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A multicultural centre whose French accent mingles with those of some 80 other ethnic communities , Montreal charms the visitor with its combination of Old-World charm and North American energy.

The downtown centre teems with life at the foot of the mountain, while the city's history is deeply rooted in the old neighborhoods near the river. And you don't need a rental car to discover its charms: Montreal can be easily visited on foot.

Discover Montreal through its 5 most beautiful neighbourhoods .

OLD MONTREAL 

Old Montreal still conserves its European feel, with cobblestone streets, historic buildings, public squares and monuments.

The historic Old Port , one of Old Montreal's most popular attractions, is made up of a series of piers linked by a park-lined boardwalk. The area is vibrant all year round, offering a wide variety of activities, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and museums.

NOTRE-DAME BASILICA

A neo-gothic masterpiece, Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the crown jewels of Quebec's rich religious heritage .

Built between 1824 and 1829, the church is reputed for its grand polychrome interior and the fine craftsmanship of its fittings . Don't miss the 1891 Casavant organ, one of the most outstanding in the Americas.

As of March 2017, visitors can experience the beauty of the Basilica's grandiose architecture in an extraordinary new way with “Aura”, a unique multimedia show combining light and orchestral music created by renowned Montreal studio Moment Factory. The experience takes place in two parts: path of lights revealing the Basilica’s wealth of exquisite works, followed by an immersive multimedia spectacle (23 minutes). Total runtime is approximately 45 minutes.

In high season, showings Monday-Friday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. (schedule differs in low season). We strongly recommend buying your tickets online to be sure of getting in. Visit www.aurabasiliquemontreal.com for more information.

RUE SAINT-PAUL

Lined with architecturally stunning 19th century buildings, much of Saint Paul is still paved with cobblestones. Its former warehouses have been transformed into art galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

PLACE JACQUES-CARTIER

This famous square is named after Jacques-Cartier, who dropped anchor in the nearby river in 1535.

The heart of Old Montreal , Place Jacques Cartier is alive with street artists, flower stalls and a multitude of restaurants and cafes that now occupy the early 19th century buildings.

The piers of the Old Port offer a wide variety of popular activities, including:

Old Port Zipline The very first urban zipline circuit in Canada allows you to explore Montreal from a bird’s eye view! Fly over the famous île Bonsecours in Montreal’s Old Port , one the city’s busiest tourist areas, for a thrill like no other!

La Grande Roue Take a seat in the tallest Ferris wheel in Canada for spectacular panoramic views of Old Montreal, from 60 metres in the air . This unforgettable experience can be enjoyed year-round in the comfort of a climate-controlled gondola that is heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer. A unique activity in a picturesque setting on the shore of the St. Lawrence River. In the evening, colourful lights creating a romantic and festive atmosphere. The site also houses two restaurants: Bistro de la Grande Roue and Café de la Grande Roue .  

CENTRE-VILLE 

The famous Saint Catherine Street , a busy 15-kilometre commercial avenue, is widely considered to be the heart of downtown Montreal.

MARY, QUEEN OF THE WORLD CATHEDRAL

Throughout the cathedral, artwork depicts the history of the Catholic Church in Montreal.

THE UNDERGROUND CITY

It is the largest underground complex in the world and contains almost 12% of all of the businesses in the area. 

The underground city can be enjoyed in all kinds of weather, and is easily accessible by public transit, with a number of Metro stations, two commuter train stations and a regional bus terminal.

MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

The museum houses collections containing more than 35,000 works from around the world, from Antiquity to today, including a magnificent collection of Inuit and Canadian art .

Exhibitions may vary throughout the year.

THE LATIN  QUARTIER

The Latin Quarter is found near the intersection of St-Denis and St-Catherine streets (Berri-UQAM Metro Station).

This neighbourhood steeped in culture and learning is home to Théâtre St-Denis, the National Film Board of Canada, the Grande Bibliothèque public library, the Cinémathèque Québécoise, Université du Québec à Montréal and Cégep du Vieux-Montréal. It is a vibrant student district, filled with sidewalk cafes and restaurants and specialty boutiques.

PLATEAU-MONT-ROYAL

For years, the Plateau has been known as a "trendy" neighbourhood, and it is also the area of choice for new arrivals from France.

The Plateau Mont-Royal offers a variety of cafés, bookstores and trendy boutiques. It is the perfect place to "hang out" , go out for dinner, take a walk or stop for a drink at one of its many bars.

BOULEVARD SAINT-LAURENT

Boulevard Saint-Laurent, between Rue Sherbrooke and Avenue Mont-Royal, is Montreal's geographic meridian, separating East from West. It is commonly known as "The Main" .

Saint-Laurent is a trendy street with numerous bars, restaurants and shops. It is also a multicultural hub: a large number of immigrants settled in the area from the beginning of the 19th century, opening their businesses and restaurants on "The Main".  

