CA
Calgary
A prairie city famous for the Stampede and the gateway to Banff and the Rocky Mountains
A prairie city famous for the Stampede and the gateway to Banff and the Rocky Mountains
Ten days of rodeo, chuckwagon races, a parade and a funfair every July at the Stampede Park grounds. The whole city joins in.
Book hotels months ahead for Stampede week.
Photo: Gnosis, CC BY-SA 4.0
A red pedestrian and cycle bridge by Santiago Calatrava, linking downtown to the riverside paths and the Kensington neighbourhood.
Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0
A large open-air museum of Western Canadian history, with historic buildings, a steam train and a paddlewheel boat. Most of the village is open in summer.
Photo: Daniel, CC BY 2.0
About two hours west of Calgary in Banff National Park, the turquoise lake below the Victoria Glacier is one of the Rockies’ most famous views. Hiking trails lead to the teahouses above.
Use Parks Canada shuttles in summer; parking fills early.
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
A glacier-fed lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks near Lake Louise. Personal vehicles are no longer allowed on the road; go by Parks Canada shuttle or a commercial bus. The road is usually open from June to mid-October.
Photo: Terry Ott, CC BY 2.0
Alberta beef is the speciality, from steakhouses to burgers. Try a Caesar, the Canadian cocktail invented in Calgary, and ginger beef, another local creation.
17th Avenue SW, Kensington and Inglewood have good restaurants and bars.
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown by taxi or bus. The CTrain light rail is free in the downtown core. A car is the easiest way to reach Banff (about 1.5 hours); shuttle buses also run.
Most visa-exempt visitors flying to Canada, including EU, UK and Australian citizens, need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which costs CAN$7 online. US citizens need only a valid passport. Some nationalities need a visitor visa instead. Check current rules before you travel.
Alberta has no provincial sales tax, only the 5% federal tax. Hotels in Banff are expensive in summer, so some visitors base themselves in Calgary or Canmore. A Parks Canada pass is required to stop in Banff National Park. Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAN$). Prices are usually shown without sales tax, which is added at the till, and tipping of 15–20% is expected in restaurants.
Prices jump during Stampede week.
City and mountains.
Walk the Bow River paths and the Peace Bridge, then visit the Calgary Tower or Heritage Park.
Drive to Banff for the town, the Banff Gondola and the hot springs.
Take the Parks Canada shuttle to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake and hike to a teahouse.
Drive part of the Icefields Parkway to Peyto Lake before returning to Calgary.
🛂 Entry rules: Canada eTA
Visa-exempt visitors flying to or through a Canadian airport, including UK, EU, Australian and Japanese citizens, need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). It costs CA$7, is usually approved within minutes and lasts five years or until your passport expires.
You don’t need one if you arrive by land or sea, and US citizens and US green-card holders are exempt. Apply only on the Government of Canada website.
Official information: Government of Canada: apply for an eTA · Reviewed September 2026
Buy a Parks Canada pass to stop in Banff and other national parks.
Keep your distance from bears and elk; carry bear spray on hikes.
Mountain weather changes fast; bring layers even in summer.
Book Parks Canada shuttle seats in advance.
Quick answers for planning time in Calgary.
Most visa-exempt visitors arriving by air need an eTA (CAN$7, applied for online). US citizens do not need one; some other nationalities need a visa.
About 130km, or around one and a half hours by car.
No, personal vehicles are no longer allowed; use the Parks Canada shuttle or a commercial bus.
For 10 days in early to mid-July.
Yes, a Parks Canada pass is required to stop in the park.
English is the main language, but in Quebec French dominates; a translation app helps with menus and signs.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Canada travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.