Banff

Travel Guide
Banff
Visit the highest town in Canada and explore the pristine wilderness which surrounds it.

Banff is the perfect place from which to explore Canada's Rocky Mountains. Surrounded by the pristine wilderness of the Banff National Park and central to many of the regions best attractions, Banff is popular throughout the year. The town's native population of 10,000 is supplemented by around 4 million visitors each year.

Skiers are spoilt for choice with several ski resorts nearby. Try the slopes at Mt Norguay, Lake Louise Ski Resort or Sunshine Village. Mt Norguay is the favorite of the locals, it has the least crowds and the most advanced slopes. Both Lake Louise and Sunshine Village have huge numbers of ski runs to choose from, from advanced to beginner. The easiest way to get there is to catch one of the shuttle buses which pick up from all the hotels in town.

In summer, the landscape around Banff transforms from a winter wonderland to a green wilderness, ripe for a whole variety of outdoor pursuits. There are hundreds of trails to explore, from easy strolls alongside streams to strenuous hikes which circumnavigate spectacular lakes. Mountain biking is another great way to explore and there are bike-rentals in the town which can also provide maps of the best trails in the area. Rent a kayak and get out on one of the incredible vivid blue lakes in the area for a different perspective.

Get out on the town after a day of skiing or cycling. Being a vacation destination, a party atmosphere pervades the town all year round. There are some excellent nightclubs and bars in the center of town. Don't miss the Dancing Sasquatch, a local institution which is open until late.

Banff is around an hour and a half from Calgary by car, or four hours south of Jasper.

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 €82 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
€82
per night
28 Apr - 29 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! (2,640 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 €105 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€105
per night
1 Apr - 2 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! (2,414 reviews)
"all good"

Reviewed on 26 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 €98 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
€98
per night
2 Apr - 3 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! (2,640 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! (144 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

Things to do

Reviews of Banff

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
82
" "5 - Excellent 70.08547008547009%
4 - Good
35
" "4 - Good 29.914529914529915%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Feb 2020

Amazing place, loved it

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
7 Feb 2020

We have always loved Banff but recently it is often over busy however thus week it was only pleasantly busy. Food prices have gone up a lot recently

5/5 - Excellent

Veviene
30 Oct 2019

I really love here and can’t believe I’m natural and human can make it! If I have a next change to come again I wil do :)

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 Oct 2019

From what I have explored so far Banff its a very friendly and beautiful place, there is a good social scene and the mountains are incredible

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Oct 2019

Glorious.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Oct 2019

What great place to visit well worth going