Canada has no shortage of charming small towns, but its powerhouse cities are where travelers can fully experience sophisticated culture, delicious cuisine, and stylish hotels. iBestTravel readers’ ranking of their favorite cities in Canada has stayed consistent over the years, with many of the same places appearing time and again.
How Voting Works
Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 iBestTravel readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Cities were specifically rated on the criteria below:
- Sights/landmarks
- Culture
- Food
- Friendliness
- Shopping
- Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
What Readers Loved
Montreal (No. 3) was described by one iBestTravel voter as “one of the best, if not the best, food cities in North America.” Moreover, while some may not think to travel there during the winter months, others argue, “it’s the most romantic time to visit.” Additionally, it’s the perfect time to cozy up in one of the city’s luxury hotels. This year, Toronto (No. 5) re-entered the list, after dropping off for a few years. Readers praised its multicultural culinary scene. “Incredibly impressed with the amount of international foods!” said one reader, adding, “This is a great ‘first time out of the country’ destination.”
Across the country, in the western province of British Columbia, the smaller city of Victoria (No. 2) was praised for its beautiful scenery: “The island is lovely, with the coastline, gardens, and historic buildings in a picturesque setting.” Another iBestTravel reader favorite, Vancouver (No. 4) also received top marks, particularly for its natural surroundings. “Ah, Vancouver: mountains, water, and incredible Chinese food — what’s not to love?” one reader wrote. Another voter said they appreciated the Indigenous education available at Vancouver parks and art galleries.
Still, no city could unseat the perennial winner, Quebec City. Consequently, keep reading to see why, for the 8th year in a row, Quebec City continues to top the list of our readers’ favorite cities in Canada.
The Winner
Québec City
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Each year, this WBA Hall of Fame honoree is praised for its quintessentially European vibe, which stems from its romantic cafes and bistros, historic sites like the Citadelle of Québec, and, of course, snippets of French conversation around every cobblestoned corner. With only 550,000 residents, Québec City is an approachably-sized city, and readers appreciated that intimate feel—not to mention its walkability. “Wonderful, friendly people, great architecture, art, and food,” commented one reader. “We loved the cider farms and biking out to Montmorency Falls,” said another. Consider staying at the Auberge Saint-Antoine, a gorgeous property voted by our readers as the third best city hotel in Canada.
We loved the cider farms and biking out to Montmorency Falls.
— iBestTravel Reader
The Full List
1. Québec City, Quebec
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 85.85
2. Victoria, British Columbia
Reader Score: 85.09
3. Montreal, Quebec
Reader Score: 83.32
4. Vancouver, British Columbia
Reader Score: 82.69
5. Toronto, Ontario
Reader Score: 81.55
