Toronto holidays take you to the heart of a welcoming, energetic city that truly has it all.
Perched at the edge of the enchanting Lake Ontario, it's a destination where you'll find the perfect blend of urban adventure and relaxing break.
Toronto's busy downtown mixes charmingly preserved period buildings from Canada’s colonial era with modern skyscrapers, such as the famous CN Tower.
This cosmopolitan city has a thriving arts and culture scene with a string of top museums and galleries, including the stunning Art Gallery of Ontario which was redesigned by acclaimed Ontario-born architect Frank Gehry.
A diverse culinary offering and lively nightlife adds to the mix, while there are plenty of parks along with beaches and waterfront trails on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Find your perfect trip to ‘Tee-Oh’ with Toronto holiday packages from Etihad.
Holidays in Toronto offer the perfect mix of city buzz and outdoor fun. From the death-defying EdgeWalk to the majestic Niagara Falls, this is a place of both natural and manmade wonders.
At 1,814 feet (553 metres), the CN Tower was once the world’s tallest structure (it’s now the ninth).
Make your way up this communications tower to the observation deck, where you’ll have unrivalled views of Toronto’s skyscraper sprinkled skyline and the twinkling waters of Lake Ontario.
While you’re here, indulge in a meal at the revolving restaurant or, if you’re feeling really brave, take the EdgeWalk.
Just as the name suggests, this involves a hair-raising journey around the outside of the tower (with ropes, of course).
Lake Ontario and the surrounding trails and parks are a must for Toronto city breaks.
In the winter, the lake freezes and is often safe for ice-skating (and if it’s not, there are several rinks around Toronto).
In summer, the Waterfront Trail will take you along the full length of the city.
Chill out by relaxing on lakeside beaches, take a dip in the water or hire a paddleboard and explore the lake’s islands.
The world-famous Niagara Falls is just a two-hour drive away around Lake Ontario, making this an easy – and unforgettable – day trip as part of your Toronto holiday.
Consider taking a boat cruise to get up close to the breathtaking trio of waterfalls and experience a different perspective as you travel behind the cascading water. There’s also a range of other attractions for all ages, including theme parks and historic sights, plus a good choice of hotels and restaurants.
The charming Distillery District is one of the most vibrant parts of Toronto’s downtown.
Built in the 19th century, the historic buildings in this pedestrianised district are home to some of the city’s best restaurants.
It’s also the perfect place to take memorable pictures of the well-preserved buildings that hark back to Toronto's past. In the warmer months, it’s a great area to spend an afternoon people-watching outside a café.
You’ll also find numerous small galleries and craft shops – ideal if you’d like to pick up a souvenir to take home.
St Lawrence Market is the perfect place to discover the best of Toronto’s food scene all in one place.
You’ll find an enticing mix of fresh produce, food stallss and restaurants, and you can even take cooking classes. Drop by on a Sunday for the buzzing farmer’s market. There are also craft stalls and antique shops, perfect for finding unique gifts. It’s all indoors, so you can browse in comfort whatever the weather’s like outside.
Beautiful lake views make a stay in Toronto’s harbourfront an enticing option.
This area is within walking distance of downtown, so it’s perfect if you want to make the most of both lake and city. The Radisson Admiral Hotel offers excellent accommodation for families and couples.
Select spacious rooms (some overlook Lake Ontario) and enjoy an outstanding swimming pool with views of the CN Tower.
For Toronto city breaks in summer, the area known as The Beaches is a fantastic place to stay.
This notable neighbourhood has four lake beaches, making it ideal if you want to mix sightseeing with sunbathing and swimming during your visit. Though it’s walking distance from downtown, it feels a world away, with relaxed vibes and serene views.
Toronto has several distinct districts and Little Italy is one of the most attractive.
Just a little way out of the city centre, it has a busy cafe culture – just like any Italian city. If you’re looking to stay somewhere relaxed and friendly, perhaps for a family holiday in Toronto, Little Italy is the perfect option.
It’s away from the busy streets of downtown without being too far out of the action.
The local currency is the Canadian dollar. There are plenty of ATMs across the city and major debit and credit cards are widely accepted.
Jump in a taxi or use Toronto’s streetcar, bus and subway systems. You can also make use of the city's popular bikeshare scheme.
Just over half of Toronto’s residents have English as their first language. French is the most common other language you'll hear spoken.
Canada has a number of national public holidays, but Ontario also celebrates Victoria Day (the penultimate Monday in May) and Family Day (the third Monday in February).
It’s thought that the first people to live in the Toronto area arrived around 800 years ago. They lived by hunting deer and elk in the forests, and fishing in Lake Ontario.
In the 18th century, explorers from Britain and France arrives and fought for possession of the city (as they did elsewhere in Canada). British rule began in 1760, with the city then named Fort York. It was renamed Toronto in 1834 and began to grow significantly in the mid-19th century as the port and railway were developed.
Many of the historic buildings you'll see during your holiday to Toronto date from that period.
Toronto is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Like the rest of Canada, it combines influences from British and French colonists with the culture of its indigenous people.
It’s also influenced by the US, with the border running through Lake Ontario, and from others who have come from across the world to make their home in this charming corner of Canada. About half the population are from a minority group, with large numbers of Asian, Middle Eastern and European immigrants.
This melting pot of cultures has certainly left its mark on the city’s thriving food and arts scenes.
The food in Toronto reflects its multicultural, multi-national make up. This is a cosmopolitan city and the range of cuisines on offer is huge.
Of course, there are Canadian and Toronto specialities to enjoy as well. Montreal might be the spiritual home of poutine, but it’s ubiquitous throughout Toronto too – try this addictive mix of fries with gravy and cheese curds at Poutini's House of Poutine. There’s a large Chinese population in Toronto, which adds even more variety to the local cuisine.
Dumplings and dim sum are reliably excellent throughout the city, and you can expect queues at the very best – look out for Skyview Fusion Cuisine and the two branches of Ding Tai Fung.
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