Explore Canada – the Great White North – with these inspirational Canada travel itineraries. Whether it’s an adventure in the Rockies or a deep-dive into Quebec, plan your trip with this epic guide.
When I’m daydreaming about Canada, the wild outdoor landscape and warm locals are often the first two things I think of. In fact, it’s why I’ve been back a fair amount over the past few years.
Because it’s one of the largest countries in the world (the second by land mass), there are a lot of ways you can plan a trip to this exciting stretch of oceanfront, mountains and valleys at the top of North America.
Bring your appetite and sense of adventure because no matter where you go – you’ll find surprises around every trail and cobbled street.
But how can you plan the perfect Canada itinerary? Get your suitcase packed – we’re going to take a jaunt through the best Canadian vacations – all mapped out for your next holiday.
Canada Itineraries
Best of Canada in One Month Itinerary
Ok, so seeing all of the best of Canada in a month is no easy feat. But I’m confident this 30-day Canada itinerary will show you enough of the country to scratch that itch for adventure in the north.
This Canada itinerary moves from the West Coast to the East Coast, stopping by the most famous cities, cultural landmarks, and national parks along the way.
It’s a whirlwind tour that covers a lot of ground (around 3,000 miles), but you’ll have plenty of time to explore and learn more about each location over the course of a full month.
Route Summary
Vancouver >> Calgary >> Banff and Lake Louise >> Jasper >> Toronto >> Montreal >> Old Quebec
Distance: 3,000 miles (4,800 km)
Length of Trip: 1 Month
How to Do It: Planes and Cars
Highlights of the Trip
Walking Around Vancouver
Set aside time to explore, Vancouver is an excellent walking city. Visit Stanley Park and VanDusen Botanical Garden to see some of the most beautiful green spaces in the city. Schedule a visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park to walk the long, towering bridge in the rainforest.
Suggested Stay: Level Downtown – Howe
Calgary
Calgary is a great home base to explore the Rocky Mountain National Parks. But there’s also plenty to do within city limits. Make time to try a Caesar cocktail (a bloody mary made with clamato) at the Westin – where the legendary Canadian cocktail was born.
Then spend an afternoon chilling by Bow River at Prince’s Island Park or head inside the atmospheric Wednesday Room and order a plate of “dirty fries,” which is not your mother’s plate of poutine.
Suggested Stay: Le Germain Hotel Calgary
Banff & Lake Louise
No first trip to Canada is complete without a trip to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Bring your hiking boots to capture the best views of the unreal blue waters of Lake Louise, the towering peak of Mount Rundle, and glacial trails along the Icefields Parkway in Banff.
Suggested Stay: The Rimrock Resort Hotel
Hiking in Jasper
More hiking? Yes. Jasper National Park is the ultimate Canadian Rockies trip, with hikes like the Valley of the Five Lakes perfectly showcasing the beautiful blue waters and rugged mountains. Bring your backpacking gear if you really want to dive into local scenery on epic trails like Tonquin Valley.
Suggested Stay: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Toronto Sightseeing
Now that you’ve spent some time in the great outdoors, head to Canada’s largest city, Toronto, where you can explore the bustling St. Lawrence Market before exploring the vast art collection at the Royal Ontario Museum and capturing panoramic views at the CN Tower.
Suggested Stay: Ace Hotel Toronto
Shopping in Montreal
Grab a hearty breakfast at St-Viateur Bagel before vinyl hunting at Cheap Thrills and exploring an ocean of denim at Jeans, Jeans, Jeans. Check out the incredible Marché de Noël Signé Local Christmas Market if you’re there in December.
Suggested Stay: Le Mount Stephen
Architecture in Old Quebec
From the Neoclassical La Citadelle de Québec to the Second Empire style of L’Hôtel du Parlement, you’ll see some of the most impressive French colonial-style buildings anywhere in the world.
