Canada is enormous.

Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and north towards the Arctic, the country contains everything from mountain lakes and waterfalls to historic cities, forests and rugged coastlines.

That scale also means choosing where to go can be difficult.

The best places to visit in Canada aren’t confined to famous destinations such as Toronto, Vancouver and Niagara Falls. Travel a little farther and you’ll discover national parks, islands and spectacular landscapes that can become the highlight of your trip.

Whether you’re planning your first Canadian holiday or returning to explore somewhere new, here are eight amazing places to visit in Canada.

1. Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island may be Canada’s smallest province, but there’s plenty to justify spending several days exploring it.

Located on Canada’s east coast, PEI is known for red-sand beaches, coastal scenery, seafood and its connection with Anne of Green Gables.

Prince Edward Island National Park protects stretches of coastline containing beaches, dunes, wetlands and woodland.

For active travellers, walking and cycling provide opportunities to explore at a slower pace.

Explore Beyond the Beaches

Golf is popular on Prince Edward Island, but don’t make it the only reason to visit.

Of all the places to visit in Canada, Prince Edward Island is particularly well suited to a relaxed road trip.

You can explore small communities, lighthouses, beaches and countryside while stopping for local seafood along the way.

Charlottetown provides a useful base and adds restaurants, history and culture to the island experience.

Summer is the busiest period and offers warm weather for beaches and outdoor activities, while the shoulder seasons can provide a quieter experience.

Among the places to visit in Canada for a relaxed coastal holiday, Prince Edward Island deserves serious consideration.

2. Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

Waterton Lakes National Park sits in southwest Alberta, where the prairies meet the Rocky Mountains.

Together with Glacier National Park across the border in Montana, it forms the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The landscape combines mountains, lakes, grasslands and wildlife habitat within a relatively compact area.

That makes Waterton one of the most impressive places to visit in Canada for travellers who enjoy hiking and nature.

Hiking and Wildlife

There are numerous trails of varying difficulty around the park.

You can also explore Waterton Lakes by boat or spend time around Waterton Park village.

Wildlife can include bears, deer, bighorn sheep and other species.

Always remember that these are wild animals.

Keep your distance, follow Parks Canada guidance and never approach wildlife for a photograph.

Conditions and access to facilities change seasonally, so check the official Parks Canada Waterton Lakes guide before travelling.

3. Capilano Suspension Bridge, British Columbia

If Vancouver is part of your itinerary, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park provides an easy escape into the forest without travelling deep into British Columbia.

The famous suspension bridge stretches 137 metres across the Capilano River and hangs approximately 70 metres above it.

Crossing it is only part of the experience.

The park also includes Treetops Adventure and Cliffwalk, allowing visitors to experience the temperate rainforest from different perspectives.

Combine It with Vancouver

Capilano is in North Vancouver, making it straightforward to include during a stay in the city.

You don’t necessarily need to hire a car purely to visit.

Public transport options are available, and the attraction also operates a complimentary shuttle service from selected downtown Vancouver locations.

Check current transport and opening information through the official Capilano Suspension Bridge Park website before your visit.

Unlike some of the remote places to visit in Canada, Capilano works particularly well when you want nature without committing several days to travelling into the wilderness.

4. Montmorency Falls, Québec

Niagara Falls receives most of the international attention, but Québec has another spectacular waterfall close to Québec City.

Montmorency Falls stands 83 metres high, making it around 30 metres taller than Niagara Falls.

The waterfall sits where the Montmorency River drops towards the St Lawrence River.

Visitors can experience it from several viewpoints, including a suspension bridge above the falls.

See the Falls from Different Angles

One of the advantages of Montmorency Falls is the variety of ways to experience it.

Depending on seasonal operations and your chosen route, you can explore viewpoints, walk across the suspension bridge and use other visitor facilities around the park.

Like many outdoor places to visit in Canada, Montmorency Falls changes considerably with the seasons.

Summer provides greener surroundings, while winter can transform the landscape with snow and ice.

Its proximity to Québec City also makes it easy to combine natural scenery with one of Canada’s most interesting historic cities.

For travellers building an eastern Canada itinerary, Montmorency is one of the easiest places to visit in Canada to add without making a huge detour.

5. Maligne Lake, Alberta

Maligne Lake is one of the most recognisable landscapes in Jasper National Park.

Surrounded by mountains, the long turquoise lake provides extraordinary scenery and opportunities for walking, paddling and sightseeing.

It’s also home to Spirit Island, one of Jasper’s best-known photographic locations.

You can’t drive directly to Spirit Island.

Visitors normally experience it by boat or by undertaking a demanding journey on the water.

Explore Jasper National Park

When comparing places to visit in Canada, don’t overlook the rest of Jasper simply because Maligne Lake is the headline attraction.

The journey through Jasper National Park is part of the experience, and the surrounding area contains hiking trails, wildlife and mountain scenery.

Seasonal conditions are extremely important.

Winter access and services differ significantly from summer, and mountain weather can change quickly.

If you’re considering outdoor places to visit in Canada, always check current trail, road, wildfire and weather information before setting out.

Parks Canada provides current information through its official Jasper National Park website.

Maligne Lake is particularly rewarding for travellers who want Canada’s mountain scenery without treating every stop as a quick photo opportunity.

6. Cheakamus Lake, British Columbia

Cheakamus Lake offers a quieter mountain experience close to Whistler.

Located within Garibaldi Provincial Park, the lake is surrounded by forest and mountains and is reached via hiking trails rather than by simply driving to the shoreline.

The area is popular with hikers and campers looking for a more natural experience away from Whistler’s resort centre.

That makes Cheakamus one of the places to visit in Canada for travellers prepared to put in a little effort to reach their destination.

Prepare Before Hiking

Mountain environments need proper preparation.

