Pitch perfect: Why now is the time to book a city break in Toronto
From 350 metres up, Toronto’s sheer size is apparent. As I gaze across the city from the CN Tower’s observation desk, I survey the skyscrapers to my left, while on my right the vast Lake Ontario stretches to the horizon.
This is the home of the Blue Jays – the only Canadian team that competes in the prestigious North American Major League Baseball tournament – with Toronto’s entire three-million-strong population united in their dedication to the squad. Now, the streets have become a patriotic haven, adorned with maple leaves, as the city hosts six Fifa World Cup games this summer.
But it’s not just sport drawing travellers to the city. The gleaming metropolis boasts a host of leading hotels and a crop of Michelin-starred eats, as well as natural wonders including the magnificent Niagara Falls.
Why sell it
Toronto can be accurately be described as a New York stand-in (the city has served exactly that purpose on the silver screen in X-Men and American Psycho). Guests who stay Downtown would be forgiven for mistaking the red brick facades and vivid yellow streetlights for those of the Big Apple itself, yet the whole city has a more chilled temperament than the NYC frenzy.
British tourists have formed part of a trend away from US travel in recent months; UK visitor numbers to the States dropped by 4.6 million in 2025. Interest seems to be pivoting to Canada, where UK arrivals in Toronto were up 25% last year. This may be thanks, in part, to excellent accessibility, with direct seven-to-eight-hour flights operated by Air Canada, Air Transat, British Airways, Lufthansa and WestJet from Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow, and only a four-to-five-hour time difference.
The world’s eyes are currently on North America, with Toronto’s World Cup fixtures helping to put Canada even more firmly on the map. Sharon Bollenbach, the city’s World Cup executive director, hopes “people will look back on 2026 and remember that the city was vibrant and alive”
What’s new
The capacity of BMO Field, the city’s football stadium (soccer, if you want to fit in with the locals), has been increased from 30,000 to 45,000 for the tournament, with a much-improved provision of premium and hospitality seats. Although the additional stands will be dismantled after the competition, the stadium will continue to host the national team and Toronto FC.
When to go
If a sport-focused getaway is on the cards, visits must be timed accordingly. From spring to autumn, clients can catch American football and Major League Soccer games at BMO Field and Major League Baseball at Rogers Centre, while, during the colder months, the national sport of ice hockey takes centre stage at Scotiabank Arena. True enthusiasts should make sure to check out the Hockey Hall of Fame during their trip. The city also comes alive during Toronto International Film Festival, being held this year from September 10 20, with private screenings, celeb-studded panels and glitzy after-parties.
Tourists should be warned that the weather can be bitingly cold – locals tell me the region experienced a particularly harsh winter this year, with weeks of persistent snow. I visited in mid-April and the temperature dropped to freezing, so urge clients to pack some layers.
Where to stay
As Canada’s most populous city and one of its biggest tourist destinations, there is plenty of high-end product to choose from. Perhaps one of the most sophisticated and conveniently located is Shangri-La Toronto, in the buzzing Downtown (Reviews, page 100). Fairmont Royal York is among the city’s most distinguished landmark properties, its grand facade and old-school illuminated sign standing out amid the sea of high-rises.
Other big-name brands represented include Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton, St Regis and 1 Hotel. Suave boutique stays also abound, with cosmopolitan class at the 77-key Hazelton Hotel Toronto and a scenic rooftop pool and restaurant on the 44th floor at 96-key Bisha, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Toronto.
What to see
The CN Tower is unmissable – in fact, at 550 metres tall, it’s bound to crop up in nearly all your snaps of the city. Panoramas from the viewing deck are genuinely impressive, and daredevils will love the EdgeWalk experience, which sees you don a vibrant red boilersuit, step into the open air and test your nerve as you lean into the abyss.
For all thrill-seekers, this is an activity that should be sky high on the to-do list. One of my top picks for scenic vistas is the Toronto Islands. A brief ferry or water taxi ride takes you to this blissful sanctuary, with stunning skyline views and beaches looking out over the lake. With no cars, this is the perfect place for long strolls along the shore or bike rides to discover the islands’ hidden corners.
What to do
To get a taste of Toronto’s culture, explore the city’s broad spectrum of museums and galleries, including Canada’s largest, the Royal Ontario Museum, with upwards of 18 million artefacts including towering totem poles, ancient statues and Canada’s largest dinosaur skeleton. The Art Gallery of Ontario also boasts an impressive 120,000-strong collection, ranging from European classics and Indigenous artworks to creative photography and modern marvels.
For a more niche cultural foray, the Gardiner Museum celebrates ceramics and hosts private pottery experiences. The beauty of Muslim culture is explored at Aga Khan Museum, with delicate fabrics, pristine ceramics and ornate Qurans dating back more than a millennium.
A short drive into the city’s leafy environs brings you to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, exhibiting pieces from across the country, including Indigenous artefacts, contemporary paintings, celebrated landscapes and a peaceful sculpture garden. Casa Loma mansion is another site often listed as a top tourist attraction, but as an uncannily polished 20th-century pastiche of a Gothic castle, UK travellers are likely too spoilt by the outstanding historical properties on home soil to appreciate this turreted spectacle.
Where to dine
The vast array of ethnicities among Toronto’s population has created a mouth-wateringly varied food scene. Nowhere showcases this better than Kensington Market – a small neighbourhood where more than 50 eateries serve cuisine from 25 nationalities. We’re guided to the best spots by Jusep Sim of Chopsticks and Forks tours, whose in-depth knowledge and ineffable enthusiasm have earned him a partnership with Four Seasons.
We sample Canadian poutine, Chilean empanadas, Japanese sushi and Tibetan dumplings, and are tempted by weird and wonderful fusions such as jerk chicken lasagne. Foodies will also appreciate the city’s sizeable Michelin offering, with multiple Asian spots earning attention, including aKin, Aburi Hana, Shoushin and Sushi Masaki Saito, which each boast one star. The upmarket Yorkville area is revered for its food scene, with three one-starred restaurants: Kappo Sato, Osteria Giulia and Enigma Yorkville.
I highly recommend heading downtown to Lee for mouth-watering Asian dishes with a French twist, led by celebrated chef Susur Lee – Toronto’s World Cup hospitality captain. Every course blew me away, from rich lobster pad Thai to sumptuous chocolate dumplings, but the star of the show was Lee’s signature Singapore slaw – a vibrant mélange of 26 ingredients that somehow sing in perfect harmony.
Book it: Elegant Resorts offers five nights’ B&B at Fairmont Royal York from £5,300 per person. The price includes premium economy return Air Canada flights, private transfers, UK lounge access and a private Niagara Falls tour with lunch, wine tasting, guide and transfers.
ELEGANTRESORTS.CO.UK
Pair it with...
Two hours’ drive from the city is one of North America’s most awe-inspiring sights – Niagara Falls. The largest of the three waterfalls, Horseshoe Falls, is on the Canadian side. After being stunned by its sheer size from above, the Journey Behind the Falls experience takes you through tunnels to witness the water’s deafening roar in the heart of the falls. Urge clients to take to the skies with Niagara Helicopters for an exhilarating 10 minute ride over the landmark. The falls aren’t the only big draw – Niagara is home to dozens of vineyards. Head to Stone Eagle Winery for an indulgent setting, delicious meals and a collection of wines and pairing canapés that will impress even the most discerning oenophiles. Recommend avoiding the tourist-laden streets right by the falls and instead stroll through the storybook town of Niagara-onthe-Lake to round off the day, with its charming cafes and boutiques.
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