Roavina

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.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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. Notre-Dame Basilica Notre-Dame Basilica
    02 30 min

    Notre-Dame Basilica

    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
  2. Saint Joseph's Oratory Saint Joseph's Oratory
    03 30 min

    Saint Joseph's Oratory

    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
  3. Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral
    04 30 min

    Notre-Dame 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
  4. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary
    05 30 min

    Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary

    Holy Rosary Cathedral

    Holy Rosary Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in central Vancouver. It serves as a landmark historic church within the city centre and functions as a place of worship for the Catholic community.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Vancouver
  5. Church of Our Lady of Victories, Quebec City Church of Our Lady of Victories, Quebec City
    06 30 min

    Church of Our Lady of Victories, Quebec City

    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
  6. St. Patrick's Basilica, Montreal St. Patrick's Basilica, Montreal
    07 30 min

    St. Patrick's Basilica, Montreal

    Saint Patrick's Basilica

    Saint Patrick's Basilica is a nineteenth-century Irish Catholic basilica in Montreal. Its local name is Basilique Saint-Patrick de Montreal. The building holds significance as a historic place of worship serving Montreal's Irish Catholic community.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Montreal
  7. Christ Church Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral
    08 30 min

    Christ Church Cathedral

    Christ Church Anglican Cathedral

    Christ Church Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in downtown Montreal and the seat of the Diocese of Montreal. The building remains an active place of worship, so its significance is both architectural and religious.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Montreal
  8. Mount Royal Cross Mount Royal Cross
    09 30 min

    Mount Royal Cross

    Croix du Mont-Royal

    The Mount Royal Cross is an illuminated summit monument on Mount Royal, the mountain that gave Montreal its name. It is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and a religious symbol linked to Montreal’s early Catholic history.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Montreal
  9. Christ Church Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral
    10 30 min

    Christ Church Cathedral

    Christ Church Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral church in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. It serves as the seat of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Vancouver
  10. Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church
    11 30 min

    Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church

    Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste

    Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church is a Roman Catholic church located in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighbourhood of Quebec City. The local name is église Saint-Jean-Baptiste. This sacred building serves as a significant religious and architectural landmark within its district.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Quebec City
  11. Jesuit Chapel Jesuit Chapel
    12 30 min

    Jesuit Chapel

    Chapelle des Jésuites

    Chapelle des Jésuites is a nineteenth-century chapel in Quebec City's Montcalm district. The heritage building has been adapted for concerts and cultural events, giving travellers a chance to encounter historic religious architecture in a contemporary setting.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Quebec City
  12. Saint-Roch Church Saint-Roch Church
    13 30 min

    Saint-Roch Church

    Église Saint-Roch

    Saint-Roch Church, or église Saint-Roch, is a major historic church in Quebec City's lower-city Saint-Roch district. Its monumental scale makes it one of the neighbourhood's most recognisable landmarks.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Quebec City
  13. Saint-Dominique Church Saint-Dominique Church
    14 30 min

    Saint-Dominique Church

    Église Saint-Dominique

    Église Saint-Dominique is a Dominican parish church on Grande Allée in Québec City.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Quebec City
  14. Metropolitan United Church Metropolitan United Church
    15 30 min

    Metropolitan United Church

    Metropolitan United Church is a large historic place of worship in downtown Toronto. Its Gothic Revival character and prominent central location make it an architectural landmark as well as a living religious institution.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Toronto
  15. Chapelle des Ursulines Chapelle des Ursulines
    16 30 min

    Chapelle des Ursulines

    Chapelle des Ursulines is a historic chapel in Old Québec shaped by the Ursuline presence, religious use, sacred art, music, architecture, and decoration.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Quebec City

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.