Welcome to the heart of British Columbia’s wine country—Kelowna—offering a breezy urban break on the banks of a beach-ringed lake. Stop in for farm-to-table dining and waterfront city thrills, step out for world-class wineries and orchards amid mountains and meadows. Located in the picturesque Okanagan Valley, Kelowna is your gateway to dreamy towns tucked into terraced hills and sublime ski resorts.
Visit Kelowna: get started
Set out in summer or fall to discover the best wineries of Kelowna (vineyards like Mission Hill or the Quails' Gate Estate). In winter, hit the slopes at the nearby Big White Ski Resort for some of the best skiing in the Okanagan. Enjoy family-friendly activities like hiking, biking or swimming in Okanagan lake. Kick off your trip by booking flight and hotel packages with us!
Kelowna travel guide
Destination facts
Language
Officially English and French
What to bring back
Wine from the Okanagan Valley, bottles from Scenic Road Cider Co., local crafts from East Kelowna Community Market and natural skincare products from the Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm.
What to eat
Farm-to-table cuisine at local favourites like RauDZ Regional Table or Krafty Kitchen + Bar, fresh produce from the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market and tasty meals at vineyards like Summerhill Pyramid Winery or Sandhill Wines.
Fun fact
Kelowna’s got quite a story behind its name. Supposedly, the indigenous Okanagan people spotted a settler crawling out of an underground shelter, mistook him for a bear, and yelled out “KIM-ACH-TOUCH” (“brown bear”). While that became the original name for the town, it didn’t stick and the settlers switched to the catchier “Kelowna,” which means “grizzly bear” in the Okanagan language.
Important info
For more information on all necessary travel documents and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page.
