Canada seems to most travelers a distant and incomprehensible country. Many people would like to travel around the United States, have heard a lot about Latin American countries, but here is Canada… What’s on the other side of the globe? What to do and see? Our travel expert knows the answers to all these questions very well and has compiled a detailed guide for you. In two weeks, you will get to know this country intimately and, we are sure, you will love it.
Route:
Montreal → Quebec → Ottawa → Toronto → Vancouver → Banff National Park
Days 1-4. Montreal
Montreal is the second largest city in Canada. There are old houses, large cozy parks and interesting modern buildings.
We have selected 4 hotel options for you, different in price and class:
- Hotel Ambrose
- Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel
- Le Meridien Versailles
- Le Mount Stephen
Old Town
The first step is to go for a walk in the Old Town. There are preserved buildings from the XVII, XVIII and XIX centuries. This part of the city has many shops, restaurants, several cathedrals and art galleries. The Old Port of the city and its boardwalk will also be a pleasant place for a walk.
If you are interested in history, check out the Pointe-à-Callière Museum of Archaeology and History. Various expositions and exhibitions related to the city’s history are held here. The museum also houses exhibits of archaeological excavations. The museum is open every day, except Monday, from 10: 00 to 17: 00, and the ticket costs 22 A$.
Basilica of Notre-Dame
When walking through the city center, be sure to stop by the Basilica of Notre-Dame. The Gothic temple is a symbol of the city with stunning colorful interior decoration.
In the evening, a unique light show takes place here: the vaults of the walls shine with stunning color patterns to the sound of music. To attend the show, check the schedule in advance. The ticket price is 26.50 A$.
Адрес: 110 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal
St. Louis Square
Next door to the Old Town is the square and the eponymous Saint-Louis Park. They are surrounded by charming houses with colorful roofs. Particularly notable are the buildings at the corner of Square Saint Louis and Avenue Henri-Julien.
In the park with a fountain, you can relax from walking and feed the local squirrels.
Mont Royal
Mont Royal is an extensive park area close to the city center. Excellent views of the city can be enjoyed from the Belvédère Kondiaronk observation deck. To get there, it is most convenient to climb the stairs leading to the park. The staircase starts at the intersection of Avenue des Pins and Chemin le Serpentin.
The picturesque Lake Kastor, surrounded by trees and lawns, is also a great place to go for a walk in the park. Here you can also rent a boat for$ 25 for four (30 minutes).
Another attraction of the park is the Cross on Mont Royal, an iconic religious monument in Montreal.
Jean-Drapeau Park and Biosphere
On the island of Saint-Helene, there is another Montreal park-Jean-Drapeau. The main attraction of the park is the unique Biosphere space with exhibitions dedicated to ecology, nature protection, the planet and the future. Here you can spend some time as a scientist in a modern interactive laboratory. A ticket to the Biosphere will cost 15 A$. Opening hours: from 10: 00 to 17: 00.
Адрес: 160 Chemin du Tour de l’isle, Montréal
Montreal Botanic Garden
Don’t miss the Montreal Botanic Garden. Here you can walk among flowering shrubs, in Chinese and Japanese villages, an aquatic garden and an orchid garden.
Ticket price: 20.50 A$.
Адрес: 4101 Rue Sherbrooke E, Montréal
Days 4-5. Quebec City
On the morning of the fourth day of your trip, head to Quebec City. Take the train at Central Station and head to Gare du Palais Station. You will spend about 3.5 hours on the road.
We suggest that you take the flight at 06: 25 or 08:56 in the morning. In this case, the ticket price will be 30 A$ and 38 A$, respectively.
Quebec is a lovely town with French roots. Here you can slowly walk among the old stone houses, looking at the shop windows with interesting goods.
Stay overnight at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.
Old Town
The Old Town of Quebec is a charming quarter with French architecture, aromatic cafes and an atmosphere of celebration and magic. Head to Place Royale and then to Rue Notre-Dame. Here you will find a Quebec fresco and the Notre-Dame-de-Victoire Church.
And then just walk around the city, turning into the streets you like. This is the best way to see the most interesting buildings, find shops with unique goods and feel the atmosphere of the city.
Quebec Fortress and Abraham Fields
Head to the Citadel of Quebec to view the city from the height of its walls. On the territory of the fortress there is a museum, and along the eastern wall there is a quiet and cozy Promenade De Gouverneur. The fortress is open from 9: 00 to 17: 00, and the ticket costs 16 A$.
Not far from the fortress are the Abraham Fields, a large park that often hosts events and concerts. Here you can relax with a picnic in the meadow or walking along the shady alleys.
Days 5-6. Ottawa
On the fifth day, we suggest you go to Ottawa. Leave early: the train journey will take about 6 hours. The ticket price is from 49 A$ to 77 A$.
An alternative and faster way to get to Ottawa (just an hour away) is by plane.
Ottawa is the capital of Canada. Here you will find modern architecture, picturesque parks and a few historical buildings.
Attractions in Ottawa
First of all, go to Downtown-the city center with glass buildings, shops and business centers. After a walk through it, make your way to the main attraction of the city — Parliament Hill.
