7 Days in Toronto and Montréal: A Cultural, Culinary, and Cityscapes Itinerary
Canada’s story stretches from Indigenous Nations whose cultures thrive today, through French and British colonial chapters, to a modern mosaic that welcomes the world. In one week, you’ll feel the tempo of two icons: Toronto, a vertical city of neighborhoods and new flavors; and Montréal, where cobblestones, cathedrals, and cafés meet festivals and late-night jazz.
Toronto dazzles with the CN Tower, harbor promenades, sport fever, and markets where you can brunch on peameal bacon and sip flat whites roasted nearby. A quick flight away, Montréal wraps you in Old Port stonework, soaring basilicas, bagel ovens, and bistros where chefs spin Québécois classics into something fresh.
Expect walkable historic districts, efficient transit, and four-season fun. Pack layers, book key tickets ahead, and bring an appetite—this itinerary pairs can’t-miss attractions with local favorites, from St. Lawrence Market to Mile End, from Niagara Falls to Mount Royal, with practical flight options and handpicked stays.
Toronto
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and a collage of micro-neighborhoods—Kensington Market’s vintage corners, Queen West galleries, Greektown souvlaki strolls, and Little India’s spice-laced air. Its skyline is crowned by the CN Tower, once the world’s tallest freestanding structure, and its waterfront walks are perfect for sunsets over Lake Ontario.
Food is a headline here: from Thai curries sizzling at PAI to Spanish pintxos at Bar Raval, and the legendary peameal bacon sandwich at St. Lawrence Market’s Carousel Bakery. Sports fans can catch the Maple Leafs or Raptors; culture lovers sink into the Art Gallery of Ontario or a show along King Street West.
- Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Toronto or Hotels.com Toronto. Excellent picks include The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto (spa, lake views), The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar (stay above a live-music institution), and Chelsea Hotel, Toronto (great for families, central location).
- How to get there: Fly into YYZ or YTZ. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From YYZ, budget ~25 minutes on the airport train to downtown; taxis/ride-hails take ~35–60 minutes with traffic.
- Fun fact: Over half of Torontonians were born outside Canada—expect a truly global kitchen scene.
Day 1: Arrival, St. Lawrence Market, and the Distillery District
Afternoon: Land in Toronto and drop bags at your hotel. Head to St. Lawrence Market—graze on a peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery and sample Polish pierogies at European Delight. Coffee at Pilot Coffee Roasters (Market Street) will shake off jet lag.
Evening: Walk the cobblestone Distillery District, a 19th-century whisky complex reborn with art galleries and indie boutiques. Dinner at Cluny Bistro (French, lively brasserie energy) or El Catrin (modern Mexican and one of Canada’s deepest tequila lists). Nightcap at Spirit of York for a gin tasting, or hot chocolate at SOMA Chocolatemaker.
Day 2: CN Tower, Harbourfront, and a Night Tour
Morning: Espresso and pastries at Sam James Coffee Bar (Harbord). Ride the CN Tower elevators for lake-to-skyline views; brave the glass floor. Early lunch on fresh pasta at Gusto 101 (house wine on tap, rooftop if weather cooperates).
Afternoon: Stroll the Harbourfront Centre boardwalks. If ferries run frequently, hop to the Toronto Islands for skyline photos; in colder months, swap for the Art Gallery of Ontario (Gehry wing, Group of Seven).
Evening: Join this highly rated city lights experience:
Toronto Premium Night Driving Tour with CN Tower
Day 3: Full-Day Niagara Falls Excursion
Depart early for Niagara Falls (about 1.5 hours by car; day tours also available from downtown). See both the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls viewpoints; if boats are operating, don a poncho for the misty ride. Explore the gorge overlooks, then wander Niagara-on-the-Lake for a heritage-main-street feel and winery tastings.
Lunch ideas: Tide & Vine Oyster House (seafood) or Niagara Brewing Company (craft flights near the falls). For a late treat, stop at Cow’s Ice Cream (PEI-born, ultra-creamy) before returning to Toronto for a low-key noodle bowl at Miku (aburi sushi) or Sansotei Ramen.
