The 25 Friendliest Cities & Towns In Canada

The word ‘friendly’ might not instantly come to mind when you think of some of the busiest cities in the world, but with all those people comes a lot of good. We looked to our 1.5 social media audience to find out “where you would find the friendliest cities in the world?”, so diving further into our results we now have the friendliest places in Canada.

From how easy the city is to navigate or strangers helping you find your way when that pesky roaming data doesn’t work to making new best friends in a local bar, these are the places where you’ll be made to feel the most welcome. It’s a mix of smaller communities and large cities, with Toronto juuuust making it into the Top 25…

Friendliest Cities & Towns In Canada

25th. Fredericton

New Brunswick’s capital has more than just an incredible culture and arts scene – the people here make it extra special.  There’s a chilled out pace of life here that lends itself to a warm atmosphere.

24th. Toronto

Toronto’s progressive atmosphere makes it an enjoyable city to visit, with some of the friendliest people in the country to boot. It’s family-friendly and safe, with heaps of culture and makes visitors soon feel like locals. You’ll get an instant feel for the friendliness here.

23rd. West Kelowna

There’s light-hearted banter between the various neighbourhoods in West Kelowna, with a positive attitude towards tourists and other visitors. It’s not the biggest place, but it has a lively social scene and plenty of outdoorsy opportunities to make friends.

22nd. Fernie

The residents of Fernie are some of the most welcoming and friendly people you’re likely to meet on your travels across Canada. The mountains act as somewhat of a protective wall between Fernie and the outside world, so there’s a strong sense of community.

21st. Winnipeg

It might be Canada’s coldest city, but the people here warm it up with their welcoming vibes. Residents here are genuinely warm and friendly, with a great hospitality scene and a multicultural atmosphere.

20th. Brampton

A suburban city in the Greater Toronto Area, Brampton is one of the safest places in Canada. Its low-crime rate and general friendliness of locals make it a popular city to live, and our readers seem to agree.

19th. St. Albert

The ‘Botanical Arts City’ has good vibes around every corner. No matter where you come from, people here will welcome you into their lives instantly. They are incredibly warm and the hospitality here is unbeatable.

18th. Peterborough

People here in Peterborough really are friendly, and not in an annoyingly nosy way. It lives up to its reputation for warm hospitality and a genuine openness towards strangers. No wonder it’s one of the friendliest places in Canada.

17th. Sault Ste. Marie

This beautiful waterfront city is home to the kind of lifestyle that people dream about – an actual work-life balance and proper community feel. You’ll quickly find that people are nice no matter what. Whether you’ve been born and raised here or are just passing through, locals will treat you with the same kind attitude.

16th. Charlottetown

Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island has a convivial atmosphere, that continues everywhere you go. It’s beautiful and is a safe city for travellers. The people here are genuinely helpful and will give you directions, tips for local places to eat and more.

15th. Saint John

Canada’s oldest city, Saint John is laidback and culturally diverse; there’s legendary history and natural wonders around every corner. There’s plenty of lovely neighbourhoods here, with locals that have good manners, a tight-knit sense of community and a fun attitude.

14th. Dartmouth

Nova Scotia’s City of Lakes, Dartmouth is just across the harbour from Halifax, so there’s a similar buzz yet more of a local feel. The entire place is full of vibrant, forward-looking communities filled with engaged and friendly people.

13th. Victoria

Victoria is large enough to meet new people, yet small enough to still feel like you’re in a real community. If you love a big city with a small town heart then this is perfect. Charming, friendly locals are always willing to make more friends.

12th. Saskatoon

Make your way to the Canadian Prairies for one of the friendliest places in Canada. Saskatonians are laid back and happy to help in any situation, without expecting anything in return. Their openheartedness towards strangers makes the city such a beautiful place to visit.

11th. Edmonton

Edmonton is a city that’s constantly growing and changing, and with the revival of streets and neighbourhoods around the city, there’s a new energy in the air. Our readers scored the city highly on its neighbourly vibe.

10th. Niagara-on-the-Lake

People in Niagara-on-the-Lake are friendly and sociable, making this an easy place to make new friends in. Tourism is huge here, so overall, locals will go out of their way to help visitors to the area. People might take a while to fully accept new residents, but once they do you’ll have friends for life.

9th. St. John’s

Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital is a vibrant and lively place to spend some time, no doubt thanks to its residents with their infectious spirit. Not only is it pretty-as-a-picture, the people here are good-mannered, eager to help and friendly to both other locals and visitors alike.

8th. Ottawa

Canada’s capital might have a reputation for being boring, but you know what’s not boring? Its downright lovely locals. It’s an easy city to find your way around, and our readers ranked it highly in terms of helpfulness from strangers.

7th. Stratford

Locals in Stratford are some of the sweetest people you’ll meet in Canada. You’ll see people helping each other out everywhere you glance, with a strong community feel and arts scene. Learn to master the ‘one finger’ wave while driving, and you’re practically a local.

6th. Tofino

This small surfing community on the west coast of Vancouver Island is a real charmer. People here are always keen to strike up conversation and will look after their own community no matter what. They’re equally nice to visitors, too.

5th. Calgary

Calgary’s mix of cosmopolitan edge and its ‘Cowtown’ history is unique. Locals are quite keen to share the city highlights with newbies, so expect to be shown all the best places. There’s a real sense of community here, where it’s common for a stranger to help you unstick your car from the snow or carry your groceries.

4th. Huntsville

The atmosphere in Huntsville is hard to match, with a homey feel and locals who go the extra mile to welcome tourists. It’s a popular summer destination, and you’ll soon see why people return year after year to this mega-friendly spot.

3. Montreal

Officially one of the friendliest cities in Canada (scroll down for the first!), Montreal is a charming place. Visitors will be welcomed in both English and French, and locals are always on hand to recommend a hidden gem to eat or drink.

2nd. Halifax

Locals here have all the bubbling charm of a major city but with a softer and friendlier attitude. It has a cosmopolitan vibe with a large community of locals and expat residents who make the city welcoming for all.

Its large city buzz is boosted with small town vibes from locals, who will welcome you with open arms.

1st. Vancouver

And the winner out of all the friendliest places in Canada? Vancouver takes top spot, thanks to its extraordinarily friendly residents. The city has an amazing multicultural community who band together to make visitors feel welcome and safe at all times.

Locals are quick to offer assistance to tourists and the community vibe makes socialising in Vancouver simple.

Where to stay in Canada?

Looking for the best hotels in Canada? Check out where to stay in Canada

How to get to Canada?

Easily plan transport to Canada here, with the best car rental deals.