The Most Instagrammable Places in Toronto

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Architectural Landmark

Right in the heart of downtown, Nathan Phillips Square is one of the best places in the city for Instagram-worthy pictures all year round. Always full of hustle and bustle, the architecture in this spot is a mixture of old and new. Capture the modern double arches with Old City Hall lingering in the background. There’s also a Toronto sign that lights up, and during the colder months you can take pictures of some winter magic and ice skating on the pond.

Art Gallery

If you love local street art, then Toronto won’t disappoint. One of the city’s most famous and celebrated areas for street art is a little alleyway called Rush Lane – or, as it’s better known, Graffiti Alley. The street art here is always changing, so make sure you take pictures of the pieces you like because you might not see it again.

Distillery, Historical Landmark, Brewery

The red-brick walls, cobblestone paths and installations make the historic Distillery District one of Toronto’s most picturesque and photographed areas. Roughly ten years ago, this Victorian industrial site was transformed into a cultural hub full of unique shops, restaurants, cafés and galleries. It’s made for Instagram filters.

Park
Better known as the Pink Park, this space was built in memory of Canadian journalist and social activist June Callwood. Using words she spoke during an interview before her death – “I believe in kindness” – that are physically mapped out on the site, Pink Park’s abstract and geometrical patterns are a playground for avid Instagrammers.

Shop, Store
Sweet Jesus creates some of Toronto’s most Instagrammable ice-cream moments. With its cheeky name, bright colorful shopfront and bubblegum blue walls, the store has created the perfect space for you to strike a pose with your extravagant dessert, cone overflowing with soft serve and crazy toppings.

Park

Sugar Beach, a whimsical 8,500 sq m (91,493 sq ft) beach park, gets its sweet name from the old Redpath sugar factory located right next to it. The sandy urban beach features ornamental lighting, adorable pink umbrellas, Muskoka chairs and candy stripes. Along with mature maple trees that line the promenade along the water’s edge, Sugar Beach offers many photographic opportunities.

Art Gallery
The Kate Moss street art behind Portland Variety in Toronto’s Fashion District is one of Toronto’s “it” murals. For a true King West moment, strike your most stylish pose with your to-go cup of coffee from Portland Variety.

Museum, Park

The beautiful grounds, architectural splendor, gardens and glistening pools of the Aga Khan Museum are an Instagrammer’s dream. Aga Khan’s contemporary design by Fumihiko Maki is in stark contrast to the historical art and artefacts of Islamic culture within the museum.

Shop, Store
If wonderland was a shoe shop, John Fluevog Shoes would be it. Once upon a time this unique boutique was a national bank until it was given a makeover and turned into a store for Fluevogs. Best of all was the transformation of the bank’s vault into a gravity-defying room and optical illusion called the Vog Vault.

Architectural Landmark

One of the best spots from which to capture Toronto’s cityscape is Polson Pier. Come during the day for the sparkling blue water, or at sunset for the orange-hued sky, while in the evening you’ll be greeted by the glittering lights of the metropolis.

Museum, Train Station

Owing to the fact that Museum Station is a subway stop for the Royal Museum of Ontario and Gardiner Museum, it was re-imagined in 2008 with both venues in mind. The pillars are inspired by iconic symbols from Canada’s First Nations, Ancient Egypt, China’s traditional culture, Mexico’s Toltec culture and Ancient Greece. The lighting, custom seating and hieroglyphics make this subway station a great place for some shots.

Head south on Spadina Avenue towards the bridge for a wonderful shot of the CN Tower. CityPlace Pedestrian Bridge is also nearby (around five minutes west on foot) and this is where you can often find Toronto’s influencers creating cool shots for their own Instagram feeds.