Casa Loma
Casa Loma is the only full sized castle in North America and Toronto's premier historic attraction
Casa Loma which means Hill House in Spanish, is an architectural marvel which was constructed by over 300 workers between 1911 and 1914.
Overlooking what is now Downtown Toronto, this European style castle was originally built for financier Sir Henry Mill Pellat and his wife. They only lived there for 10 years before financial troubles forced them to leave. After this Casa Loma operated briefly as a luxury hotel. By late in the 1920s it had become a popular night spot, however, in 1933 Casa Loma was taken over by the City of Toronto to pay for unpaid taxes due. At this time it was very run down and the City was considering demolition, however, it was saved and has since been undergoing years of restoration.
This popular landmark and museum, now operated by Liberty Entertainment Group, is one of Toronto's top attractions with over 400,000 visitors each year. Casa Loma is situated on 5 acres of land with lovely gardens meticulously maintained by full-time master gardeners, a wooded hillside carpeted with decorative grasses, beautiful wildflowers, ornate sculptures and fountains.
An 800 foot tunnel runs underground connecting the main castle with the carriage house and stables. While walking through the tunnel you will see the Toronto's Dark Side exhibit with large photographs on the walls that archive earlier times including Prohibition, The Great Depression, The Plague, The Great Toronto Fire and the city's first plane crash. Inside the carriage house you will find the Automotive Exhibit which features antique cars from the early 1900s.
If you get hungry during your visit, Casa Loma also has the newly opened Liberty Café and there is also a gift shop on site.
When visiting Casa Loma you should also consider visiting the outstanding Spadina House Museum located right next door. Operated by the city of Toronto, it too is well worth your time.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes; Castle admission includes multimedia audio guide and viewing of the Sir Henry Pellatt documentaryCasa Loma Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON M5R 1X8, Canada
Phone: (416) 923-1171
Official Website: Casa Loma
Casa Loma Reviews
Rated out of 5![]()
This castle is a beautiful place, it's so large and full of splendor. We visited during the Christmas season and the decorations and displays were phenomenal and so pretty and elegant. For kids there is so much activity and for adults so much to see, well worth the visit. You can get some lovely pictures inside and outside especially in snowy season. 😊
Patsy Fiona (Valcory) - a month ago
My fiancé and I visited Casa Loma during their Christmas program and went during the daytime. It was such a great experience and really felt like stepping back in time and seeing how things used to be. The castle was beautifully decorated from top to bottom with Christmas displays, including singing animals and dancing gingerbread figures, which made it feel festive and fun without being over the top. My favorite part was the basement. It had so many interesting historic attractions, and I really enjoyed looking at the vintage cars and learning about the celebrities and movies that were filmed there. That part was very cool. After walking through the castle, it was nice to see how clean and modern the renovated restrooms were, and the food court was a great place to sit down and enjoy a meal. Overall, it was a wonderful visit and I would definitely recommend Casa Loma, especially during the Christmas season.
J M - a month ago
Spent about 2 hours exploring Casa Loma in early fall, and it was well worth the visit. We did the self-guided audio tour, which is included in the admission price and available in several languages right on their website. The tour is very comprehensive and filled with interesting facts that made the walk through the castle much more fun (bring your own headphones to use with your phone so you can hear the audio clearly while you walk).
The staff was very nice, and since we went in early fall, the basement was already decorated for Halloween, which was a great touch! The architecture and grounds are beautiful, and the views of the Toronto skyline from the top of the tower are fantastic. Just be prepared for a bit of a challenge climbing the tower—the stairs are very small, narrow, and winding.
Parking: There is paid onsite parking available, which is very convenient since the castle is located at the top of a steep hill. Overall, it’s a lot of walking, but the history and the views make it a must-see.
Natalie - a month ago
This castle is absolutely beautiful and full of interesting history. My favourite parts were the secret tunnel — it was decorated for Halloween and looked amazing — and the basement area where you can see which movies were filmed in each room. The only downside was the spiral staircase to the tower. It gets quite tight and crowded, so it would be great if there were signs or someone to help direct the flow of people. Overall, a really fun and memorable visit!
Alisha_Jira - 3 months ago
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Directions
| TTC Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Yonge-University-Spadina | Dupont Station | 8-10 MInutes |
How to get to Casa Loma by TTC Subway
No bus needed. From Dupont Station walk 2 blocks north on Spadina Road to Davenport Road then follow the Baldwin stairs (110 steps) up the hill directly ahead of you.
If you prefer not to use the stairs you can proceed west on Davenport Road; right on Wallace Road and right again on Austin Terrace.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near Casa Loma:
Photo Gallery
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Guest Suite Inside Casa Loma cc licensed photo by Steven V. Rose -
Lady Pellatt's Suite at Casa Loma cc licensed photo by Steven V. Rose -
Casa Loma Fountain and Grounds -
Underground Passage containing the Toronto's Dark Side exhibit -
Vintage 1910 Maxwell Model Q2 at the Casa Loma Automotive Exhibit -
Photo Credit: Lucas T Photo - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lucas T Photo - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lucas T Photo - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lucas T Photo - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lucas T Photo - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lucas T Photo - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lucas T Photo - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lucas T Photo - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lucas T Photo - cc license via Flickr

