Your visit to Canada wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of its metropolises. The country has over 38 million people and offers a rich history, culture, and culinary scene – apart from sceneries that’s probably going to be etched in your minds (and pictures) forever.
Tourists from around the world love Canada’s outdoors, but here are some of the big cities you can explore as well – should you want to explore Canadian city life.
The 10 Biggest Cities of Canada Worth Visiting
1. Toronto
Toronto, located in Southern Ontario, is the biggest city in Canada, and covers an area of about 630.2 square kilometres. It is vastly populated with a population of over 2.98 million people and tops the list as the most populated city in Canada. And if we take the GTA or the Greater Toronto Area, the city expands to 7124 square kilometres.
On your visit to Toronto, don’t forget to explore the St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto, and the Casa Loma Museum, which is a majestic castle in its own right. Also, pay a visit to the CN Tower to get an aerial view of Toronto, and Kensington Market, popular for its indie shops and vintage boutique, and a trademark Toronto experience. If you want to explore the nightlife or drink some good beer while exploring quaint 19th-century buildings, I suggest going to the Distillery District.
2. Montreal: One of the Biggest Cities of Canada
Montreal, the second-largest city in Canada, has a population of 1.7 million people and covers a land area of about 365.13 square kilometres.
If you fancy music, Montreal is the place for you. The city has an amazing community tradition of rich rock music, jazz, fine arts, theatrical brilliance, and dance. And it’s got some trademarks that you won’t find elsewhere – like the Notre-Dame Basilica. I highly recommend you check out their ‘Aura’ – a captivating musical and visual experience and show at the Notre Dame Basilica. Look to book early as it’s often sold out.
You can also head to Mount Royal Park to see what the city looks like or Montreal or Parc La Fontaine, a beautiful urban park ideal for hiking and biking. If you want to explore nature while staying in Montreal, I recommend going to the Montreal Botanical Garden, and the Biodome de Montreal.
If you’re unsure about what to eat in Montreal, try their iconic meat sandwiches, poutine, and fine bagels. They will certainly blow your mind!
3. Calgary
With approximately 1.2 million people, Calgary is indeed one of Canada’s largest cities and covers a land area of about 820 square kilometres.
Calgary also has a lower cost of living, and is currently one of the more affordable cities to live in. The city’s stronger economy results from the flourishing oil and gas industry – and if you’re going on a Canadian Rockies tour, we do recommend that you have a pit stop at Calgary to explore the local culture.
Some of the things that you can do are go to the Calgary Zoo, and Prince’s Island Park. The Calgary Tower is a great spot too, but if you’ve gone to the CN Tower in Toronto, you may want to give it a miss (the CN Tower is way bigger). You could also make a visit to Fort Calgary.
Finally, there are two things in Calgary that you shouldn’t miss out on. A visit to Heritage Park is one, which is a historical village that takes you down memory lane. You get to experience houses from the years past, as well as ride steamengine trains and old ships. Or, get to buy and eat the first chocolates ever made at one of the stores (hint: they weren’t as good). The other thing, should you be in Calgary in July, is to look at the Calgary Stampede dates. This annual event brings the entire city together, and is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival like no other.
4. Ottawa
Ottawa, the fourth largest city in Canada with a population of 1.4 million people, is among Canada’s most liveable and biggest cities due to its safe and clean environment with a picturesque beauty like no other.
Canada’s capital city is also great for job opportunities, tourism, and remarkable regional and cultural entertainment. Interestingly, Ottawa was a small town when it was first considered as Canada’s capital city back in 1857.
When visiting, don’t forget to head to Parliament Hill. Remember to book for tour dates to explore the parliament buildings from the inside. If you’re into history and arts, I do recommend the National Gallery of Canada – but let me warn you, it’s big and will take nearly a day if you want to explore it the right way.
There is also the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica and The Canadian War Museum, both popular tourist attractions. You might also want to visit the Rideau Canal, one of the oldest slackwater canal systems still running today. Then, there is the Peace Tower and Major’s Hill Park.
5. Edmonton
Edmonton, located on the North Saskatchewan River, is one of the biggest cities in Canada that draws millions of visitors each year. It is also home to one million residents, making it a popular and happening city among locals.
That being said, Edmonton is cold, and on my visits there (I am from Vancouver), I was surprised by how dusty the city could be. One of the cab drivers told me that it’s because of all the snow – and the dust helps clean it up easily. But I visited the city in June, which means that you would probably be seeing some dust no matter when you go. That doesn’t mean that the city doesn’t have its charm. Edmonton is known as ‘Canada’s Festival City’ for a reason- there are an incredible number of festivals that take place every year.
If you’re looking to explore the place, I would highly suggest going to The West Edmonton Mall. Yes, it’s a mall but it has everything inside it, from a water park, an amusement park to a Go Karting zone! You can also make your way to the Fort Edmonton Park, the Muttart Conservatory, and Hawrelak Park.
