Is Toronto Walkable? Everything You Need To Know To Explore On Foot

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Is Toronto walkable? YES, Toronto is one of the most of walkable cities in the world, and the best way to explore is on foot!

If you’re planning to visit this beautiful city, read on for everything you need know about walking in Toronto, the most walkable neighbourhoods, walking tours, and more.

Is Toronto Walkable?

Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, with over 3 million people living in the city, across 630 square kilometres (and over 6.5 million people in the GTA). But don’t let this scare you. Despite its size, Toronto is actually also one of Canada’s most walkable cities.

With a walk score of 61, walkscore.com has listed Toronto as the 3rd most walkable city in Canada. And after living here for 5 years, I can see why – I go almost everywhere on foot!

As a major city, there can sometimes be obstacles to navigate when walking, like construction sites. But this has never impacted my ability to get around on foot, and it doesn’t usually slow me down.

A walkway through Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto, lined with street lamps and surrounded by green grass and trees

No matter where you’re staying in the city, everything you need is within easy reach on foot. You will never be more than a few minutes’ walk away from shops, restaurants, parks, public transit stations and more.

However, you may have a different experience if you’re staying outside the city, in the GTA. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to stay closer to downtown when visiting Toronto, this is what I would recommend, so you can easily explore and see the sites. This may also end up being cheaper, as you can save on transport or car rental costs by walking instead.

Why Explore Toronto on Foot?

There are several great reasons to explore Toronto on foot:

See as much as possible!

Firstly, this is the BEST way to see everything! When visiting, you will probably want to see all the key sites, like the CN Tower, Casa Loma, Ripley’s Aquarium, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and St. Lawrence Market (to name a few).

But there’s so much more to see in Toronto than just the popular tourist sites. And the best way to see it is by walking from one site to the next, so you get to see everything in-between!

An intersection on Bloor Street, with mid-rise buildings on each side of the road displaying murals and a blue sky in the background

Enjoy a mix of urban and natural surroundings

Toronto definitely looks like a stereotypical city with tons of glass and concrete skyscrapers. But amidst the mayhem you will also be surprised to find a lot of nature and green spaces.

The city has a stunning waterfront on Lake Ontario, with an extensive walkway and bike path that goes for miles. This is a great place to walk along the water, visit some of the city’s beaches, and even get a water taxi over to explore the Toronto Islands. The waterfront is also the best place to watch the sunrise and sunset.

In addition to the waterfront, Toronto has tons of beautiful parks and green spaces. One of my favourite things to do in the city is to go for a coffee and walk in the park. In particular, in autumn, this is a great way to see the vibrant fall colours in Toronto.

The parks are also a great place to people watch, play sports, and socialize with friends.

A ray of sunshine shining through the fall trees in Coronation Park, answering the question Is Toronto Walkable

Tip: If you have time, check out High Park on the west side of Toronto for 161 hectares of forest, walking trails, ponds, dog parks and even a community zoo.

See some unique and unusual sights

Toronto is full of hidden gems, colourful street art, unique neighbourhoods, beautiful houses and boutique shops. Every time I walk around the city I notice something new, even when I’ve previously wandered the same street 100 times already.

Some of the most unusual sights I have seen are actually in the more residential areas. I recommend walking up to Christie Pitts Park between Bloor and Dupont Street to see some of the city’s most interesting houses.

In particular, at 77 Yarmouth Road, you can see a life-size elephant statue in someone’s front garden. At 1016 Shaw Street you will find the most elaborate Greek house you’ve ever seen, complete with extravagant gateways, columns, sculptures and flags. And at 473 Clinton Street, there is a house completely covered head-to-toe in knick-knacks, shells and toys.

An elaborate greek style house which you will come across on Shaw Street while exploring is Toronto walkable

Explore the world’s largest underground shopping centre

A fun fact about Toronto is that it’s home to the PATH – the world’s largest underground shopping centre. The PATH is actually a 30 km (19 mi) network of underground pedestrian walkways, connecting many of the buildings in the downtown core. This means that there’s still plenty of places you can explore on foot in bad weather, as you don’t even have to go outside!

