Top places to visit in Toronto

• CN Tower

  observation-tower · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  553m communications and observation tower, an icon of the Toronto skyline with glass floor, observation deck and EdgeWalk.

• Toronto Eaton Centre

  shopping-mall · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Flagship downtown shopping mall with a soaring glass galleria and Michael Snow's famous Flight Stop Canada geese sculpture.

• Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

  aquarium · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Large downtown aquarium beside the CN Tower with a glass walk-through shark tunnel and over 20,000 aquatic animals.

• Distillery District

  historic-district · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Pedestrian-only Victorian-era former whisky distillery, now a heritage arts, dining and shopping precinct with cobblestone lanes.

• Royal Ontario Museum

  art-natural-history · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Canada's largest museum of art, world culture and natural history, housed in the distinctive crystal-fronted building.

• Casa Loma

  castle · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Edwardian Gothic Revival castle and gardens built 1914, now a historic house museum with towers, tunnels and stables.

• Toronto Zoo

  zoo · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  Canada's largest zoo, with over 5,000 animals across seven zoogeographic regions on a 287-hectare site in Scarborough.

• St. Lawrence Market

  food-market · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Historic public market dating to 1803, famous for fresh produce, artisan food, and the classic peameal bacon sandwich.

• Toronto Islands

  island-park · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  Car-free island chain in Lake Ontario with beaches, parkland, Centreville amusement park and the best skyline views, reached by ferry.

• Art Gallery of Ontario

  art-gallery · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Major art museum with a Frank Gehry-designed facade, holding over 95,000 works including Group of Seven and Indigenous art.

• High Park

  urban-park · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Toronto's largest public park with hiking trails, a zoo, gardens, and famous cherry blossoms in spring.

• Kensington Market

  neighbourhood · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Bohemian, multicultural neighbourhood of vintage shops, cafes, murals and global street food, a National Historic Site.

Things to do

• CN Tower EdgeWalk Adventure · 1.5 h · from CAD 225 per person
• Toronto Harbour Cruise Sightseeing · 1 h · from CAD 40 per person
• Kensington Market & Chinatown Food Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from CAD 95 per person
• Toronto Islands Bike Rental Cycling · 3 h · from CAD 25 per person
• Toronto Maple Leafs / Raptors Game at Scotiabank Arena Sports · 3 h · from CAD 120 per person
• Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Sightseeing · 2 h · from CAD 60 per person
• Casa Loma Guided Castle Tour Cultural · 2 h · from CAD 40 per person
• Distillery District Walking & Craft Tour Walking Tour · 1.5 h · from CAD 45 per person

Day trips and tours

• Niagara Falls Day Trip from Toronto 9 h · from CAD 165
• Toronto City Highlights Half-Day Tour 4 h · from CAD 75
• 1000 Islands & Boldt Castle Day Trip 12 h · from CAD 195

Where to stay in Toronto

• Downtown Core about CAD 280 per night

  The heart of the city around Yonge-Dundas and the financial district, ideal for first-timers wanting everything within walking or transit reach.

• Entertainment & Financial District about CAD 350 per night

  Sleek high-rise district near the waterfront packed with theatres, restaurants, sports arenas and luxury hotels.

• Old Town / Distillery District about CAD 250 per night

  Historic, atmospheric area of cobblestone lanes, heritage buildings, boutique stays and the St. Lawrence Market.

• Yorkville / Midtown about CAD 380 per night

  Toronto's most upscale neighbourhood, with designer shopping, galleries and refined hotels near the ROM.

Hotels

• The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto 5-star · CAD 600 to CAD 1,200 per night
• Fairmont Royal York 4.5-star · CAD 380 to CAD 750 per night
• The Planet Traveler Hostel 2-star · CAD 45 to CAD 120 per night
• The Drake Hotel 4-star · CAD 250 to CAD 450 per night
• HI Toronto Hostel 2-star · CAD 50 to CAD 130 per night
• Hotel Victoria 3-star · CAD 150 to CAD 250 per night

Where to eat

• Pai Northern Thai Kitchen Thai, Street Food · about CAD 35 per person
• Banh Mi Boys Vietnamese, Fusion, Street Food · about CAD 18 per person
• Carousel Bakery Canadian, Sandwiches · about CAD 12 per person
• Mother's Dumplings Chinese, Dumplings · about CAD 22 per person
• Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos Mexican, Seafood, Street Food · about CAD 20 per person
• Khao San Road Thai · about CAD 32 per person
• Richmond Station Canadian, Bistro · about CAD 60 per person
• Planta Yorkville Vegan, Plant-Based, Contemporary · about CAD 55 per person

