10 BEST Sightseeing Tours in Toronto (+Our Review!)

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Toronto is a really fun and vibrant city with a TON of fantastic things to do, from discovering its history and natural beauty to trying out global cuisines at the diverse Kensington Market. We visit Toronto all the time, but we still end up trying out new tours whenever we’re in the city because there are just so many great ones available! 

Whether you want to explore Toronto on foot, on a bike, or by bus or boat, there’s a fun sightseeing tour out there. We know all of the top tour companies and we understand what makes a great tour here. So if you’re ready to see this incredible city, read on for our top 10 picks for sightseeing tours in Toronto. 

Best Sightseeing Tours in Toronto

1. Best of Toronto Small-Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise

If you want a comprehensive tour of Toronto to really get to know the city, then you can’t go wrong with this top-rated small-group tour. You get a guided driving tour of Toronto’s top sights, such as Dundas Square, Nathan Phillips Square, and Queen’s Park, not to mention fantastic views from the CN Tower observation deck! 

There are other fun stops along the way, too, such as free time to explore the St. Lawrence Market, which is one of our favorite places to hang out (especially when it’s raining in Toronto). This market is where Toronto locals come to eat, and there’s an almost overwhelming amount of delicious food available.

The St. Lawrence Market is closed on Sunday and Monday, though. If you book the tour for one of these days, then you’ll explore the equally awesome Distillery District instead. Here, you’ll enjoy independent boutiques, Victorian architecture, and talented buskers. 

During the summer months, the tour also includes a harbor cruise. This is so much fun and gives you scenic views of the skyline. In winter, you’ll visit Casa Loma instead, which is a Gothic Revival castle with lots of interesting historic exhibits and beautiful gardens. That’s a win-win in our eyes! 

This is a small group tour with a maximum of 9 travelers. It’s a really friendly and welcoming experience, and you get to learn so much more about the city this way. We think that this tour is a fantastic introduction to Toronto, and it’s one of those tours that’s suitable for pretty much everybody, whether you’re traveling alone, as a couple, or with friends and family!

This tour starts at 8:30 am or 9 am. It lasts for 4 hours, so you’ll still have the afternoon to fit in some more Toronto activities. It’s available daily and costs $189 CAD per person, with pickup and dropoff from downtown Toronto included. 

This tour is very popular and sells out quickly, so make sure you reserve your spot in advance here.

2. Downtown Toronto Bike Tour

We loved this bike tour of Downtown Toronto for so many reasons! Bike tours are always a great way to cover a lot of ground while enjoying the open air. Plus, we ended up discovering so many new places to visit during our time in the city. 

The tour route covers all of the must-see attractions downtown, such as City Hall, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the CN Tower, Chinatown, and Kensington Market. We even got to stop at St. Lawrence Market for a snack, so remember to bring some cash with you!

However, our favorite thing about the tour was that our guide was a seasoned local who shared so many fun stories about the city. We got a great insight into what it’s like to live in Toronto nowadays, and we also got some great pointers on where to eat in the city, so that alone made it worth it! The tour is in English, but there are options for Spanish and French too depending on the day.

Thankfully, the bikes on this tour are comfortable, and the cycling is easy. There are a few busy roads, but Toronto is a very bike-friendly city, and you’ll be in a small group, so there’s no danger of being left behind. In fact, one of our favorite things about this tour was that there was a maximum of 12 people, so it felt friendly and personal. We also got granola bars to snack on along the way. 

We loved this tour because it provided us with such a great introduction to the city. We’d definitely recommend it, especially during your first few days here. It costs $102 CAD per person and lasts for 3.5 hours, which is the perfect amount of time to get a lay of the land. You can meet your guide at the pickup point at 9 am or 1 pm on any day of the week, so it’s really easy to fit into your Toronto itinerary. 

You can reserve this tour now with free cancellation offered up to 24 hours before.

3. City Sightseeing Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

I always love hop-on hop-off tours because they give you the flexibility to explore at your own pace, without having to figure out any logistics yourself. On this tour, you get to ride around Toronto on an open-top bus while enjoying guided commentary and exploring the sites that most interest you. 

A few of our favorite stops where you can jump off the bus and explore include St. Lawrence Market, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the CN Tower, Casa Loma, and the Entertainment District – but there’s so much more and the choice is yours! Toronto really is your oyster with this tour. 

The first tour of the day departs at 9 am and buses come every 27 minutes, so you can take as long or as little as you like to explore! You can do the full circuit without getting off the bus in 2 hours and 15 minutes, but if you want to check out as many stops as possible, this tour could easily fill the entire day. It’s also an efficient way to see it all if you’re only in Toronto for a couple of days. 

