Toronto City Tours

There are as many tours in Toronto as there are types of travellers. Therefore, during your stay you will enjoy a wide range of guided, audio-guided and free tours, through which you will discover every corner of this city, its history, culture, scenic scene, mysteries and more. Whether on foot, by car, bicycle or tourist bus, the city tour is not to be missed. Likewise, the guided tour of the distillery district or the helicopter ride are experiences not to be missed.

Book a guided tour of Toronto and you will discover amazing natural and urban destinations: skyscrapers, parks, monuments, markets and much more.

Some of the places you will see during the tour include the following:

• St. Lawrence Market, with stalls selling vegetables, fruit, bakeries, butchers, artisan goods, antique shops and more.
• Queen's Park, where you'll find beautiful English-inspired gardens and enjoy a series of tree-lined walkways.
• The CN Tower; an impressive skyscraper over 550 metres high from where you can get a bird's eye view of the city.
• Nathan Phillips Square; a lively place with cultural activities and, if you're in Toronto in winter, a skating rink.

This is an unmissable activity during your stay as you get a glimpse of this picturesque metropolis full of contrasts and enjoy a boat ride on the harbour.

Interesting details

• Price: the cost of the guided tour is 130€.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot, by car and by boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to get a glimpse of the city and see the must-see destinations.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you plan to take the tour with small children, bear in mind that it is a half-day or longer activity, so they might get tired.

Booking a tour of Chinatown and Kensington Market will give you a multicultural experience during your stay. You can learn about the history of both places, do some shopping and treat your taste buds to a delicious snack and coffee.

In Chinatown, about a 20 minute walk from the city centre, you will find a wealth of food in the restaurants, markets and street stalls, where you can try sweet and savoury preparations.

After enjoying the oriental food and culture you can head to the open air Kensington Market, about a 10 minute walk from Chinatown. It's a lively place with colourful murals, shops selling fresh produce, ready-to-eat food from around the world, souvenirs, fashion displays, arts and crafts and more.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately €55 per person.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will live a multicultural experience in two of the oldest places in the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you have mobility problems, this walking tour may not be suitable.

Enjoy the deep-rooted beer culture of this Canadian city by joining a beer tour. You'll visit some traditional pubs and learn about their historical significance while sampling some beers.

This tour takes place in the company of a guide in the downtown business district, Old Town, as it is home to major breweries and pubs. There, you might discover some destinations such as:

• The Wheatsheaf Tavern, considered one of the oldest taverns in the city, present since 1849.
• The Volo Bar, with a wide range of craft beers and snacks.
• The Mill Street Brewery, where you'll discover great beers and learn about the brewing process.

During this beer tour in Toronto, you will also visit the St. Lawrence Market, which is closely related to beer, and the Mill Street Brewery.

Interesting details

• Price: 70€ per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will learn about Toronto's beer culture and taste some beverages.
• Disadvantages of this option: this type of tour does not usually include snacks.

If you're a fan of ghost stories, then you should know that Toronto has a dark side, hiding many mysteries that will surprise you. Hiring a ghost tourwill allow you to discover some of the historical places where unexplainable events have taken place .

While touring some iconic buildings, you will hear stories of murders, ghosts, curses and more.

Although the itinerary of this Toronto ghost tour may vary according to the activity you have chosen, there are destinations that are usually not to be missed. For example:

• St. Michael's Hospital founded in 1892. In its corridors it is said that the souls of deceased patients still roam.
• Mackenzie's Haunted House, erected in 1936. This building houses a historical museum.
• The Elgin Theatre and Winter Garden, recognised as one of the last remaining buildings of Edwardian architecture. In this destination you will learn about the terrifying case of the famous missing tycoon.

Interesting details

• Price: £21 per person.
• Duration: 75 minutes.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the dark side of the city with a local guide who will tell you the urban stories of Toronto, while walking you through these places.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour is usually done in groups of about 16 people, so it is not a very personalised experience.

During your stay in Toronto, you won't be short of options for getting around the city. For example, if you are a cycling enthusiast, booking a bike tourwill allow you to get a different perspective of the squares, monuments and buildings.

This experience is usually guided, so all you have to worry about is enjoying the route. You'll be accompanied by a local who specialises in this type of activity, who will take you to the must-see destinations in the city centre and tell you the history of each one.

Some of the places you'll see on a bike tour of Toronto include the following:

• The Chinatown district, with its quaint streets and variety of traditional Asian and fusion restaurants.
• Kensington Market, a public market with dozens of independent shops.
• City Hall, notable for its modern architectural style.
• The CN Tower, the city's most iconic skyscraper due to its towering height, revolving restaurant and glass observation deck.

Details of interest

• Price: 71€ per.
• Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: electric bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: you will see the city of Toronto from a different perspective on board a bicycle, being able to reach places where cars cannot.
• Disadvantages of this option: this tour does not usually include a transfer to and from the hotel.

The Distillery District is another must-see during your stay in Toronto. It is a pedestrianised neighbourhood with a rich history and stunning Victorian architecture. You will also find a lively atmosphere with bars, shops, restaurants and more.

This is a must visit if you want to learn about the beginnings of alcohol production in the city as well as the creation of the first local distillery, Gooderham & Worts.

My recommendation is to book a guided tour of the Distillery District because you'll be accompanied by an expert guide.

