A cosmopolitan Alberta city

Discover Calgary

Soak up the friendly Canadian vibes in the largest city of Alberta. With a size of 825.3 square kilometres, Calgary is jam-packed with high-rises, culture, live sporting events, shopping, fantastic restaurants, state-of-the-art museums, galleries and much more. This lively place is also the gateway to one of Canada's most beautiful destinations, Banff National Park. Let's go!

Where should you visit in Calgary?

Wander through the lively streets of Calgary in Alberta
Marvel at the night sky of Canada

The city of Calgary, Alberta

Located in the eastern foothills of the Canadian Rockies, this cosmopolitan city has an estimated population of 1.1 million. Renowned for its annual Stampede rodeo show, sports culture and friendly locals, Calgary is bursting with things to do and see.

Calgary is the third largest city in Canada

Discover the hip neighbourhoods, lush green parks, fascinating museums, local markets and a great assortment of restaurants. Mingle with the locals and watch a live sporting event! Visit the Calgary Tower, spend a day at the Heritage Park Historical Village, or cycle past Bow River.

Glenbow Museum and Fort Calgary is a must-see!
The Calgary Tower is a must-do!

Calgary is a great place to start your Canadian adventure

Are you a history buff? Be sure to pop by Glenbow Museum or Fort Calgary. If you are a music fan, Studio Bell is a must-visit and is home to the National Music Centre. Or take a visit to Calgary's Chinatown, a unique cultural district with a fantastic selection of restaurants.

Prince’s Island Park

For a little nature in the heart of Calgary, visit Prince's Island Park. This beautiful park is an urban oasis featuring flower gardens, picnic areas, playgrounds, outdoor skating, and hiking trails. There is even a cafe overlooking the Bow River if you would like to stop and enjoy a cup of tea.

Enjoy the views of Calgary

Downtown Calgary

While there are many amazing cities in the world, you are sure to fall in love with Downtown Calgary. As you arrive in the city, one of the first things that you will notice is the striking Calgary Tower. This free-standing observation tower has an observation deck that offers a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the city. Whether it's in the middle of winter or summer, the view from the top of the Calgary Tower is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Discover Stephen Avenue

While you are exploring Downtown Calgary, be sure to pop by Stephen Avenue Walk. This lively avenue is a pedestrian-only lane and features many historical facts about the city. Here, you can also find some of the best local restaurants and pubs in Calgary. And of course, for the shopaholics, there is a great assortment of shops to indulge in.

Soak up the vibes in Southern Alberta

If you like art, be sure to visit The Wonderland Sculpture. This 12-metre-high sculpture can be found in front of the landmark building, The Bow. Or take a wander over to The Peace Bridge, a foot traffic bridge located over the Bow River in Downtown Calgary. Take in the views of Bow River from the bridge, which are beautiful year-round.

Discover public art sculptures in Alberta
Admire the Calgary Tower from a distance

Bow River

During your visit, you will see the beautiful Bow River running through the city of Calgary. A favourite spot for locals to indulge in fun water activities such as rafting, floating, fishing and more. The locals also enjoy cycling, jogging and walking beside the Bow River. It's an ideal part of the city to connect with nature and take in the surrounding views.

Enjoy water activities on the Bow River
The Bow River is great for floating down!

Calgary Stampede

While sports enthusiasts are spoiled for choice in Calgary with a large range of live sporting events, the most popular yearly event is the Calgary Stampede rodeo show. The World's Largest Outdoor Rodeo attracts visitors from all over the world. Generally held in the summertime, the event features chuckwagon races, concerts, entertainment shows and of course, the world-famous rodeo.

The Calgary Stampede is a yearly festival!
Crowds in the stands at the Calgary Stampede
Soak up the community spirit at the Calgary Stampede

Other things to do and see

Sport is extremely important to the Calgarians and this is evident throughout the city. In fact, the 1988 Winter Olympics were held here. One of this major city's main attractions is the Canada Olympic Park.

For the sports fanatics!

At Canada Olympic Park, you can learn more about the history of sports in western Canada. Located south of the Trans-Canada Highway, the national Olympic park is renowned for being Calgary's outdoor destination. Or be sure to stop by Canada's Sports Hall of Fame!

Studio Bell National Music Centre

With five floors of exhibitions, Studio Bell is the perfect place to learn about Canadian music. Discover the Canadian Halls of Fame, enjoy interactive exhibits and celebrate music. Generally, open from 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday to Sunday, it's a must-visit for any music lover.

