1 Week Canada Itinerary

Welcome to your dream Canadian vacation!

Are you looking for a week-long Canada itinerary that will allow you to discover the best of eastern Canada?

Look no further!

We have prepared a fantastic Canada itinerary that includes the cities of Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, as well as popular tourist attractions like the Thousand Islands and the famous Niagara Falls.

Follow our day-by-day Canada itinerary for 7-8 days and discover the beauty of this amazing country.

We also provide you with our selection of the best accommodations for each city, making trip planning a breeze.

Here is the summary of this 1 week Canada itinerary:

Day 1: Montreal

Your journey will start in Montreal, the perfect place to begin your Canada itinerary.

Depending on your arrival time and fatigue level, you can either collect your rental car and rest up for the next day or drop off your bags at the hotel and head out to explore the city.

We recommend visiting the Old Montreal district to see the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Montreal, the Bonsecours Market, the Quai de l’Horloge, and Jacques-Cartier Square.

Take a walk along the Old Port, which offers stunning views of the St. Lawrence River.

End the day by heading to the Belvedere du Mont-Royal to enjoy a splendid view of Montreal on your Canada itinerary.

For dinner, immerse yourself in Canadian culture by trying the country’s typical dish: poutine! La Banquise, typical dish: poutine!

La Banquise, located in the Mont-Royal district of Montreal, is a restaurant solely devoted to this national dish and offers a wide range of options on your Canada itinerary.

While you’re in the area, explore the neighborhood with its typical spiral staircases and colorful facades.

There are plenty of things to do and see in the city, so choose according to your interests. Whether it’s cultural visits, parks, or shopping, Montreal has something for everyone on your Canada itinerary. Get ready for an unforgettable Canadian adventure!

If you want to organize your own itinerary to visit Montreal in 1 day, check out our article: Top 33 things to do absolutely in Montreal.

Here you will find all the things to do and see in the city. All you have to do is choose according to your centers of interest (Cultural visit, park, shopping, etc.).

Accommodation in Montreal

In Montreal, as in all tourist destinations, the best accommodations fly away very quickly. I strongly recommend that you book your hotel in advance!

• M Montreal: Youth hostel located 5 minutes walk from the Berri Uquam metro station on Sainte Catherine Street. Bed in a modern and comfortable dormitory from €25 per night, breakfast included. Possibility also to sleep in a double room. The pluses: very welcoming staff, modern infrastructure, bar in the basement with shows on certain evenings. An excellent choice where to stay inexpensively in Montreal!
• Best Western Plus Hotel Montreal: Located in the entertainment district. Warm and spacious double room from 150€ per night. Most: the perfect location for visiting Montreal, cleanliness, comfortable beds.
• Le Dauphin Montreal Centre-Ville: Located 200 meters from the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal and 5 min walk from the Old Port. Double room from €170, breakfast included. Most: very well located, the size of the rooms, the large bed.
• Le Petit Hotel Montreal: Located in the historic center of Montreal. Room with real character with exposed stone and brick wall, from €250, breakfast included. Most: the service, the good breakfast, the charm of the hotel.
• Le St-Martin Hotel Centre-ville – Hotel Particulier: Located 50 m from rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest. Elegant and cozy double room from 290€. Most: the swimming pool with waterfall and water jets, the adorable staff, the location, the comfort. This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Montreal!
• Hotel Birks Montreal: Located downtown, this 5* hotel offers superb tastefully decorated rooms starting at €500, breakfast at €19. Most: the perfect location, the architecture, the friendliness of the staff, the Spa. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Montreal!

Day 2: Thousand Islands

On the second day of your week-long Canada itinerary, it’s time to head towards the stunning Thousand Islands.

Located halfway between Montreal and Toronto, this natural wonder is the perfect stop to break up the drive and immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Canada.

To reach the Thousand Islands from Montreal, it takes approximately 3 hours by car.

Once you arrive, the essential tourist activity is to go on a boat cruise around the islands. Departures are available from Rockport, Gananoque, or Kingston, with several durations to choose from: 1 hour, 2.5 hours, or 5 hours.

For the best experience on your Canada itinerary, I recommend opting for the 2.5-hour cruise. This gives you ample time to take in the beauty of the area and navigate among the 1865 islands that make up the Thousand Islands.

These cruises run from May to October and typically have a capacity of around 50 people on board. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, you can also book a private boat just for you, although this option is more expensive.

During the cruise, you’ll navigate among the 1865 islands that make up the Thousand Islands. They all have their own unique characteristics – some are larger or smaller than others, some are inhabited, and some even have small cottages, luxurious houses, and even a castle built on them.

The Thousand Islands are truly a Canadian gem that should not be missed on your 1 week Canada itinerary. Enjoy the breathtaking views and take in the natural beauty of this must-visit destination.