Also, if you take the tour of the Distillery District in Toronto at night during the first three months of the year (January to March), you'll enjoy the Toronto Lights Festival. Meanwhile, if you're in this Toronto neighbourhood in November or December, you'll find a lively Christmas market.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 17€ per person.
• Duration: 60 minutes.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will learn about part of the city's history of alcohol production and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
• Disadvantages of this option: The tour does not usually include tastings or snacks.

Discover a privileged panoramic view of the Canadian city from above by booking this helicopter tour in which you'll spot towering skyscrapers, major tourist attractions and, if you're lucky, the famous Niagara Falls in the distance.

During this helicopter flight in Toronto, which usually departs from Billy Bishop Airport, you'll be able to identify a number of iconic landmarks at an altitude of approximately 600 metres. For example:

• The CN Tower, with its modern design and glass observation deck.
• The Rom, which houses important natural art exhibits and is considered among the best museums in Toronto.
• St. Lawrence Market, consisting of three large buildings representative of the vintage architectural style.
• Fort York; a fortification with a history dating back to 1793.
• The Harbour Front, which is a quiet neighbourhood located on the banks of the Ontario River.

Details of interest

• Price: 105 per person.
• Duration: 7 minutes over the city.
• Means of transport: helicopter.
• Advantages of this option: you will see the city from a bird's eye view, giving you a privileged perspective.
• Disadvantages of this option: usually, these tours do not offer a transfer to and from the hotel.

The Toronto sightseeing bus is the best way to see the essential sights. You'll be able to take a panoramic tour of the whole city and, in addition, you'll have the option of free stops. This way, you can hop on and off the bus as many times as you like to visit the destinations of your interest, creating your own itinerary.

The bus route goes from Yonge Dundas Square to the Distillery District, passing by the Park Hyatt luxury hotel, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Hockey Hall of Fame, among others. In total there are about 15 stops. You can join this tour every day from approximately 9:00 am to 5:06 pm and enjoy the commentary of the guide.

If you visit Toronto in the summer you will find open-top buses. Therefore, you can sit on the first floor of the bus and enjoy the tour in the fresh air and sunshine. Meanwhile, in the autumn and winter season, the buses are closed. But don't worry, the windows are spacious so you can see the destinations as you pass by.

Interesting details

• Price: 47€ per person.
• Duration: 24 hours.
• Means of transport: tourist bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will have a live guide and recorded commentary.
• Disadvantages of this option: the sightseeing bus tour does not include entry to any of the city's attractions.

Taking a night driving tour of Toronto allows you to discover a completely different perspective of the city. You'll see the streets and buildings lit up, and you'll be able to get close to some viewpoints to see amazing panoramic views of this metropolis under the moonlight, among other things.

Usually, this night driving tour of Toronto is accompanied by a driver-guide, who will take you to the most attractive places in the city, some of them being the following:

• The illuminated signs in Yonge Dundas Square in the financial district.
• The CN Tower from whose observation deck you will have the opportunity to see a 360º view of the city.
• Toronto's illuminated sign, located in Nathan Phillips Square, right in front of City Hall.
• The Old Town towards the Little India shopping district. This is a lively ethnic enclave.

Details of interest

• Price: £99 per person.
• Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: minivan.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see a night-time perspective of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity is not usually suitable for people with wheelchairs or pushchairs.

By booking a sightseeing cruise in Toronto you'll be able to take in the city's skyline, identify the main destinations of interest from afar and learn a little about their respective history.

This river activity usually departs from the city's harbour. In the company of the captain and his crew you will sail across Lake Ontario on a sightseeing cruise around Toronto's harbour and islands. You will be amazed by the scenic beauty of this group of islands.

You will also have the opportunity to enjoy the urban contrast offered by the skyscrapers and emblematic buildings of the city. For example, some of them are:

• First Canadian Place, a skyscraper of at least 298 metres high, representative of modern architecture and inaugurated in 1975.
• The CN Tower, considered a true icon of the Canadian city. This architectural work designed by John Andrews reaches a height of approximately 553 metres.
• The Rogers Centre Stadium. It is an 86-metre high building with an impressive sliding roof.

Interesting details

• Price: the price of this cruise starts at 24€ per person.
• Duration: 1 hour.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: throughout the cruise you will have live narration with interesting information about the sighted places.
• Disadvantages of this option: this activity generally does not include snacks and drinks.

The duration of Toronto tours usually varies between 60 minutes and up to about six hours. It all depends on the experience selected. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to explore the city, whether you are just passing through or plan to stay for several days.

For example, embarking on a private tour of Toronto can take about four to six hours, which is the usual time frame for this activity. The best food tours of Toronto 's local markets, on the other hand, usually take a couple of hours.

Embarking on a city tour of Toronto is not a complicated task. There are many options for exploring the city on your own , joining a guided, private or audio-guided activity. However, for any of these experiences to be successful, there are a few basic tips to keep in mind.

• Wear closed-toed, breathable footwear that allows you to move around the city comfortably or cycle without damaging your feet, if you are undertaking a walking or cycling tour.
• Always have cash on you - you may need it for tipping.
• Bring some snacks and a bottle of water. Remember that not all tours offer these benefits along the way.
• Don't forget your driving licence, preferably international. You will need it if you rent a car to explore the city on your own.