Discover Canada: A Refined Guide To The Best Canadian Cities To Visit
Canada has a lot to offer the modern urban traveller, even one who likes to combine a city escape with a sojourn into the wild. The country’s sweeping landscapes and refined urban sophistication brings together the best of both worlds. From the cultural melting pot that is Toronto to the prettiest Canadian cities that you may not have considered visiting, here are our top picks for the best Canadian tourist cities, and where to stay to get a taste of the local flavour.
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is the most populous city in Canada, the most culturally diverse, and has plenty to offer the urban explorer. It’s soaring skyscrapers and art and theatre scenes have led to comparisons with New York but it’s lake backdrop and beautiful waterfront make it uniquely Toronto. An amble through the historic Distillery District is an ideal way to take in some street art, outdoor performances, and hip bars while the eclectic lanes of Kensington Market is the place for some vintage shopping.
Where to stay: For a uniquely local experience, consider basing yourself in the Annex or Leslieville—leafy, walkable neighbourhoods filled with independent boutiques, cafés, and Victorian architecture.
Vancouver, British Columbia
If you fancy somewhere warm, then Vancouver is just the ticket. Nature is never far away with Vancouver’s blend of ocean, mountains, and polished-yet-outdoorsy urban life. Stanley Park’s forested seawall should be on everyone’s to-do list. A foodie’s paradise, the city’s Chinatown offers up some of the best Asian and Asian-fusion food. Try some of the food trucks and Michelin starred restaurants for a complete experience.
Where to stay: Gastown offers a mix of heritage buildings and boutique spaces, making it a characterful base close to the waterfront and the city’s creative heart.
Quebec City, Quebec
Elegant, European, but immensely Québecois, Quebec City offers oodles of romance and history. The cobbled streets within the walls of Old Quebec offer up bistros that wouldn’t look out of place in Paris. Explore the Rue du Trésor to take in some art before a meal at one of the restaurants on the Rue Saint-Louis.
Where to stay: Opt for a small inn in Old Quebec. Look for one in a restored 18th and 19th-century buildings or book a room at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
You won’t find Winnipeg on most lists of Canadian places to visit but there are plenty of reasons why it should be. As one of the most affordable Canadian cities, it’s the place to go if you’re on a budget. Home to The Forks, the site where the Red and Assiniboine rivers join, it has been an important meeting place for Indigenous peoples for at least 6,000 years. Today, it’s still a place that brings people together with markets, restaurants, and fantastic shops. Given the city’s history, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights makes for a deeply moving visit.
Where to stay: The Exchange District provides heritage charm and easy access to galleries and cafés.
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Despite being the smallest province in Canada, PEI boasts big energy. Whether you’re a fan of Anne of Green Gables or not, the vibrant, seaside city of Charlottetown is worth a visit. Best explored on foot, you’ll be charmed by the storybook setting, Victorian streets, and local musicians.
Where to stay: The historic district is filled with beautifully restored inns that offer a warm and characterful base.
St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador
If you’re looking to visit some east coast Canadian cities, then St. John’s should be at the top of your list. If you’re an early riser, Cape Spear is the place where you’ll see the first rays of the sun hit North America. Then explore the charming, maritime city with a walking tour and a local guide. Its brightly coloured houses, meant to allow sailors returning from the sea sight their homes, and coastal pathways put it up there as one of the most beautiful Canadian cities. Don’t miss the fishing village of Quidi Vidi with its artisan studios and historic brewery.
Where to stay: Choose a guesthouse tucked into the colourful Downtown hillside for the most atmospheric experience, with views over the harbour and narrow, winding streets.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Have you seen the Northern Lights? Yellowknife with its crystal-clear skies displays the Aurora 240 nights of the year. Take an Indigenous tour out on the land in any season to learn how culture is preserved. The colourful Old Town with artistic cabins and lakeside boardwalks is full of culinary adventure, capturing the creative spirit of the North.
Where to stay: A cabin-style lodge just outside the city offers unmatched night-sky viewing and a tranquil Arctic atmosphere.
These cities form a vivid portrait of Canada, each offering its own distinct sense of place, contributing to the rich mosaic of beautiful Canadian cities waiting to be discovered.