Some other must-sees? The Art Gallery of Alberta, the Winspear Centre, Mill Creek Ravine, and the Alberta Railway Museum.
6. Winnipeg
Winnipeg, the capital city of the province of Manitoba is one of the biggest cities of Canada and holds a rich cultural and historic significance. With a population of over 740 thousand people and a land area of 461.78 square kilometres, Winnipeg is a beautiful city that offers a wide range of attractions.
And while the city has some great sights, travelers might want to head to the Forks Market and the Assiniboine Park first. There is also the Manitoba Museum, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery which are tourist favorites.
7. Vancouver
Vancouver, located on Canada’s west coast in the region of British Columbia, has the highest population density of 5700 people per square kilometre. This might come as a surprise to many, who think that Toronto has more people. And they are right, just that Toronto is bigger, so while it does have more population, the density, not so much.
What brings tourists to Vancouver are its scenic views and attractions, like Stanley Park, a world-famous park that has everything from beaches, toy trains, horse carriage rides, an aquarium and a 8 km long stretch to walk and enjoy scenic views.
Some of the landmark Vancouver attractions you can visit are Science World (yes, the same one you have seen across all popular photos of Vancouver), the VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
On a sunny day, you could also head to the Vancouver Aquarium and Granville Island, a great place for shipping local delights and spending some time admiring what Vancouver has to offer.
8. Hamilton
The port city of Hamilton in the province of Ontario is one of the biggest cities in Canada, and has a population of 569 thousand covering a land area of 1,118.31 kilometres square.
Hamilton lies in the southwest of Toronto, between Lake Ontario and the Niagara escarpment. With a growing iron and steel industrial economy, Hamilton proudly showcases its industrial heritage. And so, should you visit Hamilton, expect to pay tribute to the industrial era gone by, from The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum to the Dundurn Castle.
The Bayfront Park is a great place to relax and take a stroll, while Albion Falls is a cascade waterfall, just like the Niagra. So, you may want to make a visit to it should you not be able to include Niagara Falls in your present itinerary.
9. Quebec City
Quebec City, located in the northeast of Montreal is one of the biggest cities of Canada – and I dare say, one of the prettiest I have found in the country.
The city offers affordable living and a thriving economy, and for tourists, a chance to explore the cobbled streets, historic sites, splendid heritages, and beautiful nature. It is a perfect destination for scenic lovers. I fell in love with the beautiful fortifications and entertaining festivals – and the walls that you see in the above picture – of La Citadelle de Quebec is a treat in itself.
A short drive away is the beautiful Montmorency Falls, one of the largest in Canada. Expect to spend a few hours there, and you can take the Gondola up, or just hike. Some of the top tourist attractions in Quebec City include the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, the Museum of Civilisation and the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral.
10. Halifax
Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, and the largest city in Atlantic Canada, has beautiful landscapes worth exploring! This is the city you go to if you want great seafood dishes, as well as a rich tapestry of cultural and historical heritage.
And if you’re looking to make your visit worthwhile, take a trip to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, which is open year-round and the Halifax Public Gardens. The other recommendation would be for the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and Point Pleasant Park.
Canada is indeed an eclectic country with a prosperous cultural and historical heritage. And it’s home to millions of tourists each year. When you’re here, look to explore the city life a bit – apart from the Canadian outdoors.
Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by soubhik
This article was very informative and helped me out a lot in helping my friend to choose which city to go to in Canada.
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Wow great!! This article provides a comprehensive overview of Canada’s biggest cities, highlighting their unique features and attractions. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to explore the diverse and vibrant cities of Canada. Thanks for sharing this informative piece!
Canada is a really beautiful and very vast country. There are many beautiful cities to visit, and this article is being a great guide for it. Visiting Vancouver and Toronto has always been my dream and I hope I will be able to accomplish it someday.
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I always wanted to explore Canada and this article helped me a lot and provided me with the knowledge I wanted to know. Thanks a lot.
It’s truly wonderful to explore all the big cities of Canada while seating In the comfort of your home , as a introvert this article really made me feel like I was exploring the big cities of Canada in real
Introducing readers to the history and culture of each city, such as the success of the iron and steel industry in Hamilton or the artistic life of Quebec City, provides a deeper understanding of the identity of each place.
The article serves as a comprehensive guide for readers interested in exploring the biggest cities in Canada, offering a balance of informative content, visuals, and engaging details about each city’s unique characteristics.
This article provides a detailed overview of the 10 biggest cities in Canada, covering essential information about each city, including population, land area, and notable attractions.
The article serves as a comprehensive guide for readers interested in learning about the biggest cities in Canada, combining factual information with engaging details about each city’s attractions.
Canada’s definitely on my travelling bucket list so thank you for sharing this informative article with us. I have always wanted to visit Vancouver and spend memorable time on its beautiful beaches and parks. I hope my wishes come true!