Whether you’re visiting Toronto for the first time or you’ve lived here for years, sometimes the best way to experience the city is to let someone else take the wheel (or the handlebars, or the mic 🎤). These tours take the guesswork out of planning and let you dive right into the sights, sounds, and flavours that make Toronto and the GTA unforgettable.
From historic neighbourhoods and skyline views to food markets and day trips to Niagara Falls, I’ve rounded up the best tours in Toronto that combine fun, convenience, and local insight. These are top-rated, time-smart options—perfect for travellers who want to see more in less time.
🔍 Quick Picks: Top Tours at a Glance
(Perfect if you’re short on time!)
Don’t have time to scroll? These are the most popular and unforgettable Toronto tours worth booking in advance.
- Best City Overview: Hop-On Hop-Off Toronto Bus Tour
- Best Day Trip from Toronto: Niagara Falls Day Tour
- Best Food Tour in Toronto: Secret Food Tour Toronto
- Best Historic Neighbourhood Tour: Distillery District Walking Tour
- Best Small Group Experience: Toronto Tour w/ CN Tower + Harbour Cruise
- Best Splurge-Worthy View: Toronto Helicopter Tour
1. 🚌 Toronto: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
A no-fuss, all-fun way to see the city
Looking to get the lay of the land? This iconic hop-on hop-off tour of Toronto is a classic for a reason. It’s perfect for first-time visitors or travellers who want to hit all the major landmarks without stressing about directions or transit.
With 20+ stops, you can hop off at places like the CN Tower, St. Lawrence Market, Casa Loma, and the Distillery District—and hop back on when you’re ready to keep moving. You’ll also get fun audio commentary (or live guides in peak season), and a seasonal harbour cruise is included from May to October. It’s the sightseeing sampler platter you didn’t know you needed.
What’s included:
✔️ 24- or 48-hour bus access
✔️ Live or audio-guided commentary
✔️ Seasonal boat cruise (May–Oct)
Perfect for:
First-time visitors, solo travellers, families, and anyone who wants a Toronto sightseeing tour that covers the city’s top attractions at their own pace.
Book it here 👉 GetYourGuide – Hop-On Hop-Off Toronto Bus Tour
👉 Prefer Viator? Click here to book this tour via Viator
2. Toronto: Niagara Falls Day Tour with Optional Boat Cruise
The easiest way to check Niagara off your bucket list
You don’t need a rental car to visit Niagara Falls from Toronto—this full-day guided tour makes it completely stress-free. It’s one of the most popular day trips from Toronto, and for good reason: you get to see the falls up close, visit the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, sip wine at a local winery, and even hop on the famous Hornblower boat cruise(hello, mist!).
Depending on the tour you choose, you might also get hotel pickup, a stop at a local lookout point, or a lunch upgrade with views of the falls. All the fun, none of the logistics.
What’s included:
✔️ Round-trip transport from Toronto
✔️ Free time at Niagara Falls
✔️ Stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake
✔️ Wine tasting
✔️ Optional Hornblower cruise + lunch upgrade
Perfect for:
Couples, groups, and travellers without a car who want to visit Niagara Falls from Toronto without the planning headache.
Book it here 👉 GetYourGuide – Niagara Falls Day Tour
👉 Prefer Viator? Click here to book this tour via Viator
3. Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise
Hit the highlights—minus the crowds
If you’re short on time but still want to see the big stuff, this Best of Toronto small group tour is your fast track to the city’s greatest hits. With a max group size of around 6–10 people, it’s a far more personal experience than the big bus tours.
You’ll visit iconic landmarks like the CN Tower (skip-the-line entry included), cruise across the harbour for gorgeous skyline views, and explore historic areas like the Distillery District or St. Lawrence Market. With a passionate local guide leading the way, you’ll get the full story behind the sights—without feeling like part of a crowd.
What’s included:
✔️ CN Tower admission with skip-the-line entry
✔️ Seasonal harbour cruise
✔️ Local guide
✔️ Stops at St. Lawrence Market or Distillery District
Perfect for:
Travellers short on time who want a top-rated Toronto highlights tour with fewer people and more insight.
Book it here 👉 GetYourGuide – Best of Toronto Small Group Tour
👉 Prefer Viator? Click here to book this tour via Viator
4. 7-Minute Helicopter Tour Over Toronto
Your skyline moment (literally)
Looking for a bucket list memory that’ll make your Instagram pop? This Toronto helicopter tour is short, sweet, and absolutely unforgettable. In just 7 minutes, you’ll soar above the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and Lake Ontario for jaw-dropping views of the city.
