Banff Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Banff

Banff Travel Guide Video

The mountain scenery surrounding Canada's highest town is breathtaking all year round.

Around 4 million tourists flock to Banff every year to experience the majestic beauty of the town's dramatic surroundings. Nestled within the unspoiled wilds of Banff National Park, high in Canada's Rocky Mountains, Banff is ideally located for excursions to the area's many resorts and attractions.

Banff's 10,000 permanent residents can attest to the fact that this region is as beautiful in summer as it is in winter. Come spring, the countryside takes on a vibrant verdant hue, matched only by the astonishing deep turquoise of the area's lakes.

Take in the spectacular views on foot, making the most of the hundreds of hiking paths. There's a trail for every level of ability, from riverside meanders to hard-core treks. If you prefer getting around on two wheels, there are plenty of mountain bike rental shops in Banff where you can also get advice and trail maps. Kayaking is the ideal way to see the vivid glacial lakes up close bring your own kayak or simply hire one in town.

Come winter, Banff is transformed into a snowy paradise. A mecca for skiers and snowboarders, there are several ski resorts in the area, including Mt Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village. You can catch a shuttle bus from one of the hotels in town to get to Sunshine Village or Lake Louise. Both have a vast number of runs ranging from novice to advanced levels. A local favourite, Mt Norquay is smaller but less crowded, and has more advanced runs.

As you would imagine, the volume of holidaymakers year-round makes Banff somewhat of a party town. Unwind after a day in the mountains in one of its many first-rate bars and clubs. The Dancing Sasquatch is the town's legendary nightspot and no visit to Banff would be complete without at least one late night in this fine establishment.

Banff is a four-hour drive south of Jasper, or an hour-and-a-half's drive west of Calgary.

Where to stay in Banff

Banff showing night scenes and street scenes

Downtown District

If you're spending some time in Downtown District, Banff Legacy Trail and Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown District
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Uptown District

While Uptown District isn't home to many top sights, Tunnel Mountain and Banff Legacy Trail are some notable places to visit nearby.

Uptown District
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Banff Centre District

While visiting Banff Centre District, you might make a stop by sights like Bow River and Walter Phillips Gallery.

Banff Centre District
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Tunnel Mountain District

Though Tunnel Mountain District may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Banff Springs Golf Club and Tunnel Mountain.

Tunnel Mountain District
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Banff Springs District

If you're spending some time in Banff Springs District, Bow Falls and Fairmont Banff Springs Bowling Centre are top sights worth seeing.

Banff Springs District
Banff Gondola which includes views, landscape views and mountains

Sulphur Mountain District

While visiting Sulphur Mountain District, you might make a stop by sights like Upper Hot Springs and Sulphur Mountain.

Sulphur Mountain District
Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets
Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets
3 out of 5
525 Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff, AB
The price is AU$148 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
AU$148
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 3-star ski condo in Banff. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 spa tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,639 reviews)
"Poor area was great. A bit of a maze to get there from the room. Loft room was great. Could use a good thorough cleaning around the hotel."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets
Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa
Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa
3.5 out of 5
521 Banff Ave, Box 1070, Banff, AB
The price is AU$174 per night from 16 Apr to 17 Apr
AU$174
per night
16 Apr - 17 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Banff. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,423 reviews)
"Very nice and spacious rooms. Lovely hotel to stay in Banff. Very friendly staff and helpful when we arrived. Hot pool was awesome!"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa
Banff Rocky Mountain Resort
Banff Rocky Mountain Resort
3 out of 5
1029 Banff Ave, Banff, AB
The price is AU$162 per night from 23 Apr to 24 Apr
AU$162
per night
23 Apr - 24 Apr
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Banff. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 spa tubs. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,737 reviews)
"Super attentive staff, very friendly and helpful. Great pool and outdoor hot tub area. Beautiful location. Spacious and clean rooms. Restaurant service and food was fantastic."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Banff Rocky Mountain Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets
Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets
3 out of 5
525 Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff, AB
Stay at this 3-star ski condo in Banff. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 spa tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,639 reviews)
"Poor area was great. A bit of a maze to get there from the room. Loft room was great. Could use a good thorough cleaning around the hotel."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets
Hidden Ridge Resort
Hidden Ridge Resort
3.5 out of 5
901 Hidden Ridge Way, Banff, AB
Stay at this aparthotel in Banff. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 spa tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,664 reviews)
Boys trip
"If you plan to use their wood burning fireplaces, bring a hatchet as the wood provided requires multiple boy-scout badges if you have any hope of making a fire go with the logs provided. Starting to show its age but still great place to stay"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Hidden Ridge Resort
Basecamp Suites Banff
Basecamp Suites Banff
2.5 out of 5
101, 316 Marten St, Banff, AB
Stay at this aparthotel in Banff. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 spa tubs, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (135 reviews)
"Great location. Clean and well maintained. Great kitchen. Parking not included."

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2024

Basecamp Suites Banff
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Banff

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
79
" "5 - Excellent 81.44329896907216%
4 - Good
17
" "4 - Good 17.52577319587629%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 1.0309278350515463%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
18 Mar 2020

We absolutely loved Banff and hope to come back every year or 2 from Australia!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
14 Mar 2020

Very cold in march. Bring lots clothes

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Feb 2020

Banff is a must for anyone travelling to Alberta. A beautiful little town with great daytime activities and an abundance of great restaurants.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
21 Jan 2020

Loved Banff plenty to do and see in winter, will be back.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Nov 2019

Amazing scenery pretty little town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Nov 2019

For travellers not familiar with the area, temperatures may suddenly go well below monthly average even in early Oct. And pack shoes suitable for walking in snow/ice unless you're ok with accidental spontaneous ice skating like we did.

Cities near Banff