8 small towns in Canada that'll make you feel like you're having a European summer
No passport required. 🏰
A person at a castle in B.C. Right: A person in a garden in Ontario.
Dreaming of a European vacation? You don't need to leave Canada to experience European charm this summer.
There are plenty of beautiful small towns in Canada that offer a European flair, easily whisking you away to England, Italy or Greece without you ever having to leave the country.
From Victorian villages to Canada's "most British city," you'll want to start planning some summer travel to these gorgeous spots.
Here are eight small towns in Canada you can visit for a taste of Europe this summer, no passport needed!
Stratford
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Stratford is a charming city in Ontario that will transport you abroad this summer.
The city shares a name with Stratford-upon-Avon in England, the birthplace of Shakespeare.
Stratford doesn't just share its name with a European city, however — it also has an undeniable English feel that'll make you feel like you're in London, England.
Found on the banks of the Avon River, Stratford is home to the Stratford Festival, North America's largest theatre festival that draws visitors from around the world and is where you can enjoy world-class theatre and musical experiences.
The city is also home to beautiful Shakespearean gardens where you'll feel like you're walking in the English countryside.
The garden has over 60 varieties of plants, including ones mentioned in Shakespeare's plays, as well as beautiful features, including a gazebo, stone bridge and pond.
In town, don't miss the many museums and galleries and indulge in the self-guided Chocolate Trail.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Niagara-on-the-Lake is a small town gem located just over 20 minutes from Niagara Falls.
While the falls are touristy and modern, Niagara-on-the-Lake offers historic charm, scenic vineyards, and the feel of an English town, with horse-drawn carriages, quaint shops and a slower pace.
If you long to go wine tasting around France, you can enjoy a similar experience here thanks to the region's abundance of wineries. Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to some of the oldest and most established wine-producing vineyards in Canada, where you can sample world-class and local wines.
Be sure to book a horse-drawn carriage ride during your visit. You can also check into the charming Prince of Wales Hotel (which you may recognize from movies) and explore an apothecary from 1869.
Merrickville
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Less than an hour from Ottawa is the charming village of Merrickville Wolford.
Known as Canada's most beautiful village, Merrickville evokes feelings of days gone by, with no parking meters or traffic lights -- instead, here, you'll find a Town Crier and "very friendly" villagers.
The Victorian village is said to have more designated heritage buildings than any other Ontario community like it, and will make you feel like you're walking through the old world of Europe rather than Canada.
The town is home to cute cafes, antique shops, hiking opportunities, and stunning waterfront views.
Be sure to make a stop at Wick Witch Apothecary, where you'll find handcrafted and mystical goods like candles, crystals tarot cards and more.
Oliver
Location: B.C.
Why You Need To Go: If you want to escpae to Tuscany, Italy, without needing to leave Canada, look no further than the town of Oliver in B.C.
Located in the Okanagan Valley, the charming town has been dubbed the "wine capital of Canada" and is home to hiking and cycling trails in addition to several scenic wineries.
Visitors have called it the "Canadian Italy," likely because of the many wineries and food you can get in the area, as well as the region's similar appearance to parts of the country.
For a truly Italian feel, head to Road 13 Vineyards, a winery with a majestic castle-like building that even has its own drawbridge and looks straight out of a fairy tale.
Tobermory
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Tobermory is a harbour village in Ontario at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula.
With shipwrecks, 19th-century lighthouses, quaint shops and restaurants serving up fresh seafood, it'd be easy to feel like you were in a seaside European town here, rather than the True North.
One particularly otherworldly spot in Tobermory is the Grotto and Indian Head Cove, a cave and scenic inlet with crystal-clear, turquoise water found in Bruce Peninsula National Park.
The rocky cliffs and hidden swimming holes are reminiscent of sea caves in Greece, and with the stunning aquamarine water, you'll have no trouble imagining that you've left Canada for the Mediterranean.
Fergus
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Located under two hours from Toronto, Fergus is a small town with a "rich Scottish heritage" that will transport you to Europe.
The town is known for its boutique shopping, historic architecture, scenic river views, waterfalls, and limestone gorge.
It also draws visitors for its Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games, an annual three-day event that takes place in the summer and attracts world-class competitors and entertainers.
The games are said to be the world’s largest gathering of clans outside Scotland and Cape Breton, according to Destination Ontario, and celebrate local Scottish heritage.
The neighbouring Elora offers a beautiful swimming hole, as well as cafes, restaurants and shops.
Banff
Location: Alberta
Why You Need To Go: 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.
Lake Louise is a breathtaking natural wonder that should be a must-see while you're here. Be sure to also check out the town of Banff, where you'll find shopping and restaurants.
Victoria
Location: B.C.
Why You Need To Go: The capital of British Columbia is quintessentially British, with tea rooms, double-decker buses, horse-drawn carriages, and shops selling china and wool.
In fact, Victoria is known as the "most British city in Canada," so it definitely makes sense that'd you'd feel like you're walking in a British town rather than Canada here.
Victorian period architecture, landmarks, heritage and the tradition found across the city make it a popular destination for history buffs and even fans of the royal family.
A trip to the Victorian Harbour could easily fool you into believing you've left Canada for Europe as you watch the boats and dig into some fresh seafood.
Be sure to check out the Victorian castles like Hatley Castle and Craigdarroch Castle, and the stunning Butchart Gardens during your visit.
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.
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