well as a trip to Peggy’s Point Lighthouse.

Akshayuk Pass, Baffin Island, Nunavut

Lesser-known Nunavut

Location: Northeast Canada

Best for: Inuit culture and extreme Arctic adventures

Stand-out sights: Unspoiled Arctic tundra and the Northern Lights

This huge area of northeast Canada is where you’ll find most of the country’s Arctic islands. It’s isolated, sporadically populated, and only accessible by float plane or boat. The landscape veers from Arctic tundra to rugged mountains and is completely inhospitable during the winter months.

Baffin Island, the largest island in Canada, is at the epicentre of indigenous Inuit culture. This is where you’ll find the territorial capital, Iqaluit, and the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum which exhibits aboriginal art, sculptures, and traditionally made clothing.

Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls

Explore Ontario

Location: Eastern Canada

Best for: Cosmopolitan cities

Stand-out sights: Niagara Falls

Situated in the centre of Eastern Canada, Ontario is home to the Canadian capital, Ottawa, and the provincial capital, Toronto. Both cities are well regarded for their mix of modern architecture and historic sites as well as museums such as the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art in Toronto. The CN Tower and the Victorian-era distillery district in Toronto, and Ottawa’s Victorian Gothic parliament buildings and the uber modern Shaw Centre, are also must-see highlights.

Aside from Ontario’s cosmopolitan cities, the province also has plenty of popular natural landmarks, too, including Lake Ontario and Niagara Falls. Sharing the world-famous water feature with New York state, you can witness Horseshoe Falls from above and walk into America via the Rainbow Bridge. You can also take a cruise on the smallest of Canada’s Great Lakes, Lake Ontario, as it navigates the lovely Thousand Islands archipelago along the St. Lawrence River.

Both our Journey Through Eastern Canada tour and Great Cities of Eastern Canada tour take in Toronto, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls before crossing the border into Quebec.

Ottawa

Situated just two hours west of Montreal, the Canadian capital, Ottawa, features some fantastic cultural centres – such as the Canadian War Museum and Canada’s national art gallery – as well as the park-lined Rideau Canal that winds its way downtown alongside Parliament Hill. It’s an super city to stroll around with plenty of lakes and green spaces providing ample excuses to tuck into a takeaway box of poutine – gravy-covered cheesy chips.

You can enjoy a guided tour of Ottawa as part of our Grand Canadian Coast to Coast experience. It’s a great way to get to know the city and learn about the Victorian-era influence that formed the modern-day capital.

Prince Edward Island

Pop across to Prince Edward Island

Location: Eastern Canada

Best for: Seafood chowder and Anne of Green Gables

Stand-out sights: Prince Edward Island National Park

Located within Eastern Canada’s Maritime province archipelago, Prince Edward Island (also referred to as PEI) is famed for its Atlantic scenery and sensational seafood – the chowder is superb. It’s the perfect place to explore outdoors with red sand beaches leading to historic lighthouses and lengthy wooden boardwalks.

The provincial capital, Charlotteville, is the island’s cultural hub with Victorian-era architecture – including the cobbled Victoria Row terrace that now features shops, restaurants, and the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Any fans of Anne of Green Gables will already be aware of the importance of Lucy Maud Montgomery to Prince Edward Island. And if you’re not, you soon will be after a visit to the Anne of Green Gables Museum and Heritage Place that’s located about an hour’s drive north of Charlottetown.

Frontenac Castle, Quebec City

Captivating Québec

Location: Eastern Canada

Best for: French speakers, scenic cityscapes and crêpes

Stand-out sights: Montreal and Québec City

Quebec is predominantly a French-speaking province with signposts and public posters legally required to be written in French. English is used as a second language and generally understood, especially in Montreal, and Québec City, the provincial capital. Situated on the St Laurence River both cities are worth a visit if you’re in Québec with preserved old towns and waterfront parks adding to the genuinely charming atmosphere.

Stand out highlights in Montreal include the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel and the food courts and boutique shops in the Underground City. Québec City features a UNESCO-listed colonial core – Vieux-Québec – where the narrow, stone streets around the popular Place Royale provide untold photo opportunities as well as hole-in-the-wall crêperies and alfresco bistros. You can visit both Montreal and Quebec City at the start of our 17-day Grand Canadian Coast to Coast tour.

Icefields Parkway, Saskatchewan River

Scenic Saskatchewan

Location: Central Canada

Best for: First Nation heritage

Stand-out sights: Vast rolling grasslands

Set between Manitoba to the east and Alberta to the west, the province of Saskatchewan merges with the rolling grasslands and prairies of Montana and North Dakota. It’s a wide-open spaces kind of place with rugged pine covered mountains creating an adventure playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

Head to Regina, the capital, and you’ll be able to find out more about Canada’s First Nation heritage at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum as well as the iconic Mounties at the RCMP Heritage Centre. Although most people tend to pass through Saskatchewan on our Trans Canadian Rail Odyssey tour, it’s certainly worth stopping awhile if you’ve got time to spare.

Grizzly bear

The untamed Yukon

Location: Northwest Canada

Best for: Wilderness and wildlife

Stand-out sights: Mount Logan

Tucked between Alaska and the Northwest Territories, the wild and windswept Yukon province is where you’ll find Canada’s tallest mountain, Mount Logan (5,959 metres). This is a land of rugged peaks and frozen glaciers where meltwater lakes and rivers are bordered by dense white spruce forests providing home to moose, porcupines, and grizzly bears.

Discover Canada for yourself with one of our Canadian escorted tours