Casa Loma

As one of Toronto’s most unusual buildings, Casa Loma draws its fair share of sightseers. Come here on a hop-on hop-off bus tour or as part of a city sightseeing tour that also stops at other well-known Toronto attractions, such as the CN Tower, St. Lawrence Market, and Dundas Square. Once inside the 98-room mansion, view a short documentary about the site’s original owner, Sir Henry Pellatt, and navigate your way around with the help of a complimentary audio guide. Helicopter tours of Toronto also buzz over this stately home.

• Wear comfortable shoes, as exploring this mansion requires quite a lot of walking.

• Most exhibit rooms in the basement or on the first, second, and third floors are wheelchair accessible via a single staff-operated heritage elevator. However, the Scottish and Norman towers are not accessible to wheelchair users.

• If traveling with kids, be aware that you can’t take strollers beyond the first floor.

Casa Loma is situated on Austin Terrace in a neighborhood north of Downtown Toronto with which it shares its name. To get here, take the subway (Line 1) to Dupont. Once there, head north along Spadina Road, crossing Davenport Road before climbing the Baldwin Steps. The walk from the station should take less than 10 minutes.

Summer is the best time for strolls around the 5-acre (2.2-hectare) estate, though it can be stuffy inside the property, as not all rooms are air-conditioned. The castle is popular and can get busy, particularly on weekends. Arrive early to avoid the worst of the crowds, and allow two to three hours for exploration.

Sir Henry Pellatt, a businessman who made his fortune investing in rail and hydroelectric power, enlisted Toronto-based architect E. J. Lennox to design his dream home and spent millions of dollars on the project. Upon completion, it was the largest private residence in North America. Unfortunately, Pellatt didn’t get to live out his days in the castle as he had envisioned; he was forced out of Casa Loma in 1924 due his growing debts.

Yes and no: You can walk past the front of Casa Loma for free, but you’ll need an entry ticket to visit the gardens. A fence surrounds the house, so what you can see will be limited unless you buy an entry ticket.

General admission to Casa Loma does not include a guided tour, but a 60–90 minute tour of the gardens is available for an extra fee. These must be pre-booked in advance.

No, there is no dress code to visit Casa Loma. If you’re attending one of Casa Loma’s special concerts, wearing smart casual or smart attire is customary, but there is no official dress code.

Yes, visitors can take photos throughout Casa Loma and its gardens—it's a great opportunity to capture the architectural and historical aspects of this popular tourist attraction. Commercial filming or shoots require special permission, however.

Yes, Casa Loma is worth visiting if you are interested in history and enjoy grand architecture, historic homes, and beautiful gardens. The castle offers a glimpse into a bygone era with its stunning architecture and rich history. It’s a popular tourist attraction in Toronto, and many people enjoy visiting.

Yes, you can reach Casa Loma on the subway, but you’ll need to walk from the station. Take the Spadina–University Line to Dupont station and walk north two blocks on Spadina Avenue. From here, climb the Baldwin Steps or walk up the hill toward the castle.