Banff Voted Best Place in the World to Travel by National Geographic – Here’s Why You’ll Love it Too
- Oct 28, 2025|
- Culture & Art, Active Travel, Wellness
When National Geographic releases its “Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2026” list, people everywhere take notice. Known as one of the most trusted travel guides, this famous list highlights destinations that truly stand out.
This year, readers and travellers from around the globe cast their votes and Banff has earned its place as the Readers Choice must-visit destination. One look and it’s easy to see why.
So, if you’re asking yourself where to travel next, make sure Banff National Park is at the top of your list. Keep reading to discover why it earned Readers Choice as one of the best travel destinations.
What’s Inside:
Behind the Feature: Why You’ll Love Banff National Park
“This stunning alpine jewel achieves what few destinations can: the perfect harmony between cosmopolitan energy and untamed nature.” – National Geographic
There’s a reason people travel from every corner of the world to stand in Banff National Park. It’s for the awe-inspiring beauty, the magic of snow-laden peaks, and the chance to experience something truly unforgettable.
In Banff and Lake Louise, nature isn’t something far away. It’s woven into daily life. There are moments of magic all around you, the kind that remind you how close the wild really is.
As National Geographic put it, “you can sip locally roasted artisan coffee on Banff Avenue one moment and spot a wandering grizzly bear the next.”
It’s in that connection that you realize you’ve stepped into somewhere rare.
You can hike through alpine meadows, paddle across turquoise lakes, or join a local guide to learn the stories and wildlife that shape this region. You can also witness the iconic scenes you’ve likely seen in photographs, like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, and countless others, that are even more breathtaking in person.
You’ll likely take hundreds of photos trying to capture the colour of the water or the scale of the peaks, but it’s the feeling that will stay with you, that you’ve stood somewhere truly special.
Even in the heart of town, the views are extraordinary. Banff Avenue was designed to align perfectly with Cascade Mountain, forming one of the most iconic vistas in the Canadian Rockies. Standing there, the mountain seems to rise directly from the heart of town, creating a view that’s drawn photographers and dreamers alike for generations.
And just beside you in that view are, as National Geographic put it, “inspired local bakeries,” like Wild Flour Bakery, as well as galleries displaying Indigenous art like the Carter-Ryan Gallery and Canada House Gallery.
All around you are the comforts of a cosmopolitan mountain town that feels warm and welcoming, yet sits on the very edge of adventure.
And as the seasons change, Banff reveals a whole new side of its beauty. In winter, Banff takes on a quiet kind of wonder, where “its streets are transformed into a magical, snow-dusted wonderland.”
Unlike many places where winter means heading indoors, Banff and Lake Louise invite you to embrace the season. This is a place made for getting outside.
You can join a guided sightseeing tour to see iconic landscapes or try a truly Canadian experience like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Winter in Banff is also home to one of the world’s longest ski seasons, which you can take part in at three award-winning resorts: Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay, each with its own personality and terrain to suit every type of skier and snowboarder.
And when the day winds down, it’s about cozying up by the fire or sinking into an outdoor hot tub as snowflakes drift softly around you. Here, winter isn’t something to escape. It’s something to be part of.
National Geographic summed it up perfectly: “The surrounding wilderness beckons with turquoise glacial lakes like (Lake) Louise and Moraine (Lake), the mineral-rich Cave and Basin hot springs that sparked the park’s creation in 1885, and countless hiking trails winding through elk-inhabited valleys and snowy mountain peaks.”
When you read that, it’s easy to see why people from around the world have fallen in love with Banff and Lake Louise, and you will too.
How to Experience Banff Yourself
Whether you’re chasing adventure, seeking relaxation, or looking for a touch of luxury, there’s a way to make a trip to this place your own.
Every season brings something different, and each one offers a reason to come back to experience Banff and Lake Louise in a new light. In summer, the trails open to alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and hundreds of paddling opportunities. Autumn glows with golden larches and crisp mountain air, while winter transforms Banff into a snow-covered playground where you’re invited to step outside and explore.
To make the most of your visit, you’ll need to plan ahead. No matter what kind of trip you’re dreaming about, there’s an itinerary designed to help you experience Banff and Lake Louise your way.
Here are a few of our visitors' favourite itineraries to spark your trip planning.
The Must-See Banff & Lake Louise Itinerary
If it’s your first visit, or you want to see the highlights that make Banff and Lake Louise famous worldwide, this seven-day itinerary is for you.
From the turquoise waters of Moraine Lake and Lake Louise to hiking Sunshine Meadows and standing at the Glacier Skywalk, it covers every must-see view and moment.
It’s the ultimate introduction to Banff National Park’s most iconic experiences.
The Seven Days of Luxury Itinerary
If you’re after indulgence, this itinerary blends high-end adventure with world-class comfort.
Spend seven unforgettable days exploring turquoise lakes, soaring above mountain peaks, and unwinding at some of Banff and Lake Louise’s finest hotels, spas, and restaurants. It’s luxury woven seamlessly into the wild.
The Winter Escape in the Canadian Rockies Itinerary
For those who love crisp air and snow-covered peaks, this seven-day winter itinerary captures the magic of the season.
Skate on the world’s most beautiful outdoor rink at Lake Louise, take a guided snowshoe adventure, or lift off on an unforgettable heli experience over frozen valleys and glaciers.
The Winter Relaxation & Adventure Itinerary
This six-day itinerary is a perfect balance of excitement and ease. Glide across Lake Louise, mush with huskies, try cross-country skiing or fat biking, and then slow down with a soak in a hot tub under the stars or a stroll through Banff’s charming streets.
No matter what you choose, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the same breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and unforgettable moments that make Banff and Lake Louise one of the most beloved destinations on Earth.
Meet the People Who Bring It to Life
Along the way, you’ll find the people and businesses that bring this destination to life.
This recognition isn’t just a celebration of place; it’s a tribute to the people who make your visit unforgettable. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the warmth and pride of those who call these mountains home.
Whether that’s the concierge at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel asking about your day by name, or the locally loved and welcoming buzz at Melissa’s Restaurant & Bar and the Rose & Crown, it’s the people behind these places who are the heartbeat of Banff and Lake Louise, each adding their own touch of care and creativity to your experience.
Many of these businesses have been family-run for generations, like the fifth-generation Monod family, who continue to share their passion for mountain life through Monod Sports.
There are also opportunities to explore Indigenous traditions that have been part of this land for millennia, long before Banff National Park was ever established.
You can connect with these stories and support local Nations through our Indigenous Shopping and Experiences Guide.
As you explore, you’ll also see how deeply this community cares for the land itself. Here, sustainability isn’t just a practice, it’s part of the culture.
There are many ways you can help take care of this place too, from choosing reusable cups and exploring by bike to supporting local makers and restaurants that give back to the community.
As National Geographic put it, "Banff retains its intimate mountain-town character, as a place where wilderness isn’t something you visit but something that surrounds you—always."
Because when you visit Banff and Lake Louise, you’re not just seeing a destination. You’re becoming part of a community that loves and protects it, and you’ll carry that sense of belonging and care wherever you go next.
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Start Planning Your Trip to Banff National Park
By now, you’ve seen why travellers around the world have named Banff and Lake Louise one of National Geographic’s Best of the World for 2026, and why they’ve fallen in love with it, just like you will too.
If you’re feeling inspired to create your own moment of awe, start planning your visit today using the Trip Builder. The Trip Builder makes it easy to design your getaway, from must-see sights to hidden local gems, restaurants, accommodations, and everything else you need to plan your perfect trip.
Choose your interests, set your pace, and watch your dream mountain escape come together in minutes.
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