In this post we tell you in detail which are the best areas to stay in Toronto , and what you can expect in each of them. The vast majority of these are clustered in the city centre or around it.
The best areas to stay in Toronto
1. Downtown, the best area to stay in Toronto
Downtown is the heart of the city . Many of the main attractions are located here , it is an ideal place for shopping, enjoying good restaurants, and it also has a good range of leisure activities.
To begin with, we must mention the CN Tower, which was completed in 1976 and was 553.3 m high , the tallest free-standing structure in the world until 2007.
Visitors can look out over the city from 1,150 feet up , dine in the revolving restaurant and test their mettle on the tower’s Edgewalk (only suitable for those with a good tolerance for heights).
When you’re walking through Old Toronto, be sure to visit the Royal Ontario Museum, a treasure trove of historical and natural wonders.
Another popular place to visit in the area is the St. Lawrence Market which features over 100 vendors and offers everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats and homemade baked goods to antiques and artisan goods.
After a stroll through the market stalls, why not visit Ripley’s Aquarium , which features 10 different galleries, 450 different species and more than 20,000 aquatic animals?
There’s also the Art Gallery of Ontario , famous for its continuous rotation of top-notch exhibitions.
In downtown Toronto, entertainment is the order of the day, and its offerings include theatre and shows.
For film lovers, the Lightbox, home of the Toronto International Film Festival, offers year-round screenings of independent, blockbuster and classic films. Another must-see address is the impressive Film Reference Library.
Comedy fans won’t want to miss Toronto’s premier comedy club, Second City , which has hosted the likes of Tina Fay, Bill Murray, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell. (Visitors can even sign up for improv workshops and classes.)
And for the most theatre-loving, there is the Winter Garden Theatre , where you can see shows such as The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.
Another attraction of this area is the possibility of shopping. For this you should not miss the exclusive shopping district of Bloor Street , as well as the enormous Eaton Centre shopping centre .
In terms of accommodation, there are many hotels, hostels, and apartments for holiday rental . The offer in all price ranges is wide, however, as it is one of the most popular areas to stay in Toronto, the average is higher than in other neighbourhoods.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN DOWNTOWN
- (€€€) Shangri-La Toronto
- (€€) Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Center
- (€) Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown, an IHG Hotel
You may also like: The 5 Best Luxury Hotels on Times Square in New York
2. Chinatown, a central neighborhood ideal for experiencing the essence of Asia
Founded in 1878, the vibrant Chinatown neighbourhood has an identity all its own and is a perfect area to stay in Toronto for those who, like me, are fans of Asian food and also want to be in the heart of the city.
Here you can explore the rich world of Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, with restaurants ranging from traditional to fusion, and plenty of Asian markets and shops.
Spadina Avenue is full of fresh produce, souvenirs and special herbal remedies, plus plenty of street food stalls for a quick bite to eat along the way.
Chinatown hosts two notable festivals each year: the Toronto Chinatown Festival and the Chinese New Year celebration.
The Toronto Chinatown Festival features traditional and modern Asian dance groups, solo musicians and marching bands, live performances, and all kinds of Asian food, art and fashion.
Although it is possible to find accommodation in Chinatown, the offer is quite limited . This is not a problem since this neighborhood is inserted in the larger area that makes up Downtown, an area with plenty of options.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN TORONTO IN CHINATOWN
- (€) Hotel Ocho
- (€) About The Beverley
- (€) The Alexandra Hotel
3. Financial District & Entertainment District, where to stay in Toronto to go out
Both districts are neighbours and by staying in either one you can enjoy the best of each with a short walk.
The Financial District, one of Canada’s most important financial and business centres , has been one of Toronto’s busiest areas since its relocation from Montreal in the 1960s.
Choosing to stay in Toronto has huge advantages. This centrally located area is close to many major attractions and plenty of clubs, bars and restaurants.
Here visitors can admire the impressive architecture of buildings such as Royal Bank Plaza, Brookfield Place and Union Station , and dine at high-end restaurants.
Visitors to the Financial District won’t want to miss the nearby Hockey Hall of Fame , a fun, family-friendly museum dedicated to the history of ice hockey.
The Entertainment District , on the other hand , is often difficult to know where one ends and the other begins. It is an ideal place to go out to dinner, and then have a few drinks in its many bars or go out dancing until the early hours of the morning.
The entire area comprised of these two neighborhoods is home to a good selection of luxury and boutique hotels , making it the perfect luxury destination during your stay in Toronto.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN ENTERTAINMENT AND THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT
4. Harbourfront, where to stay in Toronto for families
Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Ontario, the Harbourfront area offers stunning views of Toronto and a unique experience for visitors looking to live like a local.
Harbourfront is an especially ideal place to stay in Toronto for families as in addition to being centrally located, the area offers parks, beaches, trails and events to keep all members of the family entertained.
Harbourfront Centre is known as the hub of Toronto’s waterfront, with food, art and music events throughout the year, especially in the warmer seasons.
From this point you will have easy access to boat rentals and ferries that take visitors to the Toronto Islands.
Meanwhile, the pubs and restaurants on the waterfront offer the best views of Lake Ontario.
And for those traveling with children, a must-see attraction is Centreville Amusement Park , which features a petting zoo, a hedge maze, a splash park, a haunted lighthouse, and a charming Edwardian carousel built in 1907.
Another attraction in the area worth visiting is The Power Plant, a contemporary art gallery that turns its artificial pond into a fantastic skating rink.
If your trip coincides with the summer months, you can enjoy one of Harbourfront’s beaches , from the smallest at HTO Park to the largest Sugar Beach (easily recognizable by its bright pink umbrellas).
The Harbourfront area is also popular for cycling and hiking , and tandem and ATV rentals are available on Centre Island.
All of this makes this area one of the best places to stay in Toronto for everyone, but especially for families with children.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN TORONTO ON HARBOURFRONT
- (€€€) Hotel X Toronto by Library Hotel Collection
- (€€) The Westin Harbor Castle, Toronto
- (€€) Radisson Blu Downtown Toronto
5. Yorkville, the best place to stay in Toronto for shopping
Located at the intersection of Yonge and Bloor in downtown Toronto , this neighbourhood is known for its trendy boutiques, cafes and restaurants , and for its “Mink Mile” of Bloor Street, famous for its galleries and design studios.
With its elegant tree-lined streets and charming Victorian mansions, Yorkville offers visitors an exceptionally picturesque experience during their stay in Toronto.
Art lovers and shopping addicts will find Yorkville an area with plenty of appeal. Not only that, there are also some interesting sights to see from a tourist point of view.
The Gardiner Museum , Canada’s national ceramics museum, was established in 1984 and offers a specialized insight into the ceramics-making process as well as its role in various civilizations throughout history.
Shoe devotees won’t want to miss the Bata Shoe Museum , which houses the world’s most extensive and detailed collection of footwear and related objects. It boasts a collection of over 13,000 items spanning nearly 5,000 years of history.
Yorkville Park is particularly interesting. It is designed with different sections that represent the diverse landscapes of Canada,
A special point of interest is the 650-ton rock on display in the park, which comes from the Canadian Shield, a geographic area located in eastern and central Canada and is more than a billion years old.
Yorkville hotels are as stylish and luxurious as the neighborhood itself, and if you don’t mind spending a little extra on your accommodation, you’ll definitely enjoy the area.
Recommended hotels in Yorkville