Holidays to Alberta
Top destinations in Alberta
Banff
Flanked by snow-capped mountains, Banff is a charming resort-town base for hiking, biking and some of the continent’s best skiing adventures in Canada’s Rocky Mountains.
Calgary
A gateway to the Rockies that wears its cowboy culture with pride, Alberta’s largest city invites you to take a walk on the wild side.
Edmonton
Alberta’s low-key capital is on a roll. From wildlife spotting and brewery hopping to a festival calendar that’s the envy of Canada, Edmonton pulls out all the stops.
Lake Louise
The crown jewel of Banff National Park, this tiny hamlet is home to one of the most stunning alpine lakes on the planet. Come say hello to Lake Louise.
Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat isn’t just Canada’s sunniest city — it also boasts the world’s tallest tipi. Cosy coffee shops, 19th-century buildings and colourful murals add to its charms.
Lethbridge
This leafy Canadian city combines farm-to-table feasts with spectacular parks, hiking trails and Indigenous sites. Experience it all, along with a hearty dose of Alberta charm.
Alberta: fast facts
| Language | English, French |
|---|---|
| Currency | Canadian dollar (C$) |
| Time zone | Calgary - UTC−7 (MST) and UTC−6 (MDT) |
| High season | June – August; December – March |
| Low season | April – May; September – November |
Alberta holiday highlights
Take a scenic drive
One of the world’s most beautiful roads, the 232-kilometre Icefields Parkway passes iconic landscapes like Lake Louise, Peyto Lake and the Athabasca Glacier. The drive takes around three hours, but allow yourself at least a day to enjoy the scenic stops. For a stark contrast, cruise through Dinosaur Valley’s rocky badlands. Hop out to explore dinosaur museums, ghost towns and hoodoo-crammed canyons.
Explore Indigenous cultures
Learning about First Nations and Métis cultures is a great thing to do in Alberta. In Edmonton, the Indigenous Peoples Experience in Fort Edmonton Park highlights the diverse cultures that have shaped this region. Visit Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park to experience a tipi village, see a cultural dance performance and take in exhibits focusing on Blackfoot history, crafts and traditions.
Hit the hiking trails
Banff National Park is a hiker’s dream, with over 1,600 kilometres of trails. Get epic views of Lake Louise from Lake Agnes Trail, or hike past waterfalls in Johnston Canyon. For a challenging hike through towering peaks and alpine meadows, try the 18-kilometre Healy Pass. Or hike among prehistoric fossils at Horseshoe Canyon in the Canadian Badlands.
Things to do in Alberta
Top attractions
You can’t visit Alberta without driving the Icefields Parkway, an epic road that takes you past some of the province’s top attractions. Along the way, stop to feel the sheer power of Athabasca Falls, which cascades down into a steep limestone canyon. And the impossibly turquoise waters of Moraine Lake have to be seen to be believed. It’s only accessible from June to October, so plan accordingly.
Beaches
You may not have pictured lounging on a beach in Alberta, but the province’s rivers and lakes offer stunning shorelines. Families love Kinosoo Beach on Cold Lake for its water sports and activities. Devonshire Beach is a pristine stretch of sand and features wheelchair access and a dog-friendly area. And Quarry Lake’s serene beach is flanked by crystal-clear waters and craggy mountains.
Nature
Alberta’s rugged natural beauty goes beyond the big-name attractions. Wood Buffalo National Park is home to iconic Canadian wildlife like bison, buffalo, moose and bears — just be sure to watch from a safe distance. It also offers incredible stargazing. To experience the striking contrast between sweeping prairies and soaring peaks, head to Waterton Lakes National Park.
Cuisine
The restaurants in Alberta showcase the region’s farming heritage, from locally sourced bison, beef and elk to farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. The steak here is world renowned, while ‘pierogies’ (cheese and potato dumplings) are popular thanks to Alberta’s large Eastern European population. The province also has a thriving craft brewing scene, so sample a local pint wherever you go.
Culture and museums
Calgary is nicknamed ‘Cow-Town’ for its cattle ranching roots, and you can relive the Wild West at Heritage Park Historical Village. This living history museum features costumed reenactors, a vintage railway and artefacts from the 1860s. Explore Western and Indigenous history at Fort Edmonton Park. Or return to the dinosaur age at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta’s badlands.
