Welcome to Canada, one of those special countries that offer visitors such incredible variety, breathtaking natural beauty and iconic locations that it truly lives up to the ‘trip of a lifetime’ ticket.

Travelling through this North American nation, get ready to be awestruck by some of the world’s most stunning landscapes and natural wonders: vast open spaces and pristine wilderness, towering snow-capped mountains and wild tundras, lush evergreen forests and jewelled lakes.

Unleash your sense of adventure for unforgettable experiences: the thrill of spotting classic Canadian wildlife like grizzly bears and caribou roaming free in their natural habitat, jumping on board an Ice Explorer to climb to the summit of a glacier, or experiencing one of the world’s greatest train journeys, while traversing the spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountains (or Rockies) in the west.

All this, seamlessly contrasting with vibrant modern cities shaped by European influences, historic towns revealing Gold Rush folklore and a rich and fascinating First Nations culture – all waiting to be discovered.

But when is the best season to visit Canada?

As the world’s second-largest country spanning near-on 10 million square kilometres (3.86 million square miles) across six time zones and boasting the longest coastline on the planet, Canada presents a uniquely diverse land whose climate varies extensively.

Most of Canada’s northern region rests within the Arctic Circle, with the climate ranging from arctic to subarctic the further south you travel. Aside from the arctic regions, which only experience two seasons – a long, freezing winter and a short summer – much of the rest of Canada has the usual four distinct seasons. The Atlantic and Pacific-facing coasts both have an oceanic climate, however, the west experiences slightly warmer conditions.

Canada’s weather is dependent not just on the time of year, but also location and altitude. Within such an astoundingly vast and diverse territory from east to west, when planning your visit, it’s a good idea to consider what’s top of your wish list to see and do, how adventurous you aim to be and the most suitable weather conditions.

Whichever season you decide to visit Canada, it promises to be a magical time, with each of the seasons delivering unforgettable highlights. 

Generally, the winter snows are beginning to thaw, but early spring departures may still feature snow in the Rocky Mountains, which can be enchanting to experience. Temperatures will rise and the days start getting longer, but in springtime, some days can still feel a little fresh, especially early mornings. The chance of rain is higher during spring, but is uncommon to be particularly heavy or last too long.

Springtime sees less visitors and offers one of the prime times for wildlife spotting. When visiting Western Canada between May and June, you may be fortunate to spot grizzly and black bears, sometimes with cubs in tow, emerging out of hibernation. Keep an eye out for other iconic wildlife such as elks, moose and beavers, as well as humpback whales as they make their way north along the coast and migrating birds.

Naturally, spring is a scenic time of year, with plants and flowers bursting into life, alpine meadows in full bloom and grassy plains a verdant green. The West Coast is especially beautiful, resplendent with its famed spring wildflowers. One of the best places to admire the stunning flowers, like tulips and rhododendrons, is delightful Butchart Gardens, established over a century ago in Victoria (Vancouver Island).

Thrill seekers will love activities like river rafting, kayaking and hiking, especially amid the jaw-dropping Rockies, and as the days extend longer, make the most of this time to explore the glaciers and soaring mountain scenery of the Northern Territories. Foodies should note that April to June is peak lobster season; Nova Scotia, on the North Atlantic Coast, is renowned for its lobsters – some of the world’s biggest and most flavourful.

Summer marks Canada’s peak season and showcases some of the highlights this magnificent nation can offer. Days are longer with the warmest temperatures and you’ll find maximum options for the variety of things to do. As summertime is Canada’s most popular season, attractions however can get crowded and as this is also bug-biting season, it’s advisable to pack repellent.

Summertime presents the perfect opportunity for outdoor pursuits and delighting in awe-inspiring natural beauty and wildlife, whether it’s whale watching off Vancouver Island or observing puffins on the Newfoundland coast. Late June and July makes a great time to venture to the far north, where it rarely gets dark and temperatures are pleasant even in the Arctic, rewarded with potential sightings of polar bears, amongst others.

Relish memorable activities, like kayaking on turquoise Lake Louise, Canada’s ‘Diamond in the Wilderness,’ embedded in one of the world’s most jaw-dropping settings, hiking along trails to icy-blue glaciers and river rafting in one of the Rockies UNESCO World Heritage-listed national parks –including Banff and Jasper, renowned for their pristine wilderness. There’s also plenty of opportunity to view the wildlife and with alpine fields still in bloom, bears, elks and other creatures can easily be spotted grazing.

Most of Canada’s arts and cultural festivals take place in summertime. Among the highlights, in June, there’s the annual Montreal International Jazz Festival, the largest of its kind worldwide; in July, Canada Day festivities and annual Calgary Stampede, known as ‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,’ showcasing the best in rodeo and wagon racing and the Toronto International Film Festival, in September.

Similar to spring, some consider autumn (or Fall), as the best time to visit Canada. The days – and nights – start getting cooler and progressively shorter, however, you’ll find the temperatures pleasant, making an ideal time for activities and explorations, especially with less foot traffic around.

Autumn’s main drawcard, however, is North America’s world-famous seasonal foliage, a mesmerising display of autumnal leaves changing colour to rosy reds, crimson oranges and golden yellows – adding another layer of landscape beauty.

Enjoy sunny hikes, especially through the Rocky Mountains’ scenic national parks, to admire up-close some of Canada’s most stunning Fall foliage. The groves of golden larch trees along Banff’s numerous hiking trails early October are a particular highlight. These vivid hues can even be appreciated in major metropolises, such as Montreal, Toronto and Québec City, in eastern Canada.

Migrating birds as well as wildlife (including Canada’s signature brown bears) are at their most active, foraging for food before their winter hibernation. During the annual British Colombia salmon run, hungry bears can be seen catching jumping salmon in Goldstream River on Vancouver Island. There are also opportunities for viewing the ongoing moose rutting season, blue and humpback whales along the east coast and even polar bears within the arctic regions.

With the first snow arriving in November, winter is typically in full swing by December, finishing roughly early March. As the coldest time of the year, with temperatures dipping below zero degrees Celsius, Canada’s ‘off season’ attracts minimal crowds. Most wildlife is difficult to spot as they are either hibernating, hiding from the cold or migrating to warmer climates – areas like British Columbia offer great winter bird viewing in December. Experienced via independent travel, the winter season however can be a special time to visit, especially for adventure seekers and snow sports enthusiasts.