The Ultimate Canada Itinerary for Cities and Nature

Given that Canada is so huge and so packed with different opportunities for treks, hikes, road trips, city breaks, and more besides, packing everything the Great White North has to offer into one itinerary is always going to be a difficult task!

That said, having consulted the SIMOVO team and the opinions of Canada trippers across the web, we’ve put together a fantastic guide to building your own Canada itinerary that will take you across its world-famous cityscapes, mountains, lakes, and more.

In this guide, we suggest some of the best places to visit in Canada, along with a few suggested ways you can pack in seeing as much as possible. Unlike many destinations we’ve suggested itineraries for, however, there are tons of different spots in Canada that are ideal for building a home base for your stay - so do feel free to swap some of the ideas we come up with around (and just account for ease of travel!).

Canada itinerary overview

If there’s one thing that everyone who has visited Canada can agree on, it’s that there is just not enough time to see it all in a short trip. So, we recommend grabbing a car rental and road tripping across the north to discover parks, peaks, islands, and cities. It’s easy enough to do something new every single day! 

Before we get stuck into our favorite Canadian destinations, however, here are a few firm tips to keep in mind whether you’re following a Canada itinerary or building your own:

• Canada isn’t the cheapest place on Earth to tour, even if there’s a lot to take in! So, if you’re on a budget, consider making it a short trip to begin with, or cut back by choosing hostel rooms (or braving camping if you’re feeling adventurous!).
• There’s no one climate or weather condition you can rely on to pack for when it comes to Canadian travel. That means you’ll need layers, waterproofs, hiking boots, comfortable shoes, smart clothes for exploring city nightlife… the list goes on.
• Get accustomed to the culture before you go! Canada always ranks highly on lists of most interesting places to explore, and frankly, our Canada fun facts guide will clue you right in on what to expect when you get here.
• Don’t stick to the beaten path! It’s tempting to wander off across mountain trails and gorgeous parkland, and we seriously encourage you to do so - provided you enlist the help of a guide! Tours are fantastic fun out here, and given there’s so much to take in, it makes sense to give some of Canada the whistle-stop treatment. You should also check out our cities near Toronto guide if you want to use it as a base while you’re out here.
• If you’re road tripping across Canada, be prepared for looooong drives. That means you should ideally prepare plenty of stops along your preferred routes, and, as always, avoid driving when tired.

Best places to visit in Canada

After consulting with the SIMOVO crew, we came up with five top spots to visit during any trip to Canada - and we will account for them all as part of our suggested itineraries below. Always make sure to travel to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Quebec - and, for good measure, Banff National Park.

Given that Canada has such an enormous backyard, we really don’t have enough room in this guide to go beyond our top five picks! So, use this as a launching pad for your own Canadian adventures and, again, to build your own itinerary or two.

Toronto

Plenty of folks will think of Toronto first when it comes to Canadian city breaks, and for good reason. It’s an iconic trip away thanks to its stunning beaches and vantage points across the famous Toronto Islands, and if you’re looking for diverse cultural experiences (and the food and drink to go with them), you’ll want to check out Little Italy and Chinatown for a start!

Toronto is, of course, also home to the staggering CN Tower, and if you’re a big fan of the rink, you’ll want to take in the Hockey Hall of Fame while you’re here.

Vancouver

Vancouver, if not Toronto, seems to be the top pick for Canadian itineraries among seasoned travelers, and that’s largely thanks to the truly colossal Stanley Park, an urban scene where you can cycle, explore the coastline, or just take it easy. Then, of course, there’s the shopping and dining available at Granville Island, the Vancouver Aquarium, and for the “old city” experience, we recommend checking out Gastown.

Montreal

Just how many big cities does Canada even have?! Montreal almost feels like the best of European culture packed its bags and settled in North America! If you’re keen to explore quaint streets and cozy dining experiences without heading across the pond, Montreal’s 17th-century charms will have you bowled over pretty quick! There’s even an underground city to explore down here for when the weather gets really cold.

Banff National Park

Banff National Park describes itself as Canada’s first park of its kind, and it’s home to wintry experiences, mountainscapes, and daring trails. Try some snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or even throw yourself into the site’s volunteer program if you’re here on a visa or gap year. We also recommend you get up high and really check out those Rockies!

Quebec City

Finally, Quebec City is another cultural hallmark that’s even been recognized by UNESCO! That’s Old Quebec, at the least - and if you didn’t think you’d see cobbled streets outside of Europe, think again.

Quebec is a city that blends French and North American cultures seamlessly, meaning - again - a trip out here really is like taking a dive into Europe without leaving your backyard. Quebec City is also famous for being a must-see if you’re a foodie, thanks to its Michelin-starred cuisine.

Example Canada Itineraries Based on Length of Stay

Depending on how long you’d like to explore Canada for, we’ve put together some itinerary examples that will take you across the top destinations mentioned above. Keep in mind that to take in all of these destinations, you’ll usually need to spend at least 4-5 hours on a direct flight or on the road between them - so allow for plenty of time to travel.

Canada itinerary for 7 days

• Days 1-3: Land in and explore the best of what Toronto has to offer
• Days 3-5: Plan for five to six hours’ travel to Vancouver (and book somewhere to stay)
• Days 6-7: Book a flight from Vancouver to Montreal to complete your three-city tour 

Canada itinerary for 10 days

• Days 1-2: Start your journey in quaint but colossal Montreal
• Days 3-5: Head to Vancouver and chill out in Stanley Park
• Days 6-8: Base yourself in Toronto for a few days and enjoy the islands and the views
• Days 9-10: Grab a flight to Banff National Park and finish your journey in nearby Alberta 

Canada itinerary for 14 days

• Days 1-3: Start off quaint and enjoy a trip to Quebec City up close
• Days 3-5: Hit the road for a few hours and go explore the best of Montreal
• Days 6-8: Book a flight to Vancouver and grab a hotel room with views across the city
• Days 9-12: Allow plenty of time to go explore Montreal
• Days 13-14: Again, finish off your trip high up in the beautiful Banff National Park

Travel tips for visiting Canada

Now you’ve got a taste for what to add to your Canada itinerary, here are a few final tips to keep in mind before you book your flights and accommodation.

• Make sure you have an eSIM for Canada ready to go! Roaming can really cost the Earth if you use a home network SIM, so be sure to top up before you leave and focus on enjoying Canada.
• Most things in Canada are priced without the tax added - so, don’t get caught off-guard if what you pay here ends up costing a little more than you expect.
• Canada’s health service isn’t free, so always try to book travel health insurance before you go. One health tip we can offer otherwise is to take mosquito repellent if you’re touring the great outdoors!
• If you intend to travel across Canada, keep aware that the country is so large, it covers six different time zones! Bear these changes in mind if you want to stick to a road trip and get to certain spots on time.

And that’s about it for our Canada itinerary guide - make sure to grab yourself an eSIM for North America, and even if you just check out one of the top destinations we’ve listed - book your flights and accommodations in plenty of time.