A photograph of Canada

Country guide

Nature sites in Canada

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 Arct...

Photograph · Chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0

14,620 Places
4Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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.

Checked 2026-08-25

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

Top things to see

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

  1. Grouse Mountain Grouse Mountain
    02 1 hour

    Grouse Mountain

    Grouse Mountain is a prominent peak on Vancouver's North Shore, rising above the city with a summit accessible by aerial tramway.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Vancouver
  2. Toronto Islands Toronto Islands
    03 3 hours

    Toronto Islands

    The Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands in Lake Ontario, located just offshore from the city's downtown core.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Toronto
  3. Stanley Park Stanley Park
    04 1 hour

    Stanley Park

    Stanley Park is a 405-hectare forested peninsula beside downtown Vancouver, where towering coastal trees meet the waters of Burrard Inlet, English Bay, and the First Narrows.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Vancouver
  4. Montreal Botanical Garden Montreal Botanical Garden
    05 1 hour

    Montreal Botanical Garden

    Jardin botanique de Montréal

    Montreal Botanical Garden is a major botanical garden and the horticultural anchor of Space for Life in the Olympic District. Its value lies in the specific collection, landscape, architecture, or public setting represented by that record.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  5. High Park High Park
    06 1 hour

    High Park

    High Park is Toronto's largest central public park, situated in the city's west end. The municipal park encompasses a significant natural area including oak savannah, woodlands, and waterfront along Grenadier Pond.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Toronto
  6. John Street Roundhouse John Street Roundhouse
    07 1 hour

    John Street Roundhouse

    Roundhouse Park

    Roundhouse Park is a railway heritage park located in downtown Toronto, adjacent to the CN Tower. The park occupies a historically significant site that was once part of the Canadian Pacific Railway's John Street Roundhouse operations.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Toronto
  7. Mount Royal Park Mount Royal Park
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Mount Royal Park

    Parc du Mont-Royal

    Mount Royal Park is the large public landscape on Montréal's namesake mountain, rather than a single lookout or building. The City of Montréal describes wooded trails, Beaver Lake, the cross and skyline views within the same park.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  8. English Bay English Bay
    09 1 hour

    English Bay

    English Bay Beach

    English Bay Beach is a sandy urban shoreline on Vancouver’s West End, opening directly onto English Bay and the seawall.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Vancouver
  9. Old Port of Montreal Old Port of Montreal
    10 1 hour

    Old Port of Montreal

    Vieux-Port

    Old Port of Montreal is the historic St. Lawrence waterfront, used for promenades, cruises, seasonal events, and the Clock Tower district. Its value lies in the specific collection, landscape, architecture, or public setting represented by that record.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  10. Bloedel Conservatory Bloedel Conservatory
    11 1 hour

    Bloedel Conservatory

    Bloedel Floral Conservatory

    Bloedel Conservatory is a domed indoor garden and bird sanctuary at the highest point of Queen Elizabeth Park. Its controlled tropical climate creates a warm green refuge within Vancouver's temperate landscape.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Vancouver
  11. Bois-de-Coulonge Park Bois-de-Coulonge Park
    12 1 hour

    Bois-de-Coulonge Park

    Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge

    Bois-de-Coulonge Park, known locally as parc du Bois-de-Coulonge, comprises landscaped former vice-regal grounds situated along a riverside in Québec City. The property served as the residence of Quebec lieutenant-governors, reflecting its historical significance in provincial governance.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Quebec City
  12. Queen Elizabeth Park Queen Elizabeth Park
    13 1 hour

    Queen Elizabeth Park

    Queen Elizabeth Park occupies the summit of Vancouver’s highest point, but its character is shaped by what happened beneath that summit: a former basalt quarry was transformed into terraces, rock walls, winding paths, and intensely planted gardens.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Vancouver
  13. Queen's Park Queen's Park
    14 1 hour

    Queen's Park

    Queen’s Park is a civic park in central Toronto, surrounding the Ontario Legislative Building. It combines landscaped grounds, open lawns, mature trees, pathways, monuments, and the visible exterior of the provincial legislature.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Toronto
  14. VanDusen Botanical Garden VanDusen Botanical Garden
    15 2 hours

    VanDusen Botanical Garden

    VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre living collection in Vancouver, not one greenhouse or a short display beside the visitor centre.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Vancouver
  15. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
    16 1 hour

    Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

    Doctor Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

    Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a purpose-built classical Chinese scholar’s garden in Vancouver’s Chinatown, where carefully framed views connect architecture, rock, water, planting and movement.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Vancouver
  16. Jericho Beach Jericho Beach
    17 1 hour

    Jericho Beach

    Jericho Beach is a public waterfront area on Vancouver's west side, facing English Bay. The location combines sandy beachfront with a sailing centre and open views across the water toward the North Shore mountains.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Vancouver
  17. Parc Jean-Drapeau Parc Jean-Drapeau
    18 1 hour

    Parc Jean-Drapeau

    Parc Jean-Drapeau is the Expo 67 park spread across two St. Lawrence islands, combining landscape, culture, beach, and major-event spaces. Its value lies in the specific collection, landscape, architecture, or public setting represented by that record.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  18. Leslie Street Spit Leslie Street Spit
    19 1 hour

    Leslie Street Spit

    Tommy Thompson Park

    Tommy Thompson Park occupies the Leslie Street Spit, a long waterfront peninsula extending into Lake Ontario from Toronto’s port lands. Its wetlands, meadows, forests and shoreline create an urban nature destination with important wildlife habitat.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Toronto
  19. Dorchester Square Dorchester Square
    20 1 hour

    Dorchester Square

    Square Dorchester

    Dorchester Square is a historic public square in downtown Montreal, also known locally as Square Dorchester. It provides an open green pause between the cathedral district and the Golden Square Mile.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  20. Kitsilano Beach Kitsilano Beach
    21 1 hour

    Kitsilano Beach

    Kitsilano Beach is a broad sandy waterfront in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood, facing English Bay with downtown Vancouver and the North Shore mountains visible across the water.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Vancouver
  21. Place du Canada Place du Canada
    22 1 hour

    Place du Canada

    Place du Canada is a civic square in downtown Montreal, Quebec. It adjoins Dorchester Square and stands near Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. The public space forms part of the central greensward running through Montreal's commercial core.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  22. Christie Pits Christie Pits
    23 1 hour

    Christie Pits

    Christie Pits Park

    Christie Pits is a large urban park in Toronto, Ontario. The park occupies a significant depression in the city's topography, forming a natural amphitheatre with a prominent hill at its centre.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Toronto
  23. Roger-Van den Hende botanical garden Roger-Van den Hende botanical garden
    24 1 hour

    Roger-Van den Hende botanical garden

    Jardin botanique Roger-Van den Hende

    Jardin botanique Roger-Van den Hende is a botanical garden operated by Université Laval in the Sainte-Foy district of Quebec City. It serves as both a public horticultural destination and an academic resource for the university.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Quebec City
  24. Saint-Louis Square Saint-Louis Square
    25 1 hour

    Saint-Louis Square

    Square Saint-Louis

    Square Saint-Louis is a compact Victorian-era public square in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. Its identity comes from the combination of landscaped green space, mature trees, fountains, pathways, benches, and the colourful nineteenth-century houses that surround it.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal

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.