The scenery of the Thousand Islands is truly stunning, and a boat cruise is a relaxing and enjoyable way to experience this natural wonder during your 7-8 day Eastern Canada itinerary. For those with a slightly higher budget, you can also opt to fly over the islands by helicopter for an unforgettable view!

Tips for your Canada itinerary:
If you prefer a less crowded cruise experience on your Canada itinerary, depart from Rockport or Gananoque instead of Kingston. These cities are less touristy and offer a more intimate experience.

Don’t miss out on the Thousand Islands during your Canadian vacation. This beautiful and unique destination should be on every traveler’s itinerary when exploring Eastern Canada.

Accommodation in Thousand Islands

• Howard Johnson Gananoque: Motel located 1.5 km from the pier for cruises. Spacious and comfortable double room from 70 € per night, breakfast included. Goodies: the location, the outdoor pool, cleanliness, comfortable bedding, good breakfast, free parking. It’s our heart stroke for its benefit / price ratio!
• Comfort Inn & Suites Thousand Islands Harbor District: Located 5 minutes walk from the boat dock. Comfortable double room from 100 € per night, breakfast included. The most: the indoor pool, free parking, breakfast, the quality of the home, the geographical location.
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 1000 Islands: Located 2 km from the cruise departures. Modern and warm double room from 150 € per night, breakfast included. The most: the indoor pool, the sauna, the comfort of the rooms, the good breakfast, the calm.

Day 3-5: Toronto

For the next leg of your 1-week Canada itinerary, continue your journey to Toronto. From the Thousand Islands, it takes about 2.5 hours by car to reach this vibrant city.

When you arrive in Toronto, start by exploring the main neighborhoods:

• Kensington Market, the bohemian neighborhood and one of the oldest in Toronto. It’s particularly popular with street art lovers.
• Chinatown, Toronto’s Chinatown, where you’ll find the cheapest souvenirs in the city. It’s the perfect place to stock up on magnets and mugs!
• The Distillery District, a historic district completely rehabilitated into a large pedestrian zone. It’s home to original stores, art galleries, and trendy coffee shops, making it Toronto’s trendiest neighborhood.

For lunch on your Canada itinerary, head to St. Lawrence Market. This covered market, over 200 years old, offers a chance to taste the best local products in a friendly and warm atmosphere.

In the afternoon, head to Ripley’s Aquarium to meet the marine mammals. It’s one of Toronto’s must-see tourist attractions and Canada’s largest aquarium, with more than 16,000 animals. You can walk through an underwater tunnel or even touch rays and sharks.

Even if you’re not a fan of this type of activity, it’s a playful and well-done experience that’s sure to be enjoyed by the whole family.

For the end of the day, I recommend going up to CN Tower, Toronto’s iconic attraction. A panoramic lift will allow you to reach the height of 346 meters in just 58 seconds.

Once there, you can walk on a transparent glass floor and admire the incredible panorama of the entire city. The experience is truly impressive, especially if you go at sunset.

If you like adrenaline and thrills, I also suggest trying the Edge Walk. You’ll be only restrained by a harness while walking on the outer edge of the tower, which is just 1.5 meters wide! It’s worth noting that the experience costs $225, so it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

To end the day in a romantic setting, you can dine at the CN Tower restaurant. The restaurant rotates throughout the meal, allowing you to enjoy a 360-degree view of Toronto.

On the second day of your 1-week Canada itinerary in Toronto, I suggest visiting a rather unusual place: Casa Loma.

Casa Loma is an authentic medieval-style castle, which is quite rare in Canada! It was built by a wealthy industrialist who spent $3.5 million on it. Unfortunately, he quickly went bankrupt and wasn’t able to enjoy it for long.

You can visit the many rooms of the castle, but the most impressive part is the view it offers from the top of the turrets, which is simply one of the most beautiful views of Toronto. The 2-hectare garden of Casa Loma is also very pleasant to walk around, with fountains, sculptures, and floral arrangements.

For the rest of the day in Toronto, I recommend some cultural tourism with a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum, which is Canada’s largest museum. With its unique architecture consisting of an old stone part and a glass and aluminum structure, you won’t miss it.

The museum covers multiple subjects including the history of First Nations, world cultures, natural history, and even has a space devoted to the skeletons of dinosaurs – which is the best part of the museum for the big kid in me!

After the museum, take a break from the city and head to the Toronto Islands for some greenery. To get there, take the ferry from Queens Quay, which takes just 10 minutes and offers one of the most beautiful views of the Toronto skyline.

The islands are car-free, so I recommend renting a bike to explore the area. There are plenty of beaches for swimming or relaxing, and the 1920s holiday homes are a cool sight to see. Alternatively, you can opt for a boat trip to discover all the islands.

