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Canada is the second-largest country in the world. With it being so big it means that most Canadians haven’t seen all of the Great White North, never mind someone who might be visiting for just a couple of weeks.
But there is a way you can see the major highlights of the area you are flying into and this guide looks at the best way to see Canada in two weeks.
We have created itineraries for Canada holidays from the major airports that you can fly into so it will help give you an idea of what you can potentially see and do in that time.
Two-week Canada holiday from Toronto
If you are looking at booking flights to Toronto in the future, then here is a two-week itinerary to give you an idea of what you could see during your trip.
Day 1-3: Toronto
Toronto is one of the most popular cities that you can visit in Canada and there is so much to see and do here that you should spend at least three days exploring the city and its attractions.
Kathi Kamleitner, who lives in Scotland and is the writer behind travel blog Watch Me See, has visited Toronto before and she highly recommends the city.
She told us about her experience: “Toronto is such a vibrant city where different cultures and ways of life mingle and bump shoulders. You can start your day at a trendy juice bar at Kensington Market, turn a corner to shop for souvenirs in Chinatown, discover natural gems up and down the shore of Lake Ontario, and be back in town in time for a sunset cruise on a tall ship.
“My favourite thing about Toronto is that it offers both the hustle and bustle of an urban jungle, but also plenty of beauty spots to immerse yourself in nature. From stand-up paddling at Woodbine Beach to a hike along the white cliffs of Scarborough Bluffs, and then, of course, there is Toronto Island. Toronto is perfect for city-loving outdoor enthusiasts and urban adventurers – no need to choose.”
Some of the top attractions we’d recommend you visit in Toronto are:
•CN Tower
•Royal Ontario Museum
•Casa Loma
Day 4-5: Niagara Falls and the surrounding area
Toronto is home to lots of car rental services in Canada and if you hire a car you can easily drive to Niagara Falls for a day or two.
It takes just over an hour to drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls, but travel blogger Kathi Kamleitner thinks that as well as visiting the iconic waterfalls, you should also try and spend some time in Niagara on the Lake.
“From Toronto it is just a hop, skip and a jump to the famous Niagara Falls, but I really recommend a detour to Niagara on the Lake to wander the beautiful small town and visit one of the many vineyards in the area.”
Day 6-7: Ottawa
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If you have hired a car from Toronto and you’ve spent a day or two at Niagara Falls, we’d recommend you follow the Maple Key route which takes you to some of the East Coasts major cities.
The first stop on your list should be Ottawa, the capital city of Canada and the cultural hub of Ontario. The city is home to stunning architecture, historical sites and is the destination for many national events and festivities.
During your visit to the capital, you should look to cruise down the Rideau Canal or skate down it if you’re visiting during winter. You should shop at Byward Market, which is Canada’s oldest public market.
If you haven’t rented a car then another great way to travel between the great cities of the east of Canada is on the VIA Rail train.
Day 8-9: Montréal
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Montréal is in the province of Québec and you’ll notice this region is markedly different from the rest of Canada. Firstly, the main language spoken here is French and not English and secondly, it is like a slice of old Europe.
Montréal is the perfect example of this as during your visit one of the first things you’ll notice is the cobbled streets and the eye-catching architecture in Old Montréal.
There is so much to do in the city with an array of great museums that you can visit such as The Museum of Fine Arts. One of the most popular attractions in Montréal is the Notre-Dame Basilica as it has some of Canada’s most impressive architecture. Other places you should try to visit during your time in the city are Mount Royal Park and the Montréal Botanical Garden.
Day 10-12: Prince Edward Island
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From Montréal you should look to explore Prince Edward Island. If you are driving you can look to stop at spots in New Brunswick such as Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park to experience the world’s highest tides or kayak around The Bay of Fundy to see an abundance of marine life and stunning rock formations.
Connected to New Brunswick via the Confederation Bridge is Prince Edward Island. The province is known for its rolling landscapes and miles of pristine beaches and red sandstone cliffs.
Although Prince Edward Island is famed for its natural wonders, it is a place you can catch and cook your own lobster, learn an Acadian step dance or play golf as the island is home to 10 of the top 100 golf courses in Canada.
British traveller Lucy Dodsworth runs the travel blog On the Luce, and she told us she loved Prince Edward Island and its capital Charlottetown.
“Located on Canada’s Atlantic coast, Prince Edward Island might be the country’s smallest province but it’s got plenty to offer visitors – home to rolling dunes, lighthouses, delicious seafood and Anne of Green Gables. The island’s capital Charlottetown makes a great base for a few days. It’s a city with a friendly, small-town feel – and has an important place in Canada’s history as the site of Confederation, where the country was formed in 1864.
“Don’t miss exploring the artworks at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, sunset drinks on the patio at Victoria Row, tasty local produce at Charlottetown Farmers’ Market, cycling the Confederation Trail across the island, singing along to Anne of Green Gables The Musical, and the amazing ice creams from Cow’s Creamery in Peake’s Wharf.”