Check trail conditions, weather, closures and any reservation requirements before leaving.

Carry suitable clothing, water and supplies, and make sure your route matches your fitness and experience.

Camping within Garibaldi Provincial Park is regulated, so don’t assume you can simply pitch a tent wherever you want.

BC Parks provides current information about trails, camping and access through the official Garibaldi Provincial Park guide.

If you’re staying in Whistler, Cheakamus Lake can provide an excellent contrast to the busier resort areas.

7. Toronto and the CN Tower

The CN Tower certainly isn’t a hidden Canadian treasure, but it’s still worth retaining from the original article.

Standing above downtown Toronto, the tower is one of Canada’s most recognisable landmarks.

Observation levels provide extensive views across Toronto and Lake Ontario, while the revolving 360 Restaurant combines dining with the skyline.

More adventurous visitors can consider EdgeWalk, which takes participants outside near the top of the tower while attached to a safety system.

Discover More of Toronto

Don’t fly all the way to Canada, visit the CN Tower and assume you’ve seen Toronto.

Explore neighbourhoods, food markets, museums and the waterfront.

St Lawrence Market is worth considering for food, while the Toronto Islands provide a completely different perspective on the city skyline.

Toronto is also a useful starting point for a wider Ontario trip.

Niagara Falls can be incorporated into a longer itinerary, although it deserves enough time rather than being treated as nothing more than a quick photograph.

Toronto is one of the most urban places to visit in Canada on this list and provides a useful contrast to the national parks and mountain lakes.

8. Old Montréal, Québec

Old Montréal is another destination that can’t realistically be described as hidden, but it absolutely deserves a place in a first-time Canada itinerary.

The historic district contains cobbled streets, old buildings, public squares, restaurants and some of Montréal’s best-known landmarks.

Notre-Dame Basilica is among the major attractions, while the Old Port provides access to the St Lawrence waterfront.

Walking is one of the best ways to explore.

Experience Montréal Beyond the Old Town

Old Montréal is only one part of the city.

Give yourself time to explore other neighbourhoods, restaurants and cultural attractions rather than remaining exclusively around the historic centre.

Montréal’s food scene is another major reason to stay longer.

Local specialities and influences from communities across the world make eating part of the experience.

Weather should also influence your plans.

Summer is popular for festivals and outdoor activities, autumn brings changing colours, and winter offers an entirely different — and much colder — Canadian city break.

For travellers who want history, food and city life, Montréal is easily one of the most rewarding places to visit in Canada.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Canada?

There’s no single best month for the entire country.

Canada’s size means conditions can differ enormously depending on where you’re travelling.

Many outdoor places to visit in Canada are at their most accessible in summer, particularly mountain destinations where some facilities and routes operate seasonally.

Autumn can provide spectacular colours in parts of eastern Canada.

Winter is ideal if skiing, snow and winter activities are the reason for your trip, but it can make some outdoor destinations far less accessible.

Spring can be quieter, although mountain conditions may still limit certain activities.

When comparing places to visit in Canada, research the season for the specific region rather than relying on a nationwide weather guide.

How Long Do You Need in Canada?

Trying to see Canada in one short holiday is a mistake.

Distances are enormous.

Vancouver to Toronto, for example, isn’t comparable to travelling between two neighbouring European cities.

For a two-week trip, it’s usually better to concentrate on one region.

You could build a western itinerary around:

• Vancouver
• Whistler
• Jasper
• The Canadian Rockies

Alternatively, an eastern trip could combine:

• Toronto
• Niagara
• Montréal
• Québec City

Prince Edward Island fits more naturally into an Atlantic Canada itinerary.

Choosing places to visit in Canada that work together geographically will save both time and money.

Getting Around Canada

How you travel depends heavily on your itinerary.

Major cities have public transport, while domestic flights can be useful for covering the country’s huge distances.

Rail services connect some destinations, but Canada isn’t a country where you should assume trains provide the easiest option everywhere.

A car can be extremely useful for national parks, road trips and more remote locations.

If you’re considering driving, you can compare car hire through TravelHype.

Check driving distances carefully before planning your route.

A journey that looks manageable on a map can involve many hours behind the wheel.

One of the advantages of choosing places to visit in Canada within the same region is spending more of your holiday exploring and less of it travelling between stops.

Planning a Holiday to Canada

Entry requirements should always be checked before travelling.

British citizens flying to or transiting through Canada will generally need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), subject to their individual circumstances and method of travel.

Use the official Government of Canada entry requirements and GOV.UK Canada travel advice for current information rather than relying on old travel articles.

Travel insurance is also important when planning outdoor places to visit in Canada.

If you’re hiking, skiing, kayaking or taking part in other outdoor activities, make sure your policy covers what you’re actually planning to do.

Our international packing guide can help with preparation for a longer trip.

Places to Visit in Canada: The Verdict

Canada rewards travellers who resist trying to see everything at once.

Choose Prince Edward Island for coastal scenery, Waterton Lakes for mountains and wildlife or Capilano Suspension Bridge for an accessible nature experience near Vancouver.

Head to Montmorency Falls for one of Québec’s most impressive natural attractions, Maligne Lake for classic Rocky Mountain scenery or Cheakamus Lake for hiking near Whistler.

Then balance the wilderness with Toronto and Old Montréal for city life, food, history and culture.

The best places to visit in Canada depend on what you want from your trip.

Nature lovers could spend weeks exploring the west, while travellers interested in food, culture and history may prefer an eastern itinerary.

Whatever you choose, don’t underestimate the distances.

Pick a handful of places to visit in Canada that work naturally together and give yourself enough time to properly experience them.

When you’ve chosen your places to visit in Canada, you can find flights, search for hotels and compare car hire through TravelHype.