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The 5 Best Cities in Canada of 2025
This year's list of the best in Canada includes both small cities and major metropolises on both coasts, plus a couple on the grand Saint Lawrence River. While far-flung, these properties have at least one thing in common: all were chosen as favorites by Travel + Leisure readers last year, too. Clearly, they're as great as ever—keep reading for the 2025 winners. Cityscape of Historic Old Quebec City. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Cities were specifically rated on the criteria below: Sights/landmarks Culture Food Friendliness Shopping Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
Four of the top five cities on this year's list are located between Quebec and British Columbia, including Montreal (No. 2) and Vancouver (No. 3), which have both moved up a slot since 2024. These major population centers continue to draw enthusiastic visitors with their diverse restaurant and hotel scenes and world-class arts and culture—but a few smaller cities also consistently rank among T+L readers' favorites.
Take Halifax (No. 4), Nova Scotia's provincial capital, which one survey respondent described as ' the up and coming city in Canada.' Readers were surprised by its diversity of cultures and the beauty of the surrounding forests. Another provincial capital, Victoria, B.C. (No. 5), is a favorite on the West Coast for its stately British architecture and green spaces; many voters labeled Butchart Gardens, just outside the city, a must-visit.
The No. 1 city in Canada this year, though, can sometimes seem like a world apart: As one reader noted, the culture, language, and architecture are so distinct that 'it feels like you're traveling 'far away.'' And that's absolutely part of the appeal.
Quebec City A cobblestone street in Old Quebec City.
Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure
Quebec City tops the list of reader-favorite cities in Canada for an impressive 10th year in a row. Readers loved its French architecture and winding streets, excellent food and shopping, and the evocative historic atmosphere of Vieux-Québec, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town. 'Quebec City really has to be seen in the winter,' one T+L reader recommended. 'When the Saint Lawrence River freezes over and the ice sculptures appear, it's a magical place.' Another survey respondent emphasized the rich cultural experience of visiting Francophone Canada: 'If you can't get to Paris, go to Quebec.'
1. Quebec City, Quebec
WBA Super Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 86.79
2. Montreal, Quebec
Reader Score: 82.93
3. Vancouver, British Columbia
Reader Score: 82.79
4. Halifax
Reader Score: 82.26
5. Victoria, British Columbia
Reader Score: 80.70
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