6 Canadian cities named the best spots to visit in 'The Great White North'
As the world descends on Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, travel writers from the United Kingdom have made a list of Canadian cities they think are worth exploring in between games.
British online newspaper The Independent released a list of what its travel writers think are the best Canadian cities to visit in “The Great White North.”
“With Toronto, Ontario, and Vancouver welcoming 38 days of sporting action, football fans will be spoiled for choice when it comes to exploring between matches,” it reads.
“Thankfully, our travel writers have clashed ice hockey sticks, scaled Toronto towers, and ridden the backcountry of Banff to help guide you to the best destinations in ‘The Great White North.'”
Horseback riding in Lake Louise, Banff National Park (Janice Chen/Shutterstock)
In no particular ranking, the list starts strong with Banff. The Independent describes Alberta’s popular tourist spot as “a vast expanse of the Canadian Rockies,” and “a vision of turquoise glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks, and soaring green pines.”
Travel writer Annabel Grossman suggests going off-grid on horseback to truly connect with the natural landscape.
Next up is Toronto, one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ontario’s capital is hosting six matches, and travel writer and former resident of the city, James March, says living there made him a Toronto Blue Jays fan.
A child observing a Blue Jays game from high seats in Rogers Centre. (Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock)
“If food and football are to go hand in hand, the World Cup is an opportunity to showcase Toronto’s other famous sports,” he writes.
He recommends visitors watch a baseball game at the Rogers Centre, which is located downtown, with amazing views of the CN Tower.
Prince Edward Island also made the list for its potatoes, coastal views, and slower pace.
A view from a ship towards the historic centre of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, in the fall. (Nicola Pulham/Shutterstock)
“For Europeans seeking something off the beaten track, the island feels like a hidden treasure,” writes Rosalyn Jeffrey.
The list wouldn’t be complete without Vancouver, the second Canadian host city for the FIFA World Cup. Travel writer Robin McKelvie describes the city as the U.S.’s “cooler Canadian cousin.”
A woman enjoys a leisurely bike ride along the seawall in Stanley Park, with the stunning cityscape of Vancouver in the background. (Unai Huizi Photography/Shutterstock)
“Vancouver may be one of the hippest cities in North America, popping up all over those cool cachet lists, but it’s not just style, there’s substance too,” he writes. “Vancouver is bedrocked on spectacular foundations, with a harbour to rival Boston or New York, but also epic sky-scraping mountains that conjure up a vast natural amphitheatre.”
Just a short ferry ride away from Vancouver is B.C.’s capital, Victoria, which also made the list. Travel writer Neil Davey calls it an overlooked Canadian city.
Sunken Garden at Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island. (Unai Huizi Photography/Shutterstock)
“There’s a lot here for history (or architecture) buffs,” he writes. “Happily, there’s also information, via the splendid Royal BC Museum and several public displays, on the region’s indigenous history, which long pre-dates the city’s naming in tribute to a British monarch.”
He adds that the city is known for its beautiful parks and gardens.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Yukon. Travel writer Damien Gabet was able to truly experience the Canadian outdoors in the Canadian territory, joining its International Hair Freezing Contest, and trying ice diving, chainsaw throwing, and Arctic Oven tents.
Scalia Media Recently/Shutterstock
Do you agree with the U.K publication’s top picks for the best Canadian cities in “The Great White North”? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.