Tip: The PATH can get confusing to navigate, so if you want to see as much as possible without getting lost, I would recommend taking a PATH Walking Tour. This is a perfect activity to do on a rainy or cold winter’s day.

Save time and money

The final reason to explore the city on foot is to save time and money. Not only is walking free, but it can also often be quicker than waiting for public transit or getting stuck in traffic.

A pathway through the water with the sunset on the horizon, which is one of many sites to see when exploring Toronto on foot

Toronto’s Most Walkable Neighbourhoods

The Annex

One of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Toronto, the Annex is full of old Victorian houses and stunning tree-lined streets. It’s also really close to the beautiful University of Toronto campus, which is one of my favourite places to walk around.

You won’t struggle to find things to do in the Annex, with plenty of boutique shops and used bookstores to browse. And when you get hungry, wander along Bloor Street where you will find a wide variety of interesting and international food options.

A row of six Victorian style houses in The Annex with a rainbow shining above them

Yorkville

Neighbouring the Annex, you will find upscale Yorkville. What once used to be a hippie hotspot is now one of the city’s most expensive areas. Wander along Yorkville’s section of Bloor Street for high-end designer shopping and then stop at Eataly – a gourmet Italian food market and eatery.

To experience some art and culture, I also recommend visiting the Royal Ontario Museum, on the corner of Queen’s Park and Bloor Street.

Kensington Market

Toronto’s most vibrant neighbourhood – Kensington Market – is located in the heart of the city, south of College Street and west of Spadina Avenue. Here, you will find quirky bars, hidden music venues, vintage stores, and the best street food in the city.

Check out Seven Lives for amazing Baja-style tacos, or Rasta Pasta for an interesting fusion of Jamaican and Italian food. (Both are located on Kensington Avenue).

Trinity-Bellwoods

My absolute favourite neighbourhood is Trinity-Bellwoods, with beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park at its centre. The park really is the highlight of this area and there is plenty to do there – with tennis courts, an ice rink, a community centre with a swimming pool and a weekly farmer’s market. In the park, you can also try to spot one of Toronto’s elusive white squirrels.

In the summer months, the park truly comes alive. You will find everyone and everything in the park including live music, social gatherings, picnics, sports games, slacklining, and much more.

And, in the fall, the park becomes a colourful display of red, yellow and orange hues. It’s actually one of the best places near downtown to see fall colours in Toronto!

Queen West

Just south of Trinity-Bellwoods is Queen West. This is Toronto’s coolest strip, full of unique specialty stores, up-market boutiques, independent art galleries, edgy bars and top restaurants.

You will see an interesting mix of styles in Queen West, from cute shop fronts to grungy music venues. Plus, check out Graffiti Alley to see the city’s most vibrant street art!

A woman standing in front of a pink mural depicting love quotes in Graffiti Alley in Toronto

Harbourfront

The Harbourfront is one of Toronto’s most walkable areas with boardwalks and gardens right on Lake Ontario. It’s also very close to some of the key sites you probably want to see, including the CN Tower and Scotiabank Arena.

Stroll along the boardwalk to see a range of interesting boats, stop off at Sugar Beach, and wander through the beautiful music garden. And for a super romantic setting, I recommend exploring the Harbourfront at sunset.

The question is Toronto walkable can be answered at the harbour front where people are strolling the boardwalk at sunset behind the view of a large willow tree

Downtown Toronto

The downtown core, although busy, is actually a very walkable area! Here you will find the financial and entertainment districts, many of the key tourist sites, and Toronto’s only urban shopping centre (and North America’s busiest shopping mall), the Eaton Centre.

Plus, in bad weather, you can still get around on foot downtown by using the extensive underground pedestrian network, the PATH.

Pedestrians crossing the road in downtown with a streetcar in the background, answering the question Is Toronto walkable

The Beaches

On Toronto’s east side, you’ll find The Beaches neighbourhood. This area is full of charm and character, with a laid-back vibe and a beautiful series of beaches.

