The 11 Most Impressive Buildings in Canada

Fogo Island Inn

Canada’s most dramatic contemporary hotel building, this awe-inspiring Newfoundland landmark thrusts towards the water like a space-age boat about to launch.

Family walking through Quebec City in the summer time

Château Frontenac

The most imposing of Canada’s historic railway hotels, this castellated multi-turreted edifice is Québec City’s most-photographed building – for good reason.

Canada Place

The sail-shaped building that launched a million postcards, Vancouver’s pier, conference centre and cruise ship terminal is a must-see for downtown visitors.

Fairmont Banff Springs with mountains and river

Banff Springs Hotel

Nestled among Rocky Mountain forests, this iconic Fairmont property looks like a giant wedding cake – especially when its gabled rooftop is frosted with fresh-fallen snow.

Interior wide image of Notre Dame de Montreal cathedral

Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec

Canada’s most famous church, this Old Québec landmark has an achingly ornate interior. Built more than 350 years ago, it’s also one of North America’s oldest places of worship.

The Center Block and the Peace Tower in Parliament Hill at Ottawa in Canada

Parliament Buildings

Perfectly framed on Parliament Hill, Ottawa’s grand, gothic revival pile echoes but improves on the 19th-century British architecture that inspired it.

A child running on the grass in front of the Canadian Museum of Human rights

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Winnipeg’s most striking modern landmark, this 2014-opened structure was designed by Antoine Predock and resembles a huge hand holding a beacon of hope.

Habitat 67

Built for the Expo 67 World’s Fair yet still looking decidedly futuristic, Montreal’s most famous housing complex was designed by architect Moshe Safdie.

Interior and exterior view of the Art Gallery of Ontatio

Art Gallery of Ontario

A 19th-century building transformed by Frank Gehry’s sparkling glass and wood-framed façade, Toronto’s AGO is one of North America’s largest and best-looking art museums.

Marine Building

Once the British Empire’s tallest skyscraper, Vancouver’s 1931-built art deco masterpiece is richly adorned with aquatic and transportation-themed decorative motifs.

Studio Bell

The 2016-opened Calgary home of the National Music Center wraps its silvery arms around an old-school live music tavern, moved here from across the city.