CN Tower
553-metre communications tower with an observation level, glass floor and the EdgeWalk outdoor walk.
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About Toronto
Toronto stacks the CN Tower skyline, a lakefront with ferry-served islands, Victorian neighbourhoods, and one of the world's most diverse food scenes into a compact, transit-friendly city. Chinatown, Kensington Market, Little Italy, Greektown and Little India sit within a short streetcar ride of the downtown museums and the St. Lawrence Market. The city is best from May to October, with a cold, snowy winter softened by the underground PATH walkway.
- Capital
- Toronto (capital of Ontario; Ottawa is the national capital)
- Largest city
- Toronto
- Population
- About 2.8 million (city); about 6.7 million in the Greater Toronto Area
- Languages
- English, French, Over 180 languages spoken, including Cantonese, Tagalog, Punjabi and Italian
- Currency
- Canadian dollar
- Time zone
- Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 during daylight saving from March to November)
Explore Toronto by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Toronto
The 35 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
Large aquarium with a 96-metre moving walkway through a shark tunnel, a touch pool and jellyfish galleries.
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Canada's largest museum of world cultures and natural history, with dinosaur, Egyptian and First Peoples galleries inside the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal.
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Gallery with more than 120,000 works, including Canadian and Indigenous art and a Frank Gehry-designed addition.
Casa Loma
Gothic Revival castle completed in 1914 for financier Sir Henry Pellatt, with towers, secret passages and gardens.
Hockey Hall of Fame
Museum housing the Stanley Cup, player memorabilia and interactive hockey games in a former Bank of Montreal building.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Toronto Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Toronto, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Toronto
- Days 1-2Toronto city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Toronto
- Days 1-3Toronto comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Toronto, departure
Where to stay in Toronto
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget CAD 120-150 (US$85-110)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range CAD 280-380 (US$200-275)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury CAD 650+ (US$470+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Fairmont Royal York
Historic 1929 railway hotel with about 1,300 rooms directly across from Union Station.
Check rates on Booking.comFour Seasons Hotel Toronto
Five-star Yorkville tower with a spa, indoor pool and the Cafe Boulud restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comPark Hyatt Toronto
Luxury hotel at Avenue Road and Bloor with a rooftop lounge and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Ritz-Carlton Toronto
Luxury tower next to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with a spa and indoor pool.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Toronto
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Carousel Bakery
Stall inside the south St. Lawrence Market selling Toronto's signature peameal bacon sandwich.
Alo
Listed in the Michelin Guide Toronto 2026 selection with one star; tasting-menu restaurant on the third floor of 163 Spadina Avenue.
Aloette
Listed in the Michelin Guide Toronto 2026 selection as a Recommended restaurant; sister restaurant to Alo at street level.
aKin
Listed in the Michelin Guide Toronto 2026 selection with one star.
DaNico
Listed in the Michelin Guide Toronto 2026 selection with one star.
Quetzal
Listed in the Michelin Guide Toronto 2026 selection with one star; wood-fire Mexican kitchen.
Book a food tour in Toronto We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Toronto
Toronto is a large, grid-patterned city on the north shore of Lake Ontario. The TTC subway, streetcars and buses reach most sights, Union Station at 65 Front St W is the hub for GO Transit, UP Express and VIA Rail, and visitors rarely need a car.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in CAD, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | CAD 50-110 (US$36-80) hostel dorm or budget room | CAD 180-280 (US$130-200) | CAD 450-900 (US$325-650) |
| Food (per day) | CAD 30-45 (US$22-32) | CAD 70-110 (US$50-80) | CAD 180-350 (US$130-250) |
| Transportation | CAD 7-14 (US$5-10); TTC day pass CAD 13.50 | CAD 7-30 (US$5-22) | CAD 60-150 (US$43-108) taxis and ride-hailing |
| Activities | CAD 0-25 (US$0-18) | CAD 40-80 (US$29-58) | CAD 100-250 (US$72-180) |
| Daily total | CAD 120-150 (US$85-110) | CAD 280-380 (US$200-275) | CAD 650+ (US$470+) |
Best time to visit Toronto
Weather through the year in Toronto
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Warm, lively summers with festivals and island beaches; vivid autumn colour; cold, snowy winters with the PATH tunnels as shelter.
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) runs in September, Pride Month is June, Caribana is around the Ontario Civic Holiday weekend in early August, and the Canadian National Exhibition runs late August to Labour Day.
Essential travel tips
- Buy a PRESTO card or simply tap a contactless debit/credit card or phone on the TTC; tap payments give the same CAD 3.30 fare.
- Add 13% HST to most purchases, and tip 15-20% in restaurants and bars; menu prices exclude tax and tip.
- Use the PATH, a network of underground walkways linking Union Station, the Eaton Centre and the financial district, on cold or wet days.
- Book CN Tower, Casa Loma and Niagara day trips online ahead in July and August.
- Legal drinking and cannabis purchase age is 19; alcohol is sold at LCBO stores and some grocery stores, and cannabis only at licensed Ontario shops.
Safety information
Dial 911 for police, fire or ambulance; the call is free from any phone, and text-with-911 is available to registered Deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired users.
Use 416-808-2222 to reach Toronto Police for non-emergencies such as reporting a theft after the fact.
Keep phones and wallets in zipped pockets on crowded streetcars and in tourist areas such as Kensington Market, Yonge-Dundas Square and the Eaton Centre.
Never leave luggage, bags or electronics visible in a parked vehicle; car break-ins are a common property crime.
In winter, wear layers, a hat and gloves; check Environment Canada alerts at weather.gc.ca and avoid prolonged exposure when wind chill is below -20°C.
Carry travel health insurance, since Ontario's OHIP does not cover visitors and emergency care is billed.
After dark, use well-lit streets and the TTC Designated Waiting Areas on subway platforms, and use the Request Stop program on buses after 9 PM.
Tap water is safe to drink; no vaccinations are required for entry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Toronto safe for tourists?
Yes. The US State Department rates Canada Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) and the UK FCDO gives routine advice. Petty theft in crowded areas is the main risk.
Do I need a visa to visit Toronto?
US citizens need only a passport. Visa-exempt air travellers from countries such as the UK, EU and Australia need an eTA (CAD 7) before flying; other nationalities may need a visitor visa.
What currency is used in Toronto?
The Canadian dollar (CAD), at roughly US$0.72 per CAD. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere.
What is the best time to visit Toronto?
June to September for warm weather and festivals; September and early October are less crowded with autumn colour. Winters are cold and snowy.
How do I get from Toronto Pearson Airport to downtown?
The UP Express train reaches Union Station in 25 minutes for CAD 19 with PRESTO (CAD 27.50 without). A taxi or ride-hail costs roughly CAD 60-90, and the TTC 192 Airport Rocket bus connects to Kipling subway.