For the rest of your 6, 7, or 8-day Canada itinerary, head to the iconic attraction of the province of Ontario: Niagara Falls. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Toronto.

Niagara Falls is truly awe-inspiring and is one of the must-see things in Canada! The best way to admire them and certainly the most spectacular is to opt for a cruise at the foot of the falls. Wearing a poncho, you’ll get closer to Niagara Falls and get soaked (but it’s all part of the experience).

After the cruise, you can also go to the top of the Skylon Tower to see the falls from the panoramic terrace. And if you want to experience something truly unique, I recommend taking a helicopter ride over the falls. If there’s one place that deserves to break the bank a little, it’s this one. You’ll remember it for a lifetime!

Regarding the city of Niagara Falls itself, there’s not much to see beyond the falls. If you wish, you can take a tour of Clifton Hill, a street lined with attractions of all kinds, including a wax museum and a haunted house. But the kitsch of it all is just something to behold.

For the rest of the day, I recommend taking the Niagara Parkway, a road that runs along the Niagara River between Niagara Falls and the village of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The area is famous for its vineyards, and the road offers beautiful views of the river. You’ll eventually arrive at Niagara-on-the-Lake, a charming and picturesque village with its flowery streets and period houses. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of admiring the falls.

Tips for your Canada itinerary:

If you don’t want to bother driving in a big city, I advise you to opt for an organized day tour.

I recommend the one offered by GetYourGuide. It’s the best way to let yourself go through the day without any stress, everything is organized. A shuttle even picks you up directly in front of your hotel and brings you back to the same place in the evening.

The day includes:

• The bus ride
• Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake
• A photo stop along the Niagara Parkway
• The famous boat cruise close to the Falls
• 3 hours of free time to wander around as you wish and make the most of the day
• As an option, you can also choose to live an extraordinary experience by flying over Niagara Falls in a helicopter!!!

To book in advance by clicking here.

Accommodation in Toronto

• The Clarence Park: Hostel located 10 min walk from the CN Tower. Bed in dormitory from 35€ per night. The pluses: the location, the friendliness, the curtains for the beds in the dormitory, modern. An excellent choice for cheap accommodation in Toronto!
• Margie Townhome Suites: Guest house located 5 minutes walk from the Eaton Centre. Pleasant and cozy room from 110€. Most: location, calm, next to the metro.
• The Novotel Toronto Centre: located right next to St Lawrence Market. Contemporary and very spacious double room from 150€. Most: indoor pool, location, very good breakfast.
• One King West Hotel and Residence: located in Old Toronto, 5 min from St Lawrence Market. Modern, spacious and elegant suite with a superb view of the city from €190, breakfast €17. Most: in the city center, excellent bedding, the incredible view.
• The Omni King Edward Hotel  : For anyone who wants to treat themselves to a little treat during your trip to Toronto. Upscale hotel located in the Financial District, steps from the Eaton Centre. Cozy and neatly decorated double room from €300, breakfast at €23. Most: the ideal location, the attentive staff, the decoration and the comfort of the rooms, excellent breakfast. To be preferred for an upscale stay in Toronto (or just one night to treat yourself as a couple!)
• Bisha Hotel Toronto: 5* hotel located just 500m from the CN Tower. The establishment offers superb rooms decorated by the design firm of the star Lenny Kravitz. From 390€. Most: the infinity pool on the roof with a view of the CN tower, the excellent restaurants of the hotel, the ideal location. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Toronto!

As you may have noticed, accommodation in the center of Toronto is still quite expensive, which is quite understandable because it is a large Canadian city that is very touristy.

If you want to save a little and don’t mind staying a little further from the center, hotels located near the Toronto airport (17km from downtown) generally offer lower rates.

You have for example:

• Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport
• Best Western Plus Travel Hotel Toronto Airport
• Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Airport
• Hampton Inn by Hilton Toronto Airport Corporate Centre

Day 6: Ottawa

After spending 3 days in Toronto and Niagara Falls, continue your week-long Canada itinerary by heading to Ottawa. Visiting Canada in a week and not stopping by the capital would be a shame!

The drive to Ottawa will take approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes, so I recommend leaving early in the morning to arrive in Ottawa by lunchtime.

For lunch, head to the Byward Market. You can grab some good local produce on the go or dine at one of the many restaurants in the area. And for dessert, make sure to try a beaver tail, the traditional Canadian pastry.

The Byward Market is located near Parliament Hill, the main tourist site of the city, so you can continue the day by admiring the place. All of Canada’s Parliament Buildings are clustered on this hill.

Next, I suggest visiting one of the best and most interesting museums in Canada, the Canadian Museum of History. It’s the essential cultural activity to do in Ottawa, in my opinion.

The museum traces the history of all of Canada, from the First Nations to the present day. It’s home to the largest collection of totems in the world and is really well-done and exciting. I recommend spending at least 3 hours there in the afternoon.

