When visiting a new city, it usually takes some time to get your bearings and figure out where to go, or which attractions top your to-do list. If you don’t mind being a real tourist for a day or two, purchase a pass for a “Hop On, Hop Off” bus tour. These tours are very popular and run in most major cities around the world.
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Most bus companies offer both single and “multi-day” packages. These bus tours include many of the most important cultural and historical attractions of each destination. They also provide a unique perspective on city life, offering a comfortable ride around
In most cities, various bus lines appear as differing colors on the route maps. Therefore, the variety gives you the flexibility to spread your sightseeing over a few days. Or, pack all the excitement into one big long day tour. The buses are double-decker, and claiming a seat on the top offers the best views!
Toronto, Canada
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If you are a new to the grand city of Toronto, Canada, this Hop On Hop Off tour will take you everywhere you need to go. The prominent, bright red double decker—a model originally introduced by London Transport—sticks out like a sore thumb on the busy downtown streets. The words “City-sightseeing” written in bold yellow type on all four sides, is truly eye-catching. However, rather than feeling the odd one out, why not embrace the tourist label as you journey this multi-diverse city!
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Begin your tour at any one of three main stations: Yonge-Dundas Square, Union Train Station, and Radisson Admiral Hotel. The Toronto route includes 21 stops where people can hop on or off of the bus at any time, so keep your ticket close!
Some of the major attractions that you can expect to see include the CN Tower, Casa Loma, The Royal Ontario Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
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The bus also travels through some of Toronto’s most beloved neighborhoods, each area shining with its own unique culture and feel. Kensington Market is one you shouldn’t miss; it boasts a community rich in diversity, culture, and art! Choose from one of the many coffee shops to relax with a drink, or brow the exuberant, fresh fruit and vegetable stalls.
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The entertainment district is another spot you’ll definitely want to hop off to explore! This area offers some of the city’s best local restaurants and bars, with a wide variety of food options. Dining in Toronto is an experience you don’t want to miss.
New York, New York
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The Big Apple can certainly seem overwhelming to new visitors. With all of the hustle and bustle of New York, you’ll want to make sure you see the most of the city without losing yourself in all the options. Why not let the Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour plan the itinerary for you? The organized ride includes New York’s most popular attractions that hold the essence of the Empire State.
Once you get ahold of a tour, prepare to explore the city that never sleeps! Hop on the bus around Time Square, the iconic spot that buzzes with activity, encapturing the very essence of city life.
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Each double-decker bus comes with live commentary that provides historical information on popular landmarks. Learn detailed facts about the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and a few world-famous museums, including the Metropolitan and the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). And when the bus pulls up to the south end of Central Park, you won’t be able to resist stopping and wandering around the largest green area in the heart of the city.
NYC Hop on Hop off offers three different routes that cover some of the most famous neighborhoods: Downtown, Uptown, and Brooklyn. Each course takes approximately 2 hours. But it can also turn into a full day of sight-seeing if you hop off to explore the key areas and attractions.
When you’re finished exploring, hop back on the double decker at the same stop, and travel up and down the Upper East and West side. Listen carefully to the live commentator—they’ll get you caught up on where all of the celebrities live!
Barcelona, Spain
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Barcelona has three different bus routes which include 44 stops around the city and surrounding area. Spread this over a few days or pack it all into one! The express tour around downtown Barcelona is 40 minutes, though only available from April to October during high tourist season. The other two are approximately 2 hours without stopovers.
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To catch the bus at the first stop, head to Placa de Catalunya in the heart of downtown Barcelona. You may also purchase your tickets here. Sitting on the top of the double-decker offers the best views of Barcelona’s unique artistic architecture. Many of the buildings here were designed by Antoni Gaudi, a Spanish Catalan architect whose work reflects a very individualized and distinctive eclectic colorful style.
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The Hop-On, Hop-Off tour passes some Gaudi’s famous works, including:
- Sagrada Familia, Barcelona’s famous Roman Catholic Church, showcasing Gaudi’s specialty crafts including ceramics, stained glass windows, and carpentry.
- Parc Guell, a public park system and one of Gaudi’s major works composed of beautiful gardens and interesting architectural elements.
The bus also takes passengers around the gothic quarter. The center of the old city of Barcelona stretches from La Rambla (a very famous city street) to Via Laietana, to the Mediterranean. It then ventures up the hill towards the Olympic Park, which offers one of the best panoramic views of the landscape.
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Munich, Germany
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Even if an organized tour doesn’t seem like your cup of tea, the bus ride in Munich is one that not even the choosiest can refuse. This Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour will take you back in time to the stupefying, earth-shattering reign of the Third Reich. Put on your headphones and listen to true but awe-inspiring stories. Brace for fascination as the buildings where Hitler held private meetings during World War II, come into view.
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The route in the heart of Munich also invites you to discover cultural landmarks like Hofbrauhaus, Munich’s oldest Bavarian beer hall. The bar, founded in 1589 by the Duke of Bavaria, gives the illusion of medieval dining. Another visit waiting for you is the National Theater and the Royal Palace, whose architectural beauty will take your breath away.
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Once the ride of downtown Munich finishes, hop on a different bus line and head out towards Nymphenburg Palac. The massive, jaw-dropping structure is similar in grandeur to France’s Chateau de Versaille. It’s known as the former summer residence of the Bavarian elector princes and kings. Hop off here and explore the ancient grounds and the colorful, spacious gardens.
For a more modern site-seeing, the Nymphenburg tour also includes a stop at Munich’s Olympic grounds. The sport-famous site offers a panoramic view of Munich and surrounding areas atop of the 950 feet Olympic tower. The bus also passes by Sea Life, as well as the BMW factory and museum.
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No matter the duration of your stay, the Hop-on, Hop-off bus tours are often the most efficient way to navigate your way around a large city. They also offer live or radio commentary so you can follow along with the historical and cultural information provided. Consequently, after a few rides, you’ll come off feeling well-informed, culturally diverse and on top of the world!
A xenophile at heart, she lives to travel and loves to share her experience on Trip Jaunt (formerly Weekend Jaunt), an online travel community and hub she founded in 2010. She hopes that you will feel inspired to discover the world as well! Helen is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and the Academy of Canadian Film and Television.
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