A 24-hour bus pass costs $69 CAD. This price doesn’t include entry to any of the attractions you pass by. However, you do get some special discounts with your ticket on attractions, as well as local cafes and restaurants. There’s live English commentary and they provide headphones with audio commentary in multiple languages.  

This tour is available year-round, and it’s a very fun and flexible way to see Toronto. We would recommend this one for those who want to get to know the city but have more flexibility and independence than a guided sightseeing tour would afford. 

You can reserve your sightseeing bus pass here now and pay later.

Related Read: If you want to squeeze a trip to NYC into your itinerary, read our guide on how to spend one day in New York City.

4. Kensington Market – Toronto’s Neighborhood International Food Tour

We can’t get enough of Kensington Market! It’s home to so much delicious food from all over the world, and this food tour allows you to sample the tastiest, must-try dishes. Plus, you get to skip all the lines, so there’s no waiting around at the most popular spots! 

The guides on this tour are so friendly and will share lots of fun stories about Kensington Market with you. This neighborhood is a true melting pot of cultures, so its history is super interesting to hear about. You’ll be full to the brim after trying food from every corner of the globe, from Tibet and Jamaica to Chile and Sweden. It’s fascinating to see just how many cultures coexist in this one area. 

Kensington Market is also home to lots of really vibrant street art, and your guide will point out the eye-catching murals to you as you explore. 

You’ll be ready to burst after enjoying all of the delicious food on this tour (we loved everything from the Toronto bagels to the Tibetan momos). Your guide will also share recommendations for some of the sit-down restaurants if you want to come back here later on in your trip. We’ve tried a lot of food tours in Toronto, and we think this one is such a great way to get acquainted with one of Toronto’s most interesting and lively areas. 

This tour costs $107 CAD per person, and it runs daily, except for some Tuesdays during the winter. It leaves at 11 am, just in time for lunch, right in front of Nu Bügel, and we definitely recommend that you arrive hungry! It is a walking tour, but you’ll end up just a 5-minute walk from the starting point.

For the tastiest way to explore Toronto, book this tour here.

5. Show me the City! Toronto Walking Tour

If you want to explore the city on foot, this walking tour is a fantastic way to see both the top sights and some hidden gems. You’ll visit the St. Lawrence Market and get some top recommendations. You’ll hear stories about the famous Rogers Centre baseball stadium, snap photos outside of the CN Tower, and explore the beautiful harborfront. 

Your guide will also take you inside Brookfield Place, which many visitors miss since it’s an office complex, but it’s actually really beautiful inside, with high glass arches. We were able to take some incredible photos here.

You’ll also be shown the PATH underground network, which is an underground walkway spanning 30 kilometers (18 miles), and is full of cool shops and restaurants. This is a bit of a game-changer when it comes to getting around Toronto as the network also connects a lot of public transport within the city. We think it’s really useful to have your guide explain it and show you how to find your way around. 

The guides are super knowledgeable and know the city well, so you get to hear a local’s perspective on life in Toronto and its history. This tour is well paced and there’s a maximum of 10 people per group, so it feels very personal and you get to see a lot of the city in just 3 hours. 

This tour runs every day except Monday and you’ll meet your guide near Roy Thomas Hall at 1 pm to get started. It finished just in front of St. Lawrence Market, so you can continue exploring there if you’d like. It’s a fantastic way of getting around the city, and at $50 CAD, we also think it’s a pretty budget-friendly way of seeing the sights! 

Spots fill up quickly, so make sure you book this tour in advance here.

6. 7-Minute Helicopter Tour over Toronto

Taking a helicopter tour over Toronto is one of the best things that we’ve ever done in the city! And although helicopter flights are on the pricey side, taking this 7-minute flight makes the experience a lot more affordable. 

The flight path is around 14 kilometers (9 miles) long, so you get to see a lot of Toronto in just 7 minutes, and the city looks spectacular from above. Toronto actually has the second highest concentration of skyscrapers in North America after – you guessed it – New York City, so flying over it is a really amazing experience. We loved it! 

As well as the city skyline, you’ll also see the scenic harborfront and the pretty Toronto Islands. The views are spectacular, and it’s just amazing to see so much all in one go. This is a fantastic way to sightsee if you’re short on time, but even if you have plenty of time in Toronto, there’s not much that can beat a helicopter ride. 

