Canada claims 10th place globally as Victoria tops world's best small cities
On This Page You Will Find:
- Complete 2025 Condé Nast Traveler rankings with Canada's impressive 10th place finish
- Why Victoria BC claimed the #1 spot for world's best small cities
- Montreal and Vancouver's standout performances in the big cities category
- Insider details on what makes Canada irresistible to international travelers
- Essential visa and travel requirements for planning your Canadian adventure
Summary:
Over 757,000 discerning travelers just voted, and their message is crystal clear: Canada deserves your attention. Landing 10th place in Condé Nast Traveler's prestigious 2025 Readers' Choice Awards, Canada outranked Switzerland, Mexico, and Germany with an impressive score of 90.94. But here's the real story – Canadian cities dominated multiple categories, with Victoria claiming the top spot globally for small cities, while Montreal and Vancouver secured coveted positions in the big cities rankings. Whether you're drawn to scenic ferry rides, authentic British high tea, or the thrill of kayaking beneath urban skylines, Canada's recognition isn't just about pretty landscapes – it's about delivering experiences that create lifelong memories.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Canada ranked 10th globally with a score of 90.94 out of over 757,000 votes cast
- Victoria, BC earned the #1 position worldwide for best small cities
- Montreal (9th) and Vancouver (7th) both made the prestigious big cities list
- Most visitors need either a visitor visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- Canada's appeal spans from metropolitan dining to outdoor adventures in the same day
Picture this: You're scrolling through travel forums at midnight, desperately seeking your next adventure destination. The usual suspects keep appearing – Paris, Rome, Tokyo – but then you stumble across something interesting. Canada just beat Switzerland in a global travel survey. Wait, what?
That's exactly what happened when Condé Nast Traveler released their 2025 Readers' Choice Awards results, and the findings might surprise you more than they should.
The Numbers Don't Lie: Canada's Global Recognition
When 757,109 travelers cast their votes for the world's best countries, they weren't just picking pretty postcards. They were ranking real experiences, genuine hospitality, and those "I can't believe this just happened" moments that make trips unforgettable.
Canada secured 10th place with a score of 90.94, landing ahead of travel heavyweights like Switzerland (90.82), Mexico (89.52), and Germany (89.4). But here's what makes this ranking particularly impressive – Canada was the only North American country to crack the top 10.
The complete top 20 reveals just how competitive this field was:
Top 10 Countries:
- Japan (95.36)
- Greece (92.31)
- Portugal (92.08)
- Italy (92.02)
- Spain (91.96)
- Türkiye (91.91)
- Ireland (91.59)
- Croatia (91.56)
- France (91.24)
- Canada (90.94)
What's fascinating about Canada's position is the company it keeps. Surrounded by countries famous for ancient history, Mediterranean coastlines, and centuries-old wine traditions, Canada holds its own with something entirely different – authentic experiences that blend urban sophistication with raw natural beauty.
Victoria's Stunning Victory: World's Best Small City
If Canada's 10th place finish caught your attention, Victoria's performance will absolutely floor you. British Columbia's capital city didn't just make the list for world's best small cities – it claimed the number one spot entirely.
Think about that for a moment. Victoria beat every charming European village, every picturesque coastal town, and every mountain retreat that travelers dream about visiting.
So what makes Victoria so special? According to the survey results, it starts with one of the world's most scenic ferry rides across Swartz Bay. But that's just your arrival experience. Once you're there, you'll discover why travelers consistently rate Victoria so highly.
The authentic British high tea experience available throughout the city creates an atmosphere you simply can't replicate elsewhere. We're not talking about tourist traps serving mediocre scones – these are genuine, carefully crafted experiences that transport you to another world without requiring a transatlantic flight.
But Victoria's charm extends far beyond afternoon tea. The city perfectly balances old-world elegance with Pacific Northwest natural beauty, creating an environment where you can explore historic gardens in the morning and watch whales from the harbor in the afternoon.
Montreal and Vancouver: Big City Excellence
Canada's city success story doesn't end with Victoria. Both Montreal and Vancouver earned coveted spots on the world's best big cities list, with Vancouver claiming 7th place and Montreal securing 9th position.
Montreal: Where European Charm Meets North American Innovation
Montreal's 9th place ranking reflects something truly special happening in Quebec's largest city. Yes, Old Montreal's cobblestone streets and Gothic Revival cathedral create that picture-perfect European atmosphere travelers crave. But what really sets Montreal apart is its rebellious, forward-thinking spirit.
You'll find this energy pulsing through the city's contemporary art museums, eclectic bars, and design-forward hotels. It's a city that refuses to be confined by its historical identity, instead using that foundation to build something entirely unique.
The food scene particularly impressed survey respondents. While Montreal shares cultural ties with France, its culinary landscape has evolved into something distinctly its own. Restaurants like Joe Beef and Au Pied de Cochon aren't just serving French cuisine – they're creating entirely new expressions of what North American dining can become.
Vancouver: Urban Adventures Meet Natural Wonders
Vancouver's 7th place finish speaks to something many travelers desperately seek but rarely find – a city where urban sophistication and outdoor adventure coexist easily.
