Casa Loma, Toronto (must see)
Casa Loma, which translates to "Hill House" in Spanish (although not entirely accurate), is a remarkable mansion and garden located in midtown Toronto. Built between 1911 and 1914, this Gothic Revival castle-style residence was commissioned by financier Sir Henry Pellatt and designed by the renowned architect E. J. Lennox, who was responsible for creating various notable landmarks throughout the city. Situated at an elevation of 140 meters (460 feet) above sea level, Casa Loma proudly stands 66 meters (217 feet) above Lake Ontario.
The structure itself is a captivating representation of the Edwardian era. Within the castle's walls, visitors can delight in the opulence of its exquisite furnishings, lavishly adorned rooms, elegant bathrooms, concealed passageways, and a splendid garden embellished with sculptures and fountains. Sir Henry enlisted the talents of skilled artisans from Europe to craft much of the furniture and other distinctive features found within the mansion. Spanning across five acres, Casa Loma's gardens add to its allure.
A tunnel discreetly connects Casa Loma to the Hunting Lodge and the stables, which include a garage, potting shed, stalls, carriage room, and tack rooms. This seamless integration of architectural elements is a testament to the attention to detail and grandeur of the estate.
Thanks to its distinctive architectural charm in Toronto, Casa Loma has become a sought-after filming location for movies and television productions. Furthermore, it serves as a popular choice for wedding ceremonies, and it is even possible to rent Casa Loma in the evenings for private events after the museum closes its doors to the public.
Why You Should Visit:
Cool to learn some Toronto history. Neat old building with lots of areas to explore.
Tip:
Take the audioguide (freely available downstairs next to the restaurant and gift shop) as it allows you to walk around the building/grounds at your own pace and see all the things you want to see.
Make sure you also head all the way to the towers for an incredible view of the city.
The structure itself is a captivating representation of the Edwardian era. Within the castle's walls, visitors can delight in the opulence of its exquisite furnishings, lavishly adorned rooms, elegant bathrooms, concealed passageways, and a splendid garden embellished with sculptures and fountains. Sir Henry enlisted the talents of skilled artisans from Europe to craft much of the furniture and other distinctive features found within the mansion. Spanning across five acres, Casa Loma's gardens add to its allure.
A tunnel discreetly connects Casa Loma to the Hunting Lodge and the stables, which include a garage, potting shed, stalls, carriage room, and tack rooms. This seamless integration of architectural elements is a testament to the attention to detail and grandeur of the estate.
Thanks to its distinctive architectural charm in Toronto, Casa Loma has become a sought-after filming location for movies and television productions. Furthermore, it serves as a popular choice for wedding ceremonies, and it is even possible to rent Casa Loma in the evenings for private events after the museum closes its doors to the public.
Why You Should Visit:
Cool to learn some Toronto history. Neat old building with lots of areas to explore.
Tip:
Take the audioguide (freely available downstairs next to the restaurant and gift shop) as it allows you to walk around the building/grounds at your own pace and see all the things you want to see.
Make sure you also head all the way to the towers for an incredible view of the city.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Toronto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Casa Loma on Map
Sight Name: Casa Loma
Sight Location: Toronto, Canada (See walking tours in Toronto)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Toronto, Canada (See walking tours in Toronto)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Toronto, Canada
Create Your Own Walk in Toronto
Creating your own self-guided walk in Toronto is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Toronto Introduction Walking Tour
Sprawling on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, the capital of the Canadian province of Ontario, Toronto, is a major metropolis renowned for its dynamic pace and high-rising skyline, incorporating both ultra-modern skyscrapers and historic architecture.
The area of present-day Toronto has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its first known settlers – the Wyandot (or Huron) people –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
The area of present-day Toronto has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its first known settlers – the Wyandot (or Huron) people –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Distillery District Walking Tour
Toronto's Distillery District is a trendy neighborhood and an architectural treasure dating back to 1859. Once the largest distillery in the British Empire, today this former industrial complex is a National Historic Site of Canada and a unique pocket of Victorian-era architecture, featuring the continent's best-preserved collection of cobblestone pathways and historic buildings housing... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Toronto's Waterfront Walking Tour
It is more than obvious that the locals of Toronto, as well as visitors, cherish and admire the alluring views of Lake Ontario on the shores of which the city is located. Toronto's waterfront is one of the most picturesque places for walking, but it is also a great destination for those in search of entertainment.
At the heart of this waterfront area stands Queen's Quay Terminal, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
At the heart of this waterfront area stands Queen's Quay Terminal, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Once an Anglo backwater, today's Toronto is the cultural and economic hub of English-speaking Canada. The city's architectural beauty is supplemented by its historical richness, with some of the buildings dating back as far as the late 18th century. This self-guided tour invites you to explore the most prominent structures making up the historic heritage of Toronto.
The Gooderham... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
The Gooderham... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Cabbagetown Walking Tour
Once a small community of Irish immigrants east of downtown and one of the poorest neighborhoods in Toronto, Cabbagetown is also one of the city's oldest districts, established in 1840. In 2004, it was declared a historic district and presently claims to be "the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in North America". Attesting to this claim are the picturesque... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Toronto Islands Walking Tour
The Toronto Islands, otherwise simply known as “the Islands,” are a chain of islands in Lake Ontario, just off the coast of downtown Toronto. They include three major islands (namely: Centre Island, Algonquin or Sunfish Island, and Olympic Island) and several smaller ones. Collectively they are a great natural retreat set in a peaceful and joyful environment, which, apart from the panoramic... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Traveler's Guide to Toronto: 15 Authentic Canadian Products to Bring Home
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The Epic Toronto Pub Crawl
There is no better way to see Toronto’s many different neighborhoods and get a literal taste of the Distillery District, the Esplanade, downtown, the Entertainment District and Yorkville. Plus you’ll learn a little about the bar and get its highlights at your fingertips so you’ll be in the...