Sie ist eine der vielseitigsten Städte Nordamerikas: Toronto! Kanadas Metropole am Lake Ontario ist die ideale Destination für Foodies, Kultur- und Kunstliebhaber sowie Outdoor-Fans.
© Shutterstock
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Travel Tip Toronto – Why a City Trip to Canada Is Worth Your Time

It is one of the most versatile cities in North America: Toronto! Canada's metropolis on Lake Ontario is the ideal destination for foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, and culture and art lovers.

April 13, 2022


As of April 1, 2022, the entry requirements for Canada have relaxed - fully vaccinated people no longer have to present a negative Corona test. Reason enough to finally travel to North America again and not only explore the breathtaking wilderness, but also to make a detour to the largest city in the country: Toronto.

Located in the Golden Horseshoe, on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario, Canada's economic center offers a variety of activities and excursions. Impressive skyscrapers, which can even be seen from Niagara Falls on a clear day, line up with green parks and recreational facilities. Art and culture lovers as well as gourmands will not be disappointed by Toronto. 

Toronto: Canada's multifaceted big city on Lake Ontario. © Daniel Novykov

Where to eat: Toronto's global cuisine

Toronto, thanks to many waves of immigration and its convenient location on Lake Ontario, boasts an extremely multicultural collection of restaurants, cafes, street food stalls and bars. Whether you stray to Chinatown and enjoy outstanding Cantonese or Szechuan cuisine or the best pasta in town in Little Italy, it is up to each person.

R & D

Traditional Chinese dishes with a modern twist are served at "R & D" in Chinatown. Must-try: The tender Peking duck is brined, blanched and dry-aged for two weeks at this upscale establishment before landing on the plates of expectant diners.
rdspadina.com 

Miss Thing's

Cool interior in tropical retro-Hawaii look, delicious Polynesian food and the best Tiki drinks: Miss Thing's is the place to be for trendsetters.
missthings.com 

Gusto 101

Italo fans will find what they are looking for in the heart of downtown Toronto: "Gusto 101" serves southern Italian classics from the creative kitchen of Jane Zuccarini over several floors.
gusto101.com 

Where to Stay in Toronto

Luxurious design, the highest level of comfort and the best service make the Four Seasons Toronto in lively Yorkville one of the city's top addresses. Those looking to relax after a long day in the exciting metropolis can head to the spa and treat themselves to a massage. The Four Seasons also knows how to impress on the culinary front with French dishes and excellent wine at Café Boulud. 

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
60 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 0A4, Canada
Tel.: +1 416-964-0411
Web: fourseasons.com
Price: Double room from € 478,-/night for 2 persons

Luxury meets design: At the Four Seasons, business travelers feel just as comfortable as tourists. © Four Seasons Toronto

Top 12 things to do in Toronto

1. shopping in Yonge Street

Yonge Street begins on the shore of Lake Ontario in Toronto and extends - if you count its perimeter as Highway 11 - over 1,896 kilometers to the province in the north of the state. It is thus not only one of the city's main arterials, but also one of the longest roads in the world. Yonge Street is home to numerous attractions, such as the Hockey Hall of Fame, Dundas Square and the Eaton Centre shopping mall.

2. of castles and kings: Casa Loma

The "House on the hill" is undoubtedly one of Toronto's most beautiful attractions. Built in 1914, the castle-like mansion, once the home of Sir Henry Pellatt, is now a Museum. In addition to classic cars, historical collections, art and photography exhibitions, visitors to the Casa Loma can also linger at a steakhouse and a restaurant. And at special events such as candlelight concerts or high tea, you can experience the venerable atmosphere in the castle in an incomparable way.
casaloma.ca 

The famous Casa Loma in Toronto was built in the neo-Gothic style in the early 20th century. © Shutterstock

3. visit Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

It's not just families who spend hours of wonder here: At Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, you can observe more than 20,000 marine and freshwater creatures from around the world in around 5.7 million liters of water.
ripleyaquariums.com

Under the Sea: Ripley's Aquarium of Canada showcases the world's marine life. © Shutterstock

4. art, culture and history in Toronto's museums

Canada's largest city is brimming with outstanding museums: lovers of multi-faceted footwear should visit the Bata Shoe Museum, the only one of its kind in all of Canada. In the Royal Ontario Museum you will need a little more time: Over six million exhibits from all over the world, from art and culture to nature, comprise the largest as well as most visited museum in the country. The Art Gallery of Ontario is also really impressive: In addition to the 9,000 artworks, the architecture of the 45,000-square-foot gallery catches visitors' eyes.

