Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the capital of the Province of Ontario. It is located in southeastern Canada on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. According to the 2016 Census, Toronto has a population of 2,731,571, making it the fifth most populous city in North America, and one of the largest cities in the Great Lakes region. Toronto is considered a world-leading city by the GaWC7 and is one of the largest financial centres in the world. Bay Street is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange, the world's seventh largest stock market capitalization, and home to Canada's five largest banks. Many Canadian companies are headquartered in the city. The most important economic sectors are finance, telecommunications, aerospace, transport, media, the arts, cinema, television series production, publishing, information technology, medical research, education, tourism and sports.
Getting around Toronto
Toronto is pleasant to visit because it's extremely easy to get around. In addition to the city's many taxis, the well-organized transit system, managed by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), provides efficient bus, subway and trolleybus service throughout the city. Otherwise, get on a bike and go for an adventure!
Weather in Toronto
Always good to know, here is an average of the temperatures of the city during the day:
- January: -4.5°C
- April: 7.5°C
- July: 22.1°C
- October: 10.7°C
Please bring your own fleece depending on the period of time you travel...
Toronto, a city with an extremely rich artistic and cultural life
The city is renowned for its rich artistic and cultural life, boasting a wealth of trendy venues, exhibition halls, museums and galleries of world renown, including the Entertainment District, home to the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
The theatre is also h3ly present, with the neighbourhood hosting close to 200 professional companies and some 10,000 performances per year. A record for Canada!
Events and festivals follow one another throughout the year (Toronto Street Festival, WinterFolk Blues & Roots Festival, Kids Fest,...) and some of them go all over the city with street theatre, concerts, etc.
In Toronto you will find some interesting tourist attractions, such as Casa Loma, a "castle" with an amazing Edwardian architecture, former home of Sir Henry Pellatt. It's a nice visit because the rooms all have period furniture. You will discover secret passages, luxurious stables and magnificent gardens. The Science Center or the magnificent zoo.
The city's cuisine would be renowned throughout Canada, especially as the city boasts that it has not been overwhelmed by fast-food culture, with more than 7000 restaurants, cafés, bars, bistros and clubs. And for those who prefer to cook their meals, go to St Lawrence Market. Renowned as one of the best markets in the world, this immense space is dedicated to the most beautiful products that can be found in the country. What's more, there are concerts, exhibits, the world and an incredible atmosphere. Enough to spend a day enjoying your stomach, eyes and ears!
You'll even find an increasingly present film culture in Hollywood North, where the famous Toronto Film Festival is held. In short, this is where everything happens in the cultural and artistic field. Lively and bubbling, this district is to be frequented without moderation.
Toronto is a multicultural city
The word "Toronto" would come from a Huron word meaning "the place where we meet", which is very much in keeping with the image of contemporary Toronto.
It would host nearly 70 cultures, speaking almost 100 different languages. The largely liberal national immigration policy has allowed thousands of people from all walks of life to settle on Canadian soil. You just have to walk around the city and listen to talk to find out. Toronto is home to "cities" all over the world (or almost) where you can enjoy yourself:
Chinatown (there are two of them), in which Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Indonesian or Japanese culture mix with delight. Walk the Asian streets and pass through the Dragon City Shopping Mall in Dundas.
Greek Town, or Danforth Village, which is full of delicious Greek taverns.
Little Italy, on College Street, more lively at night than during the day with its many cafes and restaurants, but also its small shops full of fruit and hardware stores.
Koreatown in Seaton Village (be careful, even the keyboards are in Korean) or Portugal Village, Little India...
Toronto is a city of varied architecture
The city successfully blends Georgian, Richardsonian Romanesque, Victorian, English Cottage, Queen Anne and Tudor styles, as well as modern and glazed buildings. Take a walk along the Annex side, a neighbourhood that is home to houses representative of this successful mix. Take a walk around Forest Hill for luxurious homes...
Strolling through Downtown, which covers much of Old Toronto, you'll discover examples of the city's typical architectural blends. At the beginning of the 19th century, the buildings were largely inspired by the Georgian style, while at the end of the century, it was the Richardsonian Romanesque style (heavy, with massive lines) that prevailed.
By the turn of the 20th century, the city would have decided to no longer limit the height of the buildings, hence buildings such as the Canadian Bank of Commerce (34 floors), Rogers Center or Royal Bak Plaza.
Downtown is crossed by one of the longest avenues in the world: Yonge Street (pronounced Young), which connects Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe. This area remains residential (highest population density in the city) and is now home to the business district, numerous restaurants and cafés, as well as shops. It also houses some stadiums and most hotels.
Green and Water Toronto
Toronto is a city with an ideal environment, built on the shores of Lake Ontario and surrounded by other lakes, it's a city where water is definitely present, which makes it look like a seaside resort in the summer. Water activities abound on the city's waterfront and on the Toronto Islands.
With its majestic maple trees, the city also has plenty of parks in the city (and even Downtown) as well as in the surrounding neighbourhoods: Nathan Phillips Square (more a place than a park), Trinity Bellwoods Park, Grange Park, Queen's Park, etc. for the centre, and High Park, Centennial Park (where you can ski in the winter!).), Rouge Park, or for breathtaking views of the city, Canoe Landing Park, Tommy Thompson Park, or Riverdale Park (east), and of course the Toronto Islands, a series of small islands west of Lake Ontario accessible by ferry that are a popular exit for the people of Toronto.
What to do in Toronto
Go to the lakefront by bike (the city is ideal for cycling), drive through High Park, head to the waterfront and walk along the lake until you get a glimpse of the skyline of Toronto, it's just gorgeous. At the edge of the lake, beaches, boat tours, etc. are proposed.
- Tour the CN Tower, a visual symbol of Toronto, for a coffee or just a point of view.
- Go to the Kensington Market (near Chinatown) in a trendy and trendy street art district where you can find all kinds of pieces.
- Have a morning at the St. John's Hospital. Lawrence Market for its ambience and tempting products.
- Humber Bay Arch Bridge, for a romantic view of the city.
- Attend one of the city's festivals.
- Take a skating tour in Centennial Park.
- Take the ferry to Toronto Island.
- Test the many restaurants.
- Give yourself a play.
- Explore the surrounding area: High Park Zoo, Riverdale Farm, Far Enough Farm...
