Nestled between the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans, Canada is a vast land of awe-inspiring landscapes, vibrant city centres and heartwarmingly friendly locals. It offers the charisma and warmth of a small town, a distinctly multicultural ethos shaped by Indigenous heritage and waves of immigration, and a magnificent tapestry of natural beauty. A word to the wise: the country’s vast geography makes it impossible to see everything in just one trip but we’d recommend, at the very minimum, a 10-day itinerary to be able to soak in the kaleidoscope of experiences and visit the most beautiful places in Canada.
Best time to visit Canada
Given the charm of the changing seasons, Canada, one of the most beautiful places in the world, is stunning throughout the year. The best time to visit depends on the activities you’re planning as part of your Canada itinerary. The winter months last from December to February for travellers looking for picturesque snow-covered landscapes, skiing holidays at Whistler or Mont-Sainte-Anne and ice-skating on frozen lakes. Springtime from March to May sees the entire country in bloom, while the summer months from June to August are an invigorating blend of balmy sunshine, long daylight hours and the chance to explore the great outdoors. Autumn months from September to November see the entire country transform into a Monet painting, with the trees and forests painted in brush strokes of fiery red, orange and gold.
Journey through time and terrain: The 10-day Canada itinerary
Day 1 and 2: Montréal, Québec
Land in Montréal: Start your 10-day Canadian itinerary in the culturally rich, vibrant city of Montréal, Québec. If you’re not from a visa-exempt country, ensure a valid visitor visa to Canada, which you can apply for online here (foreign nationals should check with their respective governments on entry requirements to Canada). Upon exiting the Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport at Baggage Claim via Door 20 or Door 28, you can rent a car, take a taxi/Uber, or use the 747 shuttle bus service for downtown Montréal. The 747 bus operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week, leaving from Door 28 a few metres away from the airport exit. The ticket costs USD 11 (HKD 86).
Canada itinerary Day 1: Once you’re ready to start exploring Montréal, public transport makes commuting easy with most of the city’s main attractions connected by a metro system, buses and ferry services. Start with a stroll or horse-drawn carriage ride through Old Montréal (Vieux Montréal) along charming cobblestone pathways and exquisite 18th-century architecture. Stop for a bowl (you heard right, a bowl) of hot chocolate at Bar à Beurre Vieux Montréal, then take a 10-minute walk over to the historic Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal, the first Gothic Revival-style church in Canada. Finally, saunter over to Toqué, a 9-minute walk from the cathedral, and end your day with a fresh seasonal cocktail and an incredible seven-course tasting menu. The restaurant showcases seasonal, local produce in its cocktails and cuisine to pay homage to gastronomy rooted in Québec, sourcing ingredients from the province’s oceans, rivers, fields and forests.
Montréal on Day 2: For a morning of art and culture, the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts features a large collection of Canadian, Indigenous and international art. If the weather is good, take a 15-minute walk from the museum to Mont Royal (locally known as “the mountain”) and hike up to the top for stunning panoramic views of the city. On Sundays, Mont Royal comes alive with Tam Tams, a free festival with drum circles, dancers and an eclectic flea market to shop. Enjoy your last night in the city with an indulgent meal at the iconic Moishes (a personal favourite) for one of the most voluptuous cuts of steak you’ve ever tasted, then burn off the calories dancing all night at Stereo, Montréal’s favourite after-hours club (Montréal is famous for its nightlife, as my college girl self remembers vividly).
Book your stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal via Booking.com
Book your stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal via Agoda.com
Canada itinerary Days 3, 4 and 5: Halifax + Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Day 3 in Halifax: The next stop on your 10-day Canada itinerary is the charming seaside city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, a 1 hr 40 min flight from Montréal. If you have the luxury of time, Via Rail’s Ocean train connects Montréal and Halifax with a beautiful 23-hour train journey along the coastlines of the St. Lawrence River. Halifax is synonymous with stunning natural beauty, irresistibly fresh seafood, a rich Celtic and Gaelic heritage and a fascinating blend of small-town warmth and big-city finesse.
While the city doesn’t have a metro system, local buses and Uber make commuting within city limits quite simple. Start by window shopping along the boardwalk of the Halifax Waterfront, a bustling seaside hotspot teeming with restaurants, bars, boutiques and public art. Once you start to feel peckish, take the ferry across the harbour to Dartmouth for incredibly fresh local oysters at Dear Friend Bar, a cosy neighbourhood bar serving up delicious cocktails and small plates, with oyster happy hour daily from 4 pm – 5 pm (don’t miss the hot sauce made in-house with wild rose petals, fermented rice, habaneros and tomatoes).
