Toronto is one of those cities that I had no expectations of the first time I visited, but boy, was I pleasantly surprised! It’s such a dynamic melting pot of cultures, landmarks, manmade and natural beauty, and plenty of vibrant bars and restaurants.
Whether you’re a complete newbie or a local looking to uncover your new favorite hangout spot, taking a tour is the perfect way to experience everything it has to offer.
From the all-encompassing views of the CN Tower to the lively streets of Kensington Market, I’ve gone ahead and reviewed the 5 best Toronto city tours currently out there today. I know you’re eager to get started, so let’s jump right in!
Be sure to see our reviews of Niagara Falls Tours From Toronto and Toronto Food Tours.
Best Tours of Toronto City
Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise | Toronto: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour | Toronto Small Group Night Tour with CN Tower | |
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Departure: | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | 1 Dundas St E, Toronto | Hotel pickup and drop-off included |
Start: | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 7:30 PM |
Duration: | 4 hours | 7 hours | 2.5 hours |
Includes: | Guided driving tour of Dundas Square, Queen’s Park and Nathan Phillips Square, Admission to Toronto Harbour Cruise, stop at St. Lawrence Market, small-group tour | 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour, stops near major sights, live guide in English or audio guide in 9 languages | Transportation, fully guided tour of Toronto, admission to the observation deck at CN Tower |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Toronto City Tours For 2025
- Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise
- Toronto: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Toronto: Guided Night Tour with CN Tower Entry
- Walking Tour of Toronto’s Kensington Market and Chinatown
- Scenic Toronto City Tour with Guide and Photo Stop
Toronto City Tour Reviews
1. Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: Hotel pick up and drop off
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Includes: Guided driving tour Toronto passing Dundas Square, Queen’s Park and Nathan Phillips Square and more, Admission to Toronto Harbour Cruise (seasonal, May – Oct only), Tour stop with free time at St. Lawrence Market (closed Sun & Mon), Small-group tour (limited to 9 guests), Skip the ticket line access to some attractions, Admission to the CN Tower, Visit to Casa Loma (Nov – Apr. only), Visit to the Distillery District when St. Lawrence Market is closed
Toronto is a magical city with so much to explore; however, the weather can also be quite finicky. That’s why the Best of Toronto Small group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise is one of the best options, amongst other motives.
It not only includes a completely guided drive so you don’t find yourself walking around in the snow, it also has some of the best site visits seamlessly organized so you don’t have to worry about extra fees, queues, and coordinating plans.
Convenience is built into every aspect of this experience, starting out with your guide picking you up right from your hotel in downtown Toronto. Our guide was super friendly and welcoming, and the coach we had for our tour was spacious and climate-controlled, making it ideal for any time of year.
There are a few stops that are season-dependent, but regardless of the time you visit, you’re sure to be impressed by stunning city views! Our first stop of the day was the famous CN Tower, where instead of having to wait in line, we were able to head right up to the observation deck, offering some of the most incredible views of the city!
I didn’t know it at first, but they even have a glass floor that you can walk on, which was actually the first in the entire world when it opened in the mid-90s! After all that excitement, we then went back down and made our way to Queen’s Park, Dundas Square (lots of fun here!), as well as Nathan Philips Square: home to the Toronto sign.
We took plenty of photos at the sign before going to the bustling St. Lawrence Market, which has a vibe of a European market where fresh produce, meat, delicatessen, and some more niche products are widely available.
If you’re going during the warmer months, you’ll even get the chance to take a harbour cruise, with some of the most picturesque views that this amazing place has to offer.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Toronto: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Duration: 7 hours
- Departure: 1 Dundas St E, Toronto
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Includes: 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour, stops near major sights, live guide in English or audio guide in 9 languages
There are people who like everything planned out for them in a structured sequence, where all the guesswork is taken out of the equation. Then there are people who like to have a bit more control over their experience and itinerary, which is what this next tour is perfect for.
The Toronto: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour lets you see the city at your own pace, skipping what you could do without and placing the focus on what you’re most interested in.
You get to choose between a 24-hour or 48-hour bus tour, which means that within that period of time, you can use the bus at your leisure to be transported to these included sights! This also means that if you already have a busy schedule and need flexibility in order to fit in more, you’ll love this option.
It’s a cool option to have if you’re someone who likes to do things on your terms, where you can go off and explore on your own without worrying about losing your group.
During the warmer months, the buses are usually well-maintained double-deckers with open tops, which are perfect for taking in great views throughout the entire time. It also makes you feel more connected with the city, with the breeze through your hair, and the sights and sounds all around you.
During the colder months or during inclement weather, you’ll have a cozier trolley that comes with wide windows for prime sightseeing without obstruction. The stops cover pretty much every major tourist sight in Toronto, including Sankofa Square, the Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, and much more.