CARRÉ SAINT-LOUIS

Victorian style residences line the streets facing the park, where well-off French-Canadian families lived in the 1800s. The square was also a popular location for a number of Quebec poets and artists.

*Sherbrooke Metro station

MOUNT ROYAL PARK

The Mountain is one of Montreal's distinguishing features, setting it apart from other major North American cities, an ever-present backdrop to city life.

Every Sunday from May to September, a large, impromptu drum circle known as the "Tam-Tams" takes place around the Sir Georges-Étienne Cartier Monument (Avenue du Parc, between Mont-Royal and Ave. des Pins). This lively event has been a real tradition for Montrealers since the 1970s. People come to play music, dance, have a picnic or just hang out, from around noon until the sun goes down. Arrive early if you want to have a place to sit down.

THE GAY VILLAGE

Its clubs and bars are some of the most popular in the city, and partygoers can often dance to the music of some of the finest DJs in the world.

The village is also an important cultural hub with a number of theatres and several television and radio stations.

A memorable and colourful place to visit!

ORATOIRE ST-JOSEPH

The Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal is an architectural jewel , an emblem of Montreal and a National Historic Site of Canada. Located near Mont Royal Park, the grandiose and peaceful site attracts close to 2 million visitors and pilgrims each year. As an added bonus, you will have a superb view of the city . Museum, cafeteria, gift shop, guided tours and parking on site.

BOTANICAL GARDEN

A popular oasis in the heart of the city, the Jardin botanique de Montréal is recognized as one of the world’s largest and finest botanical gardens. It offers a colourful program of events, exhibitions and activities all year long in addition to its extensive collection of 22,000 plant species and 10 exhibition greenhouses . The Insectarium , on the same site as the Botanical Garden, offers a look into the fascinating universe of insects.

The Biodome is home to more than 4,500 animals of more than 200 species and more than 800 plant species . Like the Botanical Garden, it is part of Montreal's Space for Life ( Espace Vie ). Embark on an immersive sensory journey through the five ecosystems of the Americas and discover the plants and animals that live there. Explore the Tropical Rainforest , the Gulf of St. Lawrence , the Laurentian Maple Forest , the Labrador Coast and the Sub-Antarctic Islands . A one-of-a-kind experience!

Quebec's largest amusement park with many high-adrenaline rides as well as gentler attractions for younger visitors. Numerous shows, entertainment and restaurants on site. Festive atmosphere.

Optional activities

• Meet & Greet and hotel transfer
• Guided city tour with a Montrealer
• Guided tour of Old Montreal
• Montreal Biodome

Where to eat

• $ Inexpensive
• $$ Moderate
• $$$ Upscale
• $$$$ Fine dining

ST-VIATEUR BAGEL & CAFÉ MONT-ROYAL ($)

Montreal is widely considered to have the best bagels in the world. Each Montreal bagel is hand-rolled, boiled in honey water, and cooked in a wood fired oven. At St-Viateur Bagel & Café, you will get to enjoy the world-famous St-Viateur bagel, hand-made in the finest traditional by one of Montreal's oldest bagel bakeries, in operation since 1957.

SCHWARTZ ($)

Another Montreal institution, Schwartz's Deli is world-famous for its succulent smoked meat sandwiches.Founded in 1928 by a Jewish immigrant from Romania, the Hebrew deli regularly draws long lineups of customers eager to grab a quick and tasty meal. It's a must-try!

LA BANQUISE ($)

You can't visit Quebec without trying our famous “poutine”, a staple across the province since the 1950s. Poutine is a French-Canadian dish generally made of French fries and fresh cheese curds covered in gravy. There are also many variations made with other types of sauce and different garnishes such as meat, vegetables, etc. La Banquise is one of the best poutine restaurants in the province, with over 30 types of poutine to choose from.

OLIVE + GOURMANDO ($$-$$$)

Olive + Gourmando is said to have the best panini in town. This bakery and sandwich shop uses only the best quality ingredients for its breakfast and lunch menus. In addition to sandwiches, you will find a mouth-watering selection of soups, salads, fresh-baked pastries and specialty coffees.

AU PIED DE COCHON ($$$)

For a dining experience unlike any you have had, visit Au Pied de Cochon, the wildly popular restaurant of celebrated Quebec chef Martin Picard. People come here to eat good, festive, rich and unusual food in a casual and friendly atmosphere. You will not find a fine dining experience or a stylish décor: this is simply the city's most original restaurant, serving lavish portions of unique dishes such as foie gras poutine and lobster French fries.

L'AUBERGE SAINT-GABRIEL ($$$)

Built by a French soldier in 1688, Auberge Saint-Gabriel was the first inn in North America to receive a liquor license, in 1754… One could say that the building is a testimony to the history of a nation! Another interesting fact: two of its three current owners are none other than Garou and Guy Laliberté. The Auberge's restaurant is one of the trendiest spots in Montreal to enjoy fine Quebec dining and tasty market cuisine in an elegant and welcoming atmosphere.

