Canada is home to many iconic attractions, but some draw more visitors from around the world than others. To find out which destinations truly stand out, online gaming company TonyBet analysed review data and compiled a ranking of the 30 highest-rated tourist spots across the country. From pristine mountain lakes to charming urban neighbourhoods, this list highlights the most popular places to visit in Canada, from coast to coast to coast.
Read on to discover the 30 most popular tourist attractions in Canada, ranked...
Niagara Falls is a natural wonder that spans the border between Canada and the United States, with two main sets of falls: the American Falls and the more prominent Horseshoe Falls, which is largely on the Canadian side. The Falls began forming over 12,000 years ago, with Horseshoe Falls being the tallest, at approximately 188 feet (57m). Niagara Falls attracts around 14 million visitors annually, offering various activities such as helicopter and boat tours – but even simply standing on the observation deck and watching the equivalent of 2,866 tonnes of water flow over the falls every second is a thrilling experience.
Located just a 20-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, this gorgeous park offers a true rainforest experience and a sense of natural peace that feels a world away from the big city. The massive natural area features both water and mountains as well as a fish hatchery, hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and some fishing opportunities. Mostly though, it offers visitors a chance to drink in the vastness of the ancient west coast forest without the expense of a remote wilderness excursion.
The most enticing thing about Canada’s northern territories is the vastness of the land itself. The Dempster Highway is a 456 mile (736km) stretch of road taking drivers from Dawson City, Yukon to Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Along the way visitors can take day tours to explore the wonder of the tundra, stop in on a number of small Northern communities and experience Indigenous Gwich'in culture. The road was extended to the Arctic Ocean in 2017 with the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway.
Canada’s very first national park is also its most picturesque and iconic. The Banff townsite – a lively village within the park – sees over four million tourists a year. Most visitors will stay in town, but the real attraction is the surrounding wilderness with mountains to climb or ski down, lakes to gaze upon and wildlife to spot. There’s a lot to see and do whether you’re a hardcore adventurer or a more laidback tourist looking to see those mountain views from a leisurely gondola ride.
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Part of the magic of Vancouver is the variety of natural wonders located just a short drive from the city. Head in one direction, and you’ll find lush rainforests. Go in another, and you’ll reach Garibaldi Provincial Park, a mountainous wilderness located about 43 miles (70km) north of the city. Garibaldi is renowned for its stunning mountain landscapes, including the dramatic peak of Mount Garibaldi, which remains capped with snow during the winter months. The park also features over 55 miles (90km) of hiking trails and is home to an abundance of wildlife.
One of Atlantic Canada’s most recognisable landmarks, the Signal Hill National Historic Site’s Cabot Tower looms tall over the city of St John’s. As the recipient of the world’s first trans-Atlantic wireless signal, orchestrated by Guglielmo Marconi in 1901, the hill has a tremendous historical significance, but it’s also a nice place for hikers and nature lovers to visit. A historic Noon Day Gun is fired daily at lunchtime and visitors can relax and enjoy the views from the Adirondack chairs scattered across the site.
Lake Louise is the most famous turquoise lake in the Canadian Rockies, renowned for its stunning beauty and relatively easy access. The lake stretches 1.5 miles (2.4km) from the Victoria Glacier to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. A flat trail encircles the lake, making it possible for visitors to stroll around it in about an hour, stopping to take photos along the way. For more adventurous visitors, day hikes to Lake Agnes or the Plain of the Six Glaciers offer breathtaking views from above.
Visitors to Canada expect rugged wilderness and one of the best places to truly find it is this 850 square mile (2,200sq km) protected area in Yukon Territory. Accessible via the Dempster Highway, the park is about a 90-minute drive from Dawson City or seven hours from Whitehorse. Once there, visitors will find a lot of quiet and raw wilderness as far as the eye can see. It’s important to plan carefully, but the area is full of places to hike, camp and become one with awe-inspiring nature.
Eastern Canada’s Bay of Fundy boasts the highest tides in the world, which are responsible for these otherworldly rock formations at Hopewell Cape in New Brunswick. These flowerpot-like sea stacks are majestic to behold from both up close and at a distance and visitors can do both –providing they time it right. At low tide people can walk down to the sand and see the stacks from the ocean floor, but during high tide the bottom of the rocks will be completely submerged.
