Toronto in 7 days

Canada's vibrant multicultural metropolis, where the CN Tower presides over a patchwork of food-filled neighbourhoods on Lake Ontario. Best time to visit: May-June and September-October. Average daily budget: $120 to $230 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Downtown & Entertainment District, The core: the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Ripley's Aquarium and the financial skyscrapers.

Morning: CN Tower. Ride to the top for sweeping city and lake views; brave the glass floor or the EdgeWalk if you dare.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & Entertainment District, The core: the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Ripley's Aquarium and the financial skyscrapers.

Evening: Distillery District. Wander the pedestrian Victorian quarter of galleries, craft shops and patios, lovely in the evening.

Eat: A peameal bacon sandwich from St Lawrence Market

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Kensington Market & Chinatown, Bohemian, colourful streets of vintage shops, global street food and produce stalls.

Morning: Toronto Islands. Take the short ferry to a car-free chain of islands with beaches, bike paths and the best skyline view.

Afternoon: Explore Kensington Market & Chinatown, Bohemian, colourful streets of vintage shops, global street food and produce stalls.

Evening: Kensington Market & St Lawrence Market. Graze two of the city's great food markets, from global street eats to peameal bacon sandwiches.

Eat: Dim sum in Chinatown or richmond-hill style spots

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Distillery District, Cobblestone Victorian-industrial lanes turned into galleries, cafés and boutiques.

Morning: Up the CN Tower. Ride to the top of the iconic CN Tower for sweeping views over the city and Lake Ontario, brave the glass floor or the EdgeWalk if you dare.

Afternoon: Explore Distillery District, Cobblestone Victorian-industrial lanes turned into galleries, cafés and boutiques.

Evening: Explore the diverse neighbourhoods. Eat your way through Kensington Market, Chinatown, Little Italy and the Distillery District, Toronto's incredible diversity is best experienced through its food and neighbourhoods.

Eat: Butter tarts, Canada's gooey pastry classic

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: West Queen West, The arts-and-design strip: indie galleries, design shops, cafés and street murals.

Morning: The Leslie Street Spit, a wild lakefront nature park and birding spot built on landfill.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore West Queen West, The arts-and-design strip: indie galleries, design shops, cafés and street murals.

Evening: Graffiti Alley off Queen West, a long lane covered end to end in street art.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Global street food from Kensington Market

Day 5, Day trip

Base: The Harbourfront & Islands, Lakeside boardwalks, festivals and the ferry to the car-free Toronto Islands.

Morning: The Evergreen Brick Works, a former quarry turned eco-hub with trails and a weekend farmers market.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore The Harbourfront & Islands, Lakeside boardwalks, festivals and the ferry to the car-free Toronto Islands.

Evening: The PATH, a vast underground network of shops and tunnels beneath downtown, a lifesaver in winter.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: A peameal bacon sandwich from St Lawrence Market

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Downtown & Entertainment District, The core: the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Ripley's Aquarium and the financial skyscrapers.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Downtown & Entertainment District, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & Entertainment District, The core: the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Ripley's Aquarium and the financial skyscrapers.

Evening: Dinner at Dim sum in Chinatown or richmond-hill style spots, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Downtown & Entertainment District.

Eat: Dim sum in Chinatown or richmond-hill style spots

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Kensington Market & Chinatown, Bohemian, colourful streets of vintage shops, global street food and produce stalls.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Kensington Market & Chinatown, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Kensington Market & Chinatown, Bohemian, colourful streets of vintage shops, global street food and produce stalls.

Evening: Dinner at Butter tarts, Canada's gooey pastry classic, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Kensington Market & Chinatown.

Eat: Butter tarts, Canada's gooey pastry classic

Hidden gems

The Leslie Street Spit, a wild lakefront nature park and birding spot built on landfill.
Graffiti Alley off Queen West, a long lane covered end to end in street art.
The Evergreen Brick Works, a former quarry turned eco-hub with trails and a weekend farmers market.
The PATH, a vast underground network of shops and tunnels beneath downtown, a lifesaver in winter.

Getting around

The TTC runs subways, streetcars and buses across the city; a Presto card or contactless tap covers all of them. Downtown is walkable, and the streetcars are handy for east-west neighbourhood hopping. The island ferry leaves from the harbourfront. Uber and Lyft operate citywide. The UP Express train links Pearson Airport to downtown in 25 minutes.

Safety

Toronto is a very safe big city with low violent crime. Standard precautions against pickpocketing in crowds and on transit are enough. Winters are cold and snowy (use the underground PATH), while summers are warm and humid. The city is friendly and easy for solo travellers.

Toronto in 3 days | Toronto in 5 days | Full Toronto guide