How Many Days Should You Stay in Banff Without Having FOMO?

Banff is the kind of place where you always wish you had one more day.

Everywhere you turn — another glacier-fed lake, another insane mountain view — the FOMO starts creeping in fast. 

And trust me, even now that I live here, I still find new spots that make me wonder how I ever missed them.

So how long should you stay to leave without regrets?

Here’s what I recommend for summer and winter, based on a lot of trial and error and local experience.

Summer in Banff

If you're visiting Banff in the summer, plan for 7 days.

Here’s how I’d pace your week to hit the best of Banff without feeling like you missed half the story.

Day 1: Easy Arrival

 Your first day is all about settling in. Chances are, you’ll be a little wrecked from travel — so take it slow.

Wander through Banff town, bookmark restaurants and shops you want to hit later, and get your bearings. 

If you want to dig into some history, check out the museums — I highly recommend the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum to get a deeper understanding of the First Nations people who have called this valley home for over 10,000 years.

Still feeling energized? Hike Tunnel Mountain. It's an easy 1h 40m round trip and a rite of passage for first-time visitors.

Dinner tip: Start your trip strong at Block Kitchen + Bar, a cozy, intimate spot where the proximity to your neighbors leads to conversations as good as the food. Want something more casual? Magpie & Stump across the street serves up Mexican eats with a rooftop patio that's perfect for watching the sunset over the mountains.

Day 2: Moraine Lake and Sentinel Pass

Today’s goal: Moraine Lake and Sentinel Pass.

But first — getting there takes a little planning.

Since public car access to Moraine Lake is banned, you’ve got two choices:

• Catch a shuttle from Banff town, or
  

• Drive yourself to Lake Louise (about 40 minutes from Banff) and then catch a shuttle from there.

Personally, I recommend driving. Highway 1A (the Bow Valley Parkway) is incredibly scenic — plus, it’s prime wildlife-spotting territory. Do it at sunrise; you won’t regret it.

Once you reach Lake Louise, hop on the Moraine Lake shuttle you booked ahead of time. Shuttle spots fill fast in summer, so it’s worth locking that down early.

Now, a quick note: If you just walk to the edge of Moraine Lake and snap a few photos with the crowd, you’ll miss the real magic.

To truly experience Moraine Lake, you need to lace up your boots and hike up into the mountains.

Start the Sentinel Pass via Larch Valley trail that winds along the lake’s right shoreline. 

It’s about 11km out and back, climbing steadily through pine forests and golden larch meadows (if you're lucky enough to visit during larch season in September). The higher you go, the trees open up, and you’ll be standing right under some of the biggest peaks in the Rockies.

After the hike, you could swing by Lake Louise — but fair warning: it gets extremely busy and can feel a little less magical.

Day 3: Lakes and Leisure

Time to give the legs a break and work the arms.

Head to Lake Minnewanka — Banff’s largest lake — and rent a canoe or kayak. There’s something about being surrounded by mountains in the middle of a huge glacial lake that just hits differently. 

Afterward, take it easy at Johnson Lake or Two Jack Lake.

Pack a lunch, soak up the sun, dive in if you’re feeling brave (yes, it's cold even in July), or just sprawl out with a good book.

If you’re someone who tends to sprint through vacations, consider this your mandatory “chill out and actually enjoy Banff” day.

Day 4: Choose Your Adventure

Today’s about getting your adrenaline going — your pick:

• Horseback riding with Banff Trail Riders (because if you’re in Alberta, you might as well lean into the cowboy thing).
  

• Via Ferrata at Mount Norquay: an assisted climbing route with ladders, suspension bridges, and some of the best views you’ll find.
  

• White-water rafting at various spots nearby — or if that sounds too intense, a Bow River float trip offers a more mellow option with epic mountain scenery.

Day 5–6: Icefields Parkway to Jasper

So far, we’ve stayed pretty local. Time to hit the open road.

The drive along the Icefields Parkway is often called one of the most beautiful in the world — and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

A good friend swears by the saying, “live fast, drive slow,” and that perfectly sums up the Icefield Parkway. 

Navigation apps say 3 hours to Jasper, but plan for 5+ hours with stops at Mistaya Canyon, Peyto Lake, Athabasca Falls, and anywhere else that grabs your attention.

Top off your gas at Saskatchewan River Crossing — the only fuel stop on the route.

Stay overnight in Jasper. My go-to? Whistlers Campground (tent, campervan, or RV — they’ve got you covered). Or splurge at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge if you want a little luxury.

The next day, meander back to Banff the same way — picking off any spots you missed on the way up.

Day 7: Final Chill

Ease into your last day.

Fuel up with breakfast at Bluebird — midcentury vibes and hearty plates — and grab a coffee at Whitebark, my top pick for the best brew in town.