Suggested Stay: Auberge du Trésor
Canadian Rockies Itinerary
Want the perfect 10-day Canada itinerary to see the fabled Rocky Mountain parks? Head to Alberta, where you can see some of the most insanely beautiful landscapes anywhere in Canada.
If you’re dreaming up a colour palate of the bluest of blue waters, pine-laden mountainsides, and endless wildlife as far as the eye can see – you’re spot on.
Top Tip
Set aside at least a week for this one, but we think a Canada itinerary of 10 days is necessary to check out the outdoor adventure and luxury resorts in this iconic stretch of Wilderness in the north.
Route Summary
Canmore >> Banff >> Jasper >> Yoho >> Kootenay
Distance: 410 miles (660 km)
Length of Trip: 10 Days
How to Do It: Car
Highlights of the Trip
Canmore
Looking for an underrated Rocky Mountain park? Hit up Canmore for some of the most epic hiking trails and scenic views anywhere in the Rockies. Enjoy a leisurely walk at Quarry Lake, or tackle Mount Yamnuska to take Canmore Peak head-on.
Suggested Stay: The Georgetown Inn
Banff & Lake Louise
Spend some time in Banff Town shopping, dining at Park Distillery, or riding the Banff Gondola before exploring one of the most scenic parks in the country.
Get ready for sights like the legendary Lake Louise and the lush valley overlooking the Rockies at Cascade Amphitheater.
Suggested Stay: Fairmont Banff Springs
Icefields Parkway
Drive the iconic Icefields Parkway to Jasper, being sure to stop at the Glacier Skywalk on the way. Break up your drive with an Athabasca Glacier Tour or a shorter hike at Mistaya Canyon, where you’ll take in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies waterfalls and mountains.
Jasper
Explore the hanging glaciers at Edith Cavell Meadows and scenic mountain waters at the Valley of the Five Lakes or Pyramid Lake before shopping in Jasper Town and grabbing an authentic Canadian dinner at Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen.
Suggested Stay: Pyramid Lake Resort
Yoho
Visit one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada at Takakkaw Falls, see the surreal blue-green waters at Emerald Lake and Lake O’Hara, and check out the stunning Natural Bridge over the Kicking Horse River.
Suggested Stay: Canadian Rockies Inn
Kootenay National Park
Explore the wild side of the Rockies with one of the lesser-visited parks in the area. You may see grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and wildcats along the many hiking trails at this underrated stop on your Canada vacation itinerary.
Suggested Stay: Kootenay Lakeview Resort BW Signature Collection
Niagara Falls to Algonquin Provincial Park
Another 10-day trip to Canada itinerary starts at the iconic Niagara Falls before exploring two of Canada’s most iconic cities.
I love this Canada itinerary because it has the perfect mix of rugged nature and urban splendour, and it also features some of Canada’s most under-the-radar locations.
Get ready for vibrant cuisine, breathtaking waterfalls, and luxury accommodations on this fabulous 10-day Canada itinerary.
Route Summary
Niagara Falls >> Toronto >> Ottawa >> Algonquin Provincial Park
Distance: 340 miles (550 km)
Length of Trip: 10 Days
How to Do It: Bus, Train, and Car
Highlights of the Trip
Niagara Falls
Take one look at Horseshoe Falls, and you’ll be awe-struck by the sheer force behind the falls at one of the most iconic landmarks in Canada.
Be sure to see the falls from famous vantage points like the Cave of the Winds, where you can catch great views of Bridal Veil Falls.
Suggested Stay: Hilton Niagara Falls/ Fallsview Hotel and Suites
Toronto
If you’re a city person (raising my hand), you’ll fall in love with Toronto the minute you land in the metropolitan city along Lake Ontario.
Checking out the downtown views from the CN Tower or seeing it from a cruise of the Toronto Harbour are must-adds to your Canada itinerary. Also, make time for the incredible museums (Royal Ontario is the most popular) and try delicious cuisine at restaurants like the chic Byblos Downtown.
