3 weeks in Canada: what to do and see?

Have you decided to visit Canada in three weeks? Excellent choice!

To help you prepare for your stay, I have organized a 3-week itinerary for you in Canada to discover many of the country’s unmissable places of interest.

Arriving in Vancouver, I suggest you go through Victoria, Whistler and the famous parks of Wells Gray, Jasper and Banff.

You will end this tour of Western Canada in Calgary before flying to Montreal. From there, it left for a circuit in the East with visit of Toronto, Ottawa and return to Montreal.

If you just want to visit only Quebec during these 3 weeks, it’s in my other article: Itinerary of 1 week in Quebec.

For each stage, I also give you my selection of the best hotels, and all my advice and tips to make your 20, 21, 22 day trip to Canada a great success!

Day 1-2: Vancouver

To visit Canada in 20 or 21 days, I suggest you first land in Vancouver to discover the essentials of Western Canada for 15 days.

Vancouver can be visited on foot or by public transport, but you will absolutely need a rental car for the following stages of this 3-week tour of Canada . It’s up to you whether you want to pick it up when you arrive or when you leave Vancouver.

Here is the program for this first day in Vancouver (in order of visit):

• Historic Gastown with Steam Clock Photo Stop
• Chinatown and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Chinese Garden
• Canada Place for its panorama of Stanley Park and the mountains
• The Fly Over Canada, a 4D tour of Canada. It is imperative to book your session for Fly Over Canada in advance by clicking here!
• Stanley Park: see the totem area and the Lions Gate Bridge viewpoint
• Climb to the Vancouver Lookout, where you can take in views of the city from the viewing platform. Tickets can be reserved by clicking here!
• Finish with dinner at one of Yaletown’s excellent restaurants.

Spend the night in Vancouver.

The next day, continue your three-week stay in Canada with a unique experience that is really worth the detour: flying over the city by seaplane. 

For 20 minutes, you can contemplate Vancouver from the sky and experience an exceptional moment!

Then continue with a stroll through the city to see:

• Granville Island where there is a large covered market
• The anthropology museum dedicated to the history of Native American peoples
• La plage de Wreck Beach
• The Van Elsen Botanical Garden considered one of the most beautiful gardens in North America
• Robson Street and its many shops.

Spend another night in Vancouver.

Accommodation in Vancouver

• Samesun Vancouver : Youth hostel located in the city center, a stone’s throw from the Yaletown district. Bed in dormitory from 40€, breakfast included. Most: the central location, the atmosphere, the comfortable beds, the good breakfast with muffins and bagels. A great choice for cheap accommodation in Vancouver!
• The Sylvia Hotel: The hotel is located just 2 minutes walk from Stanley Park and one minute from the beach. Spacious and bright double room from 120€ per night. Most: the location, the friendliness of the staff, the authentic charm of the place.
• Blue Horizon Hotel : Located on Robson Street, Vancouver’s main shopping street. Really spacious and comfortable double room with a magnificent view from 170€. The pluses: the geographical location for visiting Vancouver on foot, the view, the many shops and restaurants nearby, the comfort of the rooms. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio! For me the best hotel in Vancouver.
  
• The St Regis Hotel : Located downtown, 200 meters from Vancouver Lookout. Spacious and welcoming double room from €240 per night, breakfast included. Most: the optimal geographical location, the competent and friendly staff, the comfort of the rooms, the excellent and hearty breakfast.
• Rosewood Hotel Georgia: Splendid 5* hotel located in downtown Vancouver which offers superb elegantly decorated rooms from 350€ per night. The pluses: the indoor swimming pool, the spa, the quality of the services. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Vancouver!

Day 3-4: Victoria

For the second stage, really start your 3-week trip in Canada by joining Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.

To do this, head south of the city center to take the ferry at Tsawwassen. Crossing of about 1h30 for a price of about $60/car and $18/passenger.

The boat will land you 30 km from the center of Victoria, in Swartz Bay.

Before reaching the city, I advise you to stop halfway to visit the Butchart Gardens. Organized into several themed gardens, the park is home to sublime flowerbeds.

Then drive back to Victoria, 30 minutes away. You can end the day with a walk:

• In Chinatown, one of the oldest in North America
• In Market Square, for shops and restaurants
• Au Bastion Square
• At the Inner Harbor where Victoria’s most famous hotel is located: the Fairmont Empress.