The tour costs $149 CAD per person, and you can have between 2 to 3 people in your group. It runs every day except Monday and Tuesday. There are lots of flight times available so this short and sweet tour is easy to fit in. It leaves from Billy Bishop Airport, which you can get to via a pedestrian tunnel or with a free 90-second ferry ride (one of the shortest in the world!).

Go ahead and book this incredible experience for yourself here.

7. Toronto Custom Private Walking Tour of Hidden Gems

If you’re looking for a customizable private tour, this walking tour goes above and beyond. The guides make sure that you get to check off all of your must-see sights and discover some delightful new gems! 

You’re truly in control of this tour. You can select how long you want it to be as there are multiple lengths of time available, from 3 to 8 hours. Then, after booking, you’ll be sent a questionnaire to fill out so that your guide can tailor the experience to your interests. You can delve deep into the city’s history, discover Toronto’s coolest markets, visit trendy neighborhoods to pick up vintage fashion finds, check out the city’s beaches, or do a bit of everything! 

One of the biggest concerns travelers often have about big group tours is that they’re too generic, so you might not be able to visit places that appeal to you individually. But with this private experience, you don’t need to worry about that. You get the best of both worlds – you get to go wherever you want, but you still have a local guide to show you around, plan the route, and make everything super easy. 

Prices per person for this tour vary a lot depending on how many people you have in your group, and how long you want it to last. For example, the cost of the 3-hour tour ranges between $70 CAD and $130 CAD per person, or $140 CAD and $219 CAD for an 8-hour tour. If you’ve got a big group, we think that this is a very good price for a private, fully customized tour! 

You can check out all the options and book your personalized private tour here.

8. 1-Hour Toronto Harbour Tour with Live Narration

One of my favorite ways to take in the beauty of Toronto’s impressive skyline is from a boat cruise around the harbor. This 1-hour tour not only offers you fantastic views, but you’ll also get commentary from the captain along the way. They’ll tell you all about the sights you’re seeing and share fun stories and facts about Toronto. 

Some of the highlights you’ll see from the water on this cruise include the CN Tower and the Rogers Center, but you’ll also sail near the Toronto Islands and see the pretty Hanlan’s Point Beach. The Toronto Islands are such a unique part of the city so we like that the captain tells you more about this quirky island network. It’s a great way to see it if you haven’t got time to visit while you’re here! 

This experience is short and sweet at just an hour long. It doesn’t involve any walking, so it’s perfect for travelers of all ages. It’s a very relaxing way to sightsee, and kids find it exciting, so this is a great option for families. Plus, at $31 CAD per person, it’s a pretty affordable thing to do in Toronto. 

This tour runs from May until the end of October, so you can only do this during the summer in Toronto. Trust us, it would be way too cold during the winter anyway. Departing from Queens Quay, boats leave every hour from 11 am until 4 pm, so it’s easy to find a time that suits you. 

You can book this 1-hour tour online here!

Related Read: A NYC harbor cruise is also a great way to see the US city’s iconic skyline.

9. Walking Tour of Toronto’s Kensington Market and Chinatown

This walking tour combines two of Toronto’s coolest and most dynamic neighborhoods – Kensington Market and Chinatown. It’s a small group tour with a maximum of 12 people, and the entertaining local guides make sure that you get the most out of both areas.

First, you’ll explore Kensington Market to check out the street art, vintage boutiques, specialty food stores, and yummy restaurants that sell food from every continent! Only small, local businesses are welcome here, as Nike discovered after their disastrous attempt to open a store. Your guide will teach you about the neighborhood’s fascinating history and the different waves of immigration that have shaped it. I also love that you get tons of recommendations on where to shop and eat.

After that, it’s onto Chinatown! You’ll discover how the area came to be and stop off at a local cafe for a pastry and a snack. There’s so much going on in this bustling neighborhood, so it pays to go with a guide who can help you navigate and make sure that you don’t miss out on any of its hidden gems. 

Kensington Market and Chinatown both feel very different from downtown Toronto, As such, this tour is a fantastic opportunity to see a different side of the city and discover how diverse it is.

This tour costs $79 CAD per person and runs every day except Monday. Or, if you prefer, there’s also a private option for $110 CAD per person for 2 people. The price goes down as you add additional people and works out cheaper per person if you have a group of 4 or more people.

The tour leaves from a meeting point at 10 am and lasts for 3 hours. It ends not too far away in Chinatown, so you can always head back to one of the many restaurants your guide will recommend for lunch. 

This tour is very popular so make sure you book your spot in advance (you can always cancel up to 24 hours in advance!).

