Around 20 million tourists visit Canada each year, drawn by the astonishing natural beauty, friendly people, and modern yet cultured cities. Read on to discover the best places to visit in Canada summer 2026.
Depending on your nationality, you may need a Canada Visitor visa to come to the country legally. Get in touch with Immigration Advice Service for legal assistance with applying for a Canada Visitor Visa, or visit our website to learn more about our Canada visa services.
The Canadian Rockies
The Rocky Mountains cover an enormous expanse of North America, with the ridge travelling over 3,000 miles through western Canada down to New Mexico. There is a tremendous selection of places to visit in the Canadian half of this mountain range for your summer holidays in Canada. It is home to five national parks: Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, and Glacier.
The scale of the mountain range means there are plenty of different types of scenery to enjoy and activities to get up to. You can find majestic blue lakes formed from snow and glacier melt, conquer some of the continent’s highest peaks, and relax in thick forests. There are also plenty of charming mountain towns, such as Canmore and Golden.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is one of North America’s most touristy destinations, with 14 million visitors each year. The Falls are a bucket-list item for travellers from around the world. It will be busy, but the sight of the three waterfalls, ranging from 70 to 188 feet high, that make up this iconic destination, makes it well worth a summer visit.
The Niagara Falls are located on the Niagara River, which borders New York State and Ontario. To visit from the Canadian side, you can drive two hours from Toronto.
Consider spending a little extra on a boat tour to get up close to the mesmerising power of the waterfalls. Make sure to bring a waterproof
Vancouver, British Columbia
Visiting Canada isn’t only about finding astonishing natural beauty. It is home to some of North America’s most diverse, cosmopolitan, and fascinatingly cultured cities. Vancouver, located on the west coast, is a clear standout. Vancouver Art Gallery is great to grab some culture, and there are plenty of artisan eating and shopping options available.
While you are in Vancouver, it's well worth taking the short hop across the Strait of Georgia to visit Vancouver Island. This is North America’s west coast’s largest island, with a population of almost 900,000 people, who are known for their alternative and artsy culture. You can also enjoy the island’s rugged coastline, forests, beaches, and seaside towns. Consider taking the trip by ferry for a chance to spot orcas and humpback whales.
Vancouver Island also has some of the nation’s richest indigenous histories. It was formed by the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Kwakwaka’wakw peoples who interacted with some of the West Coast’s first European explorers.
Johnstone Strait
The best place to see orcas in Canada could be Johnstone Strait, a thin strip of water separating the north-eastern part of Vancouver Island from the Canadian mainland. It is 68 miles long, with a width varying from 1.5 to 3 miles.
With crystal clear waters and some of the world’s largest pods of orcas, it is world-renowned for killer whale spotting. Book a boat tour to be taken directly to the best places to spot orcas, or hire a kayak to explore at your own pace.
Another reason the Johnstone Strait is so popular is that it is incredibly sparsely populated, but it doesn’t have the challenges associated with visiting Canada’s true wilderness. The area is populated by small fishing communities, which is how indigenous people survived here for thousands of years. That means the densely forested mountains bordering the Johnstone Strait are almost untouched by humans and contain an incredible amount of wildlife.
Quebec City
You can get a taste of Europe during your North American adventure with a trip to Quebec City. This city is the heart of French-speaking Canada, although almost all the residents also speak English.
Quebec City is known for its historic landmarks and the French colonial architecture of Old Quebec, which has won the city UNESCO World Heritage Site status. That is unsurprising as the city is steeped in history. It was founded in 1608 and is located on the Saint Lawrence River, making it one of North America’s oldest cities.
Quebec City is also often considered Canada’s culinary capital. It is heavily influenced by French cuisine. Moreover, much like Paris, the city is also dense with romantic cafes.
It is worth expanding your visit to Quebec to include Montreal. This city has much of the French charm and European architecture that draws many visitors to Quebec City. Yet, it is a livelier and more dynamic destination. Head to Old Montreal and the Notre-Dame Basilica for a true understanding of how the French shaped Canada. It is also a city with a superb food scene, with the main hub being the Old Port, which is particularly known for its bagels.
How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?
There are over 140 nations that aren’t visa-exempt. These are often countries that are outside North America, Australasia, and Europe. You will need to get a Visitor visa to legally come to Canada for short-term travel and vacationing purposes.
Obtaining even a short-term visa is a difficult prospect. It requires you to show clearly that you meet the eligibility criteria and pull together extensive documentation that proves this is the case. Skilled immigration lawyers like our team at Immigration Advice Service can help you understand if you require the Canadian Visitor visa before guiding you through the entire application process.
Visit our website or get in touch with our team today to learn how our team can help and begin your Visitor visa application.