Here you can wander along 3 km (1.8 mi) of parks and beachfront boardwalk, passing through Woodbine Beach, Kew-Balmy Beach and Balmy Beach. And if you head up to Queen Street East you will find an abundance of cute cafés, bars, restaurants, and local stores to explore.

Old Town

Old Town is Toronto’s most historic neighbourhood and was actually the first named neighbourhood in the city in 1815.

Here, you will find some of the city’s most famous buildings, including the Gooderham building (or ‘Flatiron building’). Famous for its distinct narrow shape and iconic backdrop, it’s framed by some of the city’s oldest heritage buildings, with modern skyscrapers in the background.

The iconic flatiron building with the view of skyscrapers in the background, seen while exploring Toronto on foot

While in Old Town make sure to visit historic St. Lawrence Market, which dates back to 1803. Here you can pick up some of the city’s freshest produce!

The Distillery District

Slightly east of Old Town, is the Distillery District. This is one of the city’s most walkable neighbourhoods because it’s actually a pedestrian-only area. Plus, it’s a National Historic Site of Canada, so is definitely worth visiting.

In the Distillery District, you will feel like you’ve gone back in time as you wander the cobblestone streets and marvel at Victorian architecture. Here, you will find some of the city’s best restaurants, coffee roasters, breweries and art galleries. And, at Christmas, it hosts the Toronto Winter Village.

People visiting the Distillery District's winter market, with Christmas lights decorating the square and the famous Gooderham and Worts sign in the background

Toronto Walking Tours

One of the best ways to see the city when you first arrive is to take a Toronto Walking Tour. I did one in my first few days in Toronto and it was a great way to find my bearings and learn more about the history of the city.

I did my walking tour with a guide, which I think is the best way, as you can ask questions and don’t risk getting lost. Plus it’s a great way to meet other people. But if you prefer to do a tour on your own, you can also so do a self-guided walking tour.

Another great option is to take a Walking Tasting Tour, to see and taste the best of Toronto. Walking around the city can really work up an appetite, so this is a great way to see the city and experience the amazing food scene all at once.

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A typical street lined with red, yellow and green trees in the fall while exploring Toronto on foot, and cars parked on the right side of the street

Other Ways to Get Around

If you’re not a big walker, luckily there are also plenty of other ways to get around Toronto.

Cycling

Cycling is a very popular way to explore the city. With plenty of dedicated bike paths, Toronto is easy to navigate by bike and you can cycle just about anywhere.

It’s also really easy to rent a bike here. There are multiple bike rental stores downtown, and there is also an excellent bike share program. Bike Share Toronto has 680 stations around the city, with over 7,100 bikes. Therefore you won’t struggle to find a bike using the program.

To use Bike Share, you should download the app, where you can register, purchase a pass, find available bikes, and unlock your bike. There is a pay-as-you-go option for $1 to unlock the bike + $0.12 per minute, or a day pass for $15 for 90 minute unlimited rides in a 24-hour period. Alternatively, it may be more economical to buy an annual membership.

If you don’t feel comfortable cycling on your own, you can also book a Downtown Toronto Bike Tour or a Toronto Islands Bike Tour.

You should always keep safety in mind when cycling in Toronto. A lot of the bike paths run alongside busy streets, so make sure you’re comfortable cycling in traffic and you know how to signal properly. Although it’s not a legal requirement over the age of 18, it’s also recommended to always wear a helmet while cycling.

Public Transit

Toronto has an extensive public transit system, including a subway, buses and streetcars. Although the transit network pales in comparison to larger cities around the world, the services available are more than enough to service the GTA and they operate frequently.

A red streetcar on a downtown street in Toronto with a brown brick office building in the background

Some people love to complain about the transit system here, but I expect those people have never experienced the London Underground or New York Subway during rush hour… They make Toronto’s Subway feel like luxury travel!

There are also long-distance train services from Union Station with VIA Rail, and commuter trains operated by Go Transit.

Driving

Although I try to avoid it when possible, driving in Toronto is actually a good option if you have to travel longer distances. But, you should always try to avoid peak times as there is a lot of congestion downtown. Outside of busy times, it doesn’t take long to leave the city by car.

