Think you need a transatlantic flight to get charming cobblestone vibes and cafe-lined streets? Think again.
Canada is home to tons of charming small towns that offer a taste of Europe right here in the True North.
From Scandinavian-inspired villages to hidden gems that feel straight out of the Mediterranean, Canada's best small towns will have you reaching for your passport, only to realize you don't need one.
Whether you want to visit wine country, English villages, or get that slow, romantic pace of a European getaway, these eight small towns in Canada deliver European summer vibes, minus the jet lag.
Mont-Tremblant
Location: Quebec
Why You Need To Go: Mont-Tremblant is a resort town in Quebec where you'll find endless charm. The town is known as a winter destination for skiing, but it offers tons to do and see in summer as well.
With its colourful buildings, the village looks more like something you'd find in Switzerland or Sweden rather than in the True North.
You can take a gondola ride to see panoramic views of the Laurentians, explore hiking trails or shop for artisanal treats.
The town is also known as Quebec's top cycling destination, offering picturesque routes with lush mountain landscapes.
From June to October, you can also embark on an illuminated night trail through a forest.
Merrickville
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Merrickville is a small Victorian village steeped in history, located between Kingston and Ottawa.
Lying along the Rideau River, Merrickville is one of the best preserved 19th-century villages in Ontario, and is also known as Canada's "most beautiful village."
The village is home to a number of heritage properties and elements that give it a European feel, including 19th-century stone buildings that line the main street and a town crier. Be sure to check out the iconic red telephone booth photo op on St. Lawrence Street.
Merrickville is also renowned for its boutiques, which are filled with one-of-a-kind items made by local artists and artisans. You'll find shops carrying home accessories, locally-made products, specialty foods, antiques, collectables, art and more.
Step into the unique Wick Witch Apothecary, where you can purchase candles and "bath elixirs" that add a touch of magic to your self-care routine. There are also a number of cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite.
Oliver
Location: B.C.
Why You Need To Go: If you long to visit Tuscany, you don't have to leave Canada. Instead, you can visit a small town in B.C. with a similar Italian feel.
Oliver is a small town in the heart of B.C.'s Okanagan Valley, and is known as "Canada's wine capital."
It looks like a little slice of Italy due to the numerous wineries and diverse food options available in the area, as well as its dreamy rolling vineyards.
The town is situated on the northernmost point of the Great Basin Desert, meaning you can expect a dry heat here come summer.
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.
Beyond wine, there are also lakes, trails, and scenic landscapes to explore here.
Banff
Location: Alberta
Why You Need To Go: There's no need to go all the way to the Italian Alps to see stunning mountains, rocky landscapes and turquoise-blue lakes.
You can see all this and more right here in Canada with a trip to Banff, Alberta. The resort town is located within Banff National Park, where you'll find incredibly blue lakes, forested valleys, and scenic mountains everywhere you look.
While Banff is a popular winter destination, there are tons of amazing experiences to be had here come summer.
You can take a hike to one of the park's many vibrant lakes, take a trek to a hidden waterfall, or drive the iconic Icefields Parkway.
The park is also a great place for activities such as paddling and rafting, climbing and canyoning, horseback riding, and fishing. You'll also have the chance to spot some of the area's incredible wildlife, like bears, moose, elk, wolves and bighorn sheep.
The downtown core offers a diverse food scene, as well as shopping and lots of chic places to stay.
Lunenburg
Location: Nova Scotia
Why You Need To Go: This port town on Nova Scotia's South Shore is the perfect summertime spot for coastal adventure. Home to an array of colourful buildings, the town bears some resemblance to fishing villages you may find in Norway or Iceland, minus the expensive flight.
Visit Old Town Lunenburg, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, to see colourful colonial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, and discover restaurants, distilleries, breweries, artisans and unique shops.
When she's in port, you can also visit the famous Bluenose II, a schooner ship you may recognize from the Canadian dime.
Local tours can take you through the area, including along Nova Scotia's rugged coastline, complete with local stories and folklore.
Perth
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Perth is a magical little town in Ontario that's full of charming 19th-century architecture, picturesque bridges, and scenic parks.
Named after Perth, Scotland, the town was settled by Scottish, Irish, and other European immigrants, and its Scottish influence is palpable today, with stone bridges and 19th-century heritage buildings that give it an old-world feel.
"Heritage" doesn't mean "sleepy," though. The town is renowned for its arts and theatre, and also offers outdoor activities such as paddling and cycling, alongside authentic cuisine that includes traditional European dishes and pub-style fare.
Popular points of interest here include Perth's dry-stone bridge, which earned recognition as the first National Civil Engineering Demonstration Site, and Stewart Park, a picturesque spot that's perfect for picnicking and photos, where you'll find a lovely bridge overlooking a scenic river.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: This small town, less than 30 minutes away from Niagara Falls, offers a blend of history and charm.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a historic town in Southern Ontario that has the feel of an old English town. This is in part due to the town's impressive collection of preserved architecture dating from 1815 to 1859, like the Niagara Apothecary and St. Andrew's Church, which can be found in the town's national historic district.
Other elements, like horse-drawn carriages and the stunning Prince of Wales Hotel, also lend to the town's European feel. You can book a horse-drawn carriage ride around town or visit the hotel for their famous afternoon tea.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is also known for its wineries and is home to some of the oldest and most established wine-producing vineyards in Canada, where you can sample world-class and local wines.
You'll also find shopping, national historic sites like Fort George, a botanical garden, and lots more to do in the area.
Stratford
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Stratford, Ontario, is a beautiful spot to visit for a taste of England in Canada.
Stratford (which is actually a small city, rather than a town) shares a name with the town of Stratford-upon-Avon in England, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Like its European counterpart, Stratford, Ontario, also lies on the Avon River, and is home to tons of English charm.
Home to the Stratford Festival, an annual world-renowned theatre production, the city is a great place to see plays, with everything from classics to contemporary dramas and musicals on offer, with special emphasis on the works of Shakespeare.
There's tons to do here, from food trails to shopping and restaurants. One of the city's top sights is the Shakespearean Gardens, which features many different varieties of plants (including ones mentioned in Shakespeare's plays), and is a perfect spot for a quiet stroll.
Stratford Tourism websiteBefore 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.
