Canada in brief
- For western Canada, combine Banff, Jasper and Vancouver, perhaps with an Alaska cruise.
- For eastern Canada, link Toronto and Niagara, Montreal and Quebec City, or explore the Maritimes.
- June to September is the main season; late September brings autumn colours. See when to go.
- UK visitors need an eTA to fly to Canada, and there are direct flights from London.
Canada is the second-largest country in the world, and most visitors pick one side of it. In the west are the turquoise lakes and glaciers of the Rocky Mountains, the city of Vancouver and the wild coast of British Columbia, with bears, whales and rainforest. In the east are the great cities of Toronto, Montreal and French-speaking Quebec City, Niagara Falls, blazing autumn colours and the fishing villages of the Maritimes. This guide covers where to go, how to combine Canada with Alaska, where to see bears, the seasons and what to know before you travel.
Canada highlights: where to go
Canada is huge, with six time zones, so it’s best to choose western Canada (the Rockies and British Columbia) or eastern Canada (Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes) for a first trip. Both have direct flights from London.
Banff and Lake Louise
Banff, Canada’s first national park, is the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Paddle a canoe on Lake Louise, see the blue water of Moraine and Peyto lakes, and ride the gondola up Sulphur Mountain.
The town of Banff has hot springs, good restaurants and elk wandering the streets.
Canada holidays →
Jasper and the Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway, about 230 km from Lake Louise to Jasper, is one of the world’s great drives, past glaciers, waterfalls and turquoise lakes. Stop at the Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefield.
Jasper is wilder and quieter than Banff, with Maligne Lake, elk, bears and a Dark Sky Preserve.
Vancouver and Whistler
Vancouver, on the west coast of Canada, sits between the mountains and the Pacific. Cycle around Stanley Park, eat at Granville Island market and walk the Capilano suspension bridge.
The Sea-to-Sky Highway leads to Whistler, for hiking and mountain biking in summer and skiing in winter.
British Columbia guide →
Vancouver Island and the BC coast
Take the ferry to Victoria, British Columbia’s capital, and on to Tofino for surf beaches and rainforest. Watch for orcas and humpback whales from spring to autumn.
Further north, the Great Bear Rainforest is one of the best places in the world to see grizzly bears, and the rare white spirit bear.
Toronto and Niagara Falls
Canada’s biggest city, Toronto, is lively and multicultural, with the CN Tower, great food and islands in Lake Ontario.
Niagara Falls is about 90 minutes away. The Canadian side faces the great curve of the Horseshoe Falls; take a boat into the spray, then visit the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Ottawa and Montreal
Ottawa, the capital, has Parliament Hill and fine national museums. In winter, the Rideau Canal becomes a huge skating rink.
Montreal is French-speaking, creative and great for food, from bagels and smoked meat to fine dining. Explore the cobbled streets of Old Montreal and the Notre-Dame Basilica.
Quebec City
The only walled city in North America north of Mexico, Quebec City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with steep cobbled lanes and the castle-like Château Frontenac.
From here, head down the St Lawrence to Tadoussac to see beluga and other whales, or to the Charlevoix region for autumn colours.
The Maritimes
The Maritimes of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are Canada’s Atlantic coast: fishing villages, lighthouses, lobster suppers and friendly locals.
Drive the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, see the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy and the red cliffs of Prince Edward Island.
The North and Churchill
The Yukon and Northwest Territories are among the best places on earth to see the Northern Lights, from late August to April.
In Churchill, on Hudson Bay, polar bears gather in October and November waiting for the sea ice, and beluga whales fill the river in summer.
Where to see bears in Canada
Grizzly bears: the Great Bear Rainforest and the inlets of British Columbia’s coast are the best places, especially from August to October when the bears fish for salmon. Specialist lodges and boat trips take you to see them safely.
Black bears are common in the Rockies, often seen beside the road in Banff and Jasper in spring and early summer.
Polar bears: head to Churchill in Manitoba in October and November. Always keep your distance from bears and follow park rules and your guide.
Canada and Alaska
Western Canada combines beautifully with an Alaska cruise. Many cruises sail from Vancouver through the Inside Passage to Alaska’s glaciers, so you can explore the Rockies by road or rail first, then relax at sea. The most famous combination pairs the Rocky Mountaineer train with a cruise; compare the options in Rocky Mountaineer tours compared.
Things to do in Canada
- Take the train: the Rocky Mountaineer crosses the Rockies by day, and VIA Rail’s Canadian runs right across the country.