Heritage Park Historical Village

For a fun thing to do in Calgary, visit the Heritage Park Historical Village. Western Canada's Living History Museum is action-packed covering 127 acres of parkland. Located just 15 minutes from Downtown Calgary, there is so much to do and see at Heritage Park.

Visit Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Visit the First Nations Parade in Downtown Calgary
© Travel Alberta / Colin Way

Calgary Zoo

For a family-friendly fun day out, the Calgary Zoo is a must-visit. One of Calgary's most popular attractions, the zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (except Christmas day). Here, you can admire wildlife such as Bighorn sheep, bears, cougars, the Rocky Mountain goat and much more.

Come face to face with pandas at Calgary Zoo
Family-friendly, the Calgary Zoo is an ideal day out with the kids

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Calgary is in summer between June and August. During this period, many exciting local events are happening! However, we do recommend travelling during the shoulder seasons for better value for money, fewer crowds and a better choice of accommodation.

Would you like to indulge in winter sports?

If you are interested in winter sports, visit between November through March, when the snow is at its best. However, be aware that Calgary can get very cold in the winter. In fact, the coldest temperature ever recorded was -45.0 °C!

Visit Banff at Christmas
© Noel Hendrickson
Hit the slopes!
© Noel Hendrickson

Surrounding areas

If you are searching for a day trip, Calgary is in a prime location in Canada. From the Canadian Rockies, the Canadian Badlands and everything else in between. There is no shortage of adventures to indulge in nearby Calgary.

Day trips from Calgary

  • Banff National Park
  • Lake Louise
  • Kananaskis
  • Canmore
  • Sundre
  • Red Deer
  • Lacombe
  • Olds
  • Innisfail
  • Okotoks
Lake Louise in Banff is waiting to be discovered
Meet the weird and wonderful wildlife of Banff
© Chris Amat

Banff National Park

Approximately, an hour and a half drive west of Calgary, Alberta is Banff National Park. An absolute natural wonderland and an outdoor enthusiast's dream. This part of the world is bursting with beauty and one-of-a-kind landscapes. Take a self-guided tour and discover the beautiful glistening Lake Louise. Explore the world-class hiking trails, snow-capped peaks and wonderful wildlife. The heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains is truly incredible.

Soak in hot springs
© Noel Hendrickson
Conquer one of the greatest journeys in the world, Icefields Parkway
© Ivars Krutainis

Edmonton

Known as Canada’s Festival City, the capital city of Alberta is located just three hours north of Calgary. Edmonton is nestled beside the North Saskatchewan River and lies in the heart of the Canadian wilderness. In the summertime, soak up the sunshine with 18 hours of sunlight! Perfect for shopaholics, here you can find North America's second-largest shopping mall, the West Edmonton Mall.

Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta in Canada
Uncover the local secrets of Edmonton
© Alicia paydli

Where to stay?

Make your trip extra special by experiencing a unique stay from our extensive collection of hand-selected accommodations in Calgary and beyond. Your travel specialist will match you with accommodation that suits your wants and needs. A journey where your accommodation is an experience in itself.

Soak up the pristine Canadian wilderness
Canada holidays: Very comfortable stays
Stay at small-scale accommodations with local hosts

Discover more

Why book with us?

  • Well-organised holiday, designed just for you
  • Small-scale accommodations run by friendly local hosts
  • Carefully recommended activities based on your interests
  • A travel tempo and driving distances that match your needs
  • Ingrained sustainability in all facets of your holiday
  • 30 years of experience in the travel industry
  • Peace of mind with a local network in North America and a 24/7 emergency number

Let's design your holiday together

We'll take the time to get to know you to match your fully bespoke holiday with your pace, your interests, and anything you desire. Combined with first-hand, local knowledge, you'll receive a mapped-out itinerary from us - but the process isn't done until you are 100% satisfied. We take care of every detail, so you can focus on relaxing, rejuvenating and reconnecting with yourself and the world around you. Get in touch to get started now.

One step closer to your dream trip

More is possible than you may think

You probably already have ideas for your holiday to the United States and Canada. Nature tours through the Rocky Mountains, spotting orcas near the San Juan Islands, or exploring the streets of San Francisco on the iconic cable car?

For the best local tips and advice, visit one of our online presentations. Meet our travel specialists and have all of your questions answered.