Feeling fancy? You can upgrade to the 14-minute tour for more flight time and even better angles. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want that aerial thrill, this is your moment to live out your James Bond fantasy.
What’s included:
✔️ 7-minute helicopter flight over downtown Toronto
✔️ Views of the skyline, waterfront, CN Tower, and more
✔️ Optional upgrade to 14-minute tour
Perfect for:
Adventurous travellers, proposals, special occasions, or anyone who wants to splurge on an epic Toronto skyline experience.
👉 GetYourGuide – Toronto Helicopter Ride
👉 Prefer Viator? Click here to book this tour via Viator
5. Toronto: Guided Night Tour with CN Tower Entry
City lights, skyline heights, and nighttime magic
Seeing Toronto after dark is a whole different vibe—and this evening city tour makes it easy to experience it all with zero planning. You’ll visit major landmarks beautifully lit up at night, ending the evening with a visit to the CN Tower’s observation deck. Fewer crowds, cooler temps, and the city sparkling beneath you? Yes, please.
What’s included:
✔️ Night tour with live guide
✔️ Admission to CN Tower observation deck
✔️ Transport to key landmarks
✔️ City skyline photo ops
Perfect for:
Couples, solo travellers, and anyone who wants to experience a Toronto night tour with stunning views.
Book it here 👉 GetYourGuide – Night Tour with CN Tower
👉 Prefer Viator? Click here to book this tour via Viator
6. Toronto Islands Morning or Twilight Bike Tour
Pedal your way through a peaceful island escape
The Toronto Islands bike tour is one of my favourite ways to slow down and soak up the city’s natural beauty. After a quick ferry ride from downtown, you’ll explore quiet paths, leafy boardwalks, and postcard-perfect views of the skyline.
Whether you go for the morning tour or the twilight option (golden hour hits different on the water), this guided ride gives you history, hidden spots, and the chance to move your legs after a day in the city.
What’s included:
✔️ Round-trip ferry ride
✔️ Bike + helmet rental
✔️ Local guide
✔️ Small group experience
Perfect for:
Active travellers, photographers, and anyone looking for a scenic, low-key Toronto adventure.
Book it here 👉 GetYourGuide – Toronto Islands Bike Tour
👉 Prefer Viator? Click here to book this tour via Viator
7. Toronto: Secret Food Tour
Come hungry—leave obsessed
This Toronto food tour takes you beyond the typical bites and into the heart of local flavour. You’ll explore one of the city’s most vibrant foodie neighbourhoods (often St. Lawrence or Kensington Market), with stops for 6+ tastings including Toronto’s iconic peameal bacon sandwich, international treats, and a sweet surprise to finish.
Along the way, your guide will share stories about Toronto’s culinary scene, immigrant history, and what makes this city such a global kitchen. It’s part walking tour, part delicious deep dive—and totally worth skipping breakfast for.
What’s included:
✔️ 6+ curated food tastings
✔️ Local food-loving guide
✔️ Historical + cultural insights
✔️ Dessert finale (because obviously)
Perfect for:
Foodies, curious eaters, and anyone who loves culture and carbs.
Book it here 👉 GetYourGuide – Secret Food Tour
👉 Prefer Viator? Click here to book this tour via Viator
8. Toronto: Pedal Pub Party Bike Tour with Bar Stops
The most fun you can have on wheels (legally)
Looking for something a little rowdier? This Toronto party bike tour is a mobile bar crawl where you and your crew pedal through the city with music pumping and drinks flowing. A local guide steers the ship (you just keep pedalling), and you’ll hop off at 2–3 pubs or breweries along the way.
It’s energetic, hilarious, and a surprisingly great way to see the city. The tour usually sticks to cool, bar-heavy neighbourhoods like Ossington, King West, or Liberty Village.
What’s included:
✔️ Pedal-powered group bike
✔️ Guide/driver + music system
✔️ Bar stops (drinks not included)
✔️ Laughs, leg workouts, and lots of photo ops
Perfect for:
Groups, bachelor(ette) parties, fun-loving locals, and anyone looking for a unique Toronto group activity.
