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. Casa Loma Casa Loma
    02 45 min

    Casa Loma

    Casa Loma is a Gothic Revival style mansion and museum in Toronto, Ontario. Built in the early twentieth century, it stands as Toronto's singular castle museum and a major architecture destination.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  2. Parliament Building Parliament Building
    03 45 min

    Parliament Building

    Hôtel du Parlement

    The Parliament Building of Quebec, known locally as Hôtel du Parlement du Québec, serves as the seat of the National Assembly of Quebec. Constructed in the Second Empire architectural style, this prominent structure anchors the capital district of Quebec City.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Quebec City
  3. Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
    05 30 min

    Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

    Basilique Notre-Dame

    The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal stands as the city's principal Gothic Revival church and the defining interior of Old Montreal. Its twin towers rise above Place d'Armes, marking a historic focal point of the district.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Montreal
  4. Saint-Sulpice Seminary
    07 45 min

    Saint-Sulpice Seminary

    Vieux Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  5. Windsor Station
    08 45 min

    Windsor Station

    Gare Windsor

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  6. Kuomintang Building Kuomintang Building
    09 45 min

    Kuomintang Building

    Chinese Nationalist League Building

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Vancouver
  7. Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal
    11 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
  8. Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral
    13 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
  9. Quebec City Armoury
    23 45 min

    Quebec City Armoury

    Les Voltigeurs de Québec

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Quebec City
  10. Taber Hill
    25 45 min

    Taber Hill

    Tabor Hill Monument

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  11. Ben Franklin
    27 45 min

    Ben Franklin

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Vancouver
  12. Fort Rouillé
    29 45 min

    Fort Rouillé

    Fort Rouillé Monument

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  13. Leviathan
    30 45 min

    Leviathan

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  14. Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church
    34 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
  15. Domaine Cataraqui
    40 45 min

    Domaine Cataraqui

    Villa Cataraqui

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Quebec City
  16. Keg Mansion
    43 45 min

    Keg Mansion

    The Keg - Steakhouse + Bar - Mansion

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  17. Krieghoff House
    44 45 min

    Krieghoff House

    Maison Krieghoff

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Quebec City
  18. Place des Nations
    49 45 min

    Place des Nations

    Place des nations

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  19. Behemoth
    53 45 min

    Behemoth

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  20. Goliath
    55 45 min

    Goliath

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  21. Le Monstre
    56 45 min

    Le Monstre

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  22. Ned Hanlan
    57 45 min

    Ned Hanlan

    Ned Hanlan ship

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  23. Kiever Synagogue
    62 30 min

    Kiever Synagogue

    First Russian Congregation - The Kiever Shul

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  24. St. John's Cathedral
    63 30 min

    St. John's Cathedral

    St. John's Cathedral (Polish Catholic)

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  25. 9 O'Clock Gun
    64 45 min

    9 O'Clock Gun

    Nine O'Clock Gun

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Vancouver
  26. Boer War Memorial
    66 45 min

    Boer War Memorial

    Guerre des Boers

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  27. Dragon Fire
    67 45 min

    Dragon Fire

    Dragon Fyre

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  28. Macdonald Monument
    72 45 min

    Macdonald Monument

    Sir John A. Macdonald

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  29. Sun Life Building
    76 45 min

    Sun Life Building

    Édifice Sun Life

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  30. Victoria Memorial
    78 45 min

    Victoria Memorial

    Statue de la Reine Victoria

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  31. Villa Maria
    82 30 min

    Villa Maria

    École Villa-Maria

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Montreal
  32. St. Lawrence Market South St. Lawrence Market South
    83 45 min

    St. Lawrence Market South

    St. Lawrence Market is a historic public market in Toronto, widely recognised as the city's most important food-hall destination.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  33. DareDeviler
    85 45 min

    DareDeviler

    The Daredeviler

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  34. Grande roue de Montréal Grande roue de Montréal
    87 45 min

    Grande roue de Montréal

    La Grande Roue de Montréal

    La Grande Roue de Montreal is an observation wheel located at the Old Port of Montreal. It stands as a prominent landmark offering elevated perspectives of the surrounding urban and natural landscapes.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  35. Le Vampire
    89 45 min

    Le Vampire

    Vampire

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  36. Place Viger
    93 45 min

    Place Viger

    Ancienne Gare Viger

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Montreal
  37. Sledgehammer
    94 45 min

    Sledgehammer

    Sledge Hammer

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  38. Vortex
    96 45 min

    Vortex

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  39. Wild Beast
    97 45 min

    Wild Beast

    Wilde Beast

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • 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.