How Beautiful Ontario Is

To get you started on our journey through the Canadian province, here are some key facts about Ontario in a nutshell.

Size: 1,076,000 km² (about the same size as Germany, France, and Italy combined)Capital: TorontoPopulation of Ontario: approximately 13.5 millionOfficial Languages: English and French, but over 160 different languages are spokenCurrency: Canadian Dollar (CAD) / 1€ = 1.47 CADTime Zone: GMT-4International Airports: Toronto Pearson International Airport & Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International AirportNatural Beauty: six national parks, over 330 provincial parks, of which 113 offer tourist infrastructure, and over 250,000 lakes, with 70% of the area covered by forestsBest Time to Visit: an attractive year-round destination, summer temperatures up to 30 degrees Celsius, winter temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius, during the Indian Summer (September and October) you can look forward to a spectacular display of colors in Ontario.

The fourth largest city in the country, Ottawa, is the often underappreciated capital of Canada, which you should not overlook during your journey through Ontario. If you land in Toronto and start your road trip there, you're only about a five-hour drive from the city bordering the province of Quebec. Although approximately 1.3 million people live in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, the atmosphere in the city is quite relaxed.

Few skyscrapers adorn Ottawa's skyline. Numerous museums, galleries, theaters, and sporting events, along with vibrant festivals, provide entertainment throughout the year. Diverse excursion destinations in the surrounding nature invite relaxation and activities. The cityscape is shaped by the three rivers that converge here: the Ottawa River, the Rideau River, and the Gatineau River. A particularly popular destination is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rideau Canal, which winds through downtown Ottawa. Rent a bike or take a stroll along the canal to the impressive Parliament Hill, where the Canadian Parliament meets, or join a guided tour to learn more about the city's key landmarks. In the summer, don't miss the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony at 10 AM - can you spot the similarities to the London counterpart?

If you want to learn more about the various attractions and events, I recommend my detailed article about Ottawa.

You probably recognize the cosmopolitan metropolis of Toronto from images featuring landmarks like the CN Tower. Or maybe you have even visited the largest city in Canada? There's so much to see in Toronto that it easily warrants multiple visits.

Starting with the 553-meter-tall CN Tower, the interactive Royal Ontario Museum, or Casa Loma, and extending to the recreational spots like the Toronto Islands and High Park, the city is rich in highlights for every taste. Additionally, Toronto hosts exciting events and festivals year-round revolving around food and culture, ensuring a variety of experiences during your vacation.

Foodies among you will feel like they're in heaven, especially in Kensington Market and St. Lawrence Market. My tip: Be sure to try the delicious Canadian ice wine, which is grown, produced, and exported right here in Ontario - simply scrumptious!

Not far from Toronto lie the world-famous Niagara Falls, one of the most well-known attractions in Ontario. Canada and the USA 'share' the waterfalls, but the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side are more popular with tourists. Here, 57 meters of water cascades down - it's an impressive and quite wet spectacle that you can enjoy from both the viewpoints as well as from a boat or helicopter. A particularly spectacular view is available from the 'Journey Behind the Falls' viewpoint. You won't stay dry here, but that's part of the experience, isn't it?

If you're already here, be sure to take a detour to Niagara-on-the-Lake, located at the mouth of the Niagara River. This picturesque town is just 20 kilometers from the Horseshoe Falls and features a dreamy historic downtown, unique antique shops, and cozy bistros.

The lively cities and roaring Niagara Falls are not the only reasons to make your way to Ontario; you should also plan to visit at least one of the six national parks and over 113 well-visited provincial parks in your Eastern Canada route. Whether you plan your trip in winter or summer, you can look forward to numerous activities and experiences such as canoeing, hiking, biking, snowmobiling, skiing, or even dog sledding. With these outdoor activities, you can also observe local wildlife like bears, wolves, and moose quite wonderfully.

Algonquin Provincial Park: Swamps, lakes, dense forests, and a great diversity of species await you in this 7,600 km² national park in Ontario. The best way to explore the park is along its various hiking trails, or you can rent a canoe and paddle over one of the over 2,400 lakes. A mountain bike tour or cross-country skiing (in winter) is also possible here.Killarney Provincial Park: This park, located about 400 km northwest of Toronto, is still a hidden gem in Eastern Canada. If you're looking for a place to enjoy nature undisturbed, definitely include Killarney Provincial Park in your route!Bruce Peninsula National Park: Located on the peninsula of the same name, Bruce Peninsula National Park invites not only for wildlife exploration but also for swimming in beautiful bays. If you're here in summer, don't forget to bring your swim gear for a refreshing dip.Thousand Islands: One of the smallest national parks in Canada is located at the border to the USA on Lake Ontario and consists of just 21 of over 1,800 islets. Small forests, mysterious forts, old castles, and tiny lighthouses dot the islands, which you can best explore on a boat tour.

In the following map, I have marked all the highlighted attractions in Ontario for you. This way, you have a good overview and can optimally plan your Eastern Canada road trip.

As you can see, Ontario has much more to offer than just Toronto and Niagara Falls. The best way to experience all the highlighted locations is to take a road trip, allowing you to enjoy an optimal mix of city and nature. In my travel magazine, you will find many more tips and ideas for such a trip to Eastern Canada. Check it out and start planning your own adventure soon - Canada is calling!