Canada is the second-largest country on earth, a land of turquoise glacial lakes, thundering waterfalls, cosmopolitan cities and vast wilderness where grizzly bears and polar bears still roam. Choosing where to begin can feel overwhelming, so we have gathered the ten places that define a Canadian journey, spread across the Rocky Mountains, the Great Lakes, the French-speaking east and the Pacific coast.
1. Banff National Park and Moraine Lake
Canada's first national park, founded in 1885, sits in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. Its crown jewel is Moraine Lake, whose vivid blue water is framed by the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Nearby, the town of Banff offers hot springs, gondola rides up Sulphur Mountain and easy access to hiking trails. Note that the road to Moraine Lake is closed to private cars, so plan to use the park shuttle or a guided tour.
2. Niagara Falls
Straddling the border with the United States, Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. The Canadian side offers the finest panorama of the Horseshoe Falls. Board the boat that sails to the base of the cascade, or watch the water glow under coloured lights after dark. It is an easy day trip from Toronto.
3. CN Tower, Toronto
Rising 553 metres above Canada's largest city, the CN Tower was the world's tallest free-standing structure for more than three decades. Ride the glass elevator to the observation deck, stand on the vertigo-inducing Glass Floor, or dine in the revolving restaurant with sweeping views over Lake Ontario.
4. Old Quebec and Château Frontenac
The historic heart of Quebec City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only walled city north of Mexico. Cobblestone lanes, French bistros and the fairy-tale Château Frontenac hotel make it feel like a slice of Europe. Wander the Petit-Champlain quarter and the ramparts overlooking the St. Lawrence River.
5. Lake Louise
A short drive from Banff, Lake Louise is perhaps the most photographed lake in Canada, its emerald surface mirroring the Victoria Glacier. Rent a canoe in summer, hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House, or skate on the frozen lake in winter beneath the peaks.
6. Vancouver and Stanley Park
On the Pacific coast, Vancouver blends ocean, mountains and forest. The star attraction is Stanley Park, a 400-hectare urban rainforest laced with a seawall path perfect for cycling. Add totem poles, Granville Island market and nearby ski slopes and you have one of the world's most liveable cities.
7. Jasper and the Icefields Parkway
North of Banff, Jasper National Park is wilder and quieter. The Icefields Parkway that links the two parks is often called one of the most scenic drives on earth, passing glaciers, waterfalls and the Columbia Icefield, where you can walk on the Athabasca Glacier. Jasper is also a dark-sky preserve, superb for stargazing.
8. Old Montreal
Montreal blends French charm with North American energy. Old Montreal, with its 17th-century architecture, the Notre-Dame Basilica and lively summer terraces, is the city's soul. This is Canada's festival capital, from jazz to comedy.
9. Parliament Hill, Ottawa
In the national capital, the neo-Gothic Parliament buildings overlook the Ottawa River. In summer watch the Changing of the Guard; in winter skate on the Rideau Canal, the world's largest skating rink.
10. Whistler, the Cabot Trail and Churchill
Three very different finales. Whistler, near Vancouver, is a world-class ski and mountain-bike resort. On the Atlantic side, Nova Scotia's Cabot Trail winds along dramatic sea cliffs. And in remote Manitoba, the town of Churchill is the polar bear capital of the world, where you can see the great white bears in autumn.
Practical tips
Distances in Canada are enormous. Driving from Toronto to Vancouver takes more than 40 hours, so most travellers combine road trips within one region with domestic flights between them. Air Canada and WestJet connect the main cities; book internal flights early, especially in summer. Choose one or two regions per trip rather than trying to cross the whole country.
Beyond the top ten
Canada rewards those who venture further. On Vancouver Island, the wild beaches of Tofino draw surfers and storm-watchers, while the Bay of Fundy in the east has the highest tides on earth. Newfoundland's colourful fishing villages, the vineyards of the Okanagan Valley and the vast prairie skies of Saskatchewan each tell a different story. In the far north, Baffin Island and the territory of Nunavut reveal Arctic landscapes few travellers ever see. And almost everywhere you go, keep watch for Canada's wildlife: moose and elk in the forests, beavers on the rivers, bald eagles overhead and, with luck, whales breaching just offshore.