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
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  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. Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal
    03 30 min

    Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal

    Oratoire St-Joseph

    Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal is Canada's national shrine, a monumental Roman Catholic basilica perched on the northwestern slope of Mount Royal in Montreal.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Montreal
  2. Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral
    04 30 min

    Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral

    Basilique cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Québec

    Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral is a Roman Catholic basilica-cathedral located in Old Québec within the fortified city walls.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Quebec City
  3. Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church
    06 30 min

    Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church

    Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires

    Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church is a historic Roman Catholic church located on Place Royale in Quebec City's Lower Town.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Quebec City
  4. Kiever Synagogue
    12 30 min

    Kiever Synagogue

    First Russian Congregation - The Kiever Shul

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  5. St. John's Cathedral
    13 30 min

    St. John's Cathedral

    St. John's Cathedral (Polish Catholic)

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  6. Villa Maria
    17 30 min

    Villa Maria

    École Villa-Maria

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Montreal
  7. Bagg Street Shul
    20 30 min

    Bagg Street Shul

    The Bagg Street Shul

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Montreal
  8. Jami Mosque
    27 30 min

    Jami Mosque

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  9. St. Mary's Church
    34 30 min

    St. Mary's Church

    St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  10. Anshei Minsk
    36 30 min

    Anshei Minsk

    Anshei Minsk Synagogue

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  11. Church of St Charles
    44 30 min

    Church of St Charles

    Église Saint-Charles-de-Limoilou

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Quebec City
  12. Cimetiere de Cap-Rouge
    48 30 min

    Cimetiere de Cap-Rouge

    Cimetière Saint-Félix-de-Cap-Rouge

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Quebec City
  13. Shaarei Tzedec
    60 30 min

    Shaarei Tzedec

    Congregation Shaarei Tzedec

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  14. Bishop Allen Academy
    89 30 min

    Bishop Allen Academy

    Bishop Allen Academy Catholic Secondary School

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  15. Holy Family Church
    99 30 min

    Holy Family Church

    Holy Family Catholic Church

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  16. Ismaili Centre
    100 30 min

    Ismaili Centre

    Ismaili Centre Toronto

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • 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.