Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Canada

A photograph of Canada
Photograph · Chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0

Canada is the second-largest country in the world by area and has the longest coastline of any, running from the Atlantic to the Pacific and north into the Arctic across ten provinces and three territories. Just over 41 million people live in it, and not evenly: the great majority are in urban areas while very large stretches hold almost nobody. Ottawa is the capital, and Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are the three largest metropolitan areas and the three realistic starting points. The federal government is officially bilingual in English and French, and which of the two a street is lived in changes as you cross the country.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
English and French
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+1
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Canadian dollar (CAD)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
911
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A and B · 120 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
Water systems and advisories are managed by multiple jurisdictions

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Vancouver Art Gallery Vancouver Art Gallery
    02 1 hour

    Vancouver Art Gallery

    Vancouver Art Gallery is Vancouver’s principal public art museum and one of Vancouver’s first ten curated production landmarks.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  2. Roy Thomson Hall Roy Thomson Hall
    03 1 hour

    Roy Thomson Hall

    Roy Thomson Hall is a major concert venue in downtown Toronto, located on King Street West. It serves as the primary home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  3. Grand Théâtre de Québec Grand Théâtre de Québec
    04 1 hour

    Grand Théâtre de Québec

    The Grand Théâtre de Québec is the provincial performing-arts complex serving as the core venue for orchestra, opera, dance, and theatre in Québec City.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Quebec City
  4. Massey Hall
    06 1 hour

    Massey Hall

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  5. Elgin Theatre
    07 1 hour

    Elgin Theatre

    The Elgin & Winter Garden

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  6. Princess of Wales Theatre Princess of Wales Theatre
    08 1 hour

    Princess of Wales Theatre

    The Princess of Wales Theatre is a major purpose-built commercial theatre in Toronto's Entertainment District. It was developed by the Mirvish family, prominent figures in Canadian theatre.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  7. Beanfield Theatre
    10 1 hour

    Beanfield Theatre

    Théâtre Beanfield

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  8. Outremont Theatre
    12 1 hour

    Outremont Theatre

    Théatre Outremont

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  9. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
    13 1 hour

    Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

    The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is a purpose-built performing arts venue in Toronto, Ontario. It serves as the dedicated home of two major Canadian cultural institutions: the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  10. Eglinton Theatre
    14 1 hour

    Eglinton Theatre

    The Eglinton Grand

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  11. Lion of Belfort
    15 1 hour

    Lion of Belfort

    Lion de Belfort

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  12. Palais Montcalm Palais Montcalm
    16 1 hour

    Palais Montcalm

    Palais Montcalm is a restored art-deco performance hall in Québec City. The venue serves as a dedicated destination for classical and jazz performances, hosting concerts and musical events throughout its programming season.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Quebec City
  13. Royal Cinema
    17 1 hour

    Royal Cinema

    The Royal

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  14. The Carlu
    18 1 hour

    The Carlu

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  15. Maisonneuve Monument
    20 1 hour

    Maisonneuve Monument

    Monument à Maisonneuve

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  16. The Polygon Gallery The Polygon Gallery
    21 1 hour

    The Polygon Gallery

    The Polygon Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Situated in the Shipyards District at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue, it occupies a prominent waterfront position with views across Burrard Inlet toward downtown Vancouver.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  17. Le Diamant Le Diamant
    23 1 hour

    Le Diamant

    Le Diamant is a contemporary theatre in Old Québec, occupying a reinvented heritage building. The venue serves as a distinctive performance space combining historical architecture with modern theatrical infrastructure.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Quebec City
  18. TIFF Lightbox TIFF Lightbox
    24 1 hour

    TIFF Lightbox

    TIFF Bell Lightbox is the permanent headquarters of the Toronto International Film Festival, located in Toronto's Entertainment District. The facility serves as a year-round cultural centre dedicated to film exhibition, education, and presentation.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  19. Art Mûr
    25 1 hour

    Art Mûr

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  20. Fonderie Darling
    26 1 hour

    Fonderie Darling

    Darling Foundry

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  21. Digital Orca Digital Orca
    29 1 hour

    Digital Orca

    Digital Orca is a public art sculpture by Canadian writer and artist Douglas Coupland, installed near the Vancouver Convention Centre on the downtown waterfront.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  22. La Joute
    30 1 hour

    La Joute

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  23. Montreal Symphony House
    31 1 hour

    Montreal Symphony House

    La Maison Symphonique de Montréal

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  24. MTELUS
    32 1 hour

    MTELUS

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  25. RBC Amphitheatre RBC Amphitheatre
    34 1 hour