The Ontario Art Gallery attracts visitors not only with great artworks, but also with outstanding architecture. © Nick Hillier

5. boat tour on Lake Ontario

In the language of the Wyandot, "Ontario" means something like "Great Lake". Although it is the smallest of the Great Lakes in terms of surface area, the view from a boat tour of Lake Ontario is magnificent. If you visit the recreational area of the Toronto Islands off the coast, you can see the entire skyline of the megacity. In addition, beaches, yacht clubs and extensive parklands invite visitors to linger. If you fancy a long round trip with an impressive destination, you can reach Niagara Falls within ten hours.

Toronto's impressive skyline from Lake Ontario: a great photo motif. © Rodolfo Flores

6. a trip to Niagara Falls 

The water masses of Niagara Falls plunge more than 57 meters into the depths, thundering an incredible 2.2 million liters of water per second into the Niagara River every day. An absolutely impressive sight. The falls are divided by two islands, Luna Island and Goat Island; the Horseshoe Falls section is on the Canadian side. People have been making pilgrimages to this natural spectacle since the 1800s - visitors to Toronto, who can reach the falls in around two hours, should not miss the opportunity either.

The roaring waters of Niagara Falls - which, by the way, are not a UNESCO World Heritage Site - between the U.S. and Canada are just a hop, skip and a jump from Toronto. © Ivan Torres

7. culinary world tour in Kensington Market

The eclectic trendy district of Kensington Market beckons with its multicultural charm - and diverse gourmet offerings! Numerous cultures have turned the former immigrant quarter into a lively meeting place for city travelers and foodies. Cafés, restaurants, small stores and boutiques - Kensington Market has something for every taste. Small snacks like fish and chips at Fresco's Fish & Chips meet Spanish delicacies at Pancho's Bakery or vegetarian specialties from King's Café. 

8. an EdgeWalk at the CN Tower

That's right: Toronto's iconic tower, towering over the city skyline, not only holds a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Adrenaline junkies venture out to the far edge of the building on the EdgeWalk, circling it without holding on with their hands, secured with harnesses - 116 stories between the daredevils and solid ground. This makes the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower the highest, hands-free walk around the world. Read more here..

The EdgeWalk atop Toronto's CN Tower should require a head for heights. © Harrison Haines

9. recreation in Toronto's parks

From Toronto Island Park to Queen's Park to the sprawling High Park, Toronto is home to more than 1,500 green spaces. One of them is even a national park: Rouge National Urban Park is 22 times the size of New York's Central Park. The oval-shaped Queen's Park or the approximately 160-hectare High Park are also particularly beautiful. Without a doubt, there's enough space to turn your back on the hustle and bustle of the city and head out into the countryside for a picnic or a long walk.

Breathe easy and relax in Toronto's sprawling High Park. © Shutterstock

10. refreshing sight: Steam Whistle Brewery

If you love Pilsner-style beer and trains, you should stop by the Steam Whistle Brewery. It's just a stone's throw away from the CN Tower in a former engine shed. The name, by the way, comes from the two steam whistles in and on the roof of the building. A tour of the brewery is worthwhile, as is a cold pilsner in the beer garden.
steamwhistle.ca

11. Visit Toronto's trendy district Queen west

Shopaholics, trendsetters, musicians and art fans are best off heading to Queen West: The neighborhood near the harbor at the western end of Queen Street is Toronto's cultural center for Canadian radio; the music, performance and fashion scene. Those who enjoy the diverse cultural offerings here should definitely make a detour to the colorful Graffiti Alley, which runs parallel.

Instagram hotspot in Toronto: graffiti alley. © Nadine Shaaban

12. Insta- and Trainspotting in Union Station

A station that is more than just Toronto's public transportation hub: Union Station, with its impressive entrance, a neoclassical colonnade, has been a historic landmark since 1975. There, travelers will find not only their connecting trains, but also events, art exhibitions, shopping and dining options. Plus, the impressive building is great for quick Insta snapshots.
torontounion.ca

A must-see: the imposing Union Station in Toronto. © Shawn

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