Holiday in Calgary

About Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in the Canadian province of Alberta and the gateway to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The metropolis at the confluence of the Bow River and Elbow River is situated at an elevation of 1,045 meters in the prairie and offers a stunning view of the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies, which rise just 80 kilometers to the west. The Calgary Stampede, held annually in July, is the largest rodeo festival in the world and is marketed as The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. For ten days, the city transforms into a massive Western party: rodeo competitions, chuckwagon races, concerts, horse exhibitions, and pancake breakfasts on every corner. Over 1.2 million visitors flock to the Stampede each year, and the entire city dons cowboy hats and boots. Banff National Park, Canada's oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just 90 minutes to the west: turquoise glacier lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, majestic mountain peaks, and a rich wildlife including grizzly bears, moose, and elk make it one of the most spectacular natural areas on Earth. The Calgary Tower (190 m) offers a panoramic view of the city extending to the Rockies. Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is an architecturally impressive museum that presents Canada's music history interactively. The Peace Bridge by Santiago Calatrava, a bright red pedestrian bridge over the Bow River, is Calgary's modern landmark. The Kensington and Inglewood neighborhoods are Calgary's creative centers: independent cafes, craft breweries, vintage shops, and galleries shape the streetscape. Calgary's economy, long dominated by the oil industry, is increasingly diversifying towards technology and renewable energies, giving the city a palpable sense of new beginnings.