For the end of the day, head to the Rideau Canal for a stroll along the shores of this UNESCO World Heritage listed canal.

If you’re visiting Ottawa in the winter, you can try ice skating on the canal, which is transformed into the largest natural ice rink in the world!

To discover all the places of interest in Ottawa, see our article: Best things to do in Ottawa.

Accommodation in Ottawa

Ottawa is Canada’s capital, it’s still a small city. The offer for accommodation is therefore a bit limited. I advise you to go ahead to book accommodation of our selection and do not hesitate too long.

• HI Ottawa Jail Hostel: Hostel located in a restored former prison. You will sleep in cells! Bed in dormitory from 30 €, breakfast included. The most: the originality of the place, the excellent location, the good breakfast.
• The Business Inn: Hotel located 1.3km from Parliament Hill. Studio very well equipped with a kitchen from 95 € per night, breakfast included. The most: the geographical situation, the spacious rooms, the presence of a computer with printer in the rooms, the possibility of being made to eat. This is our favorite for its unbeatable value for money!
  
• Andaz Ottawa Byward Market-a concept by Hyatt: Located in the Byward Market area. Double room with modern and refined decoration from 160 € per night, breakfast included. Goodies: the location, the friendly staff, the roof terrace, the buffet breakfast very complete and varied.
• Fairmont Château Laurier: Luxury hotel located 10 minutes walk from Parliament Hill. Spacious and comfortable double room from 350 € per night, breakfast included. What’s more: the quality of the services, the comfort of the rooms, the indoor pool, the helpful and attentive staff. The ideal to have fun!

Day 7: Mont-Tremblant

For the fifth and second-to-last leg of this 1-week Eastern Canada itinerary, head to Mont-Tremblant. The drive from Ottawa takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes.

On the way, I recommend making a stop at the Omega Park, located in Montebello, which is about 50 minutes from Ottawa.

This is an ideal family activity, allowing you to discover many animals from Canada while driving through the park. The animals are free-roaming, so you can feed some of them and observe them up close.

In the early afternoon, arrive at Mont-Tremblant. The best way to discover the area is by hiking in the park. One of the most accessible trails is the Rock and Corniche.

You can also enjoy water activities at the lake (in the summer) or skiing (in the winter). If you have the privilege of taking this week-long Canada itinerary in the fall, you’ll be dazzled by the shimmering colors of the trees! And don’t miss a stroll in the pedestrian village.

Accommodation in Mont-Tremblant

• Auberge Manitonga Mont-Tremblant : Youth hostel located 5 minutes by car from the village of Mont-Tremblant and 10 minutes by bus. Bed in dormitory from 30€ per night. The pluses: the good price/performance ratio, the nearby lake, the warm welcome, the pleasant surroundings. An excellent choice for affordable accommodation in Mont-Tremblant!
• Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Mont Tremblant: Located 5 min drive from the center of the village. Spacious and welcoming double room from €100 per night, breakfast included. Most: the indoor swimming pool, the size and comfort of the rooms, the free parking, the friendliness of the staff. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in Mont-Tremblant!
• Château Beauvallon: Located 10 minutes from Mont Tremblant. Well-equipped suite with balcony and kitchenette from €125 per night. The pluses: the indoor and outdoor heated pools, the tranquility, the shuttle to go to Mont-Tremblant.
• Le Grand Lodge Mont-Tremblant : Hotel located on the shores of Lac Ouimet. Comfortable and spacious double room from €170 per night, breakfast at €17. Most: the superb view of the lake, the location, the indoor swimming pool, the spa, the style of the hotel, all in wood and with fireplaces in the rooms.
• Hôtel Fairmont Tremblant : This luxury hotel is located at the foot of Mont-Tremblant, right next to the pedestrian village. Very comfortable double room from €300 per night, breakfast at €30. The pluses: all the services of a 5*, the location, the heated swimming pools, the quality of the service, the magnificent facilities. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Mont-Tremblant!

Day 8: Back to Montreal

As all good things must come to an end, the final leg of this 7-8 day Eastern Canada itinerary takes you back to where you started: Montreal.

From Mont-Tremblant, it’s approximately a 1 hour and 30 minute drive to Montreal. Depending on the time of your return flight, you can either head directly to the airport or choose to spend some more time exploring Montreal.

Do not hesitate to take ideas on things to do and see in Montreal in our article: Top 33 places to visit in Montreal.

Tips for your Canada Itinerary:

If you only have 7 days in Eastern Canada, you can follow this itinerary and delete the Mont-Tremblant leg, spending the 7th day on the Ottawa-Montreal route, which takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes.

If you have 10 days in Canada, check out our ultimate 10-day Canada itinerary!

Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions on our week-long Canada itinerary!

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