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.

Filter the list

100 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 0 Museums 0 Places of worship 0 Nature sites 3787 Viewpoints 97 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 3884

Interests

History 3469 Art 3519 Museums 1345 Nature 3884 Sea and beach 3787 Viewpoints 97
  1. Mount Royal
    01 20 min

    Mount Royal

    Mont-Royal

    • Must see
    • Viewpoint
    • Montreal
  3. Olympic Park
    03 1 hour

    Olympic Park

    Parc olympique

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  8. Champ de Mars
    08 1 hour

    Champ de Mars

    Champ-De-Mars

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  15. Victoria Square
    15 1 hour

    Victoria Square

    Square Victoria

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  18. Cabot Square
    18 1 hour

    Cabot Square

    Square Cabot

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  24. Ahuntsic Park Ahuntsic Park
    24 1 hour

    Ahuntsic Park

    Parc Ahuntsic

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  30. Phillips Square
    30 1 hour

    Phillips Square

    Square Phillips

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  31. Place d’Armes
    31 1 hour

    Place d’Armes

    Place D'Armes

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Quebec City
  42. Athena Park
    42 1 hour

    Athena Park

    Parc Athéna

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  49. Peace Park
    49 1 hour

    Peace Park

    Place de la Paix

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  55. Viger Square
    55 1 hour

    Viger Square

    Carré Viger

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  58. Riverside Park
    58 1 hour

    Riverside Park

    Parc Riverside

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  71. Governors' Garden
    71 1 hour

    Governors' Garden

    Jardin des Gouverneurs

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Quebec City
  93. Wychwood Barns
    93 1 hour

    Wychwood Barns

    Wychwood Barns Park

    • High
    • Nature site
    • 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.