12 of The Best Cities to Visit in Canada
Canada is a place to visit any time of year—whether it is
for relaxing by a lake on a sunny afternoon or skiing up in the Rockies.
Do I need a Visa?
If you are traveling from a Visa
Exempt Country, you will only need your passport to enter Canada, but if
you are flying into a Canadian airport you will also need an eTA—Electronic Travel
Authorization—which can be obtained from the Government
of Canada website. The process of applying for an eTA is fairly straight
forward; if you follow the link all the information is on the website and you
should find out within 72 hours whether you are successful or not. Note that
this process is linked to your passport so if you lose that or it expires, you
will have to apply again.
If you do need a visa, you can apply online at the Government
of Canada website. You will need to provide your biometrics—photograph and
fingerprints—and pay a fee on application. Biometrics information is provided
at a local collection service point—see the website for details—for which you
will need to make an appointment. You
will receive a letter telling you when and where to do this and you have 30
days to provide the information.
You may be asked to provide further information or to attend
an interview, and you may also need a medical exam or a police certificate. All
of this will be explained to you in the letter and the whole process will take around
three or four weeks to complete, provided you supply all the information promptly.
If successful, the visa will be stamped inside your passport—if not, you will
be notified of the reasons with advice on what your next move should be.
When you arrive in Canada with a visa, you will have your
fingerprints checked to verify that you are the person on the passport, and if
there are any discrepancies with this or your documentation you will be denied
entry, so it is vitally important that you do everything correctly. Usually,
you will be permitted to stay in Canada for up to six months, but the border
services officer may vary this to suit the purpose of your visit.
So, you are clear to enter the country and wondering where
to go? The following list should help—going from west to east.
Victoria, BC
The capital of British Columbia, Victoria is on the
southernmost tip of Vancouver Island. It is famous for its elephant seals and
it’s a great spot for whale watching. Whilst there, you must visit the Inner
Harbour and China Town. The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is a fine
example of neo-baroque architecture, just off the Inner Harbour Causeway.
Vancouver, BC
What some describe as the best place to live in the world,
Vancouver is in a unique setting, with a mountainous backdrop, lake and seafront
beaches, and the biggest fishing port in Canada. Granville Island is a place to
visit for its eclectic mix of street cafes and restaurants rich with seafood,
fresh from the Pacific Ocean, and the Public Market overflows with fish, meats,
fruit and vegetables, all locally sourced.
For those who like to ski, there is the Grouse Mountain Ski
Resort just 12km to the north, and 110km further north is the famous Whistler
resort.
Edmonton, AB
The capital of Alberta, Edmonton is situated in the middle
of the province on the North Saskatchewan River. It is within easy reach of Elk
Island National Park where elk and bison roam free. Being so far north it
benefits from long summer days but also long, cold winter nights. It is a
modern city with few old buildings, but worthy of note is the Fort Edmonton Park living history museum.
Saskatoon, SK
Around 520km to the east of Edmonton lies Saskatoon. Here
you can take a riverboat ride along the South Saskatchewan River through the
Meewasin Valley, where the Wanuskewin Heritage Park is situated with exhibitions of the indigenous
Aboriginal culture. Saskatoon has the second largest population
of First Nations people in Canada behind Winnipeg. There are several provincial
parks around Saskatoon, including the Beaver Creek Conservation Area, and the Saskatoon
Forestry Farm Park & Zoo to the east of the river.
Winnipeg, MB
The capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg is the largest city in the
province with a population of just over 700,000, of which 12% are First Nation
people. It was established in 1738 on the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers as a trading post and was
incorporated as a city in 1873. It is now referred to as the “Gateway to the
West” and has become a major multi-cultural city with over 100 languages spoken
there, English being the most common. It is not everyone’s choice as a tourist
destination, but there is still a lot to see and do there. If you like ethnic
food, you must visit the West End district, and The Forks National Historic
Site is packed with restaurants and shops as well as lots of leisure activities
for all the family.
Niagara Falls, ON
Not just home to the most famous waterfall in North America,
if not the world, Niagara Falls is a city in its own right, nestled on the west
bank of the Niagara River. It has many recreational facilities, including
MarineLand Theme Park, a golf course, and Willoughby Marsh Conservation Area.
However, most people come here for the Horseshoe,
American, and Bridal Veil Falls, which combine to form the historic Niagara
Falls.
Toronto, ON
On the banks of Lake Ontario, and bordering northern New
York state, Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the capital of Ontario,
and with over 140 languages spoken, it is one of the most diverse, multicultural
cities in the world. The 90m CN Tower, once the largest in the world, is an
iconic landmark that dominates the skyline. If you like sport, it’s home to the
Vancouver Maple Leafs ice hockey team but if you want shopping, the Eaton
Centre is the largest shopping mall in the city. With its mix of ethnic and
fast food outlets, you will not go hungry there. There are many places to visit,
such as the Casa Loma, an early 20th-century castle, and Ripley’s
Aquarium of Canada.
Ottawa, ON
The Canadian capital, Ottawa is much smaller than Montreal
and Toronto but that gives it its charm. Despite its size, Ottawa boasts some
of the finest architecture such as the Parliament Buildings, the Natural
History Museum, and the more modern National Gallery. If you like water sports,
the Rideau Canal is popular with boaters and in the winter it becomes an
ice-rink, whilst the Ottawa River provides an opportunity for white water
rafting.
Montreal, QC
With over half the population speaking French as their
native tongue, it’s easy to forget you are in one of the oldest urban
settlements in North America. Montreal has a real European feel to it, with its
old cobblestone streets and 17th-century buildings, but it is also a
modern, cosmopolitan city with a vibrant nightlife. There is a metro system connecting
all the districts, and an “underground city”, a collection of offices, hotels
and residential buildings linked by a series of tunnels—very popular in winter,
which can be extremely harsh.
Quebec City, QC
The capital of the province and also the oldest, Quebec City
dates back to the 15th century and the walled city of Old Quebec,
with its cobblestone streets and 17th-century buildings, is the
place to visit. The 19th century Château Frontenac
Hotel stands proud above the north bank of the St Lawrence River, and
The Citadelle, the largest British fortress in North America, is now an active
fort and museum. This French-speaking city boasts the finest countryside in the
whole of Canada, with the Jacques-Cartier National Park situated to the north.
Halifax, NS
The provincial capital of Nova Scotia, Halifax sits on the
eastern coastline of the province overlooking the vast Atlantic Ocean. Its
location made it the first port of entry for many immigrants in the mid-18th
century, which helped establish it as a city in 1842. The waterfront boardwalk
is lined with shops and restaurants centred around the harbour, with its famous
Seaport Farmers’ Market selling freshly caught produce. Whilst there, you must
visit The Citadel National Historic Site, the star-shaped fortress that
overlooks the harbour.
St. John’s, NL
The most easterly point of North America, St John’s is the
capital of Newfoundland and Labrador province. It is the oldest city in North
America, dating back to the 15th century, and from here you can see several
species of whale including the humpback and the minke. Places to visit include
the historic fishing village of Quidi Vidi, where you can sample the local
seafood, and the colorful houses along “Jellybean Row”.
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