Calgary

Calgary, Canada

The biggest city in the province of Alberta and the third largest in Canada, Calgary has a diverse landscape: it finds itself nestled between the Bow River and the Elbow River, which run across the wide prairies that characterise the region.
The metropolis also grants access to the Canadian Rockies and the surrounding national parks, which are excellent for visits year-round thanks to the region's continental, dry climate.

Population:

1,285,711

Currency:

Canadian Dollar, 1 CAD = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Police, ambulance and fire brigade: 911

Opening Hours:

Most shops in Calgary are open from 10am to 8pm during weekdays, while in the weekends they tend to shorten their business hours, ranging from noon to 5pm. Supermarkets instead are usually open from 9am to 9pm the whole week.

Newspapers:

The Calgary Herald – www.calgaryherald.com
the Calgary Sun – www.calgarysun.com

The City

Calgary's path towards becoming one of the biggest cities in Canada started in the second half of the 1800s, when many settlers developed the local agricultural economy. The Calgary Stampede is an annual festival that celebrates this period, together with the western culture and heritage.

The discovery of oil just outside the city at the start of the 1900s breathed even more life into the town, a turning point so important that the energy sector is still one of the main strongholds of Calgary's economy.
It wasn't until the city hosted the Winter Olympics in 1988 that it was granted international recognition, becoming one of the main Canadian tourism destinations.

The view from the signature Calgary Tower has become a fan favourite, just like the many festival and events hosted by the town. The mountain ridges that can be found nearby are nice locations for both winter sports and hiking, otherwise one is left with plenty of options for a more relaxed day in the local national parks.

Events

Calgary hosts different festivals that mainly happen during the summer, but smaller events are held year-round. You'll be able to celebrate the city's heritage and history with the Calgary Stampede and its food culture during Taste of Calgary. You can also find a folk music festival, as well as a comic-con and a firework competition among the town's many events.

Do & See

The sight unfolding from the Observation Deck of Calgary Tower is a must for anyone visiting the city. From there, a wide range of activities opens up in front of you: visit the local zoo and meet different species of animals, get thrown back into the 1900s thanks to a historical village's reproduction of that era, or hike and relax in one of the town's many parks.

Dining

Dining in Calgary is like attending a food tour encompassing specialities from all over the world: you can sample Canadian staples like poutine, Middle Eastern delicacies such as shwarma and fatayre, Italian homemade pizza as well as vegetarian dishes that are sure to be appreciated by meat-lovers, too. Whether you're looking for brand new flavours or aim to stay as close as possible to your food comfort zone, Calgary has all the right places for it.