10 Best City Breaks in Canada
Explore Some of Canada’s Most Beautiful Cities
The best city breaks in Canada offer all the modern conveniences you’d need, as well as easy access to the country’s famous natural wonders. Canada has a very fascinating culture, as it combines many influences from around the world. You can see the extraordinary variety available in the different cities around the country.
Some cities have a distinctive European charm, complete with Victorian churches and cobblestoned streets. Some other major cities in Canada are backed by the Pacific Ocean, resulting in gorgeous seafronts and yacht-filled marinas. Even the most modern of Canada’s cities have something for nature lovers, whether it’s manicured gardens, pristine lakes, or sandy beaches. Plan a fun vacation with our guide to Canada’s most beautiful cities.
1. Vancouver, British Columbia
An urban scene intertwined with lush nature
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Vancouver lies on Canada’s west coast, offering a nice city break with plenty of indoor and outdoor adventures. Beautifully backed by the Cascade Mountains, this seaside city has scenic viewpoints, urban parks, and waterfronts overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Visit between April and October for a chance of spotting killer whales, humpback whales, and porpoises breaching the surface.
If you want to spend some time indoors, check out the Vancouver Maritime Museum, Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver Art Gallery, and HR MacMillan Space Centre. Nightlife in Vancouver is concentrated in Gastown and Granville Island, where brewhouses, bars, and pubs line the districts’ cobblestoned streets. Read more…
Vancouver, British Columbia
2. Toronto, Ontario
A cultural city often featured in TV shows and films
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Toronto is a handsome city, with a cultural diversity that appeals to both local and international visitors. The capital of Ontario has old-world districts containing Victorian rowhouses, an important battlefield from Canada’s early years, and even a Gothic Revival-style mansion.
Downtown Vancouver highlights the city’s urban scene with landmarks like the 553-metre-tall CN Tower, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA), and the Toronto Zoo. You can find a thriving music scene at the Entertainment District, where bars, nightclubs, and theatres keep things going until late. Read more…
Toronto, Ontario
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3. Montreal, Quebec
A cosmopolitan island city with old-school European elegance
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Montreal is a beautiful island city with an underlying European culture. It’s also known for housing the largest French-speaking community in North America. Old Montreal preserves the city’s history in the form of gorgeous landmarks like Notre-Dame Basilica, Place d’Armes, and Château Ramezay.
Thanks to its European charm, Montreal is great for those planning a romantic city break in Canada. Popular activities include cruising on the Saint Lawrence River and dining by candlelight. If you’re up for an adventure, climb up to Mount Royal’s summit for expansive views of Montreal and Saint Lawrence River. Read more…
Montreal, Quebec
4. Calgary, Alberta
Hit the slopes on a wintertime city break
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Calgary is known for hosting the 1988 Winter Olympics, making it a popular city break destination between November and February. Sitting on the banks of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, the city has many picturesque sights and diverse cultures to experience. Prince’s Island Park is a cool natural area with a kids’ playground, a re-created wetland, and a quaint riverside restaurant.
Street festivals take place throughout the year, with the 10-day-long Calgary Stampede among its most iconic – expect lively rodeos and cowboy festivities in July. WinSport (Canada Olympic Park) is a multipurpose training centre around 14 km northwest of Downtown Calgary. Here, you can ski or snowboard on multiple terrains and a world-class halfpipe during winter. Read more…
Calgary, Alberta
5. Victoria, British Columbia
One of Canada’s most family-friendly cities
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Victoria is a delightful coastal city with a long maritime heritage. The capital of British Columbia attracts families with its snow-free climate, making it possible to explore pretty gardens, animal parks, and scenic waterfronts year-round. You can see whales and orcas breaching the ocean surface, especially between May and October.
The Inner Harbour is one of the city’s liveliest marinas, thanks to quaint cafés, seafood restaurants, and colourful souvenir stalls lining its promenade. Victoria also has many historic sites, including Craigdarroch Castle, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, and the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole. Read more…
Victoria, British Columbia
6. Ottawa, Ontario
Canada’s capital has everything for everyone
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Ottawa is a capital city with diverse sightseeing, dining, and nightlife opportunities. One of its most iconic sights is Rideau Canal, a UNESCO-listed waterway system spanning over 200 km. For most of the year, you can cruise on a pleasure boat to see a different angle of Ottawa. In winter, the canal turns into a massive outdoor skating rink.
You can catch a sense of Canadian pride at Parliament Hill, a complex of beautiful Gothic Revival buildings by the Ottawa River. Beyond the old buildings, Ottawa has a thriving cultural scene, with festive celebrations you can enjoy throughout the year. Read more…
Ottawa, Ontario
7. Quebec City, Quebec
French heritage along the Saint Lawrence River
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A city break in Quebec City is relatively laidback, especially when exploring its UNESCO-listed Old Town. Here, cobblestone streets and fortified walls evoke the feeling of medieval Europe. Some of the city’s most beautiful buildings include Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral and Château Frontenac.
Terrasse Dufferin is a prominent vantage point overlooking OId Quebec and the Saint Lawrence River. At the foot of the terrace, you can find a nice mix of quaint boutiques and modern bistros in Quartier Petit-Champlain. For a different perspective of Quebec City, you can enjoy a 15-minute river cruise via the Québec-Lévis ferry. Read more…
Quebec City, Quebec
8. Edmonton, Alberta
The venue for North America’s largest Fringe Festival
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Edmonton is an excellent city break if you’re into outdoor adventures. This riverfront city contains over 20 parks, the North Saskatchewan River, and miles of hiking trails within the river valley. If you want to learn about Alberta’s history, Fort Edmonton Park presents historical recreations of the North American fur trade, oil boom, and the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Downtown Edmonton is easy to get around thanks to its pedway system, which interlinks over 180 shops and 40 buildings in the city. Churchill Square is a great starting point for sightseeing, with its many memorials, statues, and public art. Edmonton also hosts some of the largest festivals in North America, such as the Edmonton Folk Music Festival and Fringe Festival. Read more…
Edmonton, Alberta
9. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Home to the “Chicago of the North”
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Winnipeg sits on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, also called The Forks. There’s plenty to see and do in the capital of Manitoba, especially if you’re interested in history. The Exchange District National Historic Site is a 20-block district with over 150 well-preserved buildings from the early 20th century. There are also lots of riverfront parks that host various exhibits, festivals, and concerts throughout the year.
Sports are a huge draw for many visitors to Winnipeg. Catching a Winnipeg Jets ice hockey match is a must-do in winter, while summer is when you can watch the Winnipeg Blue Bombers football and Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball team. If you want to get active yourself, check out the winter-only Red River Mutual Trail – it’s one of the world’s longest naturally frozen skating trails.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
10. Halifax, Nova Scotia
Great for a seaside city break with the family
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Halifax offers plenty of seaside fun for the entire family, with pristine beaches, beautiful gardens, and historic landmarks. The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site in Downtown Halifax is great for checking out 18th- and 19th-century military reenactments. The Public Gardens is a 16-acre recreational space with pretty flowers, walkways, and picnic spots.
This port city has managed to preserve its maritime history in the form of Fisherman’s Cove, a 200-year-old fishing village about 14 km southeast of Downtown Halifax. It has many restored and colourful houses, a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, and local restaurants specialising in fresh seafood.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
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