This rustic cabin was once the residence of English naturalist Archibald Belaney, better known as Grey Owl. While Belaney falsely claimed Indigenous heritage and remains a controversial figure because of this, he was an important conservationist and a protector of Canadian beavers. The simple cabin sits on the shore of Saskatchewan’s Ajawaan Lake and is accessible by hiking trail or a short canoe or kayak ride.
Located just off of the majestic Icefields Parkway running through Alberta’s Jasper National Park, at 75 feet (23m) Athabasca Falls aren’t particularly towering, but they are dramatic thanks to the power of the glacial Athabasca River and the layered quartzite the water falls over. However, recent wildfires have impacted areas of Jasper National Park. Travellers should check current conditions and advisories before visiting, as some areas may be closed or restricted.
Vancouver Island, a large island off the west coast of mainland Canada, is home to well over three-quarters of a million people. The island’s largest city is Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. Covering 12,407 square miles (32,134sq km) and containing approximately 50 towns and cities, there is much to explore. Rich in Indigenous culture, wineries, agriculture, natural rainforests and an extensive coastline, Vancouver Island is one of Canada’s true gems.
Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the hub of Vancouver Island: a picture perfect meeting place lined with some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Both the BC Legislative Building and the famous Empress Hotel are right on the harbour and the flower-lined walkways host a number of festivals as well as daily buskers. It’s also the landing point for a number of boats and float planes including various whale watching tours.
Montreal’s Jardin Botanique (or Botanical Garden) is more than just a collection of plants – it’s a living space full of natural art. With over 22,000 plant species and 30 thematic gardens, it’s one of the world’s largest botanical gardens and has been a fixture in downtown Montreal for over 80 years. In addition to the permanent gardens, the venue hosts a number of special exhibitions, showcasing the magical nature of plants, making the gardens worth coming back for time and time again.
One of Vancouver’s most breathtaking views can be experienced from the middle of the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a 450-foot (137m) long bridge that hangs 230 feet (70m) above the Capilano River and centuries-old trees. The team behind the bridge claims that visitors from every country in the world have walked across it. However, it’s not just about the bridge – you can also explore the more solid Cliffwalk, which features some nerve-wracking glass walkways, climb up to various treetop platforms, or join a guided nature walk.
Old Quebec City is one of the most charming urban neighbourhoods in all of Canada and one of its most visited sections is Petit Champlain, a street and surrounding shopping area full of boutiques, gift shops, restaurants and galleries. Its cobblestone streets are more than 400 years old – a rarity in Canada. In addition to the businesses, visitors can stop at the historic Place Royal Square (considered the site of the first permanent French settlement in North America) and Notre-Dame-des Victoires church.
The lush ancient trees of the West Coast rainforest are a must-see in Canada and there’s no better place to experience them than this expansive park on Vancouver Island. Pacific Rim is not only full of these ancient trees, but also a series of majestic beaches, including Long Beach near the town of Tofino. The park also boasts the West Coast Trail, one of Canada’s most famous and challenging multi-day hiking trails.
Some visitors to Canada look for wilderness experiences that are close to the big cities, while others favour the more remote Kluane National Park. This is where outdoor enthusiasts will find Canada’s highest peak, the towering Mount Logan, as well as impossibly enormous glaciers. In the summer months, visitors can paddle along the pristine waters of Kathleen Lake or take advantage of the park’s hiking and biking trails.
The mighty Rocky Mountains dominate a vast area straddling the Alberta/British Columbia border, extending southward for approximately 1,000 miles (1,600km) from northern British Columbia. Each year, more than nine million people visit the seven protected areas within the Rockies, including Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. The region offers a wide range of activities, from skiing, hiking and camping to exploring turquoise lakes and charming townsites. However, recent wildfires have affected some areas, particularly in and around Jasper National Park. Visitors are advised to check current conditions and park advisories before planning their trip.
Jasper’s Maligne Lake is a gorgeous cold-water lake nestled in the Rocky Mountains that is best explored via a ride in a cosy glass-enclosed heated boat. The Maligne Lake Cruise vessels take passengers by Spirit Island, which is of great spiritual significance to the local Stoney Nakoda First Nation and it is prohibited for people to walk on the island. The cruises get visitors close enough to take unbelievable photos and bask in the serenity of the island. Again, due to recent wildfires, travellers are advised to check current conditions and park advisories before planning their trip.
