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 Aquarium Vancouver Aquarium
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Vancouver Aquarium

    Vancouver Aquarium is a marine-science aquarium inside Stanley Park and one of Vancouver’s first ten curated production landmarks.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Vancouver
  2. Montreal Biodome Montreal Biodome
    03 1 hr 30 min

    Montreal Biodome

    Montreal Biodome is five recreated ecosystems of the Americas presented inside Montreal’s former Olympic velodrome. This draft is attached to the exact Montreal production identity in the current ranking bundle, rather than to a nearby feature or similarly named place.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Montreal
  3. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

    Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is a major family aquarium beside the CN Tower. The current Toronto research set places this exact production identity within the city's first ten publishable matches.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  4. Aquarium du Québec Aquarium du Québec
    05 1 hr 30 min

    Aquarium du Québec

    Aquarium du Québec is a public aquarium and family attraction in the Québec City visitor region. The editorial ranking identifies this exact production record among ten highest-priority publishable POIs.

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Quebec City
  5. Reptilia
    06 1 hr 30 min

    Reptilia

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  6. Splash Works
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Splash Works

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  7. Riverdale Farm Riverdale Farm
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Riverdale Farm

    Riverdale Farm is a working heritage farm situated in Toronto's Cabbagetown neighbourhood. It occupies a site that was formerly part of the Riverdale Zoo, which relocated in 1974 to become the Toronto Zoo.

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  8. High Park Zoo High Park Zoo
    09 1 hr 30 min

    High Park Zoo

    High Park Zoo is a free small zoo located within High Park in Toronto, Ontario. It operates as a distinct family stop within the larger municipal park.

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  9. Big Al's
    12 1 hr 30 min

    Big Al's

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  10. Bora Parc
    14 1 hr 30 min

    Bora Parc

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Quebec City
  11. Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau
    15 1 hr 30 min

    Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau

    Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau is a floating spa located in Montreal's Old Port. Housed in a converted ferry boat permanently moored on the St.

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Montreal
  12. JJ Elite Spa
    26 1 hr 30 min

    JJ Elite Spa

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  13. La Piscinette
    28 1 hr 30 min

    La Piscinette

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Montreal
  14. New Leaf Spa
    31 1 hr 30 min

    New Leaf Spa

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  15. Oceanic Palace
    32 1 hr 30 min

    Oceanic Palace

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  16. Parc d'eau
    34 1 hr 30 min

    Parc d'eau

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Quebec City
  17. Relax Spa
    37 1 hr 30 min

    Relax Spa

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  18. Silk Medispa
    39 1 hr 30 min

    Silk Medispa

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  19. Spring Green
    40 1 hr 30 min

    Spring Green

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  20. Strøm
    41 1 hr 30 min

    Strøm

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Montreal
  21. Twiga Zoomo
    44 1 hr 30 min

    Twiga Zoomo

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  22. Water Q Spa
    45 1 hr 30 min

    Water Q Spa

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Toronto
  23. Zen Spa
    47 1 hr 30 min

    Zen Spa

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • 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.