Day 13-14: Québec City
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You can end your two-week adventure in Québec City, which is around an eight-hour drive from Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island or over three hours on an aeroplane.
Québec City is Canada’s oldest city and it oozes old-world charm. Due to its compact size, it is perfect for you to walk around and take in some of the stunning architecture and history. If you get tired you can rest at one of the city’s renowned Parisian-style cafes or see the city from the deck of a cruise boat on the St. Lawrence River.
Some of the must-see attractions in Québec City that you should go and see include the Fortifications of Québec and the Plains of Abraham. You can also go on a trip to Montmorency Falls as it is just a few minutes from the city.
READ MORE: How to spend 48 Hours in Québec City
Two-week Canada holiday from Vancouver
If you want to see Western Canada you can look to fly to Calgary or Vancouver and use them as gateways to the Rockies and Banff. Below we’ve created a two-week itinerary to give you an idea of the places you can visit during your holiday.
Day 1-3: Calgary
Calgary is the gateway to the Rockies, but before you look to head-off onto your next destination you should look to explore the ‘Stampede City’.
Every year in July the city plays host to the world-famous Calgary Stampede and this takes over the whole city. If you’re visiting during this time of year you will be able to see Chuckwagon races, live rodeos, concerts and more.
There are lots more to Calgary than cowboys and cowgirls though and it is a great place to visit all-year-round. You can head to Canada’s largest living history museum, the Heritage Park Historical Village or enjoy stunning views over the city from the Calgary Tower. If you’re a thrill-seeker then WinSport Calgary, located at the Canada Olympic Park is a must-visit.
Calgary is unique in the fact it is surrounded by four world UNESCO heritage parks so you have so much opportunity to get out and enjoy the quiet hiking trails.
READ MORE: 48 Hours in Calgary
Day 4-8: The Rockies – Banff, Jasper & Lake Louise
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Visit the majestic Canadian Rockies where you can follow quiet walking trails or drive and take in stunning snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests and rivers.
Some of the most famous mountain towns that you should stay at in the Rockies include Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. These three towns are spectacular and Banff is under a 90-minute drive from Calgary.
Banff is somewhat of an outdoor heaven with hiking, kayaking and wildlife spotting all available from the town. Lake Louise is home to arguably the world’s most famous and beautiful lake that will leave you in awe of its beauty and while in the summer it is one of the most relaxing places in the world to visit, during the winter months it turns into one of North America’s largest ski resorts.
To get to Jasper you travel along the stunning Icefields Parkway and along this route you can see some of Canada’s most picturesque lakes and sights such as Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake and the Athabasca Glacier.
In Jasper we recommend you ride on the Jasper tramway as the views are spectacular and on a clear day you may even catch a glimpse of the Columbia Icefield.
The Rockies in Alberta and British Columbia are a dream for outdoor lovers and nature enthusiasts.
READ MORE: Where to stay in the Rockies
Day 9: Harrison Hot Springs
To help break up the journey from Jasper we suggest you head to the peaceful Harrison Hot Springs. Along the way, you will see the stunning scenery and when you get here you will find a pretty town nestled against Southwestern British Columbia’s mountains and sandy beaches along Harrison Lake.
There are lots of off the beaten path activities you can try here such as forest bathing, kayaking and visiting their world-famous hot springs. You can also go on boat tours, go hiking, play golf and lots more.
Day 10-11: Victoria
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The next step is to drive to Vancouver and then make the short trip across the Strait of Georgia to British Columbia’s capital city of Victoria on the southern-most tip of Vancouver Island.
Here you can take in fascinating architecture, walk along the wharf and enjoy some great restaurants and bars. Founded in 1843, Victoria is steeped in history and you can learn more about this at the Royal BC Museum or art museums. You can also do a day excursion and sail around the harbour and see wildlife such as whales and seals.
Day 12-14: Vancouver
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Vancouver is unique as it has the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Coastal Mountain range on the other, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
The city is bursting with things you can do as you can go whale watching, head to the Vancouver Lookout, wander around Granville Market and explore the iconic Gastown.
For short trips from Vancouver, we would recommend heading to Grouse Mountain or jump on the shuttle bus from downtown Vancouver to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
Travel blogger Kathi Kamleitner from Watch Me See agrees that Vancouver is a must-visit if you are heading to Western Canada.
“If you are looking for a similar vibe (to Toronto) – a big city with beautiful surroundings, you must visit Vancouver.
“Spend a morning exploring Granville Island Public Market, hire bikes to cycle around Stanley Park and indulge in good food and nightlife in Yaletown.”
Before you fly back to the UK you should spend some time picking up some last-minute souvenirs.
READ MORE: 48 hours in Vancouver
If you have been inspired to plan your next trip by reading this guide, you can look at all the different Canadian holidays we have on offer.