We had an amazing guide who did a great job of adapting to different guests and schedules, and if you decide to do a tour in a language other than English, you’ll also have access to an audio guide!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Toronto Small Group Night Tour with CN Tower
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:30 PM
- Includes: Transportation, fully guided tour of Toronto, admission to the observation deck at CN Tower
Toronto is majestic in any light, but there really is something special about it when the sun goes down and it becomes illuminated. The Toronto: Guided Night Tour with CN Tower Entry is the best way to explore the city after the sun sets, complete with a small, intimate group that lends to a more personalized itinerary tailored to everyone’s interests.
Even if you’ve taken a day tour of Toronto, rest assured you’ll experience the city in a completely different way on this excursion! The beginning of the tour already started things off on the right foot – despite being one of the shorter tours on this guide, they actually included a complimentary hotel pickup, so we didn’t have to deal with walking or booking separate transportation!
If it’s your first time in Toronto and you’re arriving in the evening, I can’t think of a better tour to take for a proper introduction. It also offers a couple of different start times AND it’s a shorter tour, which is great if you don’t feel like committing to a longer alternative.
Starting out with a narrated driving tour on our way to the CN Tower, our guide regaled us with fun personal anecdotes, historical commentary, and cultural insight you can’t get from a quick search.
We went up in a glass elevator to the observation deck, and the views were absolutely insane with all the tall, illuminated buildings glowing against the dark night sky! If you take a tour that’s early enough, you may even be able to catch the sun setting!
The drive continues in a comfy Mercedes coach, passing photo ops like the Toronto sign, Dundas Square, and then the Distillery District, where we got out and strolled along the beautiful streets.
There are a ton of cool little shops here for grabbing some souvenirs or treats for yourself! Spend time here before wrapping things up at the beatuiful Cherry Beach before heading back to your hotel!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Walking Tour of Toronto’s Kensington Market and Chinatown
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departure: Dundas St West at McCaul St, Toronto
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM
- Includes: Local English-speaking guide, stop for a coffee or tea, snack at local food vendor, visit Chinatown, Kensington Market, and more
The Walking Tour of Toronto’s Kensington Market and Chinatown was some of the most fun I’ve had in a while, and is the perfect activity for a nice summer day. Starting out in the morning and lasting a few hours, it’s perfect for avoiding the heat, a lot of the crowds, and still making it back in time for lunch!
Starting out next to the Art Gallery of Ontario at Dundas Street, it’s easy to access, and you can count on an expert local guide to lead the way. I don’t know about you, but when I’m visiting a new place for the first time, I can get easily overwhelmed with everything there is to offer or figuring out if I’m doing things the “right” way.
Having a local to guide you is a great way to avoid all of that concern, as they know all the ins and outs, hidden entrances, the best stalls, and oftentimes have already developed relationships with vendors and owners.
Upon arrival at Kensington Market, we headed straight in for a delicious coffee (or tea, if you prefer), which already started things off on the best note! Not only is it a cool vibe with the labyrinth-like alleys and narrow streets, but it also has beautiful Victorian architecture and eclectic finds that are sure to capture your attention.
It has a super artsy vibe, where corporations aren’t welcome, and the neighborhood instead focuses on community and creative expression. Some businesses here feature some of the most interesting murals I’ve ever seen!
Next up is Toronto’s Chinatown, which is one of the biggest in all of North America, and where you’ll learn all about the interesting history behind it. Not to mention, there are some absolutely mouthwatering restaurants here, so don’t pass that opportunity up!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Scenic Toronto City Tour with Guide and Photo Stop
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure: 55 York St, Toronto
- Departure Time: 9:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM
- Includes: Guided city tour, local tour guide, photo ops, transportation
I couldn’t write a comprehensive guide without including the Scenic Toronto City Tour with Guide and Photo Stop! This is one of the most versatile tours of its kind, clocking in at 2 hours with multiple start times and meetup spots available.
If you’re looking for one of the best Toronto city tours on a budget, this excursion should immediately float to the top of your list. It’s actually pretty crazy to think about how affordable this tour is while including transportation by coach.
That means you’ll get to maximize the areas of the city you get to see, rather than likely having to stay in the same area on a walking tour. Upon meeting up with your guide, you’ll receive a briefing as to what to expect and stop first at the Art Gallery of Ontario which has an impressive history of over 100 years!
No tour of Toronto is complete without a visit to the iconic CN Tower, which not only offers amazing panoramic vistas of the region but is impressive to look at from the outside, as well.
As you head to St. Lawrence Market, take a leisurely stroll through the lovely Queen’s Park while your guide shares interesting stories about the province’s government and background. St. Lawrence Market is one of my favorite places in the city, with plenty of fresh produce, gourmet dishes, tasty desserts, flowers, artisanal products, and so much more!
Next up is the bustling Entertainment District before arriving at the beautiful Distillery District, offering a glimpse into the old Toronto, complete with its Victorian architecture (and fantastic coffee!).
The tour doesn’t stop there, however: explore the lively Dundas Square, postcard-esque Harbourfront Centre, City Hall, Toronto Union, and so much more! If it’s your first time in Toronto and you want to save some cash, this is the one for you.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Sites Seen
Tour Guides
Value
The Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise is our Editors Choice for the best Toronto city tour