Wind up your day as a Haligonian by exploring Halifax’s inspired culinary scene, perhaps still best loved for its world-class seafood. Bar Kismet in the gentrified district of North End Halifax is high on the list for its bustling atmosphere and wonderfully creative seafood entrees, and Edna in the same area is a cosy, upmarket bistro showcasing decadently fresh Nova Scotian produce. Highwayman, named after the seminal poem by Alfred Noyes, is a must-visit for its sultry ambience, creative cocktails and Spanish-inspired small plates (yes, I’m a sucker for dim lighting and a good mezcal cocktail). Finish off the evening with a nightcap and some live Celtic music at The Narrows Halifax Public House, a traditional and incredibly lively Nova Scotian inn inside a heritage home from 1896.
Bay of Fundy and Annapolis Valley on Day 4: Start the next morning bright and early with a scenic 1 ½ hour drive out to Burntcoat Head Park to experience the world-famous Bay of Fundy, known for having the world’s highest tides. At low tide, you can explore the ocean floor, look for fossils and take in magnificent views of the Red Fundy shoreline cliffs (part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Bay of Fundy is also home to several species of whales, so be sure to add a whale-watching tour to your 10-day Canada itinerary to witness these magnificent creatures breaching in the wild.
After an active morning, drive 1-hour to the Annapolis Valley to unwind with a wine-tasting and vineyard tour in Nova Scotia Wine Country. The region is famous for its signature Tidal Bay white wine, an appellation of origin wine that’s quintessentially Nova Scotian and the first wine appellation for the province. The wine is crisp, aromatic and terroir-driven with a characteristic freshness that pairs beautifully with local Nova Scotian seafood. Start with a tasting tour at Domaine de Grand Pré winery and enjoy a delightfully fresh meal at the vineyard’s in-house restaurant, Le Caveau. On the drive back to the city, end the day by unwinding at the SenSea Nordic Spa in Chester with its luxurious selection of outdoor saunas, hot/cold baths and hammams nestled within lush forests and rolling hills.
Cape Breton on Day 5: The next day, hit the road for a trip to Cape Breton Island on the northeastern end of Nova Scotia, a mythical isle steeped in Mi’qmak, Acadian and Celtic culture and drenched in jaw-dropping natural beauty. Start by visiting Louisbourg, an 18th-century French fortress, before soaking in Cape Breton’s dramatic cliffs, mist-shrouded valleys and stark highland scenery with a scenic coastal drive along the world-renowned Cabot Trail. Pit stop at Glenora Inn & Distillery, home of Canada’s first single malt whisky, for a fun whisky tasting before enjoying a meal and live Celtic music at the distillery’s restaurant.
Book your stay at Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel via Booking.com
Book your stay at Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel via Agoda.com
Day 6 and 7: Woody Point + Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
Day 6 Newfoundland: The next port of call on our Canada itinerary is Newfoundland, an enchanting land of breathtakingly majestic fjords, picturesque national parks, and a rugged remoteness that conjures up ancient myths and legends. Take a short flight from Halifax to Deer Lake Airport, where you can rent a car and drive 1-hour to the historic town of Woody Point in the heart of Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you’ll meet some of the friendliest, kindest human beings on the planet (population of Woody Point: 281 people). Stay at Uncle Steve’s Place, a quaint heritage homestay in a Victorian-era home built in the 1800s. Take a walk around this charming seaside village and visit the historic lighthouse, grab a bite and some live music at The Merchant Warehouse, and if you’re lucky – you may even get screeched in.
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Newfoundland has a ceremony for visitors (“come from aways’) called the “screech in”, involving a shot of screech (local rum), a recitation of an age-old saying, and kissing the pouty lips of a cod fish. Once you’re officially a screeched-in local, end the day with a Newfoundland-made iceberg beer (made with real iceberg water) at the town’s local Royal Canadian Legion bar, where you’re bound to leave with more friends than when you walked in.
On Day 7, head to Gros Morne National Park and start with a boat tour of Western Brook Pond to soak in the majestic beauty of this glacier-carved fjord, surrounded by billion-year-old cliffs that seem to rise to the heavens and waterfalls cascading down to planet Earth from 2000 feet high.
If hiking is your cup of tea, the park features several beautiful trails and the chance to explore The Tablelands within Gros Morne – one of the few places on the planet where you can see the Earth’s mantle. Explore our list of the best national parks in Canada.
Day 8, 9 and 10: L’Anse Aux Meadows + Quirpon Island, Newfoundland
Set off for L’Anse Aux Meadows on Day 8: Get an early morning start for a magical 4-hour drive to the northern tip of Newfoundland to L’Anse Aux Meadows, the excavated site of the ancient remains of an 11th-century Viking settlement. The recreation of the Viking Encampment is exceptional – try your hand at blacksmithing, speak to one of the characters in the village who is bringing Viking history to life, and step back in time to 1000 years ago when Norse sailors first landed on the shores of North America. Grab lunch at The Norseman restaurant just a 5-minute drive away, before driving 12 minutes to the dock in Quirpon village, where you’ll catch your Zodiac boat to Quirpon Island (a choppy but exhilarating 25-minute crossing).