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The key rush hour times to avoid are between 7-10 am and 3-7 pm on weekdays. At weekends, if you’re wanting to drive out of the city, I highly recommend leaving before 11 am and returning in the evening, as the roads get busy during the day.

A couple of things to keep in mind when driving in Toronto: firstly, always watch out for cyclists! And secondly, there are a lot of one-way streets, so make sure to read the road signs properly.

Four lanes of traffic in downtown Toronto with yellow street lights suspended above the road

Taxis & Rideshares

As a final option to get around, you can always take a taxi or ride-share. Toronto has plenty of both. For a taxi, you can either flag one down on the street (you will probably only have to wait a couple of minutes) or order it using a taxi app.

For ride shares, both Uber and Lyft operate in the city. Once you order one on the app you will probably only be waiting a few minutes for it to arrive.

Personally, I prefer to use ride-shares over taxis. I find the service is better and unfortunately, there are taxi scams in Toronto to be aware of. Although I have never felt unsafe in a taxi, it’s important to be alert when paying, pay attention to your credit card, and pay in cash if possible.

FAQs

Is it easy to get around Toronto without a car?

Toronto is a very easy city to get around without a car. In fact, I would advise against driving downtown as traffic can get congested, and it can often be just as quick (or quicker) to walk, bike, or use public transit.

There are also an abundance of taxis, Ubers and other ride share services. So you won’t have to wait long for a ride.

An open space covered in snow at Trinity Bellwoods Park at dusk in the winter, with the lights of the CN Tower visible in the background

Is it safe to walk at night in Toronto?

Toronto is actually one of the safest cities in North America. As a local, I always feel safe walking here, even at night. However, if you’re new to the city I would not recommend walking too far at night.

Like in any major city, there are safer and less safe areas. If you’re not familiar with the city, you won’t know which areas to avoid, and risk getting lost.

Generally in the busy areas, you won’t have any problems. But if you have to head outside of these areas at night, I suggest getting public transit, a taxi or a ride-share. And always exercise common sense, just as you would in any city: don’t walk alone at night, don’t walk in dark areas, and always be aware of your surroundings.

Are there areas to avoid in Toronto?

Like in any big city, there are always some neighbourhoods which are safer than others. The main area which is generally considered less safe is the east side of downtown, around Jarvis Street and Sherbourne Street.

These areas aren’t necessarily dangerous, but they do tend to have more homelessness and a bigger issue with substance abuse, addiction, and mental health than other Toronto neighbourhoods. Personally, I haven’t ever felt unsafe here, but I would avoid going there at night. Plus, these areas just aren’t as nice to explore as many other places in the city.

A tree lined street in Christie Pitts neighbourhood in Toronto, with several cars parked on either side

Can you walk in Downtown Toronto?

Yes, absolutely! Downtown Toronto is one of the best places to walk. You will come across plenty of shops, restaurants and points of interest along the way.

The streets are very pedestrian friendly, with sidewalks on both sides and lots of crosswalks. (Although sometimes construction can affect the sidewalks).

Downtown Toronto also has the PATH – an extensive underground pedestrian walkway network. So you can easily walk around downtown even in the middle of winter and when the weather is bad.

Where should I walk in Toronto?

Almost anywhere! All of the most walkable neighbourhoods listed in this post are fantastic places to explore on foot. Just keep in mind the suggested places to avoid, which I mentioned above.

If limited on time, I would suggest mapping out the key sites you want to see while visiting the city and planning your walk around them. Walking from one site to the next is a great way to see as much as possible and ensure you fit everything you want to do into your itinerary.

A walkway through a park, with the sun shining through the trees in the background

Final Thoughts – Is Toronto Walkable?

Toronto is an incredibly walkable city. With lots of parks, waterfront boardwalks, and infrastructure to accommodate pedestrians, it’s easy to get around the city on foot. Plus, shops, restaurants and other amenities and services are all within easy walking distance.

If you’re planning to visit Toronto, I would highly recommend staying in the city so you can easily get around by walking. This way you will get to see as much as possible during your visit!

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