80 Most Beautiful Places in Canada You Must Visit in 2026
Your Curated Bucket List for the Year of Wonder
Canada is entering a historic year in 2026 — co-hosting the FIFA World Cup, celebrating Indigenous heritage, and welcoming a new wave of global travelers seeking what we call "Glowmad" experiences: meaningful adventures that combine wellness, culture, and sustainability.
At GoTripify, we know that the best trips don't just check off landmarks. They create feelings — of wonder, of connection, of stillness.
Whether you are a 'Glowmad' wellness seeker, a solo explorer, or a sports fan chasing the World Cup buzz, this guide will show you the 80 most beautiful places in Canada to visit in 2026.
Why 2026 is the Year to Visit Canada
- FIFA World Cup host cities (Toronto & Vancouver) will transform
- Indigenous-led tourism is booming
- Wellness and 'slow travel' trends align with Canada's wilderness
- New flight routes and upgraded parks infrastructure
The West Coast: British Columbia & The Rockies
Best for: World Cup hosts, rainforests, and mountain wellness.
Vancouver, BC (FIFA Host City)
The world is coming to Vancouver in 2026. Between matches, cycle the Stanley Park Seawall or take a water taxi to Granville Island. GoTripify Tip: Escape the soccer crowds by hiking the North Shore mountains.
Haida Gwaii, BC
The "Galapagos of the North." In 2026, indigenous-led tourism is booming here. Walk through ancient totem poles and mossy rainforests.
Tofino, Vancouver Island
The ultimate "Cold Water Therapy" destination. Storm watching in early 2026 is a top wellness trend for "Glowmads".
Whistler, BC
Just 2 hours from the World Cup action, Whistler offers a high-alpine escape. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola is a must-do engineering marvel.
Yoho National Park, BC (The "Banff Dupe")
Skip the Banff congestion and head here. Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls offer the same Rocky Mountain beauty with half the crowds.
Squamish, BC
The "Adventure Capital." Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola for views of the Howe Sound fjord.
Okanagan Valley, BC
Canada's wine country. 2026 is the perfect year for a "slow travel" road trip through vineyards and warm lakes.
Great Bear Rainforest, BC
The only place to see the Spirit Bear. A bucket-list ecotourism trip for 2026.
Capilano Suspension Bridge, BC
Walk among the treetops. A classic that never gets old, especially during the "Canyon Lights" festival.
Joffre Lakes, BC
Three blindingly blue glacial lakes. Note: Day passes are now required to manage tourism flows.
Victoria, BC
British charm meets West Coast vibes. The Butchart Gardens are planting special displays for the 2026 season.
Pacific Rim National Park, BC
Walk the Long Beach in the mist. It feels like the edge of the world.
Kootenay National Park, BC
Soak in the Radium Hot Springs. A top spot for 2026's wellness travel trend.
Nelson, BC
A cultural gem in the Selkirk Mountains with a thriving arts scene and heritage buildings.
Fernie, BC
A dramatic mountain town surrounded by peaks. Great for hiking in summer and powder skiing in winter.
Sunshine Coast, BC
Ferry-hop up the coast to discover hidden coves and artist communities like Gibsons and Sechelt.
Wells Gray Provincial Park, BC
The "Waterfall Park." Helmcken Falls is twice the height of Niagara and usually deserted.
Mount Robson Provincial Park, BC
Home to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. The Berg Lake Trail is legendary.
Revelstoke, BC
A high-adrenaline mountain town. Drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway for instant alpine views.
Salt Spring Island, BC
Famous for its Saturday market and farm-to-table food scene.
The Prairies: Big Skies, Badlands & Bison
Best for: Road trips, dark sky preserves, and affordability.
Banff National Park, Alberta
The classic. In 2026, use the Roam Transit system to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to avoid parking nightmares.
Jasper National Park, Alberta
Recovering beautifully from past wildfires, Jasper welcomes visitors back with open arms. Visit the Dark Sky Preserve in October.
Icefields Parkway, Alberta
Drive from Banff to Jasper. Stop at the Athabasca Glacier before it recedes further—climate tourism is a key theme for 2026.
Drumheller, Alberta
The Dinosaur Capital. The hoodoos and the Royal Tyrrell Museum are world-class.
Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Where the mountains meet the prairies. The Prince of Wales Hotel offers the most iconic view in the park.
Abraham Lake, Alberta
Famous for its frozen methane bubbles in winter. A photographer's dream.
Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
One of the quietest places in North America. Perfect for a "Digital Detox" trip in 2026.
Athabasca Sand Dunes, Saskatchewan
The most northerly active sand dunes on Earth. A hidden gem accessible only by floatplane.
Churchill, Manitoba
The Polar Bear Capital. Also the best place to see Beluga whales in summer (July-Aug).
Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba
A prairie oasis with wild bison, moose, and black bears.
The Forks, Winnipeg
A historic meeting place for 6,000 years. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is an architectural marvel here.
Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park, Manitoba
Icelandic heritage and lighthouses on Lake Winnipeg.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Walk the Meewasin Valley trails and visit the Remai Modern art gallery.
Cypress Hills, Sask/Alberta
An interprovincial park with a unique lodgepole pine forest that rises above the prairies.
Gimli, Manitoba
A beach town with a giant Viking statue, celebrating the region's Icelandic history.
Central Canada: Ontario & Quebec
Best for: Culture, World Cup excitement, and Fall Colors.
Toronto, Ontario (FIFA Host City)
"The World in a City." In 2026, Toronto will host 6 World Cup matches. Visit the CN Tower and the Distillery District between games.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
An eternal classic. In 2026, new zero-emission boat tours are launching to make your visit greener.