Book it here 👉 Toronto Pedal Pub Tour
9. Toronto: Local Beer History and Culture Tour with Tastings
Craft brews, historic brews, and everything in between
Toronto’s beer scene has exploded over the past decade, and this tour gives you a taste of both its past and present. Led by a beer-savvy local, you’ll visit 2–3 independent breweries, learn about the city’s brewing history (dating back to the 1800s), and sample a range of local styles—IPAs, stouts, sours, you name it.
Some tours even include a snack or small food pairing, depending on the route. Come thirsty.
What’s included:
✔️ 2–3 craft brewery visits
✔️ Generous tastings
✔️ Local guide with beer & history knowledge
✔️ Option for food pairings
Perfect for:
Beer lovers, locals, and anyone who wants to sip and learn.
Book it here 👉 Viator – Toronto Beer Tour
10. Toronto: Distillery District Walking Tour
Cobblestones, culture, and Canadian whisky history
Toronto’s Distillery District is one of the city’s most photogenic neighbourhoods—with Victorian industrial buildings, art galleries, boutiques, and a past soaked in whisky and rebellion. This guided walking tour brings it all to life with stories of Prohibition, bootlegging, and the area’s transformation into an artsy urban hub.
Expect local legends, architecture tips, and a few “I didn’t know that!” moments—even if you’ve been before.
What’s included:
✔️ Guided walking tour
✔️ History of the district and old distilleries
✔️ Local guide with fun facts + dramatic tales
Perfect for:
History lovers, photographers, design nerds, and people who love a good cobblestone stroll.
Book it here 👉 GetYourGuide – Distillery District Tour
👉 Prefer Viator? Click here to book this tour via Viator
11. Where to Stay in Toronto
Planning to hit all the best tours? These hotel picks are well-located, stylish, and offer options for every budget — whether you’re splurging on a skyline view or just need a clean, comfy base near the action.
💎 Luxury Stays
- 1 Hotel Toronto
Sustainable luxury in the heart of King West — with a rooftop pool, beautiful design, and an eco-conscious vibe that still feels totally glam. Close to nightlife, great restaurants, and easy tour access. 👉 Book 1 Hotel Toronto here - The Ritz-Carlton Toronto
If you’re celebrating or just want the 5-star treatment, this downtown luxury icon is steps from the CN Tower and waterfront. Spacious rooms, a dreamy spa, and views for days.
👉 Book The Ritz-Carlton Toronto here
💼 Mid-Range Favourites
- The Annex Hotel
Modern, contactless, and cool. Located in the Annex (near transit + great local spots), it’s a stylish boutique stay that doesn’t try too hard — with a wine bar and vinyl library on-site.
👉 Book The Annex Hotel here - The Anndore House
A design-forward stay near Yonge & Bloor that hits the sweet spot between trendy and accessible. Great location for both walking and transit. Think: record players, exposed brick, and legit coffee. 👉 Book The Anndore House here
💸 Budget-Conscious Picks
- Chelsea Hotel Toronto
Classic, convenient, and family-friendly. Right in the downtown core — perfect for CN Tower, museum, and tour access. There’s a pool, gym, and casual restaurants on site.
👉 Book Chelsea Hotel Toronto here - The Rex Hotel
Affordable, cheerful, and right on Queen Street West — across from Osgoode Station and walking distance to the CN Tower, tours, and food spots. Rooms are simple, but there’s live jazz every night and a great bar downstairs. 👉 Book The Rex Hotel here
12. Final Thoughts: The Best Tours in Toronto & the GTA
From misty boat rides at Niagara Falls to sipping IPAs in a hidden brewery, Toronto has a tour for every kind of traveller—whether you’re all about history, food, skyline views, or bar-hopping on a giant pedal bike. These guided experiences let you dive deeper into the city without having to plan every detail yourself.
Whether you’re a visitor trying to pack the most into a few days, or a local looking to see your city in a new light, these tours offer unforgettable, efficient, and fun ways to explore Toronto and the GTA.
Need More Travel Tips?
Don’t forget to check out these helpful resources:
👉 Where Locals Eat in Toronto: 10 Restaurants Tourists Always Miss
👉 A Local’s Guide to Toronto: Best Things to Do, Eat, and See
👉 The Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Toronto
💸 Book Your Toronto Tours with Confidence
All tours featured in this post are available through trusted platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator, and I only recommend tours I’ve taken, researched, or would 100% book myself. Some links in this post are affiliate links—meaning I may earn a small commission if you book through them (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting TiffinTransit! 🙏🇨🇦