From the seaside clapboard towns of the Maritimes to the wilderness of the Yukon – and everything in between – Canada’s diverse and sweeping landscapes are renowned the world over. But the second largest country in the world still has some incredible surprises up its sleeve. 

Click through the gallery for a selection of stunning images that will both surprise and delight... 

Southern Ontario and British Columbia have long been regarded for their fine wines, but now Nova Scotia is giving them a run for their money. This beautiful vineyard produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling grapes. Spread over 35 acres, it’s a family-run estate and the makers believe the nearby ocean helps produce more flavourful fruit. Pop into the tasting rooms or head on a self-guided tour. 

Why bother going to Hawaii when you’ve got amazing surf on Canada's West Coast? Right next to the Pacific Rim National Park, the Pacific Sands Beach Resort on Cox Bay is the perfect place to make the most of this coastline’s beaches and waves.  

Canada has 47 national parks and this expanse of prairie is a walkers’ paradise, located in the south of the province, near the border with Montana. One of the most captivating walking routes is the back-country Valley of the 1,000 Devils in the East Block of the park. There are plenty of places to rest your head (and legs) when you’re done, with camping and RV parking at the Rock Creek Campground. 

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Canada’s most famous lake has had three names: the Stoney natives called it Ho-Run-Num-Nay (meaning lake of little fishes) and it was renamed Emerald Lake by a railway worker in 1882. Just two years later, it was called Lake Louise after Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s daughter. Whatever its moniker, the clear waters always appeal, with around 15,000 people a day visiting during summer.  

Take a look at Canada's most stunning unknown lakes

Churchill in Manitoba, on the Hudson Bay, sees an annual migration of around a thousand polar bears, making it one of the best places in the world to spot them in the wild. Most commonly observed during October and November when the big freeze hits the tundra, you might also catch a glimpse of them during spring when the cubs first emerge. You’re also likely to see Arctic foxes, wolves and Beluga whales here too.

If you go down to Kelowna today… you’ll see a large sculpture of a grizzly bear. Located on Stuart Park, the bear was the result of a competition to design a new piece of public art in this city in the Okanagan Valley. The ursine artwork fits perfectly with the city’s name – Kelowna is the English translation of the Syilx First Nation word meaning 'female grizzly bear'. 

The interior of the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in the Canadian capital is sure to give you a neck ache. Both a work of art and a place of worship – it’s the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishop of Ottawa – the vaulted ceiling is covered with gold stars.  

Discover more of the world's beautiful cathedrals

The only walled city in North America, Quebec’s Old Town is brimming with French charm. One of Canada’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it offers pedestrianised streets, fabulous restaurants to sample poutine (a Canadian speciality of chips, gravy and squeaky cheese) and also the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires – built in 1688 it’s the oldest stone church in North America.

It’s not easy to get to Fogo Island off the coast of Newfoundland: the best way is via Gander Airport, then a two-hour drive and a 45-minute ferry journey. But a stay on this 91-square-mile (236sq km) island is worth the effort. The wildlife, including caribou and foxes, are big draws but there’s also the magnificent Fogo Island Inn, a 29-suite purpose-built design hotel with a rooftop hot tub. Any profits made by the hotel are reinvested into the local community too.

Discover more of the world's most remote hotels

The Inuit call the area pingualuit, which means 'pimple', a fitting description of this meteoric crater that’s 1.4 million years old in the far north of Quebec province. Due to low salinity levels, it contains some of the purest freshwater found in the world. 

Banff and Lake Louise may be synonymous with skiing, hiking and hot springs, but the area is also perfect for spotting the Northern Lights, with the reflection from the area’s lakes making the display even more of a spectacle. It’s not just during winter that you can catch the aurora borealis either, as mother nature puts on a show year-round. However, the best opportunities to see the colours are usually between February and March.

More stunning images of the Northern Lights

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is regularly voted one of the prettiest towns in Canada, thanks to its colourful wooden buildings and seafaring history. Wander through the old town then head out on the water for a whale watching tour or try your hand at fishing or sea kayaking.

More adorable small towns you must visit in Canada

After a brutal storm in 1928, the Pesuta was shipwrecked, ending its life on the picturesque Haida Gwaii archipelago. The remains of the Pesuta are a popular tourist attraction, with many people taking a four-hour hike through forests and beaches until they reach the wrecked ship.

More amazing shipwrecks you can visit around the world

Scattered along the St Lawrence River and straddling the border between Canada and the USA is this collection of around 1,800 tiny islands. Hop on a boat tour from Gananoque, camp on one of the grounds near the Parkway or explore the wrecks with a scuba dive at Brockville. Don’t forget your passport/ID though, as chances are on a trip to the area you’ll hop over into the USA. 

Tucked into the countryside of North Vancouver, this suspension bridge has straddled the Capilano River since 1889. Part of the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, other adventurous attractions here – for those with a head for heights – include a cliff-walk across cantilevered bridges and the Treetops Adventure canopy taking you through the 250-year-old Douglas firs. 

More breathtaking bridges you can walk across

On sunny days, the waters of this cave on the Georgian Bay shore can appear to glow. Be warned: the crystal clear waters are popular so either camp at the Cyprus Lake Campground and hike from there or make sure to book a parking space in advance.

More of the world's incredible caves and caverns

Do not adjust your computer – this really is a lake with spots on it. The leopard-like pattern is caused by pockets of minerals that appear as water from the lake evaporates during the summer.

As if its name wasn’t magical enough, in the middle of the lake there’s a solitary Douglas fir mysterious sprouting from the partially submerged stump of another tree. It’s also a popular place for a dip during summer with nearby camping facilities. 

The smallest of Canada’s provinces punches well above its weight when it comes to dramatic views and historic clapboard towns. Located on Prince Edward Island’s North Shore, Thunder Cove is just near Darnley, and the red sandstone cliffs are typical of those you’ll find around PEI. But these weathered sea stacks have a unique beauty that makes this beach particularly popular with locals – and their pet dogs.

Every May, the Canadian Tulip Festival springs up across the city with over a million blooming bulbs. The tradition has its roots in the Second World War. When the Nazis invaded the Netherlands, Princess Juliana sought refuge in Ottawa with her two daughters and gave birth to a third child in the city. Post-war, to thank the Canadian people for their kindness, Princess Juliana gifted the city 100,000 tulip bulbs. 

This historic fishing village on the Pacific Coast is known for its spectacular sunsets. Watch the sun go down with a seafood supper from Dave’s Fish & Chips, often named by locals as the best in town. 

Niagara Falls might hold the crown as Canada's most well-known falls, but Montmorency’s waterfall is actually taller at around 100 feet (30m) higher. Thankfully there’s a cable car that will whisk you up the cliff for the walking tour. The park is an easy drive from Quebec City too.

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