Banff National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, and for good reason! With its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and diverse activities, Banff has something to offer everyone. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-fueled vacation or a relaxing getaway, you’re sure to find it in Banff. Keep reading for a 6-day itinerary for Banff National Park with 1 day in Calgary at the end of the trip. This itinerary includes a mix of activities, with hiking and sightseeing to relaxing and dining.

Day 1:

The first day is mainly going to consist of traveling to Banff and maybe exploring near your hotel/Airbnb if you have the time, and energy. Here’s what a typical first day will look like:

• Arrive in Calgary, pick up your rental car and grab groceries.
• Drive to Banff National Park, approximately 1.5 hours from Calgary.
• Check into your hotel/Airbnb and unpack your bags.
• Head to Banff or Canmore for dinner- our Airbnb was closer to Canmore so we grabbed dinner there. 
• If you’re not too tired, explore the town a bit. If you’re like me though, just return to your hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Day 2:

After a good night rest, spend day two exploring some of Banff:

• Wake up early to get to Peyto Lake for sunrise. The drive from Banff takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Enjoy the viewpoint of Peyto Lake. This is one of the most popular viewpoints in Banff National Park, so it’s worth getting up early befor the crowds!
• Continue on the trail to Bow Summit. The hike is about 4.2 miles long and takes about 3 hours to complete. I’d give yourself extra time to stop and take pictures because this trail is very scenic!
• After finishing the trail make your way back to Banff. On the way checkout a few viewpoints including: Bow Lake Viewpoint and Hector Lake Viewpoint.
• At your Airbnb, rest a little and get ready for dinner.
• Head to Banff for dinner and do a little window shopping. Banff has a variety of restaurants and shops to choose from.
• For sunset, head over to Mount Norquay Lookout. The drive from Banff takes about 20 minutes.

Day 3:

Next on the Banff itinerary is full of hitting some famous spots in Banff!

• Start the morning off at Moraine Lake. You’ll need to buy tickets for a shuttle in advance. We took the earliest shuttle, which starts at 6:30am. The shuttle will pick you up from the Lake Louise Ski Resort, approx 40 mins from Banff. It takes approx. 25 minutes to get to Moraine Lake.
• Once at Moraine Lake start off by hiking the Rockpile Trail for great views of the lake and surrounding mountains (about 30 minutes round trip). There are a lot of trails at Moraine Lake that require you to hikes in groups of 4 or more because bears can be really active in the area.
• After you finish taking in the views here, hike the Shoreline Trail for a different view of the lake from the shore. (about 1 hour round trip).
• Since the sun doesn’t come over the mountains until after 10:00am, warm up after the trails with a cup of coffee at the Cafe.
• On your drive back to Banff, stop at Morant’s Curve on your way back for stunning views of the Bow Valley. Then continue on Bow Valley Parkway to Silverton Falls. The hike to the falls is only 1.2 miles long.
• Freshen up before taking the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for dinner at Sky Bistro.
• Be sure to follow the boardwalk & stairs to Samson Peak. I recommend staying on Sulfur Mountain to watch the sunset before taking the Gondola back down.

Day 4:

Visit the Famous Lake Louise!

• Another day waking up early to secure a parking spot at Lake Louise. You can also take a shuttle to Lake Louise if you don’t want to worry about getting a spot. 
• Watch the sunrise at the shore then begin your hike to Lake Agnes Tea House. It’s 2.2 miles to reach the tea house and will take about 1-2 hours. Definitely stop at the tea house for a snack and some hot tea!
• Continue on here for another half a mile until you reach Little Beehive. It’s definitely worth the extra time, the views are incredible! 
• After you finish exploring Lake Louise head back to your Airbnb to freshen up before dinner. 

Day 5:

The last full day in Banff, still complete with a bunch of exploring:

• Start the day off by exploring Lake Minnewanka and taking a cruise on the lake from 10am-11am. Also be sure to take a picture with the famous Red Chairs on the shore!
• After this head to Johnston Canyon, about 30 minutes away. Hike to both upper and lower falls, around 3.1 miles total. 
• Grab a late lunch/dinner in Banff- perfect time for happy hour at 3 Bears Brewery (happy hour starts at 3:00pm).
• Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at Kananaskis Spa Twilight Soak. (45 minute drive from Banff) Twilight soak is from 5pm-9pm, so you can arrive anytime during this period. 

Day 6: 

• Check out of the Airbnb 
• Grab brunch in Banff. We had some breakfast items left over so we actually had breakfast at the Airbnb then grabbed coffee at White Bark Cafe. 
• Explore the town a little more: grab some souvenirs, checkout the Cascade of Time Garden, go to the Banff Farmers Market (Wednesday 10am-6pm)
• Checkout a few more overlooks, including Cascade Mountain, Hoodoos Viewpoint, Surprise Corner, and Lake Vermillion.
• Grab lunch in Banff before heading for Calgary. The trip to Calgary will take around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
• Check into your Airbnb/Hotel before exploring the town a bit then head to one of Calgary’s many vibrant neighborhoods for dinner, such as Inglewood or Kensington.
• After dinner, head to Tom Campbell Hill to watch the sunset over the city skyline. This is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, so be sure to arrive early to get a good spot.

Day 7:

• Enjoy a slow start to your day with a delicious brunch at Mavens, a popular spot with locals and tourists alike.
• After brunch, head next door to Steeling Home, a cute shop with unique items from local makers.
• Take a walk around downtown Calgary and explore the BUMP murals. Local artist design these eye-catching murals on the sides of building as a way to bring color into the city.
• Visit the Peace Bridge & Prince Island Park for stunning views of the city skyline. Be sure to take a walk across the Peace Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that spans the Bow River.
• For dinner, enjoy a delicious meal at Donna Macs, a Calgary institution known for its Canadian cuisine.
• After dinner, head to Village Ice Cream for a sweet treat. This popular ice cream shop offers a variety of unique and delicious flavors, such as salted caramel and cookies and cream.

Banff Itinerary – What to Know

A few things to know before visiting:

• Be prepared for all types of weather! Banff can experience all four seasons in one day, so it’s important to pack layers and be prepared for anything.
• Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
• Be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to avoid wildlife encounters. Also keep bear spray with you at all times!
• Leave no trace and respect the natural environment.

These are just the basics things to do, checkout this article for 10 things to know before visiting Banff!

Wandering how much a week long trip to Banff cost? Checkout this breakout down!

Be sure to check back for a list of restaurants to visit during your trip in Banff!