Suggested Stay: The Hazelton Hotel
Ottawa
You might not see it on every travel blog, but the best Canada travel itinerary should include Ottawa.
Why? The capital of Canada is full of amazing things to do, like the Canadian Museum of Nature and a boat ride (or ice skating) on the Rideau Canal. Don’t miss the Notre Dame Cathedral, which hosts some of the most mesmerising Gothic architecture you’ll ever see.
Suggested Stay: The Metcalfe by Gray Collection
Algonquin Provincial Park
Any Canada road trip itinerary must include some time in nature. It’s non-negotiable, really.But I’ll give you the best outdoor locale you’ve never heard of – Algonquin Provincial Park.
Spend 2-3 days exploring the rolling hills, Pinetree-painted river bluffs, and miles of hiking trails in Ontario’s best nature reserve.
Suggested Stay: Killarney Lodge
Quebec Itinerary
Visiting the province of Quebec on your holiday offers you one of the most incredible experiences in North America. A 7-day Canada itinerary including Montreal, Quebec City, and Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park allows you plenty of time to explore the gorgeous French province of Canada.
You’ll find cobbled streets, colonial architecture, and beautiful scenery around every corner.
End your trip with a scenic train ride to Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park, where you’ll enjoy some of the most impressive whale-watching anywhere.
Top Tip
How long should you spend here? I think a Quebec, Canada itinerary in 7 days is the perfect amount of time to dive into everything this Northeastern Canadian city has to offer.
Route Summary
Downtown Montreal >> Old Montreal >> Quebec City >> Old Quebec >> Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park
Distance: 290 miles (470 km)
Length of Trip: 1 week
How to Do It: Train
Highlights of the Trip
Food and Shopping in Montreal
Shopping and dining in Montreal are among the best you’ll find on any Canada travel itinerary.
You’ll discover surprising men’s and women’s fashion gems like Boutique Tozzi and near-perfect neighbourhood restaurants like Le Pégase, where you can sample incredible French cuisine on the cheap (and it’s BYOB).
Suggested Stay: Le Mount Stephen
Explore Architecture in Quebec City
Whether you’re marvelling at the fortress-like walls at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, the actual fortress of La Citadelle de Québec, or the storybook town centre of Place Royale – Quebec City is easily the most charming historic downtown that you’ll find on your Canada itinerary.
Suggested Stay: Auberge du Trésor
Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park
At the intersection of the Saguenay and the Saint Lawrence Rivers, Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park offers some of the best whale-watching in Canada, if not all of North America.
Take a guided tour down the Saguenay to see over a dozen whale species along the fjords and river banks of Eastern Canada.
Suggested Stay: Chateau Murdock Gite et Esthétique 1950
Saskatchewan to Alberta
This is the national park tour you won’t want to miss on a 14-day Canada itinerary.
Moving from the idyllic prairies and dark night skies in Saskatchewan to the towering Rocky Mountains and turquoise lakes of Alberta, you’ll see the best of the best nature, wildlife, and stargazing on this sweeping 2 week Canada road trip itinerary.
You’ll spend a lot of time on the road, but you’ll discover some of the best of rural and urban Canada on this epic adventure.
Route Summary
Winnipeg >> Moose Mountain Provincial Park >> Grasslands National Park >> Saskatoon >> Edmonton >> Rocky Mountain National Parks
Distance: 1,500 miles (2,500 km)
Length of Trip: 2 weeks
How to Do It: Car
Highlights of the Trip
Winnipeg
Check out surprise finds like The Forks Market, a daily marketplace and food hall near the Red and Assiniboine Rivers downtown. Or, explore the charming Assiniboine Park, where you can see live entertainment or just stroll through the park on the weekends.
Suggested Stay: Inn at the Forks
Moose Mountain Provincial Park
Bring your sense of adventure to this scenic stretch of Saskatchewan Forest that’s perfect for biking, hiking, or camping for a few nights.
