Canada Travel Guide

Banff National Park, located on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Alberta, was established in 1885 as Canada's first national park and the third national park in the world, following Yellowstone in the United States and Royal National Park in Australia. Encompassing approximately 6,641 square kilometers of pristine mountain wilderness, the park is renowned globally for its majestic Rocky Mountain peaks, vivid turquoise glacial lakes, ancient subalpine forests, and thriving populations of iconic North American wildlife. Signature lakes including Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Peyto Lake display an almost surreal gemstone-blue coloration caused by the refraction of light from finely ground rock flour suspended in the glacial meltwater, and are widely celebrated as the crown jewels of the Canadian Rockies. The park provides critical habitat for grizzly bears, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolves, and caribou, making it one of the premier wildlife viewing destinations in Canada. Banff also serves as a sacred site for alpine outdoor enthusiasts and nature photographers from around the world, offering world-class hiking, skiing, mountaineering, and backcountry exploration opportunities throughout the year, while the charming mountain town of Banff serves as a sophisticated base for exploring this extraordinary protected landscape.

Stanley Park is a giant urban park northwest of downtown Vancouver, about 400 hectares—larger than New York's Central Park—surrounded by water on three sides and preserving large tracts of original temperate rainforest. It is Vancouver's proud green lung. The park's most famous feature is the about 8.8 km Seawall encircling the peninsula, for walking or cycling, offering views of the bay, snow mountains, the Lions Gate Bridge and the city skyline along the way. Inside are also Indigenous totem poles, a lighthouse, rose gardens and the Vancouver Aquarium. Ancient trees, sea views and wildlife intertwine—Stanley Park perfectly blends city and nature, a not-to-be-missed Vancouver landmark.

The University of Toronto (U of T) is among Canada's oldest and largest research universities. Its St. George campus is famed for Victorian Gothic architecture and is a designated heritage conservation district. Quadrangles, spires and sandstone halls create a rich academic and historical atmosphere; the brutalist Robarts Library and Trinity College's courtyards are photo favourites. It is an ideal starting point to explore Toronto's humanities and built heritage.

Niagara Falls spans the border of Canada and the United States, formed by three waterfalls, of which the most powerful "Horseshoe Falls" lies mainly on the Canadian side—about 670 meters wide and 51 meters high, pouring thousands of tons of water per second with a thunderous roar and clouds of mist, one of North America's most famous natural wonders. The Canadian side offers the most spectacular view, facing the full panorama of the Horseshoe Falls from the shore. Visitors can ride the "Maid of the Mist" (Hornblower on the Canadian side) boat into the base of the falls, embraced by mist and feeling the power up close; at night the falls are lit in colored lights and fireworks are set off regularly. About an hour and a half's drive from Toronto, it is a classic not-to-be-missed day trip.

Butchart Gardens, in Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island some 20 minutes from Victoria, is among the world's most celebrated family gardens. In 1904 Jennie Butchart planted her first sweet peas in the exhausted limestone quarry of her husband's cement works; a century on, the gardens cover 55 acres with a thousand species across four seasons. The Sunken Garden terraces the quarry pit with spring cherry and azalea waves; Italian and Rose Gardens peak in summer, maples blaze in autumn, and Christmas lights turn it fairy-tale. Summer Saturday fireworks and concerts add spectacle, while the Blue Poppy restaurant and afternoon tea reward garden strolls. Wheelchair-friendly throughout and served by direct buses from Victoria — the island's unmissable horticultural shrine.

The CN Tower is the symbol of Toronto's skyline; when completed in 1976 it was the world's tallest free-standing structure at 553 m. Its observation deck, the thrilling Glass Floor and the record-setting EdgeWalk let visitors take in Lake Ontario and the metropolis from dizzying heights. The revolving 360 Restaurant is a classic dine-with-a-view. At night the tower's lights shift with the season, making it Toronto's most photogenic landmark—an essential first stop in the city.