Spend the night in Victoria.

On the second day in Victoria, I strongly recommend that you take the boat trip to observe orcas and whales. Between May and September, departures every hour for a 3-hour cruise.

As this excursion is in high demand, it must be booked in advance by clicking here:
Book my excursion to see the whales now!

In the afternoon, you can visit the most popular museum in Victoria: the Royal BC Museum. It is interested in the history of the province and is really super well done, with a neat staging.

End the day with a walk in Beacon Hill Park, by the sea.

Spend a second night in Victoria.

Accommodation in Victoria

• Ocean Island Inn | Backpackers | Suites: Hostel located in the city center. Bed in dormitory from 30€, breakfast and dinner included. It is the cheapest accommodation in town. Ideal for backpackers.
• Robin Hood Inn and Suites: Located 5 minutes drive from downtown Victoria. Spacious and very clean double room from 100€. The most: the pleasant staff, the geographical location, the calm.
• Oak Bay Beach Hotel: Located on the seafront, 5 min drive from Victoria. Warm and comfortable double room with large bay window from €200. Most: the view, the heated outdoor swimming pool, the spa, the comfort and the standing of the hotel.
• Hotel Grand Pacific: Located just 100 meters from Parliament and 5 minutes from Beacon Hill. Modern and bright double room from €250, breakfast at €15. Most: the large indoor pool, the view of the bay, the location.
• Fairmont Empress Hotel: 5 star hotel located in the heart of Victoria. Elegant and tastefully decorated double room from €350, breakfast included. Most: the indoor pool, the Spa, the location.

Day 5-6: Whistler

For the third leg of your three-week Canadian itinerary, we leave Vancouver Island to go to Whistler.

There is a lot of road to do, so the best is to plan 1 day for the trip. Here are the different steps to follow:

• From Victoria, reach Nanaimo – 1h45 by car
• Board the ferry for a 1 hour 40 minute crossing to Horseshoe Bay
• Then count 1h30 by car to reach Whistler

Spend the night in Whistler.

The next day, you will have the choice between several activities depending on the season:

• Skiing or snowboarding: you should know that Whistler is one of the best ski resorts in Western Canada
• Tobogganing, dog sledding and snowmobiling complete the panoply of winter activities
• hiking
• mountain biking
• Zip line, and not just any zip line since it’s the largest in Canada! To book by clicking here!
• Seaplane! And yes it is possible to fly over the Whistler Glacier! Needless to say, you will be amazed.

And for a more leisurely day, you can also take the Peak to Peak Gondola which will take you to the peaks of Whistler. The view is just magnificent!

And why not finish with a Spa session in one of the luxury hotels?

Spend a second night in Whistler.

Accommodation in Whistler

Whistler is Western Canada’s premier ski resort. Even if you book as early as possible, expect high prices all the same. In the middle of winter, it is very likely that the rates I have given you will be doubled.

• Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel Whistler: Located 10 minutes walk from the slopes. Modern and cozy studio equipped with a kitchenette from €170 per night. The pluses: the comfort and decoration of the accommodation, the very friendly staff, the swimming pool and the jacuzzi. It is our favorite for its performance / price ratio in Whistler.
• Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside: Located just 150 yards from the gondola base. Spacious studio, very well equipped with oven, microwave, dishwasher, convenient for cooking, from €200 per night. Most: the situation, the equipment, the friendliness of the staff.
• Four Seasons Resort Whistler: Upscale hotel located in upper Whistler. This 5* hotel offers very comfortable and cozy double rooms with a view of the mountains, from €400 per night, breakfast at €37. The pluses: a heated outdoor swimming pool, a SPA, jacuzzis, free shuttle service. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Whistler!

For a slightly more economical alternative and if you don’t mind sleeping in a dorm bed, I recommend sleeping at the Hi Whistler Hostel. Bed in dormitory from 40€ per night.

Day 7-8: Wells Gray Provincial Park

We continue this 3-week trip to Canada, going much further north, to Wells Gray Provincial Park.

It’s a big day of driving that awaits you because it takes 5h30 to travel. But it’s still the most convenient solution because Wells Gray is halfway between Whistler and Jasper (your next stop).

