When one pictures Canada, one likely thinks of Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, or Banff National Park. While these famous places are indeed beautiful sites to see, Canada also has a variety of hidden gems that remain undiscovered by many tourists. These hidden gems encompass a different range of experiences, rich local culture, natural beauty, and lack of crowds! Naturally, whether you enjoy being immersed in nature, indulging in history, or simply enjoy finding hidden spots, Canada's hidden underrated places are worth the time.
For travelers to plan their travels from the Middle East, the beginning is for them to get a Canada Visa from Abu Dhabi or a Canada Visa from UAE. Although the process is quite easy, now there are more tourists discovering Canada's best-kept secrets and getting their visa is an important first step before you can go to explore all the beautiful magical lesser traveled places throughout Canada!
Here are some hidden gems in Canada: Underrated Tourist Attractions You’ll Love
1. Manitoulin Island, Ontario: The World's Largest Freshwater Island
Manitoulin Island is a tranquil paradise nestled in Lake Huron. Incredibly, it is also the largest freshwater island in the world. While this region is terrific for outdoor activities, it is its unique combination of Indigenous heritage and outdoor adventure that makes it a hidden gem. With opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional Anishinaabe culture, wander through lush forests and relax along pristine lakeshores, Manitoulin Island has something to offer each and every visitor. Hiking the Cup and Saucer Trail showcases views that might rival any national park, but remain blissfully uncrowded, providing a true escape from everyday life.
2. Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador: A Special Kind of Quiet Magic
Fogo Island presents an extraordinary opportunity to sample a diverse mix of art, culture, and nature. Its dramatic coastal landscapes, coupled with traditional fishing communities and a world class inn committed to place-based sustainability, are like no other destination in the world. The island is a perfect place for rest, retreat and reflection, while remaining totally immersed in nature. The community is warm and welcoming, while the slow pace of the island provides an idyllic space for people of creativity and nature.
3. Val-Jalbert Ghost Town, Quebec: A Journey to Another Era
Just south of Lake Saint-Jean, is Val-Jalbert, a remarkably preserved ghost town which connects you with early 20th-century Quebec. All the buildings are restored, the scenic waterfall, the old mill - it truly feels like your roaming through a historical film set. This is an amazing place for lovers of history that desire to travel into the past of Canada beyond what is available at the more widely known tourist locations as it brings them closer to the country’s future story in an authentic way. Unfurling thousands of years of history, Val-Jalbert has no crowds, and allows you to genuinely connect with the roots of Canada’s culture.
4. Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan: Canada’s Prairie Secret
Many visitors miss Saskatchewan – but Grasslands National Park is taking that to a whole new level and proving the province deserves much more than it’s gotten. It’s open and vast landscape, it’s starry skies, roaming bison and rare prairie ecosystems, it’s incredible landscape makes it arguably one of the best places to be outside at night and one of the best places in the country to view wildlife. This part of the country has enough great spaces, with very few people to provide peaceful moments of complete silence and remaining space to truly experience nature.
5. Haida Gwaii, British Columbia: A Spiritual Archipelago
Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is filled with Indigenous Culture and natural splendour. The Haida Nation which occupies the islands is extremely meaningful and deeply crafted in both their art and totem poles. Ancient forests, rugged coastlines, and deep cultural treasures define this archipelago as a unique destination for reflective travel. The remoteness of Haida Gwaii means that you will not have to share the islands with many tourists, which enhances the experience of travel to an isolated location.
6. Tofino’s Hidden Beaches, British Columbia: Surf and Seclusion
Although Tofino’s tourism is on the rise, you can still find secluded beaches. Ancient beaches like Chesterman Beach and Mackenzie Beach will offer you magnificent views and rolling warm waves with no crowds on the beaches. Here you can surf, go on long beach walks and also, find hot springs hidden in the forest. Tofino is a very manageable place where the "life's a beach, man;" vibe will allow you to soak in the nature you adore, without the heavy commercialization you hate.
