Banff is the largest town located within the Banff National Park in the Rockies of Alberta. It is the first incorporated municipality to be built located within a National Park in Canada. At an elevation of 1,463 meters, it has the highest elevation of any other Canadian city. Surrounded by mountains, most notably Mount Rundle, Mount Norquay, Cascade Mountain, and Sulphur Mountain, the city thrives on recreational tourism. It is a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership and is 126 meters from Calgary and 58 km east of Canada's Lake Louise.

As a resort town, it is one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations and is famous for outdoor sports and for its hot springs. The city is also a destination for tourists who want to go hiking, biking, and scrambling. Ski resorts located in close proximity to Banff are the Sunshine Village and the Ski Norquay. Top tourist attractions in Banff include the Banff Upper Hot Springs and the Northern Lights display over the city. Hikers are also known to frequent Tunnel Mountain, formerly known as the Sleeping Buffalo Mountain, for a quick hike. The town is also home to film festivals including the Banff World Television Festival and the Banff Mountain Film Festival.