The survey highlighted Vancouver's creative arts scene, natural beauty, incredible restaurants, and diverse activity options. But the real magic happens when these elements combine in unexpected ways.
As one survey respondent noted, there's something wonderful about visiting a city where you can enjoy a five-star meal in the heart of a metropolis one day, then experience the skyline from a kayak seat the next. This isn't just marketing speak – it's the reality of Vancouver's unique geography and culture.
The city's creative arts scene provides cultural depth, while its restaurant scene rivals any major international destination. But what makes Vancouver truly special is how these urban amenities integrate with genuine outdoor experiences, not just tourist-friendly nature walks.
What Canada's Rankings Really Mean for Travelers
These aren't just feel-good statistics for Canadian tourism boards. These rankings reflect real traveler experiences and genuine satisfaction levels that should influence your travel planning decisions.
When over 750,000 travelers vote Canada into the global top 10, they're telling you something important about what to expect. They're saying Canada delivers on its promises, provides value for your travel investment, and creates experiences worth recommending to friends.
The diversity of Canada's recognition – from Victoria's small-city charm to Montreal's cultural sophistication to Vancouver's outdoor-urban balance – suggests that Canada offers something for virtually every travel style and preference.
The Experience Factor
What consistently emerges from traveler feedback is Canada's ability to surprise. You might arrive expecting beautiful scenery (which you'll certainly find), but you'll leave talking about the unexpected culinary discoveries, the genuine warmth of local interactions, and those spontaneous moments that become your favorite travel stories.
This surprise factor appears to be driving Canada's strong performance across multiple categories. Travelers aren't just satisfied – they're delighted by experiences that exceeded their expectations.
Planning Your Canadian Adventure: What You Need to Know
If these rankings have sparked your interest in visiting Canada, here's what you need to know about actually making it happen.
Visitor Visa Requirements
Most international travelers need either a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, depending on your country of origin.
Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa - TRV): Foreign nationals from many countries require a TRV to enter Canada. Processing times vary significantly by country, so checking current processing times and applying well in advance is crucial. Some countries experience processing delays that could affect your travel timeline.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): If you're from a visa-exempt country but flying into Canada, you'll need an eTA. The good news? It costs just $7 CAD and most applications receive approval within minutes. However, you don't need an eTA if you're entering Canada by land or sea.
Visa and eTA Exempt: Some travelers don't need either document. This includes US nationals and green card holders, plus French nationals living in St. Pierre and Miquelon who are flying directly to Canada from St. Pierre and Miquelon.
Strategic Planning Tips
Given Canada's vast size and diverse attractions, strategic planning becomes essential. The survey results suggest focusing on specific regions rather than trying to cover everything in one trip.
Consider building your itinerary around one of the recognized cities – Victoria for that small-city charm, Montreal for cultural immersion, or Vancouver for the urban-outdoor combination – then exploring the surrounding region.
The ferry ride to Victoria that survey respondents praised so highly, for example, could become part of a larger Pacific Northwest experience combining Vancouver's urban offerings with Victoria's intimate charm.
Why Canada's Recognition Matters Now
These survey results arrive at a particularly interesting time for international travel. As travelers increasingly seek destinations that offer both safety and authentic experiences, Canada's strong showing across multiple categories positions it perfectly for current travel trends.
The combination of urban sophistication, natural beauty, cultural diversity, and genuine hospitality that drove Canada's top 10 finish addresses exactly what post-pandemic travelers are seeking – meaningful experiences in destinations they can trust.
Moreover, Canada's multi-city recognition suggests you won't be limited to a single type of experience. Whether you're drawn to Victoria's intimate charm, Montreal's cultural depth, or Vancouver's adventure possibilities, you're choosing a destination with proven appeal to discerning international travelers.
The 757,109 votes that placed Canada in the global top 10 weren't just numbers – they were individual travelers saying "this place delivered something special." That's the kind of endorsement that should influence your next travel decision.
Canada's recognition in Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Readers' Choice Awards isn't just about beautiful landscapes or friendly stereotypes. It's about a country that consistently surprises visitors, delivers on diverse expectations, and creates the kind of experiences that make travelers want to return. With Victoria leading the world's small cities and both Montreal and Vancouver earning big city recognition, Canada offers proven excellence across every travel style. The question isn't whether Canada deserves its top 10 global ranking – it's whether you're ready to discover why over 750,000 travelers think it belongs on your must-visit list.
FAQ
Q: What exactly is the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards and why is Canada's 10th place ranking so significant?
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards represents one of the travel industry's most prestigious rankings, based on votes from over 757,000 experienced travelers worldwide in 2025. Canada's 10th place finish with a score of 90.94 is particularly impressive because it outranked traditional travel favorites like Switzerland (90.82), Mexico (89.52), and Germany (89.4). What makes this achievement even more notable is that Canada was the only North American country to crack the top 10, competing successfully against destinations famous for ancient history, Mediterranean coastlines, and centuries-old cultural traditions. This ranking reflects genuine traveler satisfaction rather than marketing hype, indicating that Canada consistently delivers experiences that exceed visitor expectations across diverse travel styles and preferences.
