20 of the Most Beautiful Canadian Cities to Live In

When most people think of beautiful places in Canada, they tend to think of mountains, lakes and forests. However, the country has some very beautiful cities too. Here are 20 of the most beautiful Canadian cities that are also great to live in.

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Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa has the highest standard of living in Canada and among the functional government buildings you’ll also find plenty of architectural gems. It also happens to be one of the top 10 best places for Canadians to retire.

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Quebec City, Quebec

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quebec City is the only city in Canada and the United States to still have its original city walls. With its fairytale architecture, the capital of Quebec is often rated as the most beautiful city in Canada.

Beautiful building amidst greenery in Stratford, Ontario

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Stratford, Ontario

Best known for the internationally-acclaimed Stratford Festival, Stratford is located amid farm country on the banks of the Avon River. The city also boasts stunning Victorian architecture.

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Winnipeg, Manitoba

At first glance, Winnipeg doesn’t look like anything special but look closer and you’ll see a collection of stunning parks and innovative architecture. The city’s historic terracotta buildings are the most extensive collection of its kind in North America.

Downtown Vancouver framed by the North Shore mountains

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Vancouver, British Columbia

Its diverse scenery has made Vancouver a popular filming location, earning it the nickname Hollywood North. The city boasts mild weather, stunning beaches and a laid-back attitude, making it a paradise – albeit an expensive one – to live in.

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Calgary, Alberta

With its skyscrapers overlooking the greenery of Prince’s Island Park, Calgary can easily remind you of New York City. This resemblance is continued in the diverse, vibrant inner-city neighbourhoods but the Stampede Grounds and the Scotiabank Saddledome remind you that you’re on the edge of the Prairies.

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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

It may sound like a bit of a stretch to call Saskatoon the Paris of the Prairies simply because of its bridges and art nouveau buildings. However, the city is surprisingly sophisticated, with plenty of galleries, festivals and one of Canada’s highest rates of restaurants per capita.

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Halifax, Nova Scotia

Often ranked as one of Canada’s best cities to live in, Halifax is home to great beaches, beautiful parks and stunning historic buildings. The city is also known for its warm atmosphere and vibrant nightlife.

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Whitehorse, Yukon

The Yukon’s only city, Whitehorse’s beauty lies in its spectacular natural surroundings. This is a city for lovers of the great outdoors and also has less air pollution than any other city in the world.

Government buildings in Victoria, British Columbia

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Victoria, British Columbia

The capital of British Columbia is also known as the Garden City because of its abundance of green space. Victoria is renowned for its high quality of life and its pleasant warm climate.

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Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Quaint Charlottetown is one of only two cities on Prince Edward Island. The island’s capital, Charlottetown is known for its many historic buildings and delicious seafood.

Vineyards near Kelowna, British Columbia

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Kelowna, British Columbia

Nestled between vineyards and the shores of Okanagan Lake, Kelowna is popular with tourists and retirees alike. In the warmer months, people are drawn here for watersports; in fall it’s time for wine-tasting and in winter the action is found at the nearby ski resorts.

City hall reflected in the Saint John River in downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

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Fredericton, New Brunswick

Located on the banks of the Saint John River, Fredericton is a haven for artists, writers and poets. They find inspiration in the City of Stately Elms’ historic architecture, parks and tree-lined streets.

Main street of small town, with historical architecture and store-front buildings.

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Cambridge, Ontario

Cambridge was formed by amalgamating several separate communities, each of which still retains its unique character. The city's historic industrial buildings give it an old-time character and in recent years, Cambridge has been a filming location for several acclaimed TV series.

Colourful houses in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

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St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

St. John’s is believed to be the oldest English-founded city in North America. Its hilly terrain and brightly coloured old buildings are reminiscent of San Francisco; so is the fog.

Waterfront of Nanaimo, British Columbia at night

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Nanaimo, British Columbia

Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island and due west from Vancouver, Nanaimo is a popular seaside destination. It enjoys a mild climate and is especially famous for its annual bathtub races.

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Montreal, Quebec

The world’s second largest mainly French-speaking city, Montreal is highly rated for its livability. It has more university students per capita than any other North American city and is ranked as the best city for studying abroad.

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Saguenay, Quebec

Located at the confluence of the Saguenay and St. Lawrence rivers, Saguenay is decidedly French. Surrounded by farmland and wilderness, it’s a paradise for foodies and nature lovers alike.

Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador at night

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Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador

Corner Brook has the amenities of a big city but the atmosphere of a small town. In the warmer months, the waters here are frequented by whales, dolphins and cruise ships while in winter, the area around Corner Brook offers some of the best skiing east of the Rockies.

Saint John, New Brunswick, from a park near the Reversing Falls Bridge

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Saint John, New Brunswick

Saint John was the first incorporated city in what would become Canada. Its location where the Saint John River flows into the Bay of Fundy makes it a popular cruise-ship port. Saint John is home to the curious Reversing Rapids (Falls), when the tides force the river to flow backwards.