Canada is blessed with beautiful landscapes, from glacier-carved valleys and snow-capped mountains to leafy cities and craggy coastlines. Here we list some of the country’s most dazzling places.
DK Canada
View BookBanff National Park
Hulking, snow-capped mountains, turquoise glacial lakes and evergreen forests: this is the Canada you see on all the postcards. Banff National Park is perhaps the country’s favourite area of natural beauty – and unsurprisingly, it’s one of the most visited national parks in North America. Photo-worthy vistas appear at every turn here, whether you’re exploring the shimmering lakes, such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, skiing above the treeline or hiking down at ground level, where the elks and the grizzly bears roam.
Vancouver and Vancouver Island
Canada’s most photogenic city is surrounded by nature: water laps the shoreline to the west, mountains rise in the distance and lush forests encircle the suburbs. And that’s not all. This outdoorsy city is also just a ferry ride away from Vancouver Island, a wild strip of land made up of verdant rainforests (check out Cathedral Grove) and windswept beaches that are perfect for surfing.
Bruce Peninsula
Jutting out into Lake Huron is the supremely scenic Bruce Peninsula. This craggy bit of land hosts numerous hiking trails that wind their way over limestone ridges and lush forests. The inland stretches are lovely, but the star of the show is the coastline. Picture crystal clear waters skirting the shore and swimmers lounging about on the sun-warmed rocks. You can even hop on a glass bottom boat to see some of the many shipwrecks in the lake, too.
Canadian Badlands
A world away from the lush forests and shimmering blue lakes, Alberta’s desertlike badlands feel more like Mars than Canada. This sweeping expanse of colourful rock canyons and wind-sculptured hoodoos was once roamed by dinosaurs (back when it was covered in fern trees). Nowadays it’s more rattlesnakes and fossil-hunters who stalk the plains, but the remnants of the dinosaurs remain, hidden beneath the rocks.
Niagara Falls
Canada’s landmark waterfall never fails to live up to the hype. These ferocious falls flow at a staggering 35 miles/hour (56 kilometres/hour), so you’ll likely hear them before you even glimpse them. For some of the best views, take the Maid of the Mist boat trip out to the bottom of the falls where you’ll feel the true force of the water. If you’d rather not get soaked, whizz up the nearby Skylon Tower, which has an observation deck and revolving restaurant. With such spectacular views of the waterfall – which is illuminated at night – you may find it difficult to focus on your food.
Jasper National Park
This vast national park has all of Canada’s classic landscapes: snowy peaks, tranquil lakes and wildlife-rich forests. It’s best experienced in the off-season, when the crowds disperse and the animals (bears, coyotes, wolves, cougars…the list goes on) come out to play. Don’t just visit during the day, though. Jasper National Park is the second-largest dark-sky preserve in the world, so be sure to linger after dark to see it in all its starry glory.
Quebec
Wander into the neighbourhood of Old Quebec and you could quickly forget you’re in Canada. This French-speaking area is a maze of pretty alleyways, each corner revealing another cosy café or enviable boutique. Lining the fairy light-lit streets are historical buildings, many with shutter-framed windows and colourful balconies, draped with flowers. Don’t miss an amble down the most beautiful street: Rue du Petit-Champlain.
The Yukon
Visitors who venture this far north are well rewarded. Quiet highways sweep through this remote corner of Canada, leading drivers past wildflower-rich meadows and snow-capped mountains. 80% of the Yukon is regarded as pristine wilderness, so you’ll likely see more grazing caribou than people out of your car window. Time your trip right (between the months of August and April) and you’re also in with a chance of glimpsing the dazzling Aurora Borealis.
Abraham Lake
Abraham Lake isn’t any ordinary lake. In the winter, the trapped methane within this artificial reservoir creates a flurry of bubbles that freeze, mid-animation, below the surface. It’s a photographer’s dream, so expect the cameras to descend as soon as the ice arrives and the natural phenomenon occurs. If you don’t fancy the winter crowds, and freezing temperatures, head here during the summer. The turquoise lake is equally beautiful without the bubbles.
Cabot Trail
This scenic highway in Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s – and some would say the world’s – most beautiful coastal roads. Weaving through the Cape Breton Highlands, the Cabot Trail offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean – as well as numerous tempting stop off points (from rocky beaches to quaint towns). If you’re up for a challenge, hop on two wheels and cycle along the trail; we’d recommend going in autumn when the leafy surroundings look even more beautiful.
Read next
The world's second largest country offers endless reasons that make it so beloved by locals and visitors. Here, we pick some of our favourites...
8 incredible drives through the USA
Discover 8 drives that capture the fantastic diversity of the USA, from snow-capped mountains and mist-shrouded forests to cactus-studded deserts and sun-baked beaches...