Getting to Toronto

Airport: Toronto (YTZ), Toronto (YYZ)

How visitors arrive in Toronto

• Flight into Toronto Pearson By air from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) · common

  Pearson, in Mississauga, is the main international gateway and handles the most traffic of any Canadian airport. Billy Bishop near downtown takes short-haul flights. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train to Union Station By train from Montreal / Ottawa / New York · common

  VIA Rail brings travellers from Montreal, Ottawa and other Canadian cities, and Amtrak's Maple Leaf runs from New York. All arrive at Union Station downtown. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Intercity bus to downtown By road from Southern Ontario · common

  GO Transit, Megabus, FlixBus and others serve the Union Station bus terminal and several smaller terminals. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drive via the 401 and QEW By road · possible

  Several highways feed the city, including the QEW, 400, 401 and 404; traffic into the city can be very heavy at rush hour. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• UP Express from Pearson to Union Station

  A dedicated airport rail link between Pearson and Union Station, with stops at Weston and Bloor. Union connects to the subway, GO and VIA. Source: upexpress.com

• Billy Bishop airport ferry or tunnel

  Billy Bishop is on the waterfront. A short ferry or a pedestrian tunnel crosses to the mainland, where a shuttle bus runs to Union Station. Source: aircanada.com

• Streetcar from the Billy Bishop ferry dock

  Streetcar 509 from Union Station and 511 from Bathurst Station both stop near the Billy Bishop ferry terminal, linking the airport with the subway. Check current TTC service notices before travelling. Source: ttc.ca

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  The TTC runs buses alongside the subway and streetcars as Toronto's main transit system.

• Metro

  The TTC subway runs on several lines through central Toronto and out to the suburbs.

• Ride Hail

  Ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft operate in Toronto under the city's vehicle-for-hire bylaw.

• Tram

  Streetcar routes such as Spadina, Bathurst and the Harbourfront line run through downtown Toronto and along the waterfront.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Fake charity / petition clipboard

  Yonge-Dundas Square, Eaton Centre area

  People with clipboards ask you to sign a petition or donate to a "charity," then pressure you for cash and may distract you for pickpocketing.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline and keep walking; legitimate charities do not demand on-the-spot cash from tourists.

• Unlicensed airport taxi touts

  Pearson (YYZ) and Billy Bishop arrivals

  Touts approach arriving travellers offering a "cheap" ride, then charge inflated flat rates with no meter.

  How to avoid it: Use the official taxi/limo line, the UP Express train, or a booked rideshare from the designated pickup zone.

• Distraction street games / overpriced add-ons

  Tourist strips near the waterfront and Kensington

  Shell-game style hustles or vendors quoting one price then adding charges; also ticket resellers near venues selling invalid tickets.

  How to avoid it: Avoid street gambling games entirely and buy event tickets only from official box offices or authorised platforms.

Best time to visit Toronto

• Jan -2°C
• Feb -1°C
• Mar 4°C
• Apr 12°C
• May 19°C
• Jun 24°C
• Jul 27°C
• Aug 26°C
• Sep 21°C
• Oct 14°C
• Nov 7°C
• Dec 1°C

More in Canada

• Vancouver
• Montreal
• Banff
• Niagara Falls
• Quebec City
• Whistler

Frequently asked questions about Toronto

What are the top-rated places to visit in Toronto?

The highest-rated places in our Toronto guide are Toronto Islands, High Park, CN Tower, Distillery District, Royal Ontario Museum.

Where should I stay in Toronto?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Toronto: Downtown Core, Entertainment & Financial District, Old Town / Distillery District, Yorkville / Midtown.

How do I get around Toronto?

Ways to get around Toronto covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Ride-hailing app, Tram.

What scams should I watch out for in Toronto?

Scams reported to us for Toronto include Fake charity / petition clipboard; Unlicensed airport taxi touts; Distraction street games / overpriced add-ons. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Toronto?

Average daytime highs in Toronto run from -2°C in Jan to 27°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Toronto?

The nearest airport to Toronto has the code YYZ.