In addition, the road 99 which leads there being classified among the most beautiful roads of the country, you will not stop admiring the landscape! Not to mention that the park is truly a vacation must in Western Canada!

Spend a night in Wells Gray.

The next day, among the must-do things to do in Wells Gray, you will have the choice between:

• Helmcken Falls, reachable in just 10 minutes on foot, they are very popular
• The Bailey’s Falls, the Saphat Falls or the Dawson Falls are also to be seen
• Clearwater Lake for swimming and canoeing
• Go in search of black bears,  guide required!
• From the hike: Trophy Mountain is one of the prettiest

Accommodation in Wells Gray Park

I would prefer to warn you that the hotels in the park are not necessarily recent and some display decor or equipment that is a little outdated, but for a short stopover it does the trick.

And anyway, there are a lot of other solutions.

• Wells Gray Inn: Located at the park entrance. Basic but clean double room from 60€ per night, breakfast at 10€. Most: the location, the outdoor jacuzzi, the warm welcome. A practical and economical hotel for a night in the park.
• Ace Western Motel: Located 4 km from the park. Double room from €120 per night. Pros: friendly staff, parking, next to restaurants.
• Best Western Plus Gateway to the Falls: Brand new hotel located in the heart of Clearwater. Modern, spacious and comfortable room from €180, breakfast included. Most: well located, comfort, free parking.

Day 9-10: Jasper National Park

During the fifth stage of this three-week circuit in Canada, I suggest you reach Jasper National Park.

Impossible to visit Western Canada in 3 weeks without integrating this park, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From Wells Gray, count 4 hours by road to get there, with a passage at the foot of Mount Robson to admire the highest peak of the Canadian Rockies.

In the afternoon, you should not miss going to see the 2 most beautiful lakes of Jasper:

• Maligne Lake and its small central islet, one of the most photographed lakes in the world. Boat trips of 1h30 are organized there and must be reserved in advance.

• Medicine Lake, to be done on the way back between Maligne and Jasper.

Sleep one night in Jasper.

The second day in Jasper National Park will be spent hiking. There’s nothing like getting some fresh air after yesterday’s driving day.

The best is to go through the visitor center to get the trail map and see the paths adapted to your level.

But among the most popular, I can advise you:

• The Maligne Canyon trail : round trip distance 4.4 km for medium difficulty
• The Cavell Meadows trail  in the Mont Edith Cavell sector: round trip distance of 7 km, medium difficulty
• The Sulfur Skyline : 8 km round trip with a difficult level because there is a good drop of 700 m.
• The Old Fort Point Hill Loop  with superb views of the Athabasca River: 3.8 km distance with a medium difficulty level
• The valley of 5 lakes : 4.5 km distance and medium difficulty.

And nothing better to relax after walking, than a visit to the hot springs of Miette Hotsprings. Bask in the water and enjoy a sublime view of the mountains.

And if walking isn’t your thing, you have plenty of other great options for your day in Jasper:

• Take the sky tram which will take you to an altitude of 2,260 meters where you can admire the 360° view of the Canadian Rockies
• Take a guided bus tour to discover the wildlife of the park. You will be able to observe moose, elk and if you are lucky, bears.
• Take a bus tour in the Maligne Valley with photo stops + wildlife observation + a 4 km guided hike
• Rafting down the Athabasca River
• Fly over the Rockies in a helicopter for an unforgettable experience!
• In winter, there is also a special circuit to discover the fauna.

Accommodation in Jasper

A word of advice: book your accommodation in Jasper as soon as possible! Most establishments are full months in advance, even campsites.

Prices can also soar depending on the week: a room offered at €120 goes up to €350 the following week. The rates of the hotels that I propose to you are therefore really random.

• Chateau Jasper: This hotel offers spacious and well-equipped double rooms from €110 per night. The pluses: the swimming pool and the SPA area, the comfort of the rooms, the price/performance ratio.
• Mount Robson Inn: Hotel near downtown Jasper, 2 minutes by car. Very quiet double room with view of the mountains from €200 per night, breakfast included. Most: the calm, the 2 whirlpool baths.
• Best Western Jasper Inn & Suites: The hotel offers several types of suites with sitting areas, some with kitchenettes. They are all very warm and spacious. From €230 per night, breakfast included. Most: sauna, hammam, swimming pool, good location, warm welcome.
• Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge : Located 7 km from Jasper, on the shores of Lac Beauvert. Warm and comfortable double room from 400€ per night. Most: the magnificent lakeside location, the heated outdoor swimming pool, the attentive staff.

