Where to stay · Calgary · Canada
Where to stay in Calgary
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Downtown. Office towers, Stephen Avenue patios and the +15 skywalk network. Best alternatives — families: East Village; budget: Airport and Northeast; nightlife: Beltline and 17th Avenue.
Key facts
- First visit
- Downtown
- Families
- East Village
- Budget
- Airport and Northeast
- Nightlife
- Beltline and 17th Avenue
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Downtown | Office towers, Stephen Avenue patios and the +15 skywalk network |
| Families | East Village | Redeveloped riverside district with the Central Library and Studio Bell |
| Couples | Beltline and 17th Avenue | Dense restaurant and bar strip along 17th Avenue SW south of downtown |
| Budget | Airport and Northeast | Chain hotels close to Calgary International Airport |
| Luxury | Downtown | Office towers, Stephen Avenue patios and the +15 skywalk network |
| Nightlife | Beltline and 17th Avenue | Dense restaurant and bar strip along 17th Avenue SW south of downtown |
| Food lovers | Beltline and 17th Avenue | Dense restaurant and bar strip along 17th Avenue SW south of downtown |
| Solo travellers | Beltline and 17th Avenue | Dense restaurant and bar strip along 17th Avenue SW south of downtown |
| Shopping | Downtown | Office towers, Stephen Avenue patios and the +15 skywalk network |
| Quiet stays | Mission and 4th Street SW | Elbow River neighbourhood of cafés and restaurants along 4th Street |
Calgary neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and luxury
Downtown
Calgary's downtown packs office towers, hotels and the pedestrian Stephen Avenue (8th Avenue SW) into a grid north of the railway. The +15 network of enclosed skywalks connects many buildings above street level, which matters in winter. The Calgary Tower, the Glenbow area, Prince's Island Park and the free CTrain zone are all within walking distance.
- Good
- Walkable to most city sights; Free CTrain rides along 7th Avenue; Large choice of hotels
- Watch out
- Quiet on evenings and weekends away from Stephen Avenue; Hotel prices spike during the Stampede
- Nearby
- Stephen Avenue, Calgary Tower, Prince's Island Park, CORE Shopping Centre
$$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, solo travellers and couples
Beltline and 17th Avenue
The Beltline is Calgary's most densely populated district, with 17th Avenue SW (the 'Red Mile') lined with restaurants, cocktail bars, cafés and independent shops. It is a short walk from Stampede Park and from the downtown core, and several boutique hotels and apartment rentals sit within a few blocks.
- Good
- The city's liveliest evenings; Walk to Stampede Park; Wide choice of restaurants
- Watch out
- Can be noisy late at night; Street parking is tight
- Nearby
- 17th Avenue SW, Stampede Park, Lougheed House, Central Memorial Park
$$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and quiet stays
Mission and 4th Street SW
Mission, just south of the Beltline along the Elbow River, has a strip of restaurants, bakeries and boutiques on 4th Street SW and older homes on quiet side streets. The riverside pathway runs alongside, and the Lilac Festival takes over 4th Street each June.
- Good
- Good restaurants in a calmer setting; River walks on the doorstep; Walk to the Beltline
- Watch out
- Few hotels; A longer walk to downtown sights
- Nearby
- 4th Street SW, Elbow River pathway, Stampede Park
$$ · Best for solo travellers, couples, shopping and food lovers
Kensington
Kensington, in the Hillhurst and Sunnyside communities, centres on Kensington Road and 10th Street NW, with independent bookshops, coffee roasters, pubs and a repertory cinema. The Peace Bridge links it to downtown in a few minutes on foot, and the Sunnyside CTrain station is close by.
- Good
- Walkable village atmosphere; Easy walk to downtown; Riverside pathways
- Watch out
- Mostly rentals and small inns; Limited late-night options
- Nearby
- Peace Bridge, Prince's Island Park, Riley Park
$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, culture and shopping
Inglewood
Inglewood grew up around the original Fort Calgary at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers. Its 9th Avenue SE main street has heritage brick buildings, antique and vintage shops, craft breweries and a long-running live-music venue, and the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Calgary Zoo are close.
- Good
- Strong local character; Good breweries and restaurants; Near the zoo and river
- Watch out
- Few places to stay; Bus, bike or car needed for downtown at night
- Nearby
- Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary
$$$ · Best for culture, families and first-timers
East Village
East Village has been rebuilt over the past two decades into a district of condo towers, riverside promenades and landmark architecture, including the Central Library and Studio Bell. The RiverWalk pathway, St. Patrick's Island and a handful of newer hotels make it a convenient base on the edge of downtown.
- Good
- Next to two of the city's best buildings; Riverside paths and playgrounds; Walk to downtown
- Watch out
- Still developing in parts; Quieter evenings
- Nearby
- Studio Bell, Calgary Central Library, St. Patrick's Island, Fort Calgary
$$ · Best for budget and families
Airport and Northeast
Hotels around the airport and along Barlow Trail and 32nd Avenue NE suit early flights and road trips, with free parking and quick access to Highway 2 and the Trans-Canada towards Banff. There is little to walk to, so a car or the airport bus is needed.
- Good
- Convenient for early flights; Free parking; Lower rates during big events
- Watch out
- No atmosphere; Car-dependent
- Nearby
- Calgary International Airport, CrossIron Mills
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | $$$ | Stephen Avenue, Calgary Tower, Prince's Island Park, CORE Shopping Centre |
| Beltline and 17th Avenue | $$$ | 17th Avenue SW, Stampede Park, Lougheed House, Central Memorial Park |
| Mission and 4th Street SW | $$$ | 4th Street SW, Elbow River pathway, Stampede Park |
| Kensington | $$ | Peace Bridge, Prince's Island Park, Riley Park |
| Inglewood | $$ | Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary |
| East Village | $$$ | Studio Bell, Calgary Central Library, St. Patrick's Island, Fort Calgary |
| Airport and Northeast | $$ | Calgary International Airport, CrossIron Mills |
Getting to your hotel
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is about 15 km northeast of downtown. The Route 300 express bus runs to downtown in about 30–45 minutes; taxis and ride-hailing take about 20–30 minutes. Scheduled shuttle coaches run from the airport directly to Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Calgary for first-time visitors?
Downtown. Calgary's downtown packs office towers, hotels and the pedestrian Stephen Avenue (8th Avenue SW) into a grid north of the railway.
+Where should families stay in Calgary?
East Village: Next to two of the city's best buildings.
+Which area of Calgary is best for a budget stay?
Airport and Northeast ($$): Chain hotels close to Calgary International Airport.