Banff, Canada: travel guide
A Rocky Mountain town ringed by turquoise lakes and peaks
Iconic Rocky Mountain resort town inside Banff National Park, with turquoise lakes, hot springs and alpine scenery.
About Banff
Banff is a small mountain town set inside Banff National Park, with the peaks of the Canadian Rockies rising on every side. It is the base for some of the most photographed scenery in the country, from the glacial blue of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to the high viewpoints reached by the Banff Gondola.
Things to do in Banff include walking the trail through Johnston Canyon, driving the Icefields Parkway to Peyto Lake, soaking in the hot springs on the slopes of Sulphur Mountain, and simply strolling the main street with its mountain backdrop. Wildlife is part of the experience, so keep a respectful distance.
Banff suits hikers, photographers and winter-sports fans. Summer opens the lakes and trails, while winter brings skiing and a quieter, snowbound feel.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Edmonton
Last updated
Top places to visit in Banff
Lake Louise
glacial-lake · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Iconic turquoise glacial lake framed by Victoria Glacier and the Fairmont Chateau. Canoeing, lakeside walks and the Plain of Six Glaciers trail. Parks Canada pass required; timed shuttle/parking reservation essential in summer.
Moraine Lake
glacial-lake · 4.9 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Vivid blue lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, one of Canada's most photographed scenes. Private vehicle access is closed; reach it by Parks Canada shuttle, Roam Transit or commercial bus only. Parks Canada pass required.
Banff Gondola (Sulphur Mountain)
gondola-summit · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Eight-minute gondola ride to the 2,281 m summit of Sulphur Mountain, with boardwalk, interpretive centre and panoramic Bow Valley views. Parks Canada pass required for the area.
Johnston Canyon
canyon-trail · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Catwalk trail along a limestone canyon to the Lower (1.1 km) and Upper (2.7 km) Falls, frozen into ice climbs in winter. On the Bow Valley Parkway. Parks Canada pass required; arrive early for parking.
Fairmont Banff Springs
landmark-hotel · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The "Castle in the Rockies", a 1888 baronial railway hotel above the Bow River. Grounds, terraces and exterior viewpoints are open to visitors even if not staying.
Peyto Lake (Icefields Parkway)
lake-viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Wolf-shaped, intensely blue glacial lake viewed from Bow Summit on the Icefields Parkway, about an hour north of Lake Louise. Short uphill walk to the lookout. Parks Canada pass required.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
hot-springs · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic open-air mineral hot pool at 1,585 m on Sulphur Mountain, fed by natural thermal springs with mountain views. Parks Canada facility.
Lake Minnewanka
lake · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The largest lake in Banff National Park, a 28 km glacial reservoir popular for boat cruises, hiking and picnics. Watch for bighorn sheep. Parks Canada pass required.
Bow Falls
river-falls · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Wide, powerful waterfall on the Bow River below the Fairmont Banff Springs, reached by a short walk or riverside trail from Banff townsite.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
historic-site · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Birthplace of Canada's national parks: thermal mineral springs in a cave discovered in 1883, with exhibits and boardwalks. Parks Canada site (separate admission).
Vermilion Lakes
lake-viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Three shallow lakes just west of Banff townsite offering classic Mount Rundle reflections; superb at sunrise and sunset and for wildlife. Free to visit.
Banff Park Museum National Historic Site
natural-history · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Canada's oldest natural history museum (1903) in a heritage log "lantern" building, displaying Rockies wildlife specimens. Parks Canada site.
Things to do
- Banff Gondola Round-Trip Sightseeing · 2.5 h · from CAD 75 per person
- Lake Louise Canoe Rental Water Sports · 1 h · from CAD 145 per person
- Banff Wildlife Safari Tour Wildlife · 3 h · from CAD 99 per person
- Banff Upper Hot Springs Soak Wellness · 1.5 h · from CAD 17 per person
- Icefields Parkway Glacier Tour Sightseeing · 10 h · from CAD 250 per person
- Johnston Canyon Guided Hike Hiking · 3.5 h · from CAD 95 per person
- Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from CAD 75 per person
- Banff Town & Surroundings Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from CAD 45 per person
Day trips and tours
- Icefields Parkway & Columbia Icefield Full-Day Tour 10 h · from CAD 250
- Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Sunrise Tour 6 h · from CAD 130
- Banff Wildlife & Lake Minnewanka Evening Tour 3 h · from CAD 99
Where to stay in Banff
- Banff Townsite about CAD 320 per night
The main hub with the widest range of hotels, restaurants, shops and bus connections. Most walkable and best for first-timers and car-free trips.
- Lake Louise about CAD 380 per night
Quieter alpine village 45 minutes north, right by the iconic lakes and ski area. Fewer dining options but unbeatable for early-morning lake access.
- Canmore (nearby) about CAD 240 per night
Mountain town just outside the park gate, ~20 minutes from Banff. More affordable lodging and dining with no park-entry parking limits; great budget base.
Hotels
- Fairmont Banff Springs 5-star · CAD 650 to CAD 1,800 per night
- Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise 5-star · CAD 700 to CAD 2,000 per night
- The Rimrock Resort Hotel 4.5-star · CAD 450 to CAD 1,100 per night
- Moose Hotel & Suites 4-star · CAD 280 to CAD 560 per night
- Banff Aspen Lodge 3.5-star · CAD 220 to CAD 420 per night
- HI Banff Alpine Centre 3-star · CAD 45 to CAD 180 per night
Where to eat
- Park Distillery Restaurant + Bar Canadian, Grill, Barbecue · about CAD 45 per person
- Tooloulou's Cajun, Creole, Breakfast · about CAD 35 per person
- The Bison Restaurant Canadian, Rocky Mountain, Contemporary · about CAD 55 per person
- Banff Ave Brewing Co. Pub, Canadian, Brewery · about CAD 35 per person
- Eddie Burger + Bar Burgers, Canadian, Casual · about CAD 28 per person
- Wild Flour Bakery Cafe Bakery, Cafe, Breakfast · about CAD 18 per person
- The Maple Leaf Canadian, Steakhouse, Fine Dining · about CAD 75 per person
- Sky Bistro (Banff Gondola Summit) Canadian, Contemporary, Fine Dining · about CAD 80 per person
Getting to Banff
Nearest airport: Calgary (YYC), about 109 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Fake "parking available" sites and resold shuttle tickets
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
Third-party sites and resellers may advertise guaranteed parking or shuttle spots at inflated prices, or sell tickets that are not valid; official parking and shuttle reservations are limited and sell out.
How to avoid it: Book parking and shuttles only through the official Parks Canada site (parks.canada.ca) or Roam Transit. Never pay a stranger for a "spot".
Approaching wildlife for photos
Roadsides & trails park-wide
Visitors stop and approach elk, bears or sheep for close photos ("bear jams"), risking dangerous charges and fines; it is illegal to approach or feed wildlife.
How to avoid it: Stay at least 30m from elk/sheep and 100m from bears. Use a zoom lens, never feed animals, and keep moving in your vehicle.
More in Canada
Frequently asked questions about Banff
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Banff?
- The highest-rated places in our Banff guide are Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Peyto Lake (Icefields Parkway), Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff Gondola (Sulphur Mountain).
- Where should I stay in Banff?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Banff: Banff Townsite, Lake Louise, Canmore (nearby).
- How do I get around Banff?
- Ways to get around Banff covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Banff?
- Scams reported to us for Banff include Fake "parking available" sites and resold shuttle tickets; Approaching wildlife for photos. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.