5 days in Banff

Day by day

1. Day 1: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

   Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Lake Agnes Teahouse and Plain of Six Glaciers, then Banff Avenue in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Lake Louise

      Arrive by Parks Canada shuttle or Roam bus rather than driving; the lakeshore parking lot fills very early in summer. (2–4 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Moraine Lake

      Book the earliest shuttle or a sunrise tour for calm water and softer light on the peaks. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Alberta beef

      Steakhouses on Banff Avenue and Caribou Street, and the Fairmont restaurants.

   4. Afternoon

      Lake Agnes Teahouse and Plain of Six Glaciers

      Carry cash for the teahouses and start early; the trails get crowded by late morning. (3–5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Banff Avenue

      Pubs, a brewpub and bars with live music and sports screens, busiest during ski season.

2. Day 2: Banff Gondola and Banff Upper Hot Springs

   Banff Gondola, Banff Upper Hot Springs and Bow Falls, then Caribou and Bear Streets in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Banff Gondola

      Go late in the afternoon in summer; the ridge walk is quieter and evening light falls across the valley. (2 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Banff Upper Hot Springs

      Visit in the evening or on a winter day; swimsuits and towels can be rented if you arrive without. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bison and elk

      Restaurants focused on Canadian ingredients in Banff and Canmore.

   4. Afternoon

      Bow Falls

      Combine with the Hoodoos trail or the Surprise Corner viewpoint for the classic view of the Banff Springs. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Caribou and Bear Streets

      Cocktail bars, wine bars and smaller lounges just off the main avenue.

3. Day 3: Johnston Canyon and Bow Valley Parkway drive

   Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway drive and Lake Minnewanka, then Canmore Main Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Johnston Canyon

      Start before 9am or after 5pm in summer to avoid the queues on the catwalks; ice cleats help in winter. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Bow Valley Parkway drive

      Part of the parkway has seasonal restrictions to protect wildlife; check Parks Canada before planning a dawn or dusk drive. (2–4 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cheese fondue

      Fondue restaurants downtown and some hotel restaurants in winter.

   4. Afternoon

      Lake Minnewanka

      Stop at Two Jack Lake at sunrise for reflections of Mount Rundle. (1–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Canmore Main Street

      Brewpubs and bars with a more local crowd 25 km away.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Icefields Parkway and Columbia Icefield

   About 2 hours 30 minutes each way without stops each way. Getting there: Car or guided tour (no public transport).

   1. Morning

      Travel to Icefields Parkway and Columbia Icefield

      About 2 hours 30 minutes each way without stops (Car or guided tour (no public transport)); about 190 km.

   2. Day

      Icefields Parkway and Columbia Icefield

      Highway 93 north of Lake Louise runs past Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, the Mistaya Canyon and the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield, with glacier tours on specialised vehicles in summer. Best for first-timers, couples and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Banff

      Dinner: try Poutine.

5. Day 5: Fairmont Banff Springs and Cave and Basin National Historic Site

   Fairmont Banff Springs, Cave and Basin National Historic Site and Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, then Sunrise at Moraine Lake in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fairmont Banff Springs

      Afternoon tea or a drink in the lounge is the easiest way to see inside without staying. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Cave and Basin National Historic Site

      Walk or cycle the flat Sundance trail beyond the site for an easy river outing. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Poutine

      Pubs on Banff Avenue and ski-resort cafeterias.

   4. Afternoon

      Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

      A good rainy-afternoon stop on Bear Street, a block from Banff Avenue. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Sunrise at Moraine Lake

      Take the earliest shuttle or a sunrise tour to watch the first light hit the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Banff Gondola before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Downtown Banff keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Spray Avenue and the Banff Springs ($$$$) suits luxury, couples and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 19–31 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 7.9 hours in December to 16.5 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Banff
• 2 days in Banff
• 3 days in Banff

Questions travellers ask