Calgary
Canada · Country profile
Calgary is the great city of the Canadian prairies, the energetic metropolis of oil and the Rockies that grew from the cowboy town of the frontier into the modern, prosperous centre of the west. The city spreads its soaring skyline, its riverside parks and its distinctive bridge district along the banks of the Bow river, with the towers of the headquarters of the energy and the finance industries framing the dramatic backdrop of the mountains that rise on the horizon. The city is famous for the great rodeo of the Stampede, the midsummer festival of the cowboy culture that fills the town for ten days, and for its outdoorsy, athletic population who turn the river, the hills and the nearby mountains into their weekends. The museums, the markets and the restaurants of the city carry the youthful, prosperous energy, and the whole west of the country opens out from the foot of the prairie metropolis.
About Calgary
Calgary is a city in Canada. The city's documented population is around 1,650,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD) and English and French are spoken; the dialling code is +1. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Calgary International Airport.
The Prairie Skyline at the Gate of the Rockies
Calgary is a prosperous, youthful prairie city that sits at the meeting of the flat plains and the mountain wall, a spread-out metropolis of skyline towers, river parks and a proud cowboy heritage. The centre is walkable in stretches, the riverfront and the villages of the neighbourhoods frame the green life, and the mountains, among the most beautiful of the whole continent, are an hour west by road. The energy of the city is confident, friendly and outdoorsy, and the Stampede of the summer is its great, joyful festival. It is the natural base for the mountain parks and the whole western adventure of the country.
The Chinook Winters, the Stampede Summer and the Mountain Days
The climate of the prairie is famous for its variation, with the warm, sunny summers, the long, bright winters and the warm chinook winds of the occasional thaw; the spring and the autumn are short. The heritage park, the galleries of the city and the tower viewpoints are the essential stops, and the mountains of the national parks of the west are the great day trips. The Canadian dollar is the currency and the cards work everywhere. The city is spread and car-friendly, with the trains and the buses of the province covering the core, and the mountains, with their ski towns and their hiking, are the essential extension of any visit.
The Bow River Villages, the Heritage Park and the Steaks
The Bow river with its parks, its pedestrian bridges and its river paths runs the green spine of the city, and the central and the East villages along its banks hold the markets, the cafes and the restaurants of the neighbourhood life. The saddle, the famous stadium with its movable roof, and the tower of the city with its glass floor give the dramatic views over the metropolis and the mountains. The heritage park on the edge of the city, the living village of the pioneer west with its steam trains and its historic farms, preserves the frontier story, and the military museums of the city complete the historical picture. The steak house culture and the brewery scene of the city anchor the hearty prairie table.
Report an error or suggest an update
- Country
- Canada
- Population
- 1,650,000
- Coordinates
- 51.1215, -114.0078
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Languages
- English, French
- Calling code
- +1
- Country code
- CA
Entry requirements for Canada
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Canada for tourism.
Getting to Calgary
Airports we list for Calgary:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Canada
Other cities we cover in Canada:
Frequently asked questions
Is Calgary the capital of Canada?
No — the capital of Canada is Ottawa.
What currency do I need in Calgary?
The local currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Languages spoken in Canada include English and French.
What is the dialling code for Canada?
The international dialling code for Canada is +1.
Which airport should I fly into for Calgary?
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the airport we list for Calgary.
How far is Calgary from the nearest airport?
Calgary is about 687 km from Vancouver International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Canada?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Australia (e-visa), France (e-visa), Germany (e-visa), India (visa required) and Italy (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Calgary? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.