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Cities

Edmonton

Edmonton is Alberta's capital and a major centre for government, health care, education and energy. Housing costs are generally lower than in Toronto or Vancouver.

Province
Alberta
Time zone
Mountain Time

Getting around

  • Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) runs the LRT (Capital, Metro and Valley lines) and buses.
  • Pay with an Arc card, which also works on several nearby transit systems. Check edmonton.ca for current payment options.
  • The river valley has many paths for walking and cycling in summer and cross-country skiing in winter.

Fares and routes change often, so check the transit website before you travel.

Landmarks and attractions

  • North Saskatchewan River ValleyOne of the largest connected urban park systems in North America.
  • West Edmonton MallOne of the largest malls in North America, with a water park and ice rink.
  • Royal Alberta MuseumNatural and human history of Alberta, in the downtown core.
  • Muttart ConservatoryFour glass pyramids holding plants from different climates.
  • Fort Edmonton ParkA large historic park showing the city's past.
  • Elk Island National ParkAbout 45 minutes east, known for its bison herds.

Good to know for newcomers

  • Winters are long and very cold. Buy a warm parka, boots and gloves before December.
  • Alberta has no provincial sales tax.
  • The Edmonton Folk Music Festival and the Fringe Theatre Festival are summer highlights.

Official sources

Reviewed November 2026. Rules change, so confirm details on official websites.