Suggested Stay: Bear Claw Casino & Hotel
Grasslands National Park
Maybe the most underrated of any national park in the country, you can see incredible wildlife like bison, coyotes, and rattlesnakes (gulp).
But it’s stargazing and a chance to see the Northern Lights that really sets this park in the Saskatchewan prairies apart – check out Frenchman Valley Campground for some of the best views.
Suggested Stay: Sky Story Bed and Breakfast
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is an ice halfway point between Grasslands and Edmonton, but there’s plenty to see in town. Check out the local Farmer’s Markets on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, or visit a museum like the Remai Modern, which features a comprehensive collection of linocut prints from Pablo Picasso.
Suggested Stay: Delta Hotels by Marriott Bessborough
Edmonton
Edmonton is a standout on this Canada travel itinerary over 2 weeks for its gorgeous botanical garden (Muttart Conservatory), Neon Sign Museum, and delicious dim sum at Fu’s Repair Shop.
Suggested Stay: JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to 7 stunning national and state parks.
I think visiting Jasper and Banff will give you a well-rounded preview of the cyan lakes and snow-capped mountains, but if you can add Yoho and Canmore, you won’t be disappoint
Stay
The Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff | Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper
Prince Edward Island to the Bay of Fundy
To explore some of the rocky shores and dramatic tides of eastern Canada, you’ll want to head over to Prince Edward Island and the Bay of Fundy.
It’s a treasure trove for people who love the ocean, but you won’t need your swimsuit for many months of the year.
Instead, you’ll want to bring your hiking boots, archeology books, and appetite, as the coastal shores are famous for dramatic vistas, dinosaur fossils, and some of the best seafood in North America.
Route Summary
Prince Edward Island >> Joggins Fossil Cliffs >> Halifax >> Annapolis Valley
Distance: 385 miles (620 km)
Length of Trip: 1 Week
How to Do It: Car
Highlights of the Trip
Prince Edward Island
The charming towns, centuries-old lighthouses, and delicious seafood make Prince Edward Island a must-stop on any Canada itinerary for 5 to 7 days in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Be sure to check out the Victorian Gothic architecture in Charlottetown at Dunstan’s Basilica and incredible seafood caught just off the Gulf of St. Lawrence shores at the Merchantman Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar.
Suggested Stay: Sydney Boutique Inn & Suites
Joggins Fossil Cliffs
The famous high tides near the Bay of Fundy help form one of the most dramatic and mysterious coastal landscapes anywhere in the world.
If you head out during low tide, you can uncover dinosaur fossils from millions of years ago.
Suggested Stay: Maplehurst Manor Bed and Breakfast
Halifax
Get a taste of one of Nova Scotia’s gorgeous Atlantic towns when you stay in Halifax.
Check out the Maritime Museum and Point Pleasant Park to learn more about the seafaring history in coastal Canada. Visit Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market for a chance to see the nearly 300-year-old farmer’s market selling anything from craft beer to artisanal soaps and jewellery.
Suggested Stay: Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel
Annapolis Valley
Maybe the most underrated region in Canada, the Annapolis Valley is home to incredible autumn colours, world-class vineyards like Lightfoot & Wolfville, and the collection of flora and fauna at Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.
Suggested Stay: Queen Anne Inn
Canada Itinerary: Practical Tips for Planning Your Trip
- Hotel options are limited in areas like the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks – book immediately after deciding where you plan to go.
- You can get a good look at a specific region over a 5 to 7-day Canada itinerary, but I’d recommend staying longer to explore more than one area.
- The weather in Canada is unpredictable and often extreme. Be sure to check out my packing list if you’re visiting the Canadian Rockies or any region of Canada prone to cold temperatures (read most of the country).
- If you’re planning a cross-continental itinerary, I would add a flight or two into your travel plans from one area to another to maximise your time.
Canada Travel Itineraries: Map
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