Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Harbour Cruise

Sankofa Square and the start of the bus loop

The route starts at stop 1 on Sankofa Square, known until recently as Yonge-Dundas Square, the bright open plaza at the crossing of Yonge Street and Dundas Street, surrounded by giant screens, shops and the city's busiest shopping centre. It is easy to reach by subway and a good place to begin your Toronto hop-on hop-off bus day.

You do not have to start here, though: you can board at any stop on the route, each marked by a white pole sign with a red bus. Climb to the open top deck for 360-degree views and listen to the live guide or the multilingual audio commentary on your phone, so bring your own headphones. With a 24- or 48-hour pass you choose how long to stay at each stop and when to ride on.

The CN Tower, the waterfront and the Entertainment District

The bus passes the foot of the CN Tower, the 553-metre landmark completed in 1976 that defines the Toronto skyline, next to the domed stadium and the large aquarium. Around them lies the Entertainment District, with theatres, concert halls and restaurants that come alive in the evening.

Hop off here to go up the tower, visit the aquarium or walk down to the waterfront, where promenades and piers look across the harbour to the Toronto Islands. Entry to attractions with paid admission is not included in your bus pass, so many visitors combine this tour with tickets for the sights they want to enter. Your guide on the bus shares tips on the best time to visit the CN Tower and how to avoid the busiest hours.

Harbour & Islands cruise from the Harbourfront Centre

Your ticket includes one scenic Harbour & Islands cruise, which departs from the West Pier at the Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. The boat glides across Toronto Harbour and along the edge of the Toronto Islands, the chain of green, car-free islands that shelter the city from Lake Ontario.

From the water you enjoy the classic view of the skyline, with the CN Tower and the glass towers of downtown rising behind the historic harbourfront. It is a relaxing break between bus rides and one of the best ways to understand how the city sits on the lake. A Toronto harbour cruise is especially beautiful in the late afternoon, when the light turns golden; check the cruise departure times on the day and plan your bus stops around them.

Casa Loma, the castle on the hill

Casa Loma is Toronto's castle: a grand Gothic Revival mansion built between 1911 and 1914 by a wealthy financier, with stone towers, turrets, battlements and terraced gardens on a hill north of downtown. Inside are lavish rooms, secret passages, a long tunnel to the stables and towers with views over the city.

The hop-on hop-off bus stops near Casa Loma, which is otherwise a little out of the way for visitors without a car. Hop off to explore the castle and gardens (entry ticket not included), then catch the next bus back to the centre. Is Casa Loma worth visiting? For architecture, history and views it is one of the most memorable sights in the city, and the bus makes it easy to fit into your day.

Kensington Market, Chinatown and Nathan Phillips Square

West of the centre the bus passes Kensington Market, a colourful neighbourhood of Victorian houses, vintage shops, murals and food stalls, and Chinatown along Spadina Avenue, with its herbal shops, fruit stands and busy restaurants. Hop off to stroll through the artsy lanes or grab a bite.

Back in the centre, Nathan Phillips Square spreads in front of Toronto City Hall, the modern landmark of two curved towers opened in 1965. The square, with its reflecting pool, three concrete arches and large Toronto sign, is a favourite spot for photos and becomes an outdoor skating rink in winter. These stops show the mix of cultures and architecture that makes Toronto so diverse.

St Lawrence Market and the Distillery District

On the east side of downtown the route reaches St Lawrence Market, a market site since 1803, whose historic hall is packed with stalls of fresh produce, cheese, bakeries and local specialities. It is a great place to hop off for lunch or to taste local snacks, and it is close to the red-brick Flatiron building in Old Town.

Further east is the Distillery District, a pedestrian-only quarter of Victorian industrial buildings with brick lanes, galleries, design shops and cafés. It is one of the best-preserved collections of Victorian industrial architecture in North America and is especially charming in the evening. With a 48-hour pass you have time to explore both areas slowly and still return to the bus for the rest of the loop.