One of the oldest continuously operating museums in Canada, the Royal BC Museum, houses more than seven million objects and specimens, along with millions of government documents, photographs and video collections. The museum also features an IMAX theatre. Its exhibits include a significant collection of works by Emily Carr, First Nations art and artefacts, natural history specimens and much more. With so much to see, the museum attracts over 800,000 visitors annually.
Every year, thousands of people visit remote northern Manitoba, particularly the community of Churchill, which is located about 620 miles (1,000km) north of Winnipeg. Known as the 'Polar Bear Capital of the World', Churchill is famous for its opportunities to observe polar bears, beluga whales and the Northern Lights. To safely view polar bears, visitors must work with a licensed tour operator. Great White Bear Tours is one of the most respected and popular operators, offering a Tundra Lodge and specially designed bear-safe vehicles.
Canada's lands are ancient and rich with prehistoric fossils. The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, Alberta, attracts more than 400,000 visitors annually, who come to explore the striking hoodoos and badlands of eastern Alberta, as well as the museum's world-renowned dinosaur exhibits. The museum houses one of the largest collections of dinosaur remains, including skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus rex and a Triceratops, among others, and offers many interactive displays.
The government buildings of Parliament Hill are among Canada’s most iconic landmarks. The three buildings sit right on the Ottawa River, with the province of Quebec just across the water. The buildings are usually open for tours, but the famous Centre Block is currently undergoing a decade-long renovation. For now – and until at least 2030 – visitors and lawmakers will have to admire the building from the outside as it undergoes a £3.9 billion (CA$5bn/US$3.7bn) facelift.
The Canadian Rockies are renowned for their jagged peaks, but the turquoise glacier-fed lakes are equally remarkable. Lake Louise is the most famous, but it can get very busy. Peyto Lake, located off the Icefields Parkway, is popular because it is viewed from above, offering nature lovers a bird’s-eye view of its stunning waters. The main viewing platform is accessible via a paved pathway, approximately a 10-15 minute walk from the car park. There is also a second viewpoint accessible via a slightly longer hike.
Montreal is a large city with many neighbourhoods to explore, but first-time visitors often start with the most historic and picturesque part of the city, Old Montreal. Located on the banks of the St Lawrence River, this area’s settlements date back to the 17th century. Today, Old Montreal is home to landmarks like the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Old Port, as well as modern attractions such as the Montreal Science Centre, the La Grande Roue Ferris wheel and a variety of trendy shops and restaurants.
Welcoming over a million visitors annually, the 120-year-old Butchart Gardens spans 55 acres and is a designated National Historic Site of Canada. Open year-round, the gardens feature distinct sections, including a Rose Garden, Japanese Garden and Italian Garden, along with several striking water features and a carousel with hand-carved animals. With approximately 900 varieties of bedding plants and 26 greenhouses, there’s a flower for everyone to enjoy.
Old Quebec, the only fortified city in North America north of Mexico, is of such historical significance that it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking along its cobblestone streets is a thrill in itself, but the area also offers numerous landmarks to explore, shops to browse and French Canadian restaurants and bars to enjoy. A visit to the iconic Chateau Frontenac is a must, as is a stroll along the boardwalk-like Dufferin Terrace and a visit to the historic Plains of Abraham.
The most recognisable feature of Canada's most famous skyline, the CN Tower in Toronto, stands at 1,815 feet (553m). When it was completed in 1976, it was the tallest freestanding structure in the world, a title it held until 2007. Over two million visitors come to the tower each year, whether to dine at the 360 Restaurant or simply to enjoy the spectacular views. For those seeking a thrill, options include venturing up to the Skypod level, one of the highest public observation areas in the world, where, on a clear day, visitors can see as far as New York State.
Stanley Park is the most popular tourist destination in Canada, attracting both locals and visitors to Vancouver for its natural beauty and cultural significance. This 405-hectare inner-city rainforest is located right next to downtown Vancouver, and features an iconic collection of totem poles, one of the most visited tourist attractions in British Columbia. The park also boasts numerous red cedar trees, playgrounds, pools and scenic spots like the Seawall, making it a must-visit destination.