Toronto Holidays

City breaks to Toronto dish out lofty skyscrapers with a hefty side-order of history and culture.

City breaks to Toronto

Toronto’s one of Canada’s A-listers. It’s the country’s biggest city, plonked along Lake Ontario’s northwest shoreline. The city’s skyscraper-jammed facade will grab your attention as soon as you pull up. But behind the cloud-tickling towers, there’s a melting pot of cultures and more than 200 years of history to get your teeth into.

Colourful culture

Around half of Toronto’s residents were born outside of Canada, making it one of the most diverse cities on the planet. Luckily for you, that means there’s a whole bunch of cultures to dive into. Hop between Little Italy, Greek Town and China Town for a peek at the different markets and restaurants on offer. Then, toddle over to the super-multicultural Kensington Market for a taste of authentic street food and a nosey around the smattering of vintage shops.

Sky-high sights

The CN Tower pokes its head above the rest of the city’s skyline. It houses the highest observation deck in the western hemisphere, so it serves up widescreen views left, right and centre. If you’ve not got a head for heights, stay grounded with a ride on Toronto’s iconic streetcar, instead. It takes you through all the must-see neighbourhoods, so you’ll be able to tick plenty of landmarks off your sightseeing list.

On the water

Thanks to its lakeside setting, Toronto’s not short in the waterfront views department. You can soak up the scenery on a stroll along one of its waterside paths, or whizz over to Toronto Island Park on a ferry. There’s a stellar line-up of beaches, piers and gardens here, so you’ll have plenty of spots to pick from if you fancy flaking out for a bit. And when it’s time to stretch your legs, you can stomp along forest trails and saunter around teeny island villages.

At a glance

Gawp at the city’s skyline from the observation deck at the CN Tower
Flake out on a beach by the shore of Lake Ontario
Chow down on international street grub in Kensington Market

Lakeside beaches

Toronto’s got a top-rate collection of beaches, from tucked-away spots on Toronto Island to bigger sweeps of sand on the doorstep of the city centre. And Lake Ontario’s a corker – it’s so massive that in places, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were looking out to sea.
The big beach

One of Toronto’s most visited beaches is Woodbine Beach in the east of the city. It’s a piece of cake to get to, thanks to a bus stop five minutes’ toddle away. As for the sand, it’s edged by a wooden boardwalk and a bunch of shady trees, and there’s a volleyball court to boot.
The secret beach

If you’re hoping to dodge the crowds, make a beeline for Gibraltar Beach. It’s over on Toronto Islands, so you’ll need to hop on a ferry to get there. But once you’re on the other side, it’s just a minute’s stroll away. The sand comes with loads of sunbathing space and plenty of trees for shade.

Bargain Buys

Bargain Buys
If you’re in the market for a cheap and cheerful lunch, hightail it over to St Lawrence Market. It’s one of the city’s street food hotspots, and was once dubbed the world’s best food market. It’s worth a look for the historic building alone – this place was previously home to Toronto’s first permanent city hall and jailhouse.
Mid-Range Buys

Mid-Range Buys
The Toronto Eaton Centre’s one of the city’s top shopping spots – it’s home to high street faves like H&M, Levis and Sephora. And it’s a smart choice on a rainy day, as it’s connected to the Toronto PATH underground network of shops.
Designer Buys

Designer Buys
Sometimes only the best will do. And if you’re after a designer treat, look no further than Bloor-Yorkville – Toronto’s answer to Fifth Avenue. Here, the likes of Gucci, Chanel and Tiffany jostle for your attention.

Laid-back evenings

Laidback evenings
If your idea of a night on the town consists of a few drinks in an Irish pub and cocktail-tasting in a nearby bar, toddle over to the Little Italy district. It’s known for its laidback bars, and loads of them serve up late-night grub, too.
Lively evenings

Lively evenings
The King West district was once an industrial area, packed with warehouses. These days, it’s one of the city’s swankiest spots – think rooftop bars and posh cocktail lounges. There are plenty of clubs here, too, if you fancy a boogie.

Peameal bacon sandwich

This simple sandwich tops loads of lists of must-try foods in Toronto. Think grilled bacon wedged inside a soft bun. It’s usually served plain – to bring out the bacon’s salty, smoky flavour – but you can pop a squeeze of mustard on top if you fancy it.
Bagels

Bagels are one of Toronto’s breakfast staples – you’ll spot them in bakeries and cafés all over the place. The Montreal-style bagel – with cream cheese – is a firm favourite for a mid-morning snack.
East Indian roti

This simple stuffed flatbread comes with your pick of filling – from Indian cheese to hearty spinach and potato. It’s a twist on the classic west Indian favourite, and the people of Toronto can’t get enough of it.
Smoked meat sandwiches

Smoked meat’s everywhere on Toronto’s street food scene – usually in sandwich form. Order one of these, and you can expect to be handed a massive helping of succulent, sliced meat and a dollop of mustard, squeezed between two slices of bread.
The Caesar cocktail

If you like a Bloody Mary, you’ll love this cocktail. It’s a concoction of clam-infused tomato juice, Worcester sauce, hot sauce and vodka. Some places slap it in a big glass with ice and a lime wedge, while others push the boat out with toppings like lobster tails and fried chicken skewers.