Day 9 at Quirpon Island: Culminate your 10-day Canada itinerary on Quirpon Island, a breathtakingly remote island accessible only by boat that promises to be an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime (trust me). Stay at Quirpon Lighthouse Inn, a historic lighthouse that dates back to the 1860s and feels like it’s perched on the edge of the world. The rooms are lovingly restored and all meals are provided by the inn, including traditional homemade Newfoundland suppers (“Jigg’s Dinners”, which include boiled beef, potatoes, root vegetables and cabbage). The owner of the lighthouse is the charismatic Ed English, a dedicated adventurer and captivating storyteller, deeply knowledgeable about everything land and sea when it comes to Quirpon.
Start your day hiking across the island’s spectacular trails or take a guided kayak tour, looking out for orcas, minke and humpback whales that swim up so close to the shore you can almost touch them. For a more relaxing morning, get cosy inside the indoor heated whale-watching station and look out to towering cliffs and an endless expanse of blue. The island is dotted with wildflowers and an abundance of edible wild partridge berries, crowberries, and the ever elusive “cloudberry” – a sunset-coloured wild berry that Newfoundland is famous for, known locally as the bakeapple. The berry is rare and notoriously hard to find as it grows mainly in mountainous regions, marshes and peat bogs, and truth be told, I have never tasted a berry quite like this: delicately tart but also honeysuckle sweet, with an exciting crackling crunch of the berry’s tiny seeds.
Au Revoir, Canada! On the final day of your Canada itinerary, head to St. Anthony Airport just 70 km from Quirpon village and take a 1 ½ hour flight to St. John’s International Airport. The airport is well-connected to all international destinations and features a series of eateries, breweries and cafes, just in case you’re looking for one final taste of Newfoundland’s local food and drink. For last-minute shopping, the boutiques and shops at the airport feature a wide array of artisanal crafts and souvenirs.
Visas, packing essentials and more: Travel tips for Canada itinerary
When travelling to Canada, remember that the country’s vast size makes it impossible to squeeze every activity and region into your Canada itinerary. Instead, choose fewer destinations and give yourself enough time to enjoy each port of call. Since Canadian weather is notoriously unpredictable, pack clothing for rain, shine and everything in between, along with a good pair of hiking boots or walking shoes. Make sure to have all necessary travel documents and visa requirements in order before travelling, and carry a valid international driver’s licence for the freedom to explore Canada’s natural beauty by road.
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All currency conversions were done at the time of writing.
(Feature Image Credit: Maurizio De Mattei/Shutterstock )
Related: 9 Best Places To Live In Canada, According To Local Experts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-How many days should I spend in Canada?
We recommend at least a 10-day itinerary for Canada when planning your holiday. If you have the luxury of time, 2 to 3 weeks will allow you to explore more of the country.
-Are there any day trips I can take from Canada?
There are a few day trips that are possible from Canada: Seattle is a 3-hour drive from Vancouver, and from Niagara Falls, Ontario, you can cross over the Rainbow Bridge into Upstate New York.
-What should I pack for my trip to Canada?
When packing for your trip to Canada, pack for the season and for rain and shine. If travelling to Canada in the summer, essentials include sunscreen and bug spray, hiking boots, swimwear, a fleece or sweater for cooler nights, and a rain jacket. Do pack a universal travel adapter to plug in your electronics in Canada.
-How do I get around Canada?
Due to its large size, it is most common to travel between Canada’s major cities by air. Other transport options include bus, ferry, car or train, as Canada’s rail network runs across the country.
-Do I need a visa to visit Canada?
Unless you are from a visa-exempt country, you will need a visitor visa to enter Canada. However, it is important to note that even if you are from a visa-exempt country, you may still need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) as a visa-exempt foreign national flying to Canada.
-What are some family-friendly activities in Canada?
There are a wealth of family-friendly activities that are possible across Canada. Enjoy outdoor adventures like kayaking, hiking, skiing, white water rafting or whale watching; visit historic sites, museums, science centres and art galleries to learn about Canada’s rich history and culture; or attend family-friendly cultural festivals like the Montreal International Jazz Festival or Winterlude in Ottawa.
-Where can I find the best dining options in Canada?
Canada offers incredible dining options across the country. The urban centres of Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal offer eclectic fine dining experiences, while the coastal cities and towns across Atlantic Canada offer incredibly fresh seafood.
-What activities are available in Canada besides sightseeing?
Apart from sightseeing, Canada offers a wide range of outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking and skiing, while Canada’s urban centres feature a wide range of eclectic dining options, museums and art galleries, and a thriving nightlife.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Nirupama Belliappa
Nirupama Belliappa is a features journalist and a classical harpist. She has previously worked at NDTV ..Read More
