The Largest Cities in Canada

1. Toronto

The capital of Canada’s Ontario province, Toronto is a dynamic metropolis that is situated along the northwestern shores of Lake Ontario. The city is filled with soaring skyscrapers, all of which seem small when compared to the iconic CN Tower. Toronto has a number of lush-green parks that are equipped with trails and recreational facilities, including Trinity Bellwoods Park, Tommy Thompson Park, and High Park. This waterfront city features several exciting attractions for visitors to explore, such as the Toronto Zoo, Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum, and St. Lawrence Market.

Toronto also boasts a very diverse and highly acclaimed food scene; visitors can satisfy their appetites at award-winning restaurants that include Buca, Dandylion, and Alo.

2. Montreal

Situated on an island within the Saint Lawrence River, Montreal is Canada’s largest city in the Province of Quebec. Montreal is a bustling, exhilarating city filled with highly-acclaimed restaurants, globally recognized museums and landmarks and premier shopping boutiques. Some of the city’s top attractions include the Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Montreal, Mount Royal Park, Montreal Botanical Gardens, and Cathedral of Marie-Reine-du-Monde. With Montreal getting a taste of every season, visitors can enjoy a wide array of outdoor activities; such as boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, snowboarding, downhill skiing, and cross-country skiing. The city is also Canada’s center for French-language films, theatre, radio, television productions, print publishing, and multimedia.

3. Calgary

Located in the Canadian Province of Alberta, Calgary is a cosmopolitan city that is nestled in the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. The city features several towering skyscrapers, beautiful parks, fascinating landmarks and museums, and sensational restaurants. A mile-high city, Calgary is known for having fairly unpredictable weather. Experiencing all four seasons, residents and visitors have a large variety of outdoor recreational activities to choose from. The city offers numerous entertaining attractions for visitors to check out, including the Heritage Park Historical Village, Prince’s Island Park, Calgary Zoo, and famous Calgary Stampede.

4. Ottawa

Within the Province of Ontario and approximately 125 miles east of Montreal, visitors will find Canada’s capital city of Ottawa . The city’s park-lined Rideau Canal is typically filled with boats in the summers and ice-skaters during the winters. With the city being situated along the powerful Ottawa River, visitors will have unrivaled access to fun and exciting water activities, including boating, jet-skiing, fishing, kayaking, waterskiing, and wakeboarding. Ottawa is loaded with world-class attractions for visitors to explore, such as Parliament Hill, the Canadian War Museum, National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and Peace Tower.

5. Edmonton

Situated on the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is the capital city of Canada’s Alberta province. Edmonton has a rich culture and arts scene where visitors can enjoy live theatre, explore numerous art galleries, and attend countless festivals. The nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts of the world will appreciate the Elk Island National Park and William Hawrelak Park. Edmonton features some of Canada’s hottest hyper-local bistros, indie bakeries, and craft beer taprooms. The city is also home to some of the trendiest independent boutiques, including The Helm Clothing, Miss Boss, and Hye Fashion. Visitors should also be sure to check out the Winspear Centre, Fort Edmonton Park, and Muttart Conservatory.

6. Mississauga

Mississauga is a large waterfront city that is located in the Canadian Province of Ontario. The city neighbors Toronto and is found along the shores of Lake Ontario. The city’s Port Credit features numerous shops, a large marina, and a working lighthouse. Mississauga has several beautiful parks for travelers to visit and residents to enjoy, such as the Brueckner Rhododendron Garden, Erindale Park, Lake Aquitaine Trail & Park, and Kariya Park Japanese Gardens. Mississauga offers a variety of fun and interesting attractions for visitors to explore, including The Riverwood Conservancy, Absolute World Towers, Bradley Museum, and Square One Shopping Centre.

7. Winnipeg

Known for its welcoming and friendly spirit, Winnipeg is a culturally diverse city that is the capital of Canada’s Manitoba province. Over the last several decades, Winnipeg has become a cosmopolitan city that is complete with exciting attractions, swanky boutiques, a rich culture and arts scene, and top-notch eateries. The city’s Exchange District is a popular place for visitors to explore with its numerous art galleries and well-preserved 20th-century architecture. The city’s heart and soul is The Forks – a historic location at the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. This area features old warehouses that have been converted into unique shops and restaurants. Whether it’s shopping, dining, or a fun festival, Winnipeg has it all.

8. Vancouver

Vancouver is a bustling port city that is located along Canada’s west coast, in the province of British Columbia. It is one of Canada’s densest and most culturally diverse cities. Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city connected to nature, making it easy for visitors to combine urban getaways with outdoor adventure. Surrounded by soaring, picturesque mountains and the Strait of Georgia’s Pacific waters, the city provides an idyllic and popular filming location. Vancouver is also known for its continuously thriving music, theatre, and art scene. The city is filled with fun and exciting things to do, including exploring Stanley Park and Granville Island, taking a trip to the Museum of Anthropology, or enjoying a romantic moment atop the Vancouver Lookout.

9. Brampton

Brampton is a diverse and vibrant city that is located in Ontario, Canada’s, greater Toronto region. With over 6,000 acres of well-manicured and picturesque parklands, Brampton provides its residents and visitors with countless opportunities for outdoor activities. The city is also positioned near several lakes, including Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Simcoe, and Lake Scugog. Travelers can enjoy boat tours on many of these lakes, as well as fishing, kayaking, jet-skiing, and more. Some of the city’s top attractions include the Rose Theatre Brampton, the Heart Lake Conservation Area, Peel Art Gallery Museum & Archive, and Professor’s Lake Recreation Centre.

10. Hamilton

Hamilton is a bustling, Canadian port city that is located on the western edge of Lake Ontario. It’s a city known for its vibrant culinary offerings, stunning natural beauty, renowned museums, and National Historic Sites. Hamilton is also known for its thriving arts scene, from century-old institutions to grass-roots galleries. The lower part of Hamilton is situated between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment, surrounded by picturesque waterfronts and forested trails. Hamilton provides visitors with plenty of opportunity for enjoying fun activities, such as taking a sightseeing tour on the Hamilton Harbour Queen, rollerblading around Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink, or exploring the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.