Here are the summer vacation destinations in Canada, chosen for Canadian travellers. Long days and warm weather.
Summer vacation destinations in Canada
1. Banff
Banff is Canada’s first national park (1885) and its most famous mountain town, surrounded by turquoise lakes, hot springs, wildlife and the peaks of the Rockies. Read our Banff travel guide.
- Best time: June to September for lakes and hiking; December to March for skiing
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Calgary; 3.5–4 hours from Jasper via the Icefields Parkway
- Don’t miss: Moraine Lake, Banff Gondola and Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
2. Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province, famous for red-sand beaches, Anne of Green Gables, lobster suppers and the Confederation Bridge. Read our Prince Edward Island travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 3 hours from Halifax via the Confederation Bridge, or by summer ferry from Caribou, Nova Scotia
- Don’t miss: Green Gables Heritage Place, PEI National Park and Charlottetown
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
3. Vancouver
Vancouver is where mountains meet the ocean, with Stanley Park, beaches, world-class Asian food and ski hills 30 minutes from downtown. Read our Vancouver travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 2 hours to Whistler; 1.5 hours by ferry to Victoria
- Don’t miss: Stanley Park, Granville Island and Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
4. Okanagan Valley (Kelowna)
The Okanagan Valley is BC’s sunny lake and wine country, with beaches, more than 180 wineries and orchards. Read our Okanagan Valley (Kelowna) travel guide.
- Best time: June to September; September for harvest
- Getting there: About 4 hours from Vancouver
- Don’t miss: Wineries, Okanagan Lake and Myra Canyon trestles
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Gear up for the trail
- Power stations for camping and road trips VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups. - Outdoor gear picks Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping essentials for park trips. - Outdoor gear reviews VerdictFox
Honest reviews of the camping and outdoor kit worth packing.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
5. Tofino
Tofino sits on Vancouver Island’s wild west coast, famous for surfing, storm watching and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Read our Tofino travel guide.
- Best time: May to September; November to February for storms
- Getting there: About 3 hours from Nanaimo; 4.5–5 hours from Victoria
- Don’t miss: Long Beach, Storm watching and Hot Springs Cove
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
6. Muskoka
Muskoka is Ontario’s cottage country, a land of lakes, resorts and fall colours two hours north of Toronto. Read our Muskoka travel guide.
- Best time: June to September; late September to early October
- Getting there: About 2 hours from Toronto
- Don’t miss: Lake Muskoka, Dorset Lookout Tower and Port Carling
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
7. Halifax
Halifax is a friendly Atlantic port city with a lively waterfront, maritime history and easy access to Peggy’s Cove and the South Shore. Read our Halifax travel guide.
- Best time: June to October
- Getting there: About 1 hour to Lunenburg; 4.5 hours to Cape Breton
- Don’t miss: Halifax Waterfront, Citadel Hill and Pier 21
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
8. Montreal
Montreal is a French-speaking city with European flair, cobblestone Old Montreal, festivals and a legendary food scene. Read our Montreal travel guide.
- Best time: May to October; December for festive markets
- Getting there: About 2 hours from Ottawa; 3 hours from Quebec City
- Don’t miss: Old Montreal, Mount Royal and Jean-Talon Market
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
9. Jasper
Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, wilder and quieter than Banff, with Maligne Lake, abundant wildlife and a Dark Sky Preserve. A 2024 wildfire damaged part of the townsite and surrounding forest, and the community has been rebuilding. Read our Jasper travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 4 hours from Edmonton; 3.5–4 hours from Banff
- Don’t miss: Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, Maligne Canyon and Jasper SkyTram
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
10. Cape Breton Island (Cabot Trail)
Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail is a 298 km loop of coastal highlands, Celtic music and whale watching, one of the world’s great drives. Read our Cape Breton Island (Cabot Trail) travel guide.
- Best time: July to mid-October
- Getting there: About 4.5 hours from Halifax to Baddeck
- Don’t miss: Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park and Skyline Trail
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Tips
Book early.
How to choose
Start with when you can travel and how you like to spend your days. Some destinations on this list shine in summer, others in shoulder season; some suit active travellers, others are made for slow days and good food. Pick one or two that match your style rather than trying to see everything, and read the linked guides for timing, costs and where to stay.
How we chose
We picked destinations that consistently impress first-time and returning visitors, balanced famous names with lesser-known gems, and considered access, value, seasonality and the quality of the experience on the ground. Prices, opening dates and reservation rules change, so confirm the details before booking.
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require government-issued photo ID; carry a passport if you might cross into the US.
- Money: GST or HST is added to most prices at the till, so budget 5–15% more than the shelf price; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
- Insurance: Provincial health plans may not pay the full cost of care in another province, and ambulance and air-ambulance costs can be high, so check whether an out-of-province travel insurance policy makes sense for you. Read our guide to out-of-province travel insurance.
- Driving: Most Canadians road-trip in their own car; rentals are widely available, and winter tyres are required on many BC highways and in Quebec in winter. Fuel is usually cheapest in Alberta and most expensive in BC and the North.
- Saving money: see our Canada budget travel and cheapest places to travel in Canada guides.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$150–C$220 | motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive |
| Mid-range | C$300–C$480 | good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours |
| Luxury | C$700–C$1,400 | resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Before you go: gear checklist
- Travel phones and smartwatches Buyzello
Phones with great cameras and wearables that track your hikes. - Top-rated wireless earbuds VerdictFox
Compact earbuds for flights, trains and long drives. - Luxury weekender bags for short getaways Opulique
A refined weekender is perfect for two-night escapes.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best choice on this list?
It depends on your travel style, but Banff is a standout for most travellers.
When should I go?
Most of these destinations are best in spring and fall, when crowds are lighter and prices lower.
How many days do I need?
Plan at least two to three days per destination.
Are these good for families?
Most are; check each guide for family tips.
How much should I budget?
Mid-range travellers typically spend C$300–C$480 per person per day.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Banff Travel Guide: Lakes, Hikes and Where to Stay
- PEI Travel Guide: Beaches, Lobster and Green Gables
- Vancouver Travel Guide: Neighbourhoods, Sights and Day Trips
- Okanagan Travel Guide: Wineries, Lakes and Beaches
- How to Travel Canada on a Budget: 25 Money-Saving Tips