Canada

Canada Travel Guide

Canada is a country made for unforgettable adventures. Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and north towards the Arctic, its enormous landscape is filled with soaring mountains, turquoise lakes, thundering waterfalls, beautiful coastlines and some of the most exciting cities in North America.

Whether you want to explore the spectacular Canadian Rockies, experience the buzz of Toronto, wander the historic streets of Québec City or spot bears, whales and other incredible wildlife, Canada has something for every type of traveller. Add scenic road trips, world-famous rail journeys, fantastic food and welcoming cities into the mix and it is easy to see why Canada is such a bucket-list destination.

Canadian Rockies and turquoise mountain lake — Canada is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in North America.

Canada at a Glance

Capital: Ottawa

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Official Languages: English and French

Flight Time from the UK: Approximately 7–10 hours, depending on your destination

Best For: Road trips, wildlife, cities, skiing, rail journeys, scenery and outdoor adventures

Time Difference: Canada has several time zones, generally around 3½–8 hours behind the UK depending on where you travel and the time of year.

Weather in Canada

Canada experiences four very distinct seasons, although the climate varies considerably depending on where you visit. A summer holiday in Vancouver can feel very different to a winter escape in Banff, so the best time to visit Canada really depends on the experience you are looking for.

Summer – June to August

Summer is one of the most popular times to explore Canada. Cities such as Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver come alive with festivals and outdoor dining, while the warmer weather makes this an excellent season for national parks, hiking, wildlife watching and road trips through the Rockies.

Autumn – September to October

Autumn can be one of Canada's most beautiful seasons, particularly in Ontario and Québec where forests transform into spectacular shades of red, orange and gold. September and early October can also bring pleasant temperatures and fewer summer crowds.

Winter – November to April

Canadian winters can be extremely cold, but they create a completely different holiday experience. Ski resorts such as Whistler, Banff and Lake Louise offer outstanding winter sports, while snowy landscapes provide opportunities for dog sledding, snowshoeing and searching for the Northern Lights.

Spring – March to May

Spring sees temperatures gradually begin to rise and can be a quieter time to explore some of Canada's cities. Conditions vary considerably across the country, with winter weather often lingering for longer in the mountains and northern regions.

Colourful autumn scenery in Canada — Autumn brings spectacular colours to many parts of Canada.

Food & Drink in Canada

Canada's food scene reflects its multicultural population as well as the huge variety of produce found across the country. From seafood on the Atlantic coast to Québec comfort food and innovative restaurants in Toronto and Vancouver, there is plenty to discover.

Poutine

Perhaps Canada's most famous comfort food, poutine combines crispy chips, cheese curds and rich gravy. The dish originated in Québec and today you'll find countless variations across the country.

Maple Syrup

Few flavours are associated with Canada quite like maple syrup. Enjoy it poured over pancakes, incorporated into desserts and sweets or visit a traditional sugar shack during maple season.

Butter Tarts

A classic Canadian sweet treat, butter tarts are made with a pastry shell and a rich, sweet filling of butter, sugar and syrup. Depending on who makes them, you may also find raisins or nuts inside.

Montréal-Style Bagels

Montréal has developed its own distinctive style of bagel. Smaller and slightly sweeter than their New York counterparts, they are traditionally hand rolled, boiled in honey-sweetened water and baked in a wood-fired oven.

Atlantic Seafood

Head towards Canada's east coast for fresh lobster, scallops, oysters and other seafood. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are particularly tempting destinations for seafood lovers.

Traditional Canadian poutine — Don't leave Canada without trying one of its best-known comfort foods: poutine.

Language in Canada

Canada has two official languages: English and French. English is the most widely spoken language across much of the country, while French is particularly prominent in Québec.

Montréal is largely bilingual, while Québec City offers a wonderful opportunity to experience Canada's French-speaking heritage. English-speaking visitors can travel around Canada easily, although knowing a few French phrases can be useful when exploring Québec.

Bonjour – Hello

Merci – Thank you

S'il vous plaît – Please

Au revoir – Goodbye

Tipping in Canada

Tipping is customary in Canada and is an important part of the service culture. In restaurants, a tip of approximately 15–20% of the pre-tax bill is common for good service. Some restaurants may automatically add a gratuity for larger groups, so it is always worth checking your bill before adding another tip.

It is also customary to tip bartenders, taxi drivers, hotel staff and tour guides where appropriate.

Good to know: Prices displayed in Canadian shops and restaurants are often shown before sales tax, which means the final amount you pay can be higher than the advertised price.

Top Places to Visit in Canada

From cosmopolitan cities to landscapes that look almost too impressive to be real, Canada has enough to fill a lifetime of holidays. These are some of the highlights to consider for your first adventure.

Banff & the Canadian Rockies

For some of Canada's most spectacular scenery, make your way to Alberta and the Canadian Rockies. Banff National Park is a landscape of dramatic mountain peaks, forests and extraordinary blue-green lakes.

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are two of the region's most famous sights, while the journey north towards Jasper takes you through mile after mile of breathtaking mountain scenery.

