Find out what to do in Toronto on a 1, 2, 3 or 4 day itinerary. I've already shown you the 13 main sights of Toronto, and now I show you what is worth knowing and fitting into your trip to Canada's largest city. With tips on how many days to stay, how much to spend, where to eat and a day trip.
I found Toronto better than I imagined. The city is beautiful, clean, safe, Canadians are the most polite people I have ever met. It is easy to use public transport and has many attractions in the downtown area, which is why it is the best neighbourhood to stay in Toronto.
Diverse Accommodation Choices in Ontario: From Hostels to Elegance at Park Hyatt Toronto
When planning a trip to Ontario, Canada, it's important to find the perfect place to stay that aligns with your travel preferences. Ontario offers a wide array of accommodation options, catering to various budgets and tastes. Let's explore two fantastic choices for your stay in this vibrant province.
1. Affordable and Social: Ontario Hostels
If you're a budget-conscious traveler who enjoys a social atmosphere, Ontario hostels are an excellent choice. Hostels on http://www.ontariocahotel.com/en/type/hostels-11/ offer a budget-friendly alternative without compromising comfort. Not only will you find a cozy place to rest, but you'll also have the opportunity to meet fellow travelers, exchange stories, and share experiences. Ontario hostels often organize group activities, making them perfect for solo travelers or those seeking a lively and engaging environment.
2. Luxurious Elegance: Park Hyatt Toronto Hotel
For travelers who prefer a more upscale experience, the Park Hyatt Toronto Hotel is a delightful option. Located in the heart of Toronto, this luxury hotel combines elegance, exceptional service, and a central location. You'll enjoy stylish and well-appointed rooms, world-class amenities, and the convenience of being close to the city's attractions and cultural landmarks.
How many days to stay in Toronto?
It depends on your travelling pace and what you want to visit, so it's important to plan. I spent three full days, plus an afternoon on the day of arrival and a full morning before heading to Montreal. If you just want to see the most famous attractions, 2 full days are enough. Now, if you spend hours in museums, bars or aimlessly, I recommend staying at least 3 full days, that is, 4 nights.
How much to spend in Toronto?
Knowing how much it costs to travel to Toronto depends on your profile. In any case, here are some average prices for you to start calculating your total travel budget:
Round-trip flight São Paulo-Toronto: average of R$ 2,500 to R$ 4,000. In promotions, it is possible to pay even less than R$ 1,500.
Hotels in Toronto: a day for a couple in a 4-star hotel in the Centre costs an average of R$800. If you lower the standard or look for a hostel, even in more remote neighbourhoods, you can spend even less than $ 100 per day.
Food in Toronto: you can find good restaurants in central neighbourhoods with meals in the range of R$50. The same is paid for an individual pizza. But you can spend less on burgers, soups and street food.
Transport: a bus or metro ticket costs 3 CAD, more or less R$9.
Attraction tickets: if you want to enter everything, such as museums, aquarium and CN Tower, this will be your biggest expense. Search the Get Your Guide website to get an idea.
When to travel to Toronto
This itinerary is best enjoyed in summer, autumn and spring. In the summer, the advantage is that you can enjoy the beaches, although the heat does get in the way of longer walks. But it is also valid for winter, as Toronto has many attractions closed and some places are more beautiful, such as Niagara Falls. In particular, I think the best months to visit Toronto are the ones with moderate weather (spring and autumn).
April
May
June
September
October
November
Things to do in Toronto
1 day itinerary in Toronto - Day 1
One day in Toronto is not the ideal time, but it is enough to get to know the basics of the city. I will organise it according to the periods of the day and nearby places that match. It also has some prices, so it helps you understand how much to spend on the trip.
Breakfast - Where to eat?
Go to St Lawrence Market, which is the most important public market in Toronto. It is touristy, but many locals still go there, after all the food is very good and cheap by city standards. I recommend eating Peamel Bacon, one of the best typical Canadian foods, at Carousel Bakery.
Peamel Bacon sandwich. Price: 6.45 CAD (Canadian Dollars)
Morning Itinerary What to do?
Walk through the market area to Old Toronto. Pass Nathan Philips Square, home to the large Toronto sign and the beautiful old city hall building. Then head up to the Yonge-Dundas area, the "Times Square of Toronto", full of large buildings with advertising lights.
