Top 5 Canadian Cities Worth Exploring

Canada, sitting just north of the United States of America, consists of ten different provinces and three territories. It stretches to the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean on the west side, and spans almost ten million square kilometres, making it the second largest country by total area.

It’s a pretty fantastic place – although it was explored and settled by British and French forces from the 15th Century onwards, it had already been inhabited by various aboriginal societies for millennia beforehand. It has one of the highest standards of living on the planet, and is a great place for a spot of tourism.

With golden beaches, dense forests and vibrant cities, what’s not to love about the Great White North? We’re going to focus on the latter – here are our fave cities!

#1 – Vancouver
Vancouver is in British Columbia, and it sits right on the coast. Forestry is its largest industry, and you’ll see why as soon as you get there – you’re never far from the woods! It’s a very versatile city, with the ocean on one side (with the busiest port in Canada operating there), and forests on the other, but the city doesn’t take a backseat; it’s a sprawling, vibrant metropolis.

It’s known as Hollywood North, as it’s North America’s third largest film production centre, after LA and NYC. The Winter Olympics were held here in 2010, and the famous Whistler resort is nearby, making it the perfect destination for any skiers! It’s worth looking into car rental services in Canada for these shorter trips, which can often work in your favour economically.

#2 – Ottawa
Canada’s capital city, Ottawa is a beautiful place. It’s the third cleanest city in the world, and home to the gorgeous Ottawa River. It is the tech centre of the country, so you know you’re in for some futuristic city life!

Almost as much French is spoken as English here, so it’s great for any language buffs, and the nightlife is fantastic. Make sure to visit the Canadian Museum of Nature and stroll along the Rideau Canal.

#3 – Toronto
Often mistakenly thought to be the capital, Toronto is Canada’s largest city, situated on the shore of the crystal clear Lake Ontario. It is a melting pot of cultures, with almost half the residents coming from outside of Canada – so if you want a unique experience, make this your city of choice.

Don’t leave before you’ve seen the awe-inspiring Stock Exchange and CN Tower buildings and wandered around the zoo!

#4 – Montreal
Montreal is the largest city in Quebec, and has French as its first language, making it the second largest French city behind Paris. More people speak French than English, so if you want a “continental” Canadian holiday, choose Canada’s Cultural Capital.

Make sure you try some of the local cuisine, pay a visit to the Notre-Dame Basilica, and climb up Mont Royal, the mountain from which the city takes its name.

#5 – Calgary
Home to the legendary wrestling family, the Harts, and the first city to hold the Winter Games, Calgary has a great sporting history. It’s only fifty miles from the Canadian Rockies, so it’s the city of choice for any mountaineer.

Go during July for the famous Calgary Stampede, a massive annual rodeo festival, pay a visit to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and get on the water at Bow River.