Ottawa, Ontario
The Capital. Visit in May for the Tulip Festival or skate the Rideau Canal in winter.
Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
The best place for fall colors (late Sept). A top spot for the "Book bound" trend—rent a cabin and read by the lake.
Tobermory & The Grotto, Ontario
Crystal clear turquoise waters that look Caribbean but feel Canadian (cold!).
Muskoka, Ontario
Rent a cottage on the lake. It's where Hollywood stars go to hide out.
Prince Edward County, Ontario
"The County" is Ontario's gastronomic capital. Sandbanks Provincial Park offers massive dunes and beaches.
Manitoulin Island, Ontario
The world's largest freshwater island. The "Cup and Saucer" trail offers panoramic views.
Hamilton's Waterfalls, Ontario
Known as the Waterfall Capital of the World, with over 100 cascades like Webster's Falls.
Thousand Islands, Ontario
Cruise through the 1,800+ islands on the St. Lawrence River.
Quebec City, Quebec
The most European city in North America. Walking Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage experience.
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
A colorful pedestrian village. Stunning in the fall and a top ski destination in winter.
Montreal, Quebec
A city of festivals. Visit in June/July 2026 for the Jazz Festival or Just For Laughs.
Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec
Drive the coastal Route 132 to see Percé Rock, a massive stone arch in the ocean.
Tadoussac, Quebec
The best whale watching in Eastern Canada. Belugas and Minke whales frequent the Saguenay Fjord.
Île d'Orléans, Quebec
A pastoral island of vineyards and strawberry fields just minutes from Quebec City.
La Mauricie National Park, Quebec
A hidden gem for canoeing and camping, situated halfway between Montreal and Quebec City.
Mingan Archipelago, Quebec
Famous for its giant limestone "flowerpot" monoliths.
Eastern Townships, Quebec
Rolling hills, abbeys, and cheese trails. A romantic getaway destination.
Omega Park, Quebec
A drive-through safari where you can feed carrots to elk and deer from your car.
Atlantic Canada: Coastal Beauty & Seafood
Best for: Scenic drives, friendly locals, and icebergs.
Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
One of the world's best road trips. The Skyline Trail offers dramatic cliffside ocean views.
Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia
The quintessential lighthouse. Safety Tip: Stay off the black rocks to stay safe from rogue waves!
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
A colorful UNESCO town and the home of the famous Bluenose II schooner.
Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick
Walk on the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks during the world's lowest tides.
Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
A landscape so unique it's a UNESCO site. The Western Brook Pond fjord tour is mandatory.
St. John's, Newfoundland
Famous for "Jellybean Row"—streets lined with brightly colored houses.
Prince Edward Island (PEI)
Red sand beaches and Green Gables heritage. A top family destination for Summer 2026.
Confederation Bridge, PEI/NB
Driving this 13km bridge over the ocean is a thrill in itself.
Fogo Island, Newfoundland
"One of the four corners of the Earth." A remote, artistic island with jagged coastlines.
Iceberg Alley, Newfoundland
See ancient icebergs float by (best in May-June). A climate-conscious traveler's bucket-list item.
Cape Spear, Newfoundland
The most easterly point in North America. Watch the sunrise before anyone else on the continent.
Bonavista Peninsula, Newfoundland
Puffin colonies and historic fishing villages. John Cabot landed here in 1497.
Sable Island, Nova Scotia
Known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." Home to wild horses and accessible only by special permit.
Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
Apple orchards, wineries, and the famous Tidal Bore on the Bay of Fundy.
Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia
Dark sky stargazing and Mi'kmaq petroglyphs. A Seaside Adjunct section offers wild beaches.
The North: True Wilderness & Aurora
Best for: Northern Lights, indigenous culture, and solitude.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
The Northern Lights Capital. In 2026, solar maximum activity promises incredible Aurora displays.
Nahanni National Park Reserve, NWT
Virginia Falls is twice the height of Niagara. Accessible by floatplane for true wilderness seekers.
Dawson City, Yukon
A Gold Rush town frozen in time. Walk the boardwalks and pan for gold yourself.
Kluane National Park, Yukon
Home to Canada's highest peak (Mount Logan) and the world's largest non-polar icefield.
Whitehorse, Yukon
The gateway to the Yukon. Take a sternwheeler cruise or visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
Inuvik, NWT
Experience 24-hour daylight in summer or complete darkness in winter. Drive the Dempster Highway for adventure.
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Canada's newest capital city. Explore Inuit art galleries and Arctic wildlife.
Tuktoyaktuk, NWT
The end of the road—literally. The new highway to "Tuk" opened in 2017, making it accessible year-round.
Auyuittuq National Park, Nunavut
"The Land That Never Melts." Home to Mount Thor, the world's greatest vertical drop.
Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon
Rugged granite peaks and fall colors that rival anywhere on Earth. A photographer's paradise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the World Cup affect travel in 2026?
Toronto and Vancouver will be buzzing. Book accommodations early. Consider visiting 'off-the-radar' destinations like Atlantic Canada for a calmer experience.
What is the cheapest month to visit Canada in 2026?
April and November offer lower prices and fewer crowds. You'll miss peak seasons but gain incredible value.
Do I need a visa for 2026?
It depends on your nationality. Most visitors need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). Check GoTripify's visa guide for specifics.
Where is the best place for Northern Lights in 2026?
Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and Churchill are the top spots. 2026's solar maximum promises exceptional Aurora activity.
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Expert travel guide, with Canada's top attractions. Your complete guide to 80 most beautiful places in Canada for 2026.
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