Q: Why did Victoria, BC claim the #1 spot for world's best small cities, and what can visitors expect there?
Victoria's stunning victory as the world's #1 small city reflects its unique combination of authentic experiences and natural beauty that travelers simply can't find elsewhere. The city offers one of the world's most scenic ferry rides across Swartz Bay as your arrival experience, setting the stage for what's to come. Visitors consistently praise Victoria's authentic British high tea experiences – not tourist traps, but genuine, carefully crafted traditions that transport you without requiring a transatlantic flight. The city perfectly balances old-world elegance with Pacific Northwest natural beauty, allowing you to explore historic gardens in the morning and watch whales from the harbor in the afternoon. This seamless blend of cultural sophistication and natural wonder, combined with the intimate scale of a small city, creates an atmosphere that survey respondents found unmatched globally.
Q: How did Montreal and Vancouver perform in the big cities category, and what makes each city special for travelers?
Both Montreal and Vancouver earned coveted spots on the world's best big cities list, with Vancouver securing 7th place and Montreal claiming 9th position. Montreal's success stems from its unique fusion of European charm and North American innovation – while Old Montreal provides cobblestone streets and Gothic Revival architecture, the city's rebellious, forward-thinking spirit shines through contemporary art museums, eclectic bars, and restaurants like Joe Beef that create entirely new culinary expressions. Vancouver's 7th place ranking reflects something many travelers seek but rarely find: genuine urban-outdoor integration. Survey respondents highlighted the city's creative arts scene, incredible restaurants, and the unique ability to enjoy five-star metropolitan dining one day and experience the skyline from a kayak the next. This isn't just marketing – it's the reality of Vancouver's unique geography and culture creating authentic adventure opportunities within a sophisticated urban environment.
Q: What visa requirements do international travelers need to visit Canada?
Most international travelers need either a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa - TRV) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, depending on your country of origin. Foreign nationals from many countries require a TRV, with processing times varying significantly by country – it's crucial to check current processing times and apply well in advance as some countries experience delays that could affect travel timelines. If you're from a visa-exempt country but flying into Canada, you'll need an eTA, which costs just $7 CAD and typically receives approval within minutes. However, you don't need an eTA when entering Canada by land or sea. Some travelers are completely exempt from both requirements, including US nationals and green card holders, plus French nationals living in St. Pierre and Miquelon flying directly from there to Canada.
Q: How should travelers strategically plan a Canadian trip to maximize their experience based on these rankings?
Given Canada's vast size and the diverse attractions highlighted in the survey, strategic planning becomes essential for maximizing your experience. Rather than trying to cover everything in one trip, focus on specific regions built around the recognized cities. Consider Victoria as your base for intimate, small-city charm combined with natural beauty, Montreal for deep cultural immersion and culinary excellence, or Vancouver for that unique urban-outdoor adventure combination. The highly-praised ferry ride to Victoria, for example, could anchor a larger Pacific Northwest experience combining Vancouver's metropolitan offerings with Victoria's intimate appeal. Each city offers distinctly different experiences – from Victoria's authentic British traditions to Montreal's rebellious cultural scene to Vancouver's seamless nature-city integration – so choose based on your travel priorities and allow sufficient time to explore the surrounding regions that contribute to each city's unique character.
Q: What specific experiences and activities make Canada stand out according to the 757,000 travelers who voted?
The survey results reveal that Canada's appeal extends far beyond scenic landscapes to encompass authentic, often surprising experiences that create lasting memories. In Victoria, travelers consistently praise the combination of scenic ferry arrivals, genuine British high tea experiences, and the ability to transition seamlessly from historic garden exploration to whale watching. Montreal impressed voters with its rebellious culinary scene, where restaurants create entirely new expressions of North American dining, plus its blend of European architectural charm with contemporary arts innovation. Vancouver's standout feature is the rare opportunity to experience metropolitan sophistication and genuine outdoor adventure in the same day – from five-star dining to kayaking beneath urban skylines. What emerges consistently from traveler feedback is Canada's ability to surprise visitors with unexpected culinary discoveries, genuine local warmth, and spontaneous moments that become favorite travel stories, suggesting the country delivers experiences that exceed expectations across multiple travel styles.
Q: Why is Canada's 10th place ranking particularly significant for travelers planning their next international trip?
Canada's 10th place finish represents more than just a good ranking – it's a strong endorsement from over 750,000 experienced travelers that Canada consistently delivers exceptional value and memorable experiences. This recognition comes at an ideal time when post-pandemic travelers increasingly seek destinations offering both safety and authentic experiences. Canada's multi-category success – from Victoria's small-city excellence to Montreal and Vancouver's big-city recognition – indicates you won't be limited to a single type of experience, addressing diverse travel preferences within one destination. The ranking positions Canada ahead of traditional favorites like Switzerland and Germany, suggesting it offers something these established destinations don't: that combination of urban sophistication, natural beauty, cultural diversity, and genuine hospitality that creates "I can't believe this just happened" moments. For travelers, this means choosing a destination with proven appeal to discerning international visitors, backed by concrete evidence that Canada delivers on its promises and creates experiences worth recommending to others.