10. Original Haunted Walk – a Toronto Ghost Tour

We love taking ghost tours because they’re such a fun and kooky way to discover a different side of the city’s history. This haunted walking tour teaches you all of the history that you won’t find in the official guidebooks, as you discover supernatural sites and hear creepy stories about things that go bump in the night. 

On this tour, you’ll hear about grisly crimes, spooky mysteries, and ghostly tales from a practiced storyteller guide. I love that this tour provides humor and drama in equal measure. You get to hear about the darker side of some of Toronto’s best-known attractions such as the Hockey Hall of Fame and the St. Lawrence Market. If you like your ghost tours dark and creepy like we do, you’ll love this tour!

This tour is a really fun experience, and it’s a must for fans of true crime and spooky stories. It’s also one of the most affordable sightseeing tours in Toronto at $30 CAD per person. Plus, it’s a small group tour with a maximum of 12 people.

The tour leaves at 8 pm from outside the Hockey Hall of Fame, and it lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes. It ends at Mackenzie House, which is the city’s most haunted building! Tours run daily during the summer but the schedule does change during the winter, so check beforehand if you’re interested in doing this tour during the winter months.  

To discover the spooky, dark side of Toronto, book this ghostly walking tour online here.

Where to Stay in Toronto

Let’s face it, Toronto is a huge city with practically endless options when it comes to hotels. But, not all hotels are created equal – you want to ensure you book a place with an amazing location and even better amenities, which narrows down your choices.

I’ve handpicked some of the best places to stay in the city – the below hotels all have an ideal central location as well as everything you need to have a comfortable stay!

If you’re looking for more info about where to stay in Toronto, be sure to read our blog. It includes detailed info on the best area to stay, how to get from the airport to your hotel, and the top hotels!

Luxury stay – $$$

The Fairmont Royal York Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in Toronto. With its historic ballroom, beautiful rooms, and a gorgeous skylit indoor pool, you’ll have to force yourself to leave and explore the city! But once you do, you’re steps from Union Station, so getting around via public transport is really easy. It also means that you can take the train from the airport directly to the hotel! 

The Hockey Hall of Fame is two blocks away, and you’re also about a 20-minute walk from both the waterfront and the Distillery District. Rooms usually start from around $500-$600 CAD per night and you can check availability and book the Fairmont Royal York online here!

Moderately-priced boutique hotel – $$

The SoHo Hotel is an excellent choice for anybody looking for a centrally located hotel that is just stunning. This hotel is located only a short walk from attractions like the CN Tower, and it also has plenty of nice facilities including a lap pool and fitness center. Oh, and did I mention the rooms have heated bathroom floors?!

Room rates typically range from $300 CAD and up. The SoHo is one of the highest-rated hotels in Toronto, so be sure to book online here well in advance to secure your room.

Moderately-priced full apartments – $$

If you’re looking for a home away from home, then One King West Hotel and Residences might be the best choice for you. Although a hotel, this property features fully self-contained apartments complete with a kitchen. This is perfect if you like to cook some of your own meals. On top of that, the location is ideal and you’ll also find a fitness center and onsite bar and restaurant.

For an entire apartment in Toronto, prices start at about $330 CAD. You can check availability and book online here.

Budget hotel – $

You don’t have to spend a small fortune to stay in Toronto. If you’re on a tighter budget, Town Inn Suites Hotel is the best choice for you. Starting from only $170 CAD per night (in the low season), this centrally located hotel is tastefully decorated and features plenty of amenities. Rooms also feature a kitchenette, which comes in very handy. You can check prices and secure your room online here.

Budget hostel – $

The Samesun Toronto is the perfect choice for backpackers or solo travelers wanting to meet others. The hostel has a great location as well as communal spaces (including a huge kitchen) where you can relax. They offer both dorm beds as well as budget private rooms, but bathrooms are all shared.

You can grab a dorm bed for less than $100 CAD per night during peak season. You can book the Samesun Toronto online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.

Thanks for reading!

In a city as big as Toronto, taking a sightseeing tour can help you make sure that you don’t miss any of the highlights. Plus, there are options for every interest from food tours to bike tours and ghost tours, so you’re sure to find something you enjoy!

Before your trip, be sure to check out our other blogs about Canada. We’ve linked to a few of our favorite posts below:

How to Spend a Weekend in Toronto

The 3 BEST Niagara Falls Tours from Montreal

50 BEST Things to do in Vancouver, Canada

10 Absolute EASIEST Hikes in Banff (with EPIC Views!)