A photograph of Canada

Country guide

Up to 1 hour in Canada — page 3

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. Waterfront station Waterfront station
    32 45 min

    Waterfront station

    Waterfront Station

    Waterfront Station is a heritage transit hub in Vancouver serving as a major interchange for rail, SeaBus, and SkyTrain services. The building preserves classical architectural elements while functioning as a practical arrival point for commuters and visitors.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Vancouver
  2. False Creek False Creek
    33 45 min

    False Creek

    False Creek is a short inlet in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia, separating downtown from the rest of the city to the south.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Vancouver
  3. Canada Place Canada Place
    34 45 min

    Canada Place

    Canada Place is Vancouver’s sail-roofed landmark on Burrard Inlet, recognised by five white roof sails that echo a ship in harbour.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Vancouver
  4. Grand Théâtre de Québec Grand Théâtre de Québec
    35 1 hour

    Grand Théâtre de Québec

    Grand Théâtre de Québec is a major performing-arts complex in Québec City, presenting orchestral music, opera, dance, and theatre. It is associated with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec and functions as one of the city’s principal destinations for professional performances.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Quebec City
  5. Saint Joseph's Oratory Saint Joseph's Oratory
    36 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
  6. Nathan Phillips Square Nathan Phillips Square
    37 45 min

    Nathan Phillips Square

    Nathan Phillips Square is Toronto's primary civic square, serving as the city's central public gathering space and a signature landmark. Located directly in front of Toronto City Hall, it functions as the symbolic heart of municipal governance and community celebration.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Toronto
  7. Plains of Abraham Plains of Abraham
    38 45 min

    Plains of Abraham

    Plaines d'Abraham

    Plains of Abraham is a historic battlefield landscape and major urban park beside central Québec City.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Quebec City
  8. John Street Roundhouse John Street Roundhouse
    39 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
  9. Mount Royal Park Mount Royal Park
    40 1 hour

    Mount Royal Park

    Parc du Mont-Royal

    Mount Royal Park is Olmsted-designed urban park, Montreal skyline outlooks, wooded paths, and the city-defining mountain landscape. Its value lies in the specific collection, landscape, architecture, or public setting represented by that record.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Montreal
  10. English Bay English Bay
    41 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
  11. Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral
    42 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
  12. Old Port of Montreal Old Port of Montreal
    43 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
  13. Bloedel Conservatory Bloedel Conservatory
    44 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
  14. Bois-de-Coulonge Park Bois-de-Coulonge Park
    45 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
  15. Princess of Wales Theatre Princess of Wales Theatre
    46 1 hour

    Princess of Wales Theatre

    Princess of Wales Theatre is a major commercial theatre in Toronto’s Entertainment District. Developed by the Mirvish family, it is one of the city’s principal venues for large touring productions, especially Broadway-style musicals that need a substantial stage and auditorium.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Toronto
  16. Queen Elizabeth Park Queen Elizabeth Park
    47 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
  17. Queen's Park Queen's Park
    48 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
  18. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary
    49 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
  19. Church of Our Lady of Victories, Quebec City Church of Our Lady of Victories, Quebec City
    50 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
  20. St. Patrick's Basilica, Montreal St. Patrick's Basilica, Montreal
    51 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
  21. VanDusen Botanical Garden VanDusen Botanical Garden
    52 1 hour

    VanDusen Botanical Garden

    VanDusen Botanical Garden is a cultivated Vancouver landscape where living plant collections are experienced through movement.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Vancouver
  22. Christ Church Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral
    53 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
  23. Mount Royal Cross Mount Royal Cross
    54 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
  24. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
    55 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
  25. Jericho Beach Jericho Beach
    56 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

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.