Lunch - Where to eat?
My restaurant tip in this area is Blaze Pizza, a pizzeria where you choose the ingredients in the queue, like a subway. Very good and priced below the city average.
Afternoon Route - What to do?
Still walking, pass by Graffiti Alley, a graffiti alley, a Canadian version of the "Beco da Batman", from São Paulo. Then explore Kensington Market, an area with the city's most charming cafés, fruit markets and second-hand shops. If you prefer a museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario is in the area. Stroll down Queen Street and when the sun starts to dip, head to the CN Tower so you can watch the sunset from above and then see Toronto all lit up at night.
CN Tower at sunset. Price: 38 CAD
Evening Itinerary - Where to go?
The Distillery District is the perfect place to close this day with the basics of Toronto. A revitalised area of historic Victorian buildings, it has many restaurants and bars, as well as one of the best beer pubs in Toronto, Mills Street.
Distillery District. Open area, no entrance fee.
Toronto 2 day itinerary - Day 2
Once you've seen the city's essential attractions, use your second day to explore Toronto's natural beauty. What do you mean, Toronto has natural wonders? Several.
Breakfast - Where to eat?
For those who like to take pictures of food, at School Resto you will taste the most beautiful dishes of the trip. I found the taste only reasonable and the prices are high, on average 15 dollars each portion like this one in the photo.
Very sweet bread, but very pretty. What a dilemma. Price: 15 CAD
Morning itinerary - What to do?
Walk about 1 km to the Curiosa shop, a haven of different things and a good place to buy gifts, whether it's a Harry Potter suitcase tag or a mini music box. Nearby, explore the Little Portugal neighbourhood.
Harry Potter products at the Curiosa shop. Toronto average prices (high)
Lunch - Where to eat?
Go straight to Poutiniâs House of Poutine, a simple diner with heavy food, the traditional Canadian Poutine, a kind of fried potato with everything on top.
Portion of poutine for two people. Price: CAD 12.70
Afternoon Itinerary - What to do?
To burn off the calories from lunch, take a tram and in 10 minutes you'll be in High Park, a park with lakes, squirrels, a zoo and trails. Walk towards Lake Ontario and you will arrive at Sunnyside Beach, one of the best beaches in Toronto, which even in winter is worth visiting. Then take the tram to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and board the Toronto Islands, a small archipelago on the lake, 10 minutes from downtown, where there are more beaches, parks and a bike path.
Garden view near Chelsea Beach, Toronto Islands
Night Time Itinerary - Where to go?
The best tip for the evening is to watch an ice hockey game. I explained in the post How to watch a Hockey game in Torontowhat you need to know to buy tickets and plan this activity.
Hockey game in Toronto. One of the best things on the itinerary. The ticket price varies according to the game. Mine was 30 CAD.
3 days itinerary in Toronto - Day 3
This third day in Toronto is the simplest to explain. Wake up early and take a bus, or a train, or go in your rental car to Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls.
Another way to get there is on this 1-day tour, which already includes transport and a boat ride.
Although it is relatively close to Toronto, only 130 km away, it is a tiring journey. With good traffic, the bus journey takes only 2 hours. But the return trip is often jammed, so dedicate a full day to this tour.
Boat at Niagara Falls. A sure-fire tip when people ask me what to do in Toronto. Put it on your itinerary. At the falls, each activity has a price. For example, the boat ride costs. So taking a tour is usually cost-effective.
Walkway at Niagara Falls
Seagull at Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls with confined part
Toronto 4 days itinerary - Day 4
If you found the beginning of the Toronto itinerary a bit rushed, use the fourth day to do what you missed or visit what interests you most among the 13 main tourist attractions in Toronto. For example, the museums.
Top museums in Toronto
Royal Ontario Museum, a natural history museum
Casa Loma, a mansion with antique furniture and objects
Art Gallery of Ontario - AGO, art museum
Gardiner Museum, a museum specializing in ceramics
Bata Shoe Museum, the shoe museum
Although it is a kind of international franchise, if you like aquariums, go visit Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, which houses thousands of animals of different marine species.