8 Beautiful Canadian Small Towns & Cities To Visit In 2024 If You'd Rather Be In Europe
No passport needed!
A person in a small town in Ontario. Right: A person stands under the northern lights.
Wish you could jet off to Europe without the hassle of booking an expensive plane ticket? No problem.
There are so many places to visit in Canada that offer a European feel, easily transporting you to Switzerland or Iceland without you ever having to leave the True North.
Whether you've always wanted to see snow-capped mountains in the Italian Alps, walk cobblestone streets in a quaint English town, or see the northern lights in Scandinavia, you can do it all right here in Canada.
Here are eight Canadian cities and small towns that will whisk you away to Europe in 2024.
Quebec City, QC
Why You Need To Go: With its cobblestone streets and old town, Quebec City is like a little slice of Europe right here in Canada.
According to Expedia, Quebec City is a "destination dupe" for Geneva, Switzerland, offering many of the same features as the Swiss city, like a multilingual culture and a picturesque location on a beautiful body of water, minus the expensive trans-Atlantic flight.
"The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec is an easy dupe for the Musée d’art et d’histoire de Genève, and while Geneva can claim the Alps, Québec City’s Montmorency Falls are no small consolation prize," says Expedia.
The city is beautiful to visit year-round. For an especially charming activity, you can wander along the Quartier de Petit Champlain and peruse quaint shops, boutiques and restaurants.
Victoria, BC
Why You Need To Go: If you want a taste of England without having to leave Canada, look no further than Victoria, B.C.,
Originally Fort Victoria, a settlement named for Queen Victoria in 1843, the capital city is the most British city in all of Canada.
Here, you'll find Victorian-period architecture, landmarks and heritage as well as tons of experiences that will make you feel like royalty.
Victoria's Parliament Buildings are certainly a sight to behold, especially at night when lit. Public tours of the building are also offered regularly throughout the day.
In the spring, Hatley Castle is a beautiful display of Victorian architecture that will make you feel like you've left Canada for a fairytale. The castle's stunning gardens are free to visit, or you can book a tour to see inside.
A visit to the city also wouldn't be complete without enjoying the world-renowned afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Why You Need To Go: Niagara-on-the-Lake is a gem just over 20 minutes from Niagara Falls. While the falls are touristy and modern, Niagara-on-the-Lake almost resembles an English town, with horse-drawn carriages, quaint shops and a slower pace of life.
If you long to go wine tasting around France, you can enjoy a similar experience here thanks to the region's abundance of wineries.
You can also check into the charming Prince of Wales Hotel (which you may recognize from movies) and explore an apothecary from 1869.
Banff, AB
Why You Need To Go: Have you always wanted to explore the Italian Alps? Instead of paying thousands to travel overseas, you can get a similar experience in Alberta.
Banff National Park is home to stunning scenery much like what you'd find in the Alps, including mesmerizing blue lakes, vast mountains, cozy chalets and world-class ski hills.
While visiting in the winter means enjoying the beauty of snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes and charming ski chalets, summer means exploring glacier-fed lakes and hiking to stunning vistas.
Moraine Lake is a breathtaking natural wonder that should be a must-see while here. Be sure to also check out the town of Banff, where you'll find shopping and restaurants.
Gros Morne, NL
Why You Need To Go: You don't need to travel to Scandinavia to see incredible fjords and towering waterfalls. You can get the chance to see these stunning natural features much closer to home at this Canadian national park.
Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can hike along the Earth's mantle, climb towering summits, visit a colourful coastal village and cruise soaring fjords.
It could easily be confused for the fjords of Finland or Demark.
Experienced hikers can challenge themselves with the climb up the mountain overlooking the Western Brook Pond Fjord, part of the Long Range Mountains. You can also explore the fjord and see cascading waterfalls on a boat tour.
Churchill, MB
Why You Need To Go: If you've always wanted to see the northern lights in Norway, the next best thing can be found right here in Canada.
Churchill, Manitoba, is Canada's answer to Norway, home to incredible nature experiences and similar climates.
Like Norway, Churchill is considered one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights. The town is located in the Aurora Oval, and the northern lights can be seen here up to 300 nights a year.
In Churchill, you can also see incredible wildlife, like Arctic Foxes, whales and polar bears, just minus the international trip!
Stratford, ON
Why You Need To Go: Stratford, Ontario, doesn't just share a name with a European city — it also has an undeniable English feel that'll make you feel like you're in London, U.K.
Stratford is a city found on the banks of the Avon River, and is home to the Stratford Festival, a theatre festival formerly known as the Stratford Shakespearean Festival.
And speaking of Shakespeare, you can visit Shakespearean gardens in this small town and feel like you're walking in the English countryside. The garden has over 60 varieties of plants, including ones mentioned in Shakespeare's plays.
You can also check out the town's museums, galleries and even embark on a Chocolate Trail.
St. John's, NL
Why You Need To Go: You don't need to leave Canada to feel like you're in Iceland.
A trip to St. John's, Newfoundland, could easily make you feel like you've left the True North in favour of the Nordic country.
Besides both being islands, Newfoundland and Iceland have a lot of similarities, such as their terrain — on both islands, you'll find glacial icefields, magnificent highlands and ancient rock formations.
They also share scenic elements, such as colourful houses, the ability to view the northern lights, and the chance to see icebergs up close.
You'll also find similar wildlife viewing opportunities, with the chance to see whales and puffins in both locations.
Happy travels!
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.