    RBC Amphitheatre

    Budweiser Stage, locally known as RBC Amphitheatre, is a large outdoor amphitheatre situated on the Exhibition Place grounds in Toronto, Canada. The venue hosts major concerts and live entertainment events, operated under the Live Nation network.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  26. Théâtre Espace Go
    36 1 hour

    Théâtre Espace Go

    Théâtre ESPACE GO

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  27. Théâtre Fairmount
    37 1 hour

    Théâtre Fairmount

    Théâtre Fairmont

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  28. The Power Plant
    39 1 hour

    The Power Plant

    The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  29. TORONTO sign
    40 1 hour

    TORONTO sign

    TORONTO

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  30. Bard on the Beach
    44 1 hour

    Bard on the Beach

    Bard On The Beach (Summer Only)

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  31. Club Soda
    46 1 hour

    Club Soda

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  32. Danforth Music Hall
    47 1 hour

    Danforth Music Hall

    The Danforth Music Hall

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  33. Girl in a Wetsuit
    49 1 hour

    Girl in a Wetsuit

    Girl In A Wetsuit

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  34. Inukshuk Inukshuk
    51 1 hour

    Inukshuk

    The English Bay Inukshuk is a waterfront landmark located on the shoreline of English Bay in Vancouver, British Columbia. An inukshuk is a human-made stone landmark used by the Inuit and other peoples of the Arctic region.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  35. St. Lawrence Centre
    55 1 hour

    St. Lawrence Centre

    St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  36. The Drop
    57 1 hour

    The Drop

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  37. Vancouver Playhouse Vancouver Playhouse
    59 1 hour

    Vancouver Playhouse

    The Vancouver Playhouse is a civic performing-arts theatre located in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Operated by the City of Vancouver through its parks, recreation, and culture division, it serves as a smaller companion venue to the adjacent Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  38. Young People's Theatre
    61 1 hour

    Young People's Theatre

    LKTY Theatre for Young People

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  39. Dreaming
    65 1 hour

    Dreaming

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  40. Dude Chilling Park Dude Chilling Park
    66 1 hour

    Dude Chilling Park

    Dude Chilling Park sign

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  41. Engagement
    67 1 hour

    Engagement

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  42. Fenêtre sur l'avenir
    69 1 hour

    Fenêtre sur l'avenir

    Fenêtre sur L’Avenir

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  43. Government Building
    73 1 hour

    Government Building

    Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  44. La Caserne
    74 1 hour

    La Caserne

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Quebec City
  45. LightShed
    77 1 hour

    LightShed

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  46. Lion de la Feuillée
    78 1 hour

    Lion de la Feuillée

    Le lion de La Feuillée

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  47. Little Glenn
    79 1 hour

    Little Glenn

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  48. Malkin Bowl
    80 1 hour

    Malkin Bowl

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Vancouver
  49. Man, Three Disks
    81 1 hour

    Man, Three Disks

    L'Homme

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  50. Mathieu Bath
    82 1 hour

    Mathieu Bath

    Bain Mathieu

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  51. Periscope Theatre
    84 1 hour

    Periscope Theatre

    Théatre Périscope

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Quebec City
  52. Polypède
    85 1 hour

    Polypède

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  53. Society for Arts and Technology Society for Arts and Technology
    88 1 hour

    Society for Arts and Technology

    Société des arts technologiques (SAT)

    The Society for Arts and Technology, known locally as Société des arts technologiques, is a digital-arts institution in Montreal. It operates as a centre for experimental media, supporting creation, production, and presentation in emerging technological art forms.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Montreal
  54. Still Dancing
    98 1 hour

    Still Dancing

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Canada be?

Ten to sixteen days is realistic for one Canadian region, not for crossing the country. An eastern cities route, a Rockies journey and a Pacific itinerary each work better as their own trip.

What entry documents are needed for Canada?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada lists visitor visa and electronic travel authorisation rules. The required document depends on passport, travel method and status, so complete the official eligibility check for the actual journey.

What is the best way to travel around Canada?

Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal are the principal air gateways. VIA Rail is most useful in the Québec City–Windsor corridor and on selected long-distance services; outside major centres, a car or domestic flight may be necessary.

When is a practical time to visit Canada?

May to September suits many city and national-park itineraries, but northern access and mountain conditions have shorter operating seasons. Winter is a separate travel plan with different road, daylight and activity constraints.

What money and payment basics apply in Canada?

Prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). Payment fees and acceptance are Not recorded at national level here, so verify rental deposits, remote-area fuel payment and card conversion terms directly with each provider.

What practical safety details should I save for Canada?

Call 911 for an emergency in Canada. Electrical supply is 120 V through Type A and B sockets; the source set does not record one nationwide tap-water statement, so local guidance applies.