If you have a small budget to sleep in Jasper National Park, I recommend the Jasper Downtown Hostel. This youth hostel offers dormitory beds from €30 per night. Everything is super clean and modern.

Day 11-12: Banff National Park

Another must-see park during this twenty-day stay in Canada: Banff National Park.

To get there, take the mythical route of the Glacier Walk. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful scenic roads in Canada!

Over nearly 230 km, Route 93 (Icefield Parkways) is home to sumptuous landscapes and several viewpoints are equipped with car parks.

Don’t miss:

• Athabasca Falls,  over 20 meters high
• The Sunwapta Falls
• The Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield. To be done on foot or during a bus ride mounted on giant tires to be able to clear a path. 

• To climb on the glacier’s glass footbridge. The bus excursion automatically includes access to the bridge, but if you don’t want to take the bus and just get on the platform, this is the ticket for you! 
• Peyto Lake,  which you can walk to in just 15 minutes. To see for its incredible water color.

You can find more details about these places on the official website.

At the end of the day, head to the town of Lake Louise to spend the night. This is where Banff’s most famous lake is located: Lake Louise with its incredible water color!

Much like Jasper, the best way to see Banff National Park is to hike.

You will find several hiking routes starting from Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. The most popular are the trails that allow you to walk around it or climb to the Fairview lookout to admire the lake.

More difficult, you can also opt for the Plain of Six Glaciers hike. About 4 hours round trip.

I advise you to consult the Park Canada website for the details of the routes.

It is also possible to go hiking in the park with a guide. By clicking on the button below, you can choose between 4 trails:
Book my hike in Banff now!

For those who do not want to walk too much, you also have other possibilities for this day:

• Take the cable car (click here for tickets) that takes you to the top of Sulfur Mountain, 2281 meters above sea level. You will be able to contemplate a superb view!
• Take a cruise on Lake Minnewanka
• Take a horseback ride along the river
• Go for a traditional canoe trip on the Bow River
• In winter, guided hike with ice crampons in Johnston Canyon.

Spend a second night in Banff.

Accommodation in Lake Louise / Banff National Park

Here, same recommendation as for Jasper National Park, book in advance! And also the same observation for the (very) high prices.

• Baker Creek Mountain Resort: Located 20 minutes drive from Lake Louise. This resort offers suites and chalets decorated in the mountain style with paneling and fireplaces from €280 per night. Most: the location near the river, the natural environment, the beauty of the chalets. This is our recommendation for a romantic stay in Banff Park!
• Paradise Lodge and Bungalows: Located 1 km from the village of Lake Louise. Suites and wooden bungalows, typical and warm from 300€ per night. Most: the ideal location, the magnificent setting, the excellent welcome.
• Fairmont Château Lake Louise: This is the famous hotel located on the shores of Lake Louise! Elegant and well-decorated double room with a view of the lake or the castle grounds from €470 per night. Most: the panoramic terrace to admire the lake, the geographical location, the friendly staff. This is our choice for a luxury stay in Banff National Park!

A much more economical option for small budgets, spending a night in a hostel. I recommend the HI-Lake Louise Alpine Center. Bed in dormitory from 40€ per night, hard to find cheaper! The hostel also offers double rooms from €100 per night.

Day 13: Calgary / Flight to Montreal

Continuation of this 21-day road trip in Canada. Today, I suggest you join Calgary, which is the last stop in the West of the country. Allow 2 hours drive from Banff.

From Calgary, you can fly to Montreal and continue your stay by visiting Eastern Canada! There are about 4 direct flights per day and the flight time is 4 hours.

Spend the night in Montreal (see list of accommodations below).

Day 14: Montreal

For the continuation of this 3-week vacation in Canada, I now suggest that you devote a week to Eastern Canada.