7. Elk Island National Park in Alberta: Bison & Stars
Elk Island National Park is located just outside of Edmonton Alberta, and is often overlooked in favour of Jasper and Banff. Elk Island provides a great experience of wildlife viewing (primarily bison!) and stargazing. This is one of Canada’s top dark-sky preserves so the stars shine exceptionally bright in the park. Elk Island allows for a day trip to escape the noise of major cities and to enjoy nature at its finest with stunning wildlife around every corner.
8. Lunenburg, Nova Scotia: A Colourful Historic Port Town
This vibrant, historic town is a World Heritage Site, teeming with pastel-colored houses and a waterfront steeped in maritime history. Lunenburg is different than hourly tourist traps of larger cities; it has a charm of its own that signals “small-town” living, while embracing local craftsmanship and maritime heritage. Lunenburg is a great place to wander by foot, eat fresh seafood from Atlantic waters, and view wooden ships of the maritime province. The charming pace of the town, as well as photogenic surroundings provide an underrated jewel to the Canadian experience.
9. Nahanni National Park, Northwest Territories: Wilderness Unspoiled
Nahanni is for people that crave rugged activity; a park with challenges in a unspoiled vast area. Nahanni exemplifies some of the least disrupted scenery available in North America, and with deep canyons, hot springs, and the massive and roiling Virginia Falls (which is even taller than Niagara Falls), at last, cannot be forgotten. It is remote, infrequently visited, and worth any effort for the Nature experience of a lifetime. Nahanni is orders of magnitude inferior to the majestic Canadian Rockies for hiking and paddling, but collectively incomparable.
10. Saint Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick: Coastline Lover's Paradise
The beautiful seaside town of Saint Andrews by-the-Sea is perfect for couples or individual travelers. You can stroll through Kingsbrae Garden, go on boat tours to see the whales, or just take in the slower coastal lifestyle. Saint Andrews has great heritage inns and bed-and-breakfasts. If you are needing a getaway that allows you to relax and unplug and enjoy a very romantic break from life, then Saint Andrews by-the-Sea is exactly that.
11. Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta: Quiet Mountain bliss
Waterton Lakes National Park is often lumped in with Banff, but if you're looking for a quieter option with equally stunning scenery, consider Waterton. Waterton also showcases the beautiful mountain-to-prairie landscapes famous in the Canadian Rockies, and boasts a colourful array of wildflowers and the Prince of Wales Hotel. Hikers can explore the 21-km Crypt Lake trail, which features ladders, tunnels, waterfalls, and incredible views. If you want to cut loose and have some adventure without the crowds, Waterton Lakes National Park is for you.
12. Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick: Calm Coastal Bliss
Kouchibouguac has lovely sandy beaches, warm water, beautiful Acadian culture, beachfront surf, and is a great destination for families, beach lovers, and cyclists. Kouchibouguac is a vast, quiet, and beautiful park, perfect for kayaking in the quiet lagoons, where you can see seals and birds. Kouchibouguac National Park might not be as well-known as other parks, but it offers a richer experience of nature, culture, and outdoor recreation, while still being quiet, which makes it a welcome departure from more high-profile parks.
Conclusion
Canada is more than just its well-known symbols. Beyond the glass skyscrapers and amazing waterfalls lies a place with many of its own hidden gems. These lesser-known tourist attractions can create a more genuine and personalized experience for visitors. Whether exploring ghost towns, remote islands or prairie parks, these hidden gems have their own unique stories and charm. Visiting these lesser-known gems allows you to connect more deeply with nature, culture, and yourself.
When planning your journey, don't forget to take the first and most obvious step - gathering your Canada Visa from Abu Dhabi or Canada Visa from UAE. When you have the official visa in hand, the hidden side of Canada will be waiting for you. There has never been a better time to explore Canada with modern visa processes and travel services readily available.
If you are a traveler who enjoys the road less travelled in some magical places, Canada has quite a few of them. Some of those road less travelled places include spiritual islands, starry skies, peaceful beaches, and colourful towns - these places all create some of the best memories. Visiting off the beaten path places help support local communities and ensure that Canada keeps its distinct cultural diversity.