Lake and mountains in Banff National Park — The Canadian Rockies are one of the country's undisputed highlights.

Vancouver

Mountains on one side, ocean on the other and one of Canada's most exciting cities in between – Vancouver enjoys a setting that is difficult to beat.

Explore Stanley Park, wander around Granville Island, discover the city's fantastic dining scene or use Vancouver as the starting point for a wider British Columbia adventure.

Toronto

Canada's largest city is packed with restaurants, culture, entertainment and shopping. Take in the views from the CN Tower before exploring neighbourhoods including Kensington Market and the historic Distillery District.

Toronto is also ideally positioned for combining a city break with one of Canada's most famous natural attractions: Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls

Few natural attractions are as instantly recognisable as Niagara Falls. See the enormous waterfalls from the viewpoints overlooking the Niagara River or get even closer to the action on a boat journey into the famous mist.

The surrounding Niagara region is also well known for its wineries, picturesque countryside and the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara Falls in Canada — Feel the power of one of the world's most famous waterfalls at Niagara Falls.

Québec City

Cobbled streets, historic fortifications and beautiful architecture make Québec City feel unlike almost anywhere else in North America.

Spend time wandering through UNESCO-listed Old Québec, explore atmospheric streets and squares and admire the magnificent Château Frontenac overlooking the St Lawrence River.

Montréal

Montréal combines its French heritage with an energetic, creative and cosmopolitan personality. Explore historic Old Montréal, sample the city's famous food scene and experience its festivals, nightlife, museums and vibrant neighbourhoods.

Whistler

Whistler is one of North America's best-known mountain resorts. During winter, skiing and snowboarding take centre stage, while summer transforms the area into a playground for hiking, mountain biking and outdoor adventure.

Atlantic Canada

For a different side of Canada, travel east to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Expect rugged coastlines, picturesque fishing communities, colourful houses, historic lighthouses, spectacular driving routes and some of the freshest seafood in the country.

Lighthouse and coastal scenery in Atlantic Canada — Atlantic Canada is filled with rugged coastlines, colourful communities and spectacular seafood.

Canada by Road

With huge landscapes and spectacular scenery, Canada is made for a road trip. Hiring a car gives you the freedom to discover mountain towns, lakes, national parks and viewpoints at your own pace.

Icefields Parkway

One of Canada's greatest drives links the Banff and Jasper areas through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The Icefields Parkway passes glaciers, waterfalls, lakes and extraordinary viewpoints throughout its route.

Sea to Sky Highway

The drive from Vancouver towards Whistler follows British Columbia's spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, combining coastal landscapes, forest scenery and mountain views.

Cabot Trail

Over in Nova Scotia, the Cabot Trail winds through Cape Breton Island and offers an unforgettable mixture of coastal scenery, forest and small communities.

Eastern Canada

Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City can also be combined into an excellent multi-centre road trip for travellers who want to experience several of Canada's best-known cities in one holiday.

Travel tip: Canada is enormous and distances can be much greater than they first appear on a map. Try not to squeeze too much into a single itinerary – sometimes seeing fewer places gives you a much better Canadian adventure.

Scenic road through the Canadian Rockies — Few countries reward a road trip quite like Canada.

Canada by Rail

Prefer to sit back and enjoy the scenery? Canada offers some spectacular rail journeys, particularly across the west of the country.

The Rocky Mountaineer is perhaps the most famous, combining panoramic views with journeys through British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies. Long-distance rail travel can also be incorporated into a wider Canadian itinerary, making the journey itself part of the holiday.

Train travelling through the Canadian Rockies — Experience Canada's incredible landscapes from a completely different perspective by rail.

Wildlife in Canada

Canada's huge wilderness areas are home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife. Depending on where and when you visit, you could encounter black bears, grizzly bears, moose, elk, caribou, whales, eagles and many more species.

British Columbia is particularly renowned for bear and whale watching, while Churchill in Manitoba is famous for its polar bears. Always choose responsible wildlife experiences and remember that sightings in the wild can never be guaranteed.

Bear in the Canadian wilderness — Wildlife encounters can be one of the most memorable parts of a Canadian adventure.

Interesting Facts About Canada

Canada is the second-largest country in the world by total area, after Russia.
Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world, bordering the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans.
The maple leaf is one of Canada's most famous national symbols and appears at the centre of the country's flag.
Canada is divided into 10 provinces and three territories.
Ottawa is Canada's capital, although Toronto is the country's largest city.
Canada is home to spectacular national parks including Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Gros Morne.

Canada Travel Advice

Entry requirements and travel advice can change, so we recommend checking the latest official guidance before travelling.

British citizens should check current passport and entry requirements before departure, including whether an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required for their journey.

View the latest UK Government travel advice for Canada

Discover Canada

From the lakes and mountains of Alberta to the cosmopolitan streets of Toronto and Vancouver, Canada is the kind of destination where one holiday rarely feels enough.

Explore it by road, rail, cruise or a combination of all three and discover vast wilderness, unforgettable cities and some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Speak to one of our travel experts to start planning your Canada adventure!