Parliament Hill is a neo-Gothic complex where the Parliament of Canada meets. The Parliament Building itself is worth seeing from all sides, and the square nearby offers a great view of Downtown.
After exploring Parliament Hill, head to its waterfront. If you go to the right, you will reach the picturesque embankment of the Rideau Canal and pass by the Laurier Castle and a variety of sculptures.
Cross the canal and head to the National Gallery of Canada, where you’ll be greeted by a huge statue of the Maman Spider. The gallery itself houses collections of photographs and works by Canadian artists. The ticket will cost 16 A$. Working hours are from 10: 00 to 20: 00.
In Ottawa, we have selected 3 hotel options for you, different in price and class:
- Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Downtown
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Ottawa City Centre
- Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Upper Canada Village
On the sixth day, we invite you to take a trip to Canada’s past by visiting Upper Canada Village, a village on the shores of Lake Saint Lawrence that recreates the atmosphere of 1860.
Here you can walk between buildings that repeat the architecture of those times, and try a variety of themed attractions: ride a horse cart or an old train, visit a bakery and flour factory, milk cows, walk with a calf or go to a traditional pub.
Ticket price: 22 A$ (for one day).
How to get there: Unfortunately, there is no public transport to the village. We suggest that you rent a car and then pick it up at the Toronto airport. Take Trans-Canada Hwy/ON-417 E by car. The journey time will be about 1 hour.
Official Website: Upper Canada Village
Days 6-8. Niagara Falls and Toronto
On the evening of day six, head to Toronto from Upper Canada Village. Take the ON-401 W highway by car. The journey will take about 4 hours.
On the seventh day of the trip, we suggest that you go to Niagara Falls, and the next day — to explore Toronto.
The best place to stay in Toronto is in one of the following accommodation options::
- DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown
- The Novotel Toronto Centre
- The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto
- Fairmont Royal York Hotel
- Shangri-La Hotel Toronto
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a complex of waterfalls on the Niagara River that connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The complex consists of three waterfalls: Canadian Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.
A mandatory point of the program when visiting the waterfall is a trip to it by boat.
The cost of such entertainment is 28.95 C$.
How to get there: Take the Queen Elizabeth Way/QEW road by car. The journey will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Toronto
Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located on the coast of Ontario — the smallest lake in the Great Lakes system.
CN Tower
The main symbol of Toronto and a popular viewing platform with huge panoramic windows, glass elevators and a floor. Here you can take part in an extreme attraction-take a walk along the edge of the tower, the so-called EdgeWalk.
Opening hours of the observation deck: from 8: 30 to 23: 00
The ticket costs 38 C$
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto
Official website: CN Tower
Toronto Islands
A group of small islands on Lake Ontario, where parks and beaches are located. From here you can enjoy a canonical view of downtown Toronto. You can reach the islands by ferry.
High Park
The main city park, located in a hilly area. The main symbol of the park is a huge maple leaf made up of seasonal flowers.
Address: 1873 Bloor Street W, Toronto
Distillery District
A trendy area with restaurants, shops and galleries set in Victorian buildings on the site of an old industrial district. Not far from the Distillery is the St. Lawrence Market, another place to go for delicious food.
District Address: Distillery District, Toronto
Market address: 93 Front Street E, Toronto
Yang Street
Yonge Street, which stretches from Lake Ontario across the city, is considered by some to be the longest street in the world. At the beginning of the street is a remarkable building of the Hockey Hall of Fame, just to the north is a huge business and shopping center Eaton. Behind the Eaton Centre is the beautiful old Victorian Town hall, and not far from it you will find a modern development block with two towers of the new town Hall. There are also numerous restaurants and shops along Yang Street.
Queen’s Park
North of the town Hall is a small Queen’s Park, where the magnificent Ontario Parliament Building is located. Very close to the park is an unusual architectural Royal Museum, part of which resembles a crystal. A little to the side, to the north of the park, is the original castle of Casa Loma, made in the Neo-Gothic style.
Days 8-10. Vancouver
On the evening of the eighth day of your trip, head to the Toronto Airport (where you can also check out your previously rented car). A flight to Vancouver awaits you. You can choose the best flight on OneTwoTrip.
Vancouver is the capital of the province of British Columbia and the third largest city in the country. It is located on the Gulf coast in the picturesque Pacific Northwest region of western Canada. Vancouver is surrounded on all sides by mountains and the ocean. Here you will find extensive parks, beaches, as well as skyscrapers and unusual objects of modern architecture, adjacent to attractive old buildings.
We have selected 4 hotel options for you, different in price and class:
- Hyatt Regency Vancouver
- Georgian Court Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- Hampton Inn & Suites, by Hilton — Vancouver Downtown
- Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver
Stanley Park and Lions Gate Bridge
Stanley Park is the main park of the city, which occupies an entire peninsula and is surrounded on all sides by the waters of the bay. Here you can walk along the numerous paths inside the park and on the coast, relax on the beaches and admire the surrounding scenery on the observation decks. On the territory of the park there is an Oceanarium.
The park also offers views of the magnificent Lions Gate Suspension Road Bridge spanning the bay.
