Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Banff?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Banff?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Banff, Alberta? Most people spend two to five days in Banff during their visit. After all, the sporty town will let you hit the ski slopes, take a hike, soak up the small town charm, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant.
Banff is a popular ski town in the heart of Banff National Park. It's surrounded by the Canadian Rockies and has a charming downtown. The town offers easy access to three different ski resorts and is near many spectacular hiking trails. During the summer visitors enjoy the natural setting, wildlife spotting, and adventure activities while during the winter it's a famous ski destination.
Do you have one or two days to visit Banff? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Banff?
One day is usually not enough time to experience the sporty town of Banff, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the snow skiing, the hiking, the small town charm, and the cuisine. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to five days for their visit to the mountains here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
How to spend a day in Banff
The winter season revolves around snow skiing, so it's highly recommended to spend at least one day on the slopes. The town makes a great base for experiencing the three nearby ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, The Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay. You can purchase a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket and experience the area's best skiing. There's a long ski season and a stunning setting within the Canadian Rockies.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Banff |Canmore| Kananaskis to Calgary YYC Airport–Private Shuttle ($209)
- Banff Morning Tour Scenic Highlights and Gondola Ride ($148)
- Banff Tour with Gondola & Lake Cruise - roundtrip from Banff ($188)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The downtown has bistros, taverns, and many casual eateries. For a more fine dining experience, you can go to one of the luxury hotels, which have nice dining areas. Throughout town you'll find classic Canadian food like poutine, as well as pizza and bar food.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bites and Sites of Canmore Walking Food Tour ($77)
- Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle ($151)
- Sips & Sweets - Canadian Evening Food Tour ($84)
Banff is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The downtown is very walkable and there are trailheads nearby as well.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Banff?
With its wealth of sights and attractions, Banff is a top choice for tourists. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to experience the ambiance of the town as well as the surrounding vistas and hiking trails. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the sporty town has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to five days to fully enjoy the activities in the area. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
How to spend 2 days in Banff
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Banff will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.
Known for it's hiking, Banff sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The town is set within Banff National Park, and is surrounded by world class hiking. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails that wander alongside rivers, lead to waterfalls, or climb mountain peaks. You may also see local wildlife.
Sulphur Mountain is worth visiting for around 3 hours, which is great for families and couples. Known for incredible panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies and the town of Banff, accessible via a scenic gondola ride or hiking trail, entry is CA$65.00.
Tunnel Mountain is worth visiting for around 3 hours, which is great for backpackers. Known for its scenic hiking trail with panoramic views of Banff and the surrounding Rockies, entry is free.
Castle Mountain is worth visiting for around 3 hours, which is great for couples. Known for its distinctive castle-like shape and stunning panoramic views in the Canadian Rockies, entry is free.
It's worth around 2 hours for Johnston Canyon. Entry is free. It's known for dramatic canyon views, catwalks over waterfalls, and scenic hiking opportunities in the Canadian Rockies.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Banff/Canmore Moraine Lake & Lake Louise– Hike, Canoe or Sightsee ($132)
- Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Sunset & Wildlife Adventure ($175)
- Johnston Canyon Frozen Waterfalls & Banff Backroads Wildlife Tour ($81)
This town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. It's a great town for partying and it's compact and easy to barhop if you want. For the town's size, you'll find a huge number of bars and breweries to choose from, and there's always something going on.
Public transit in Banff is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the town quite easily. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Banff, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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