Montréal
Montréal blends European elegance with North American energy. In Old Montréal, 18th-century warehouses face the St. Lawrence, while the basilica’s blue-and-gold nave glows like a starry sky. Up on the Plateau and Mile End, third-wave cafés, mural-lined lanes, and music venues keep the city humming late.
Eat like a local: wood-fired bagels at dawn, smoked meat at lunch, poutine after midnight. Museums and markets—Pointe-à-Callière and Jean-Talon—anchor days that end with jazz at Upstairs or beers at Dieu du Ciel!.
- Where to stay: Search VRBO Montréal or Hotels.com Montréal. Standouts: The Ritz-Carlton, Montréal (legendary service, saltwater pool), Hotel Le Dauphin Montréal Centre-Ville (smart-value steps from Old Montréal), and Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites (suite-style, great for families).
- Getting there from Toronto: Morning flight YYZ–YUL ~1h15; expect ~$90–$200 one-way. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Downtown Montréal is ~20–30 minutes by taxi/ride-hail or bus/metro.
- Fun fact: Montréal hosts more annual festivals than almost any city in North America—there’s always music somewhere.
Day 4: Fly to Montréal, Old Port, and Notre-Dame
Morning: Depart Toronto on an early flight (aim for 8–10am). Arrive YUL, drop your bags.
Afternoon: Espresso at Tommy (Notre-Dame Ouest) and wander Old Montréal. Tour Notre-Dame Basilica—its carved wood and celestial blues are breathtaking. Stroll the Old Port quays and boutique-hop along Rue St-Paul.
Evening: Dinner at L’Express (Parisian bistro, steak-frites and cornichon jar) or Damas (Syrian feast—mezze and charcoal-grilled lamb). Cocktails at Nacarat (hotel bar artistry) or local brews at Dieu du Ciel! in Mile End.
Day 5: Mount Royal, Mile End Bagels, and Curling
Morning: Start at St-Viateur Bagel or Fairmount Bagel; order sesame hot from the wood-fired oven. Climb or bus to Mount Royal for skyline and St. Lawrence River views from the chalet lookout.
Afternoon: Explore the Plateau/Mile End: coffee at Café Olimpico, falafel at Sumac, or market-grazing at Jean-Talon Market (Québécois cheeses, maple treats, seasonal produce). Street-art detour along Boulevard Saint-Laurent.
Evening: Try a uniquely Canadian winter pastime:
Curling Experience in Montreal
Day 6: Full-Day Mont-Tremblant Excursion
Trade city streets for Laurentian peaks on a guided day trip:
Mont Tremblant Winter Day Trip from Montreal
Day 7: Museums, Markets, and Departure
Morning: Coffee at Café Saint-Henri and a final cultural stop—either the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (Canadian and international collections) or Pointe-à-Callière (archaeology museum built over the city’s birthplace).
Afternoon: Early lunch at Olive & Gourmando (panini, pastries) in Old Montréal or Toqué! lunchtime for a splurge on Québécois terroir. Pick up maple syrup and local chocolate, then head to YUL for your afternoon flight out—compare times and fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.
Practical Notes & Extras
- Transit: Toronto’s TTC and Montréal’s STM are easy to navigate; tap cards (PRESTO/OPUS) save time. Taxis/ride-hails are widely available.
- Seasonality: Boat rides at Niagara and some island ferries are seasonal; winter brings magical skating trails and curling. Dress in layers year-round.
- Dining reservations: Book popular spots (Richmond Station, Damas) a week or more ahead, especially weekends.
Optional add-ons if you extend: Hockey Hall of Fame (Toronto), a food tour in Kensington Market, or a sleighride in Tremblant’s village if you’re visiting mid-winter.
Summary: In one week, you’ve tasted Canada’s cosmopolitan core—sky-high Toronto days and Montréal nights threaded with markets, museums, and memorable bites. With easy flights, curated stays, and a Niagara-and-Tremblant double, this itinerary balances icons and local gems you’ll be talking about long after you land home.