One of Canada's 'most beautiful' destinations is an Alberta small town with storybook streets

It's like stepping into a postcard. ⛰️

Banff, Alberta.

Person in a small town in Alberta. Right: Alberta small town street.

@rhedgeee | Instagram, Brucemacdonald | Dreamstime
Editor

Alberta is filled with beautiful small towns, from sparkling lakeside retreats to mountain getaways. Nothing says summer like packing up the car and heading out of the city, to explore the nature that the province is known for.

The town of Banff is one of the most famous spots to do just that. Often known as a winter escape with snow-capped peaks and ski hills, it's also a summer retreat with beauty around every corner.

Recently people on the Narcity Facebook Group shared what the most beautiful destinations they've ever been to in Canada are, and Banff made the cut.

The iconic jagged peaks framing the picturesque streets of the quaint town say it all. It's everything you could want from a small-town getaway, with little shops, pretty streets and a cozy vibe. It's set apart though thanks to the surrounding natural beauty, since it's nestled in Banff National Park.

With glistening lakes, wildflower meadows, and scenic hiking trails — it's hard to beat the scenery here. Even if you're not up for taking on a heart-pumping incline, there's views to see. Just driving down the road you'll see breathtaking scenes, and you can pull up to iconic spots like Lake Louise.

The perk of this cute town though, is you can get views just strolling around. There's a bunch of little stores, cute shops, and restaurants in town that you can explore.

For a bit of a recharge you can visit Banff Hot Springs, soaking in the mineral waters and looking out onto the mountains beyond.

All of this is just an hour and a half away from Calgary, making it a perfect day trip or weekend getaway. '

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. She got her start working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, then joined Narcity with a move to B.C., leading the launch of West Coast coverage. Her focus now is managing a large group of freelance writers, bringing human-forward and opinion content to the site.

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