Nightlife
The best nightlife in Alberta can be found in big cities. Calgary puts live music front and centre with blues clubs, concerts and DJ sets. For sleek cocktail bars, speakeasies and historic pubs, take a stroll down 17th Avenue. Beer fan? You’ll find craft breweries all over the province, from family-run joints to innovative newcomers making their mark on the scene.
Find the best time to visit Alberta
Weather in Alberta through the year
March – May: Spring is a great time to explore Alberta’s mountains, lakes and canyons with hardly anyone around. But you’ll have to wrap up warm. Highs are around 10°C, and lows hover near freezing.
June – August: This is the best time to visit Alberta for pleasant temperatures and long, sunny days. Just book ahead, as summer is the busiest season.
September – November: Autumn offers similar temperatures to spring. The Rockies glow gold with larch trees, Canada’s only colour-changing conifer species.
December – February: Most winter trips to Alberta revolve around skiing and snowboarding. But you can also hike, snowshoe and sledge through its frozen landscapes. Be prepared for temperatures well below freezing.
Events in Alberta
SnowDays Festival (January): This lively wintertime celebration dials up the festive vibes with snow sculptures, sleigh rides and apres-ski nights in Banff and Lake Louise.
Chinook Blast (February): Celebrate local music, arts, sports and theatre scenes with over two weeks of free events in downtown Calgary.
Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival (August): North America’s largest fringe festival features more than 220 grassroots theatre shows across 11 days, plus live music, street performances and outdoor dining.
Jasper Dark Sky Festival (October to November): This annual astronomy celebration takes stargazing to new heights, with science talks, live music and planetarium shows. You might even catch the Northern Lights!
Know before you go
Budget
With a little bit of planning, you can have a cheap holiday in Alberta. Visiting outside of the peak summer months and prioritising low-cost activities will go a long way towards keeping costs down. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant is around 30 Canadian dollars ($), while a local beer is usually under $10, and coffee is about $5.
Health and safety
Forest fires are a risk in Alberta, so check the Wildfire Status Dashboard and Air Quality Health Index before heading out. Stay at least 30 metres from wildlife and don’t stop to look at animals when driving. If you plan to hike, go in a group, carry bear spray and make a noise near blind corners to keep bears at bay.
Free things to do
If you’re visiting Calgary, say hello to the local birdlife at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, an enormous ecological reserve in the heart of the city. Or marvel at the impressive modern architecture of Calgary Central Library. Staying in Edmonton? Explore the parks and walking trails along the North Saskatchewan River Valley, or get a local history lesson at the Alberta Legislature Building.
Family friendly
Give little legs a rest and enjoy the views on the Banff Gondola. Arrive during the first two hours of the day, and you’ll get one free kids’ ticket per paying adult. At Edmonton’s TELUS World of Science, explore immersive Northern Lights shows and see a lump of moon rock. And dino fans can’t miss Dinosaur Provincial Park, home to fossil-filled walking trails and an interactive visitor centre.
Getting around Alberta
Public transport
Buses: Companies like Red Arrow, Ride Express and FlixBus run intercity buses between top spots like Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise and Edmonton. Calgary’s public transport network consists of buses and the CTrain light rail.
Trains: Via Rail connects Jasper and Edmonton with the rest of the country. On the 19-hour Vancouver to Jasper route, you can choose between three cabin classes and enjoy endless mountain views.
Boats: Ferries cross the Red Deer, Peace and Athabasca rivers. You’ll also find scenic cruises on Lake Minnewanka and the North Saskatchewan River.
Domestic flights
Alberta hosts three international airports (Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray) plus a few regional hubs (Grand Prairie, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and more). Air Canada and WestJet are the leading domestic carriers.
Driving and car hire
With majestic views at every turn, Alberta is a dream road trip destination. A few tips — watch out for wildlife, drive on the right and remember that speed limits are in kilometres. Besides the iconic Icefields Parkway, top routes include the Bow Valley Parkway from Banff to Lake Louise and the Boomtown Trail from Calgary to Edmonton.
