Casa Loma: Visit Toronto’s Ornate Castle
Photo by depositphotos.com
In 1914, a successful businessman named Sir Henry Pellatt decided to construct a lavish castle that would rival Europe’s finest aristocratic estates. Pellatt’s 98-room castle—known as Casa Loma—featured stately gardens, sprawling stables, and more than one secret passageway. Pellatt got so carried away with adding ornate flourishes—such as engraving the names of his horses in 18-carat gold—that he ultimately spent every penny of his 17-million-dollar fortune and had to put Casa Loma up for sale.
Casa Loma is currently owned by the city of Toronto. Visitors can tour the opulent castle and view several rooms that are decorated in the ornate Edwardian style that Sir Henry Pellatt adored. Pellatt had to sell off Casa Loma’s lavish furnishings to pay his debts, but historians have worked tirelessly to authentically reconstruct Casa Loma just as Pellatt initially furnished it.
Photo by depositphotos.com
Casa Loma also features numerous permanent exhibits. An antique car exhibit that is housed in the stables is one of Casa Loma’s most popular attractions. A 1922 Ford Model T in pristine condition always attracts quite a crowd.
Casa Loma is also home to a swanky restaurant called BlueBlood Steakhouse that serves fine wine and delectable steaks. The walls of BlueBlood Steakhouse are decorated with paintings by masters such as Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali. BlueBlood Steakhouse is a wee bit pricey, so make sure to plan ahead and budget accordingly if you end up making a reservation so you don’t emulate Sir Henry Pellatt and spend every last penny in your bank account in one sitting.
If traveling to the Loire Valley in France isn’t in your budget, consider traveling to Toronto to visit one of North America‘s most lavish castles. Casa Loma‘s stately ramparts, regal bronze doors, and sparkling chandeliers will leave you wishing that you had 17 million dollars to burn.
Address:
1 Austin Terrace
Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1X8
Canada
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Coordinates
- 43.6781, -79.40938
- Access
- Self-guided touring with the included mobile audio guide and Sir Henry Pellatt documentary. The main door and many rooms have wheelchair access, but several rooms, the tunnel and towers require stairs; access is partial.
- Admission
- General admission: adults (18–64) C$45; seniors 65+ and youth 14–17 C$40; children 4–13 C$30; children under 3 free with a ticketed adult. Prices include HST. Specialty events require separate tickets.
- Time needed
- Allow about 2–3 hours for the main rooms, tunnel, stables and gardens when open; this is a visitor-guide estimate, not an operator-set tour duration.
- Best season
- The castle is open daily, but the operator lists its outdoor gardens and terrace as seasonally closed on its current visit page (checked 28 October 2026). For the gardens, choose a time when they are confirmed open; this is seasonal planning guidance, not an official best-season recommendation.
- Opening hours
- Daily 09:30–17:00 for touring; last guest admission 16:30. On 28 October 2026 the operator lists the Lower Gardens, main garden level and Terrace closed for the season. The Scottish Tower closes at 15:00 Wed–Fri and 13:00 Sat–Sun; the Norman Tower remains open. Check the operator page for date-specific closures.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-25
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-28
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