Spend the morning strolling Banff Avenue and Bear Street for some final shopping. If it’s a scorcher out, reward yourself with a cone from Cows — just be ready to wait in line.

Rent a bike (I recommend these guys) and hit the Bow Falls and Fairmont Golf Course loop — an easy ride with big views of Mount Rundle, the Bow River, and even a few elk herds if you’re lucky. 

Wrap it all up at Waldhaus Restaurant on the Fairmont Hotel’s patio: cold European beer, hot pretzels, and golf-course views straight out of a movie scene.

Winter in Banff

Now, let’s talk about winter. Plan for 5 days.

Here’s how I’d map it out.

Day 1: Get Your Bearings

If it’s freezing out — and it probably will be — duck into a few museums to warm up. 

The Cave and Basin Historic Site is a must. It’s where Banff’s story really began — a hot spring discovery that kickstarted Canada’s very first national park.

And if you’re the type who could spend an hour looking at ornaments you don’t really need, The Spirit of Christmas shop is worth a pit stop.

When hunger strikes, warm up properly at Grizzly House, Banff’s legendary fondue and hot rock spot. 

If you're here in January:

SnowDays Festival transforms downtown into a snowy playground: giant snow sculptures pop up overnight, you can roast marshmallows over open fires, and Skijor Canada brings in horses, skiers, and full cowboy chaos right down Banff Avenue.

Day 2: Hit the Slopes

Let’s be honest: if you're in Banff in winter, odds are you’re here to ski or snowboard.

We’re lucky to have three incredible mountains within an hour’s drive, each offering something a little different:

• Mt. Norquay: Just 15 minutes away — perfect if you want a quick morning session and still make it back to town for lunch.  They also offer night skiing for part of the winter season.
  

• Sunshine Village: Huge terrain for beginners and pros alike. My top pick if you only have one day.
  

• Lake Louise: Further out (about 45 minutes) but offers steeper terrain and epic alpine bowls if you’re up for a challenge.

If you don’t have your own gear, rent some here (I highly recommend them). And, if you don’t want the parking lot hassle, hop on the free shuttles that run from Banff Avenue and select hotels. 

Click here for Sunshine shuttles. 

Click here for Lake Louise shuttles. 

Food-wise: All three hills are better equipped than you'd think. You’ll find your classic ski hill staples — burgers, hot dogs, poutine — but also some pleasant surprises like ramen bowls and sushi if you need something a little more soul-warming between runs.

Day 3: Winter Adventures Off the Slopes

There are plenty of winter-themed activities to pick from that don’t include skis. Here are a few local favourites to round things out:

• The Fenlands Recreation Centre: Drop-in sessions for curling and “sticks and pucks.” Nothing makes you feel more like a local than throwing rocks across the ice or knocking a puck around.
  

• Ice Skating: Lake Louise sets up a stunning, well-maintained outdoor rink. If you know how to check ice thickness yourself, you might find other frozen lakes around Banff, too (like Gap Lake).  But safety first. Brush up here.
  

• Snow Tubing at Norquay: Fly down Alberta’s longest tube lanes for a guaranteed good time — fun for all ages.

Day 4: Explore on Foot

Get outside and walk.

The Grotto Canyon Ice Walk is a 4.2 km trail over a frozen creek bed. You'll pass ancient pictographs carved by Indigenous people, weave through narrow canyons, and if you’re lucky, catch ice climbers scaling the frozen walls.

You’ll be back in town by lunchtime — and after a morning on ice, you’ll want something hot.

Grab a bowl of soul-warming soup at Chaya — locals rated it as one of the best quick eats in Banff, but you won’t read about it in a tourist magazine. It doesn’t even have a website.

If you’re visiting around Christmas:

Head over to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel at sunset.

They deck the place out to the nines — think "Christmas movie but real life." Wandering through the historic halls and grounds feels like stepping straight into a snow globe.

If you're after a fancy dinner, this is the place to splurge.

Day 5: Chill and Soak It In

After a busy few days, day five is your reward. Slow it right down.

Start early and head to the Banff Upper Hot Springs. They open at 10 a.m., and it's 100% worth getting there early to beat the crowds (I DO NOT recommend any other time). 

Parking fills up fast too, so consider bussing from downtown if you want a no-stress morning.

After your soak, take a gentle riverside walk to Bow Falls — mostly frozen over in winter. It’s beautiful to see but stay off the ice — it can be thin in spots with running water underneath.

Finally, end your trip with a killer meal.

You’ve probably got a few favorite restaurants on your list by now, but if you want to finish on a high note, book a table at Hello Sunshine. Great food, great drinks, great vibe — the perfect farewell to Banff.

Let Us Know Your Thoughts

However you decide to enjoy Banff, you’ll be sure to have the time of your life. 

Got any questions about these itineraries? Drop a comment below.

About The Author