The first day, I advise you to visit Montreal:

• Old Montreal: the historic district of the city where you will notably discover the Notre-Dame de Montreal basilica, the Bonsecours market, the Quai de l’Horloge and the Jacques-Cartier square.
• The Old Port of Montreal for a stroll along the St. Lawrence River
• Lunch at the “L’arrivage” restaurant at the Pointe-à-Callières museum, at the end of the Old Port promenade. One of the best restaurants in town with an amazing view of the Old Port! And the full menu is under $25!
• Mont-Royal Park from the belvedere from which you can admire the most beautiful view of Montreal
• Plateau Mont-Royal and its typical houses with colorful facades and spiral staircases
• Dinner at “la Banquise” to taste the traditional Quebec dish: a poutine!

Spend the night in Montreal.

Accommodation in Montreal

In Montreal, as in all tourist destinations, the best accommodations sell out very quickly. I therefore strongly recommend that you book your hotel in advance!

• M Montreal : Youth hostel located 5 minutes walk from the Berri Uquam metro station on Sainte Catherine Street. Bed in a modern and comfortable dormitory from €25 per night, breakfast included. Possibility also to sleep in a double room. The pluses: very welcoming staff, modern infrastructure, bar in the basement with shows on certain evenings. An excellent choice where to stay inexpensively in Montreal!
• Best Western Plus Hotel Montreal: Located in the entertainment district. Warm and spacious double room from 150€ per night. Most: the perfect location for visiting Montreal, cleanliness, comfortable beds.
• Le Dauphin Montreal Centre-Ville: Located 200 meters from the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal and 5 min walk from the Old Port. Double room from €170, breakfast included. Most: very well located, the size of the rooms, the large bed.
• Le Petit Hotel Montreal: Located in the historic center of Montreal. Room with real character with exposed stone and brick wall, from €250, breakfast included. Most: the service, the good breakfast, the charm of the hotel.
• Le St-Martin Hotel Centre-ville – Hotel Particulier: Located 50 m from rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest. Elegant and cozy double room from 290€. Most: the swimming pool with waterfall and water jets, the adorable staff, the location, the comfort. This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Montreal!
• Hotel Birks Montreal: Located downtown, this 5* hotel offers superb tastefully decorated rooms from €500, breakfast at €19. Most: the perfect location, the architecture, the friendliness of the staff, the Spa. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Montreal!

Day 15: The Thousand Islands

Today, it’s time to get back in the car for the rest of this 21-day itinerary in Canada, leaving Montreal to reach the Thousand Islands, a 3-hour drive away.

As their name suggests, the Thousand Islands are a group of several islands (1865 islands in all) of varying sizes spread over the St. Lawrence River. The best way to discover them is to opt for a cruise, you will see the landscapes are truly magnificent!

You will have the choice between several durations.

To book your 3-hour 1000 Islands cruise , click the link below:
Book my 3 hour cruise now!

The same cruise also exists in a 1h30 version

If you have a slightly higher budget, it is also possible to fly over the Thousand Islands by helicopter. You will have the choice between circuits of 10 to 30 minutes.

Spend a night in the Thousand Islands.

Accommodation in the Thousand Islands

• Howard Johnson Gananoque : Motel located 1.5 km from the cruise pier. Spacious and comfortable double room from €70 per night, breakfast included. Most: location, outdoor swimming pool, cleanliness, comfortable bedding, good breakfast, free parking. It is our favorite for its performance / price ratio!
• Comfort Inn & Suites Thousand Islands Harbor District : Located 5 minutes walk from the boat pier. Comfortable double room from €100 per night, breakfast included. The pluses: the indoor swimming pool, the free parking, the breakfast, the quality of the welcome, the geographical location.
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 1000 Islands : Located 2 km from the departure of the cruises. Modern and warm double room from €150 per night, breakfast included. The pluses: the indoor swimming pool, the sauna, the comfort of the rooms, the good breakfast, the calm.

Day 16-18: Toronto

For the tenth leg of your three-week trip to Canada, head to Toronto, the capital of the province of Ontario.

Count about 2h30 by car from the 1000 islands.

Arrived in Toronto, I suggest the following route of visits for the first day:

• Kensington Market, one of Toronto’s oldest neighborhoods. To know everything about its history, I advise you to choose a guided tour.
• Chinatown, to stock up on souvenirs: magnets and mugs are the cheapest in town
• The Distillery district, an entirely pedestrian area with lots of cool shops and trendy cafes. Possible to