Toronto sits on a harbour at the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, a city of deep ravines, rivers and urban forest laid over a broad sloping plateau. It is one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world, and about half of its residents were born outside Canada.
For a visitor, the layout is unusually easy to read. The city is built on a very straightforward grid, and streets rarely deviate from it except where topography interferes, such as the curving Don River Valley and, to a lesser degree, the Humber and Rouge valleys at opposite ends of the city. The dense urban core holds many of the city's attractions and hotels; beyond it lie older suburbs, then an outer ring of post-war suburbs and the wider Greater Toronto Area. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, and what each is like for different kinds of trips.
Best areas to stay in Toronto
1. Downtown core (Central Toronto)
The dense urban core of Toronto includes many of the city's attractions and hotels. This is the natural base if you want to walk to sights rather than commute to them, and it is where most of the city's lodging is concentrated.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants the widest choice of accommodation within easy reach of the centre. Most Toronto hotels and hostels are situated next to or just outside of the downtown core.
2. Entertainment District
The Entertainment District is named in the sources as one of the areas where many of Toronto's hotels are located, alongside the Financial District and the Yonge-Dundas area.
It suits visitors who want to stay in the middle of the city's evening activity and within the downtown core, with its attractions close at hand.
3. Financial District
The Financial District is another downtown area with a concentration of hotels. It places you in the heart of the city's business quarter, which is part of the dense urban core.
It suits travellers whose trip centres on the downtown core and who prefer a quieter evening base than the entertainment areas, while still being in the centre.
4. Yonge-Dundas area
The Yonge-Dundas area is the third downtown district the sources identify as holding many of Toronto's hotels, and it sits within the dense urban core.
It suits visitors who want to be central and within walking distance of downtown attractions, with a broad range of hotels to choose from.
5. Old Town
The town's original settlement formed at the harbour's eastern end, near the present-day intersection of Parliament Street and Front Street, in the "Old Town" area. It is part of the downtown core rather than a separate base.
It suits visitors who want to be downtown but closer to the historic eastern edge of the centre, within the same grid as the rest of the core.
6. The suburbs inside the city
Outside Central Toronto are the older suburbs that ring the downtown, followed by an outer ring of post-war suburbs. There are fewer attractions here, but some of the neighbourhoods are well worth visiting if you have the time.
Apart from downtown, most other Toronto neighbourhoods have few lodging options, so staying here usually means accepting a commute to the centre. It can suit travellers who want a quieter base and do not mind travelling in.
7. Outer suburbs and the Greater Toronto Area
Beyond the city proper, the outer suburbs have fewer attractions but include ethnic enclaves with ethnic foods and other activities that may interest a traveller. Markham, for example, has a large Chinese population and a lot of interesting shops, businesses and restaurants.
If downtown lodging does not suit you, you may need to look at outlying suburbs beyond the city limits. This suits travellers with a specific reason to be in the suburbs, or those combining a Toronto trip with the wider Greater Toronto Area.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: hostels, including youth hostels in the downtown area, with beds priced at the lower end of the range; motels are also an option, generally cheaper than standard hotels.
- Mid-range: standard hotels, which make up the bulk of the city's wide variety of hotels and can suit every budget; bed & breakfasts are another popular alternative, with hundreds in the city, many in the downtown core.
- Splurge: the upper end of the hotel range and the higher-priced bed & breakfasts, where the price depends on the house and the amenities offered.
Best area for a first visit
Stay in the downtown core. It is the dense urban core of Toronto and includes many of the city's attractions and hotels, so you can base yourself among the sights rather than travel in to them. Most of the city's hotels and hostels are situated next to or just outside this core, which gives you the widest choice for a first trip.
Frequently asked questions
Where are most of Toronto's hotels and hostels located?
Most Toronto hotels and hostels are situated next to or just outside of the downtown core. Many hotels are located in the Entertainment and Financial Districts and the Yonge-Dundas areas.
Are there lodging options outside downtown Toronto?
Apart from downtown, most other Toronto neighbourhoods have few lodging options, so you may need to look at outlying suburbs beyond the city limits.
Is bed & breakfast a common option in Toronto?
Yes. Bed & breakfasts are a popular alternative for overnight visitors, and Toronto has hundreds of them, many in the downtown core.
How does Toronto's street layout affect where I should stay?
The city is laid out on a very straightforward grid, and streets rarely deviate from it except where topography interferes, such as the curving Don River Valley and the Humber and Rouge valleys. Staying on the grid keeps you oriented and makes getting around simpler.
Compare live prices for the area you choose with the booking tools on this page.