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Summary

One of Canada's 'best small towns' is this dreamy little BC spot with idyllic lake views

Grab your beach bag. 🏖️

Someone by the water having a picnic. Right: A lake.

Oliver BC. Right: A lake in the Okanagan region of BC.

Editor

Just in time for summer vacations this small town in B.C. with lakeside views, sandy beach and clear was has been put under the spotlight. It's a little community known for its sunny weather and stunning landscape — ideal for getaways in the warmer months.

The small town of Oliver, B.C. was just shouted out as one of Canada's best small towns to live in, on the Narcity Facebook Group. Set in the famed Okanagan region of the province, Oliver is a somewhat underrated town but makes the perfect vacation destination.

Just 20 minutes away from the bigger town of Osoyoos, Oliver is a slower-paced destination that still puts you right in the magic of this area. The surrounding landscape is one of the most unique in the country, as the only desert in Canada.

Oliver's real claim to fame though is its nickname — Canada's Wine Capital — which it earned thanks to the many award-winning wineries here.

You can take a tour of the rolling vineyards that overlook the breathtaking scenery of the area, and visit the District Wine Village, where 12 different wineries come together in one.

The other main draw of this town is the serene waters. It sits on the shores of Tuc-el-nuit Lake, where you can swim, paddle board, canoe, or just lay out on the sandy shores.

Rotary Beach is the public beach here and it has soft sand, picnic tables, and beautiful views of the rolling mountains and vineyards.

The downtown area here is small but you can explore the local artisanal shops, art galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants.

From the lively town to the unbelievable surroundings, Oliver is a place to wind down, enjoy the nature and sip some wine. If that sounds like a summer dream to you — go here.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

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. After working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, she joined Narcity with a move to B.C., drawn to the beauty of Western Canada. Since then, she's documented her experience moving to Vancouver, covering everything from local events to bucket-list travel destinations across Canada's West Coast.

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