City guide

Things to do in Toronto

Canada's biggest and most diverse city: the CN Tower, Kensington Market and St Lawrence Market, the Toronto Islands, food from every corner of the world, a big festival calendar and Niagara Falls 90 minutes away.

Plan your days What it costs

Hostels in the city

8.2

Average, from 16,987 reviews

553 m

CN Tower

3–4

Days

The world in one city

Toronto is Canada's largest city, on the shore of Lake Ontario, and one of the most multicultural cities in the world: around half its residents were born outside Canada. That diversity shows up best in its neighbourhoods and its food, from Chinatown and Little Italy to Greektown, Little Portugal and Koreatown.

The CN Tower dominates the skyline, and below it are the lakefront, the Distillery District's Victorian brick buildings and St Lawrence Market. Kensington Market is a bohemian neighbourhood of vintage shops and cafes, and a short ferry ride takes you to the Toronto Islands, with beaches, bike paths and the best view of the skyline. The Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario are world-class.

Toronto has a big festival calendar, including the Toronto International Film Festival in September and the Caribbean Carnival in summer. Give it three or four days, plus a day trip to Niagara Falls.

Where to base yourself

Downtown for sights and transport, Queen West and Kensington for neighbourhoods and nightlife, or the Annex for a quieter, student feel.

Downtown

Sights, transport

Near Union Station and the CN Tower.

Queen West and Kensington

Neighbourhoods, nightlife

Bars, shops and markets.

The Annex

Quieter, student

Near the university and museums.

Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 6 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.

Things to do

Things to do in Toronto

Go up the CN Tower for the view, or try the EdgeWalk around the outside if you dare. Eat your way through St Lawrence Market, wander the Distillery District, and explore Kensington Market and Chinatown next door.

Take the ferry to the Toronto Islands to cycle, swim at Centre Island or Hanlan's Point, and photograph the skyline. Visit the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario, and see a game: the Blue Jays, Raptors or Maple Leafs.

Walk Queen Street West and Trinity Bellwoods Park, explore Graffiti Alley, and in summer, go to one of the city's many street festivals. Niagara Falls is a day trip.

And what it costs nothing to do

Kensington Market, Graffiti Alley, the Distillery District and the lakefront are free. High Park and Trinity Bellwoods Park cost nothing.

The Art Gallery of Ontario has free admission on Wednesday evenings; check current times before going. Many summer festivals are free.

The Toronto Islands ferry is cheap, and the islands are free once there.

Eating and drinking

Toronto's food is as diverse as its people. Try a peameal bacon sandwich at St Lawrence Market, dim sum in Chinatown, Portuguese custard tarts on Dundas Street West, Korean food on Bloor, and roti and patties from Caribbean restaurants.

The city has a strong cafe and craft beer scene.

Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.

Going out

Toronto has a big nightlife. Queen West, Ossington and Dundas West have bars and live music, King West has clubs, and the Church-Wellesley Village is the centre of LGBTQ+ nightlife. Pride in June is one of the biggest in the world.

Bars close at 2am. Drinks are pricier than in Montréal.

Alcohol is sold at the LCBO and some supermarkets.

Getting around

The UP Express train runs from Pearson Airport to Union Station in 25 minutes. The TTC runs subways, streetcars and buses; an adult fare is C$3.30 with a contactless card or phone, with free transfers for two hours.

GO Transit trains and buses reach the suburbs and Niagara. Bike Share Toronto is useful downtown.

VIA Rail runs to Montréal and Ottawa.

Costs

What Toronto costs

Toronto is expensive. Dorm beds start at around €28 to €43 a night. Restaurant mains cost €14 to €24 before tax and tip.

Sales tax in Ontario is 13 per cent. Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.

Free neighbourhoods, festivals and cheap global food help.

Safety

Safety and scams

Toronto is a safe city for its size. Take normal city care at night, and watch for pickpockets on busy transit and at events.

Winter brings snow, ice and wind chill; dress warmly.

Swim only at supervised beaches on Lake Ontario, and check water quality notices. In an emergency, call 911.

Worth leaving town for

Falls, wine and lakes.

Niagara Falls

About 90 minutes · GO train or bus

The falls and boat trips.

Day trips from Toronto

All day trips from Toronto

Best Day Trips from Toronto to Explore Canada’s Beauty

Diana Morais · 12 min read

What's on

What is on while you are there

TIFF, Pride and Caribbean Carnival.

September

Toronto International Film Festival

Downtown

One of the world's biggest film festivals.

June

Pride Toronto

Church-Wellesley Village

One of the largest Pride celebrations.

July to early August

Toronto Caribbean Carnival

Exhibition Place and lakefront

A huge Caribbean festival and parade.

All events in Barcelona

Hostels

Where to stay

The highest-rated hostels in Toronto, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.

9.4 7,662

When to go

May to October is the best time, with festivals all summer and autumn colour in October. Winters are cold and snowy.

-1°

Jan

Cold

0°

Feb

Cold

5°

Mar

Thaw

12°

Apr

Spring

19°

May

Pleasant

24°

Jun

Pride

27°

Jul

Festivals

26°

Aug

Caribbean Carnival

22°

Sep

TIFF

14°

Oct

Autumn colour

7°

Nov

Cold

1°

Dec

Festive markets

Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets: quiet busy peak

Average highs, rounded.

What your trip will cost

Per night, for one person, based on Toronto prices.

Treat these as a guide, before tax and tip.

Nights 3

—

Beds—
Food and drink—
Getting around—
Doing things—

Toronto questions

The ones we get asked most.

How many days do you need in Toronto?

Three or four, plus a day for Niagara Falls.

How do I get from Pearson Airport to downtown?

By UP Express to Union Station, in 25 minutes.

How much is the TTC?

C$3.30 per adult fare with a contactless card or phone, with free transfers for two hours.

Can I visit Niagara Falls from Toronto?

Yes, by GO train, bus or tour, in about 90 minutes.

Is Toronto expensive?

Yes, but cheaper than Vancouver for food.

When is TIFF?

In September.

Is Toronto safe?

Yes, for a big city. Take normal care at night.

Say yes to hostels, meet the world

Compare hostels across Canada: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.

Find hostels in Canada Get the app

Things to do in Toronto

The world in one city