Toronto Holidays
Toronto
Holidays
The CN Tower, the Distillery District's Victorian charm, the world's most diverse food scene, TIFF's red carpets and Niagara Falls 90 minutes away — Toronto is the great underrated city break
Search Toronto Holidays
Flight Time
8–9h direct from London Heathrow or Gatwick with Air Canada or British Airways
Best Time
May–October for warm weather; September for TIFF; December for Christmas markets
Country
Canada
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Toronto Holiday Guide
Toronto is Canada's largest city and one of the most diverse cities in the world — a metropolis of 6 million people on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, where over 200 languages are spoken and more than 50% of residents were born outside Canada. It is a city of extraordinary energy, cultural richness and ambition — a world-class destination that is consistently underrated by international visitors.
The CN Tower (553m — the most recognisable landmark in Canada and the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere until 2007) dominates the downtown skyline and offers extraordinary views of the city, Lake Ontario and, on a clear day, Niagara Falls 90km to the south. The Glass Floor (at 342m) and the EdgeWalk (an outdoor walk around the outside of the tower at 356m) are extraordinary experiences.
Toronto's cultural life is exceptional — the Royal Ontario Museum (one of the largest museums in North America, with outstanding collections of natural history, world cultures and art), the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO — redesigned by Frank Gehry, with an outstanding collection of Canadian and international art), the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF — the most important film festival in North America, held every September) and a thriving theatre scene (Toronto is the third-largest theatre city in the English-speaking world after London and New York).
The Distillery District (a beautifully preserved Victorian industrial complex of 44 heritage buildings, converted into galleries, restaurants, bars and shops) is the most atmospheric neighbourhood in Toronto. Kensington Market (a bohemian neighbourhood of vintage shops, multicultural food stalls and independent cafés) is the most eclectic. Niagara Falls (90 minutes by car or bus) is the most popular day trip.
More Canada Destinations
Average Temperatures
Jan
-5°C
Feb
-4°C
Mar
1°C
Apr
9°C
May
16°C
Jun
21°C
Jul
25°C
Aug
24°C
Sep
19°C
Oct
12°C
Nov
5°C
Dec
-2°C
Ready to Book?
Call us or send an enquiry and we'll find you the best deal across Travelpack and JTA Holidays.
Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Toronto
The towers, markets, museums, festivals and neighbourhoods that make Toronto one of the world's great underrated city breaks.
CN Tower — Canada's Most Iconic Landmark
The CN Tower is the most recognisable landmark in Canada — a 553m communications tower in downtown Toronto, the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere until 2007 (now the third tallest in the world). The LookOut Level (346m) and the Glass Floor (342m — a 2.5cm thick glass floor with a 342m drop below your feet) offer extraordinary views of Toronto, Lake Ontario and, on a clear day, Niagara Falls 90km to the south. The EdgeWalk (an outdoor walk around the outside of the tower at 356m, with no handrails — participants are attached to a safety harness) is one of the most exhilarating experiences in Canada. The 360 Restaurant (at 351m) revolves once every 72 minutes.
Distillery District — Victorian Industrial Charm
The Distillery District is the most atmospheric neighbourhood in Toronto — a beautifully preserved Victorian industrial complex of 44 heritage buildings (the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery, once the largest distillery in the British Empire) converted into galleries, restaurants, bars, shops and performance spaces. The cobblestone streets, red-brick warehouses and cast-iron architecture create an extraordinary atmosphere — particularly in the evening, when the district is lit by gas-style lamps. The Christmas Market (held every November–December) is the most popular in Canada. The TIFF Bell Lightbox (the home of the Toronto International Film Festival) is adjacent.
Kensington Market — The Most Eclectic Neighbourhood in Toronto
Kensington Market is Toronto's most eclectic neighbourhood — a bohemian enclave of Victorian houses, vintage clothing shops, multicultural food stalls, independent cafés, cheese shops, fishmongers and street art, in the heart of downtown Toronto. The neighbourhood has been home to successive waves of immigrants (Jewish, Portuguese, Caribbean, Latin American, South Asian) and retains an extraordinary cultural diversity. The best time to visit is on a Pedestrian Sunday (the last Sunday of each month, May–October, when the streets are closed to cars) — the neighbourhood comes alive with street performers, food vendors and community events.
Royal Ontario Museum — One of North America's Greatest Museums
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is one of the largest and most visited museums in North America — a museum of natural history, world cultures and art, with a collection of over 13 million objects. The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal (a dramatic addition to the original 1914 building, designed by Daniel Libeskind — a series of interlocking prismatic forms clad in aluminium and glass) is one of the most striking pieces of contemporary architecture in Canada. The highlights: the Dinosaur Gallery (one of the finest in the world), the Egyptian Gallery, the Chinese Gallery and the Gallery of Indigenous Art.
TIFF — The Most Important Film Festival in North America
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is the most important film festival in North America — a 10-day festival held every September, screening over 300 films from 80+ countries, with world premieres, red carpet events and industry screenings. TIFF is the launching pad for Oscar season — more Academy Award Best Picture winners have premiered at TIFF than at any other festival. The TIFF Bell Lightbox (in the Entertainment District) is the permanent home of the festival and operates as a year-round cinema and cultural centre. Tickets for public screenings go on sale in August and sell out quickly.
Toronto Islands — A Car-Free Archipelago in the City
The Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands in Lake Ontario, 10 minutes by ferry from downtown Toronto — a car-free, bicycle-friendly archipelago of parks, beaches, lagoons and residential communities, with extraordinary views of the Toronto skyline. Centre Island (the largest) has Centreville Amusement Park (a small theme park for children), the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse (the oldest lighthouse in Ontario, built 1808) and excellent picnic areas. Ward's Island (the most residential) has a charming community of Victorian cottages. The islands are the best place in Toronto to escape the city on a summer day.
Toronto Food Scene — 200 Nationalities, One City
Toronto has the most diverse food scene in North America — a reflection of the city's extraordinary cultural diversity (over 200 nationalities, 50%+ foreign-born population). Every cuisine in the world is represented, often at an extraordinary level of authenticity. The highlights: Chinatown (one of the largest in North America, on Spadina Avenue), Little Italy (College Street), Little Portugal (Dundas Street West), Greektown (Danforth Avenue), Little India (Gerrard Street East), Koreatown (Bloor Street West) and the St Lawrence Market (one of the finest food markets in the world, open Tuesday–Saturday). Toronto's restaurant scene is excellent — from street food to fine dining.
Art Gallery of Ontario — Frank Gehry's Masterpiece
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of the largest art museums in North America — a collection of over 95,000 works of art, housed in a building redesigned by Frank Gehry (a Toronto native) in 2008. The Gehry redesign (Transformation AGO) added a dramatic glass and wood facade on Dundas Street, a new wing for the Canadian collection and the extraordinary Galleria Italia (a 183m long gallery of Douglas fir and glass overlooking Grange Park). The highlights: the Thomson Collection (one of the finest collections of Canadian art in the world), the Henry Moore Sculpture Centre (the largest public collection of Moore's work outside the UK) and the European collection.
Explore Toronto on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
Google Maps embed — add your API key to activate
Set mapEmbedUrl in the destination data to display an interactive map here