Downtown
To the southeast of Stanley Park is the downtown skyscraper district. One of the skyscrapers — the Harbor Center-is the main observation deck of the city. On the waterfront near the Harbor Center, you should also look at the remarkable Canada Place building, whose roof resembles sails. Also worth checking out in downtown is the Vancouver Public Library, which looks like a Roman Colosseum.
Opening hours of the observation deck: from 9: 00 to 21: 00
The ticket costs 18.25 C$
Address: 555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Official website: Vancouver Lookout
Library opening hours: from 10: 00 to 21: 00 (Mon-Thu), from 10: 00 to 18: 00 (Fri-Sat), from 11: 00 to 18: 00 (Sun)
Admission to the library is free
Address: 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Gastown Area
Vancouver’s old neighborhood, starting right behind the Harbor Center. Beautiful examples of Victorian architecture have been preserved here. Take a walk along Water Street, which is lined with some of Gastown’s most notable buildings, including the iron-shaped Europa Hotel. On the same street there is a steam clock, which works thanks to a steam mechanism.
Also located in Gastown is Vancouver Chinatown, where you can view the classic Sun Yat-sen Chinese Garden.
Park address: 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Nauchny Mir Center
The Vancouver Science Museum, whose exposition will be most interesting for children. However, the unusual shape of the building deserves to be looked at by adults as well. The museum is located on the shore of a small bay. On the opposite side of it is the BC Place Stadium, which also has an unusual view.
Museum address: 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Granville Island
Until the early 20th century, this area, located south across the strait from downtown, was home to factories, mills, and sawmills. Today, this place is home to a huge market with numerous restaurants, shops and workshops. The Granville Island Market is a popular destination for city dwellers.
Market address: 1661 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
Official Website: Granville Island
Queen Elizabeth Park and Van Dusen Botanic Garden
Queen Elizabeth Park is a large and beautiful landscaped park with an arboretum, rose garden and sculptures. Entrance to its territory is free of charge.
The park is open from 6: 00 to 22: 00
Park address: 33rd Avenue and Cambie Street, Vancouver
Next to the park is another beautiful green area — the Van Dusen Botanical Garden. Entrance to the garden costs C $ 8.
Opening hours of the botanical garden: from 9: 00 to 17: 00 (depending on the season)
Address: 5251 Oak Street and West 37th Avenue, Vancouver
English Bay and Kitsilano beaches
Vancouver has many well-equipped beaches, and even though the ocean water is too cold even in the hottest months, locals often spend time here. In addition to the beaches in Stanley Park, you can highlight the excellent beaches of English Bay and Kitsilano. The first is located to the west of downtown, the second-near Granville Island.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
On the other side of the bay from Stanley Park is another magnificent park — Capilano (accessible via the Lions Gate Bridge). The main attraction of the park is the 140-meter suspension pedestrian bridge. Here you can walk between the trees at an altitude of 70 meters.
A ticket to the park costs 53.95 C$
Park opening hours: from 9: 00 to 18: 00
Address: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Official website: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Grouse Mountain
Behind Capilano Park (if you drive from the city center) is Grouse Mountain, the territory of which belongs to the park of the same name. The top of the mountain can be reached by cable car. It offers great views of Vancouver and the surrounding area.
A ticket to the park costs 50 C$
The park and cable car are open from 9: 00 to 22: 00
Адрес: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Official Website: Grouse Mountain
Days 10-13. Banff National Park
On the tenth day of your trip, take in the magical and majestic nature of Canada at Banff National Park. To do this, rent a car.
We recommend leaving Vancouver at noon to reach the park in the evening. Follow the BC-5 N and Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 E routes. The journey will take about 8 hours and 20 minutes, depending on the chosen hotel.
We suggest that you choose one of the following accommodation options where you will spend the next few days. All of them are located on the territory of the park or in its immediate vicinity.
- Buffalo Mountain Lodge
- Banff Aspen Lodge
- Moose Hotel and Suites
- Baker Creek Mountain Resort
- Fairmont Château Lake Louise
National Park
Wherever you stay, be sure to explore the park’s unique attractions:
Johnston Canyon is a scenic walking route to the waterfalls on a specially equipped path. The distance from the parking lot to the end point is about 2.7 kilometers. You can park your car in the parking lot at Bow Valley Pkwy, Improvement District No. 9.
Lake Louise. Explore it and enjoy its magnificent blue hue by walking along the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail. The Lake Agnes Trail also runs from the northern shore of the lake, leading to nearby Lake Agnes.
Lake Moraine is the hallmark of the park, surrounded by spruce forests and mountain peaks.
Peyto Lake has a unique blue hue of water. From the parking lot, a simple route leads to it, at the end of which there are breathtaking views.
In Banff, we recommend that you take one of our wildlife viewing tours. Banff Adventures offers to go in search of deer, grizzly bears or a Wolf Rehabilitation Center. You can get acquainted with the prices for tours on the company’s website.
Day 13. Return to Vancouver, fly to Montreal and fly home
Return by car to Vancouver Airport, check out your car and fly to Montreal. Since you originally flew to this city, most likely you will fly home from there.
Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.
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