Great Canada Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend?

Canada is a huge country and travel itineraries here can range in duration from three days to over three weeks. We suggest a minimum of ten days in this glorious country if you’d like to soak up the bright lights of a bustling city and also venture out into a more remote region, like Banff or Jasper National Park, for a few days in the wilderness. Those with two weeks or more days can explore a range of the country's best destinations including the Canadian Rockies, the Yukon, the East Coast, and Niagara Falls.

Canada itineraries that are a week-long are great for covering one major city and taking a day trip to a nearby national park or area of wilderness. Popular starting destinations include Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Spend your time strolling around Stanley Park, shopping down Robson Street, and exploring the seawall that runs around the English Bay and Coal Harbor.

Other attractions include touring the local breweries, whale watching off Vancouver Island, and cycling through the Olympic Village. Those looking for activities involving nature should consider scuba diving around Porteau Cove, hiking in Grouse Mountain, and swimming in the waterfalls of Lynn Canyon. And those who don’t mind rising early could spend one of the seven days exploring the Whistler Mountain, a ski and snowboarding haven, or take a road trip down the coast to Deep Cove, an area home to soft sand beaches and charming pine forests.  

Alternatively, spend seven days in Eastern Canada exploring Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This large area is perfect for multi-day Canada itineraries as it covers big cities like Halifax, remote beaches like Peggy’s Cove and the Bay of Fundy, and beautiful wilderness like that found in Prince Edward Island National Park. If you have time, add the Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site on your to-do list when in Canada.

A good 10-day Canada travel itinerary can include exploring the Canadian Rockies, especially if you’re a seasoned walker and a big fan of the great outdoors. Visit Okanagan, Jasper, Whistler, and more destinations as you hike spectacular mountain trails, explore glistening glaciers, and taste wine in the valleys of Kelowna. This route offers the chance to soak up the very best of Canada’s wildlife and natural beauty, you’ll also drive the Icefield Parkway on a jaw-dropping Canada road trip to remember. 

For a 10-day itinerary that’s less arduous on the legs, consider exploring Quebec and Ontario including time in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, and Tadoussac National Park. In Montreal, visit the Old Town, the Botanical Gardens, and the Old Port where you can sample the local dish ‘poutine’, while in Quebec City you can explore the cobblestoned streets of Old Quebec (a UNESCO World Heritage site), ride the funicular to Upper Town, and visit the Citadelle of Quebec. From here, head to beautiful Tadoussac National Park for a spot of hiking, beachfront picnics, and whale watching.

Two-week Canada itineraries give you a little more time to really scratch the surface of a destination or to venture further and see more incredible destinations in one trip. Those who’d like to immerse themselves in the arctic wilderness of Canada should consider spending two weeks in the north visiting Churchill, Whitehorse, and Yellowknife on an expedition in search of polar bears and arctic wildlife. As this region is fairly remote, you’ll need a minimum of two weeks to even begin exploring here, and a car is an absolute must. 

Alternatively, spend your two weeks city-hopping across the country calling in at Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa. This is the ultimate road trip for those looking to soak up the local cuisine, culture, and customs from coast to coast. Expect to be touring breweries in Toronto, tackling fears of heights on the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, and enjoying spectacular views from atop Mount Royal in Montreal. To extend this cross-Canadian route add Calgary, Halifax, St.John’s, and Quebec City to your to-visit list! Or else add in day trip stops at any of the several national parks, like Algonquin Park, between cities.

Those fortunate enough to have three weeks to explore Canada can really sink their teeth into the country. An ultimate 21-day itinerary gives a taste of Canada’s main highlights from coast to coast and is best-done traveling by train, plane, or bus. You can begin in Quebec City where you savor baguettes and all things French before moving on to the cosmopolitan city of Montreal, and then to Ottawa for a day or two exploring museums and art galleries.

Pay a visit to Canada’s biggest city, Toronto, before admiring the mighty Niagara Falls. Waste no time at the falls and fly to Edmonton where you can take a train to Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Spend a few days driving the Icefield Parkway and exploring the spectacular grandeur of the Rocky Mountains National Park. Soak up the likes of Lake Louise and multiple mountain trails in Banff, the capital of the Rockies. This epic three-week Canadian adventure ends in Vancouver on the west coast where you can unwind with good food and a spectacular coastline.

If you need more help planning your trip or working out the best Canada itinerary, don’t hesitate to contact one of our travel experts or if you’d like to book a package, check out our Canada tours page for more ideas.