Toronto
Save34 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
8 places on the map
Instagrammable
- 1
Long laneway of ever-changing street art
3 tips
- Best in daylight
- Art changes often
- Walk the full length
📷 Photos
- 2
Pedestrian-only Victorian industrial district of galleries and cafes
3 tips
- Visit during the Christmas market
- Walk in the daytime for photos
- Free to wander
📷 Photos
- 3
Bohemian neighborhood of vintage shops and food stalls
3 tips
- Pedestrian Sundays in summer
- Try the tacos
- Wander the side streets
📷 Photos
- 4
Gothic Revival castle with gardens and towers
- Tip: Book ahead
2 tips
- Climb the tower
- Explore the secret tunnel
📷 Photos
- 5
Civic square with the Toronto sign and a winter skating rink
3 tips
- Skate on the rink in winter
- Take a photo with the Toronto sign
- Free to visit
📷 Photos
- 6
Former brickyard turned park, market and cultural venue
3 tips
- Saturday farmers market
- Walk the Don Valley trails
- Reach it by shuttle
📷 Photos
- 7
Dramatic lakeside cliffs with beaches
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Take a car or bus
- Visit at sunrise or sunset
- Stay on marked trails
📷 Photos
- 8
Car-free island park reached by ferry with skyline views
3 tips
- Take the ferry from Jack Layton terminal
- Rent a bike
- Bring a picnic
📷 Photos
Take this map with you
Opens Google Maps with these places, ready to save to your own list.
Before you go: Toronto tips
Transportation
- Tap to ride the TTC: Use a PRESTO card or tap a contactless credit card or phone on subways, streetcars and buses; transfers within two hours are free.
- Take the UP Express: The Union Pearson Express train links Pearson Airport and Union Station quickly, avoiding highway traffic.
- Use the PATH: This network of underground walkways connects downtown towers, shops and Union Station, a lifesaver in winter or heavy rain.
Security
- Use licensed taxis: At the airport, take taxis and limos from the official stands or use ride-hailing apps rather than accepting offers inside the terminal.
- Keep cars empty: Vehicle break-ins and car thefts are common, so never leave bags or valuables visible in a parked car.
- Stay aware on transit: The TTC is generally safe, but stay alert late at night, keep to busier cars and report problems to staff or via the emergency alarm.
Saving
- Borrow a museum pass: Toronto Public Library cardholders can get free passes to museums; if you are staying longer, it is worth a library card.
- Factor in tax and tip: Shelf prices exclude the 13 percent HST, and restaurant tips of 15 to 20 percent are expected, so budget accordingly.
- Eat in Chinatown and Kensington: Spadina Avenue and Kensington Market offer some of the city's best value meals, from dumplings to empanadas.
Weather/Clothing
- Prepare for real winter: December to March brings snow and frigid wind chill; pack an insulated coat, hat, gloves and waterproof boots.
- Expect humid summers: July and August can be hot and sticky with thunderstorms; bring light clothes and a small umbrella.
- Layer in spring and fall: Temperatures swing widely in a single day in shoulder seasons, so a light jacket and layers are the safest bet.
Cultural
- Queue politely: Torontonians line up neatly for streetcars and shops and say sorry often; stand right and walk left on escalators.
- Try a peameal bacon sandwich: This cornmeal-crusted back bacon on a bun is a Toronto classic, famously sold at St. Lawrence Market.
- Explore the neighbourhoods: Little Italy, Greektown, Little Portugal and Koreatown reflect the city's diversity and each has its own food scene.
Local Hacks
- Ferry to the Islands: Take the ferry from the Jack Layton terminal to Toronto Island for beaches, bike paths and the best skyline view in town.
- Bike with Bike Share: Bike Share Toronto stations are all over downtown, and the Martin Goodman Trail along the lake is a great ride.
- Go to Union for the GO: GO Transit trains and buses from Union Station reach Niagara and other day-trip spots cheaper than tours.
1-day itineraries in Toronto
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 2
Kensington Market and around
🕘 9:30–17:00📍 5 stops
- 1Kensington Market
- 2Art Gallery of Ontario
- 3Nathan Phillips Square
- 4CN Tower
- 5Ripleys Aquarium of Canada
Day 2 of 2
Casa Loma and around
🕘 9:30–16:45📍 4 stops
- 1Casa Loma
- 2Bata Shoe Museum
- 3Royal Ontario Museum
- 4Gardiner Museum