Best Cities to Visit in Canada 

Its diverse cities hum with unique sights, sounds and experiences. If you want to discover some of the best Canadian cities to visit, here’s a shortlist to get you on your way.

Vancouver

Crowned the "best place to live in the world," Vancouver, British Columbia, offers visitors and residents a full palate of diverse delights. Located on the west coast of the country, Vancouver is surrounded by sky-high mountains and 11 miles of beaches, opening up unlimited possibilities for outdoor play—from kayaking to downhill skiing, whitewater rafting to mountain biking. The cosmopolitan population makes for deliciously diverse dining and a culturally rich vibe. Chic and sophisticated, Vancouver has museums with expansive art collections, and shopping enthusiasts will have plenty of stores to browse. The city also offers fun, kid-friendly attractions like the Capilano Suspension Bridge perched in the treetops. It’s a great first stop on your tour.

Montreal

Montreal is so cool that it belongs near the top of any list of the best places to visit in Canada. It’s the second biggest city in the country, the largest in the province of Quebec, and it wins hearts with its laid-back French chic. Montreal brings Europe to North America with French as its official language. You’ll find 18th century buildings and historic cathedrals in Vieux-Montreal along the Boulevard Saint-Laurent, as well as traditional French cafes, perfect for espresso and croissants. This multifaceted city also offers fusion restaurants, great art museums, lively nightlife—try the rue St. Denis—and fun boutiques. You're likely to find a festival in progress during your visit because Montreal hosts more than 100 each year. Head to the Montreal Biodôme nature center for family fun.

Banff

Banff may bring to mind the thrills of downhill skiing, but this international ski village makes a great getaway year-round. Located in the core of the Canadian Rockies near Banff National Park, Banff thrills adventurers who also happen to love their creature comforts. If you're ready to ski down Mount Norquay or any of the great slopes in Sunshine Village or Lake Louise, then you want to return to a great hotel to dress for dinner, Banff is your ticket. You'll still have your pick of adventures if you visit in summer. Hike to the Hoodoos, enormous, free-standing limestone pillars, or learn scrambling—a mix of hiking and rock climbing. Head up the face of the Stoney Squaw Mountain. Kids will love fishing in warmer weather.

Quebec City

O la la—Quebec City knows the French way to mix business and pleasure. Capital of the province Quebec and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Quebec City has charm, history and heritage. The narrow, cobblestone streets wind past towering cathedrals, castles, French-style cafes and markets selling ripe cheeses. You’ll find elegant, 17th- and 18th-century buildings housing boulangeries, French bistros, antique shops and eclectic boutiques. The compact downtown of this 400-year-old walled city lends itself to walking tours. You can explore sites like the Citadel and Notre-Dame Basilica. Start off along the Terrasse Dufferin for fabulous city views.

Toronto

Toronto, Ontario is Canada’s biggest city. It's so cosmopolitan and culturally diverse that it easily makes the list of the best cities to visit in Canada. Yes, the skyline has skyscrapers aplenty—including the landmark CN Tower—and you can zip around town on the ultramodern public transport system. Toronto sets new standards for “culturally diverse” with more than 200 ethnic groups speaking some 140 different languages. At least 50 percent of residents come from outside Canada, making it a foodie heaven for international cuisine. Take the kids on a world tour in Toronto, traveling from Greek Town to Koreatown, from Little Italy to Chinatown, then end up at the Toronto Zoo. If you visit in winter, escape the chill in the world's largest underground shopping mall, PATH, or at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Ready to travel? Find your hotel in Vancouver, Montreal, Banff, Quebec City, Toronto.