Discover the Top 10 Oldest Cities in Canada

O, Canada! The country celebrates Canada Day, when it became an independent nation from Great Britain, on July 1, 1867. However, there are cities in Canada that are more than five hundred years old. The oldest cities in Canada were founded by French and British explorers who decided to claim this territory. It is important to note that it is a well-documented fact that Natives were living in Canada for thousands of years before that.

Canada is one of the biggest countries in the world in area, even though it only has a population of about 40 million. Interestingly enough, Canada has only a million more people than California, the most populous state in the United States.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 oldest cities in Canada, a few historical points, and fun facts about them.

St. John’s 

Founded in 1497, St. John’s has a population of just under 200,000 and is located in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The city is known for its colorful houses lined up and down the sea. 

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit St. John’s is in the spring or fall. It’s a popular destination for tourists from around the world, so if you visit, some fun activities you can do are whale watching or an iceberg tour.

Quebec City

The city was founded in 1608. Located in the province of Quebec, Quebec City has a population of about 730,000. French explorer Samuel de Champlain founded the city and the French set up fur trading and other commercial business.

Best Time to Visit

The spring and winter months are the best time to visit Quebec City. You can check out several historical sights like the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac Hotel or La Citadelle de Québec.

Trois-Rivieres

With a population of 128,000, Trois-Rivieres was founded in 1634. The city is located in the province of Quebec, on the St. Lawrence River. Its picturesque streets and buildings make it attractive to tourists of all ages.

Best Time to Visit

For the best weather, the summertime is the best time to visit Trois-Rivieres. Make sure you take a walk on Rue des Ursulines, the oldest street in one of the oldest cities in Canada.

Montreal

Founded in 1642, Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada. It boasts an impressive 4 million people. Located in the province of Quebec, Montreal is a major economic hub for Quebec and Canada as a whole.

Best Time to Visit

The spring and autumn months are the best time to visit Montreal. There are a ton of things to do in the city including visiting Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Longueuil

Founded in 1657, this French-Canadian city located in the province of Quebec has a population of just over 240,000. Once a cozy, French village, it now serves as a suburb city to Montreal, with an expressway that leads directly to the metropolis from Longueuil.

Best Time to Visit

The spring and summer months are the best time to visit. Since it is on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, the city provides great views of Montreal on the other side of the river.

Kingston

Kingston, located in the province of Ontario, was founded in 1673. With a population of just over 120,000, Kingston provided the British with a commercial and political outpost to the rest of the world.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit depends on what you want — for colder weather, visit in the winter, and for warmer weather, the summer is best. You can visit the Fort Henry Historic Site or take a walk along Lake Ontario.

Winnipeg

Located in the province of Manitoba, Winnipeg was founded in 1733. It has a population of more than 750,000, making it one of the most populated cities in Canada. 

Best Time to Visit

Winnipeg is such a sunny city, you can pretty much visit at any time of the year, but ideally the autumn months are best. Winnipeg has an amazing arts and culture scene, so check out art museums, music festivals, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, or the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir.

Halifax

Founded in 1749, Halifax has a population of 348,000. Located in the province of Nova Scotia. This quaint city is picturesque, with colorful houses lined up along the sea. Halifax has served as an important commercial port in Canada.

Best Time to Visit

The spring through autumn months are the best time to visit Halifax. You can learn about its interesting history at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site or go to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic during your stay here.

Windsor

With a population of over 300,000, Windsor is located in the province of Ontario. It was founded in 1749, the same year Halifax was founded. Windsor is on the Detroit River across from Detroit, Michigan.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Windsor is in the fall, as it has warm autumns. There are many things to do in Windsor — from heading to Jackson Park for a nice urban, nature walk to visiting the Canadian Aviation Museum.

York (now Toronto)

The city of York was founded in 1793. Located in the province of Ontario, it is now called Toronto. Originally it was a British-Irish community, but now it is in the Weston and Lambton Mills neighborhoods. Toronto is the biggest city in Canada with a population of almost 3 million.

Best Time to Visit

Toronto is a bustling city with a vibrant nightlife. You can go anytime, but the ideal time is in the spring or autumn. Explore Niagara Falls on the border between Canada and the US or go to the top of CN Tower for an amazing view of the entire city and Lake Ontario.

Conclusion

Canada has a rich history and culture that extends past the British and French influence. There are native tribes that made Canada their home long before European settlers. Among the first nations, we have the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Cree tribes in present-day Ontario; 11 distinct native tribes in Quebec; and 15 native tribes in the New Brunswick province of Canada.

The oldest cities in Canada are highlighted based on their formation by British and French settlers who decided to make that land theirs. Nevertheless, it does not take away the important history that has made these old cities special and unique to Canadians. Their rich history is amazing and it will be known for time to come.

Summary of the Top 10 Oldest Cities in Canada

The photo featured at the top of this post is © R.M. Nunes/Shutterstock.com