- Road trips: the Icefields Parkway, the Sea-to-Sky Highway and the Cabot Trail are among the most beautiful drives in the world.
- Whale watching: humpbacks and orcas off Vancouver Island, belugas and other whales at Tadoussac, and whales in the Bay of Fundy.
- Autumn colours: from late September to mid-October, the maple forests of Quebec and Ontario turn red and gold.
- Winter: ski in Whistler or Banff, see the Northern Lights, or skate on Ottawa’s Rideau Canal.
When to go
June to September is the main season, with warm days, open mountain roads and the best hiking; July and August are busiest. Lakes in the Rockies are often still frozen until June. Late September and early October bring autumn colours in the east and fewer visitors in the west. Winter is long and cold almost everywhere except the west coast, but it’s great for skiing, snow activities and the Northern Lights.
| Month | Banff | Vancouver | Toronto | Quebec City | Halifax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -4°C | 7°C | 0°C | -6°C | 2°C |
| Apr | 7°C | 13°C | 10°C | 8°C | 9°C |
| Jun | 19°C | 20°C | 22°C | 22°C | 18°C |
| Jul | 23°C | 23°C | 26°C | 25°C | 22°C |
| Sep | 16°C | 19°C | 22°C | 20°C | 20°C |
| Oct | 8°C | 14°C | 15°C | 13°C | 15°C |
Average daily high, 10-year ERA5 data. Nights in the mountains are cool even in summer.
Classic routes
The Rockies and Vancouver
- Calgary (1 night)
- Banff (3)
- Lake Louise (1)
- Jasper (2)
- Vancouver (3)
Self-drive the Icefields Parkway, or take the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver.
Eastern Canada
- Toronto (2 nights)
- Niagara Falls (1)
- Ottawa (2)
- Montreal (3)
- Quebec City (3)
Easy by car or train; superb in autumn.
Canada and Alaska
- Banff (3 nights)
- Jasper (2)
- Vancouver (2)
- Alaska cruise from Vancouver (7)
Mountains, then glaciers from the sea.
Ways to see Canada with us
Practical tips
- Entry: British visitors don’t need a visa for a holiday, but you must get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) online before you fly to Canada. You don’t need one if you arrive by land or sea. Border officers may ask for your return ticket and proof of funds. Check the FCDO Canada advice before you travel.
- Flights: there are direct flights from London to Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, from about 7 hours to the east to about 10 hours to the west.
- Driving: roads are excellent and driving is on the right. Distances are long, so don’t try to see the whole country in one trip.
- Wildfires: in summer, wildfires can close roads and parks in the west. Check local news and park updates before and during your trip.
- Tipping: tip around 15 to 20 per cent in restaurants and bars, and remember that sales tax is added at the till.
- Language: in Quebec, French is the main language; a few words of French are appreciated, though English is widely spoken in the cities.
Frequently asked questions
What are the highlights of Canada?
Banff, Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway in the Rockies, Vancouver and Vancouver Island on the west coast, Toronto and Niagara Falls, Montreal, Quebec City, the Maritimes, and the Northern Lights and polar bears of the north.
Should I visit eastern or western Canada?
Western Canada is best for mountains, lakes, wildlife and the coast; eastern Canada for cities, history, French culture, Niagara Falls and autumn colours. For a first trip of two weeks, choose one side.
Where are the Rockies in Canada?
The Canadian Rockies run along the border of Alberta and British Columbia in western Canada. The best-known parks are Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay, about 90 minutes' drive west of Calgary.
What are the Maritimes in Canada?
The Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, on Canada's Atlantic coast. They're known for lighthouses, fishing villages, seafood, the Cabot Trail and the Bay of Fundy's huge tides.
Where can you see bears in Canada?
Grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest and on the British Columbia coast, best from August to October; black bears in Banff and Jasper; and polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, in October and November.
Can you combine Canada and Alaska?
Yes. Many Alaska cruises sail from Vancouver, so you can spend a week in the Rockies by road or on the Rocky Mountaineer train and then cruise the Inside Passage to Alaska's glaciers.
When is the best time to visit Canada?
June to September for the Rockies, the west coast and the Maritimes; late September to mid-October for autumn colours in the east; and December to March for skiing and the Northern Lights.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Canada?
Not for a holiday, but you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to Canada. Apply online before you travel. Check the FCDO advice for the latest rules.
Keep planning
- Canada holidays
- Escorted tours of Canada
- British Columbia holidays
- Rocky Mountaineer tours compared
- Arctic and Northwest Passage cruises
- Japan holiday guide
- Mexico holiday guide
- Tailor-made holidays
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