CLUB CHASSE ET PÊCHE ($$$)

With a solid reputation in Montreal, Club Chasse et Pêche always lives up to its high standards. You will enjoy unique dishes prepared using the finest ingredients, served in a charming retro-modern decor straight out of a late 19th-century English gentlemen's club.

BOUILLON BILK ($$$$)

At Bouillon Bilk, whose specialty is neither soup nor bouillon, you will be served spectacular dishes that are both delicious and beautiful to look at. The menu is short (6 starters, 5 main courses, 6 desserts), but it will transport your taste buds to creative and delightful lands.

TOQUÉ! ($$$$)

If you are looking for an unforgettable culinary experience, you need to go to Toqué! Chef Normand Laprise and his team will welcome you to their legendary establishment for a gastronomical experience that you won't soon forget. The menu features products from local artisans, carefully prepared with flare and creativity.

Where to sleep ?

• Fairmont Reine Élizabeth
• Hôtel le Germain Montréal
• Delta Montreal
• Alt Hotel Montréal
• Auberge de la Fontaine
• Best Western Ville-Marie
• Hyatt Place Montreal Centre-Ville
• Les Suites Labelle
• Novotel Montreal Airport
• Hotel Place d'Armes
• Hotel St-Denis
• Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel
• Hôtel Le Roberval
• Hotel Saint-Laurent Montreal

Festivals calendar

Les franco de montréal.

Dates: mid-June

This large annual music festival features over 1,000 artists, musicians, renowned singers, rising stars and promising talent from 20 countries in a celebration of the diversity and rhythms of French music from around the world, attracting over half a million visitors each year.

Grand Prix du Canada

Dates: mid-June 

The best drivers in the world meet at the demanding Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit to battle out an important stage of the Formula 1 World Championship.

L’International des Feux Loto-Québec

Dates:  late June / early August 

This renowned fireworks festival was first held in 1985 at La Ronde, Quebec's largest amusement park, built for the 1967 Universal Exposition. The pyromusical arts at their best! Saturdays and Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

Montreal International Jazz Festival

Dates:   Late June / early July

Ranked as the world's largest jazz festival by Guinness World Records since 2004, it is no surprise that the Montreal Jazz fest is able to attract the greats of the jazz world. The lineup is incredible!

Montréal en Arts

Dates: early July 

This Montréal festival of contemporary art features over 75 local artists exhibiting and selling their work. There are also participatory activities, activities for children and live performances. St. Catherine Street between St. Hubert and Papineau.

Dates:  early August 

Osheaga is a popular independent music and arts festival that takes place each year in Jean-Drapeau Park on île Ste-Hélène. 6 stages present shows featuring emerging artists and international headliners.

Just for Laughs Festival Just

Dates: mid-July 

Montreal is apparently the funniest city in the world! Come see for yourself at the largest international comedy festival in the world . It features galas, club shows, solo shows, outdoor street performances, parades, as well as film and TV show screenings.

When to visit

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Welcome to Montreal

Montreal is known for its superb cuisine, vibrant nightlife, festivals, sunny terraces, cultural diversity and that special joie de vivre ( zest for life ).

Montreal: The City Of Festivals

With its well-earned reputation as the festival capital of the world, the city famous for putting on spectacular festivals.

Montreal: A Rich History

With its rich history and French culture, Montreal is a mixture of European and North American Influences. It's the second largest city in Canada and the second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris.

Arts & Entertainment in Montreal

Montreal is one of the most exciting cities in the world. Montreal is a unique and fascinating city offering exciting entertainment and cultural diversity.

Considered half European and half American, Montréal is a lively city with a strong mixture of French, English and various other cultures. Montréal is the second-largest city in Canada and the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec . Originally called Ville-Marie, or “City of Mary”, the city takes its present name from Mont-Royal , the triple-peaked hill located in the heart of the city. Montreal is an historic, yet modern city that features many cultural and seasonal activities along with wonderful attractions and fantastic festivals .

MONTREAL VISITORS GUIDE

Montreal is a perfect blend of urban life and authenticity. It is also one of the world’s friendliest cities. Over the years, Montreal has received many tiles. Montréal is consistently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. It is known as a clean and pleasant city. Alongside the historic cityscape of “Old Montreal”, the city’s attractions include a strong arts community and a range of musical, cultural and seasonal festivals.

MONTREAL ATTRACTIONS

There are so many things that make Montréal unique. The city is filled with little treasures and well preserved pieces of history. Simply take a walk through the city of Montréal and you will start discovering pieces of the city’s marvellous history. Take a guided walk through Old Montréal , the downtown core , or other neighbourhoods , or visit one of the city’s many museums to learn more about its history. You can also take in stunning panoramic views from Mount Royal or have a picnic in Lafontaine Park . Whether you choose to head to Jean Drapeau Park , or have a relaxing picnic at the old port , you will have an unforgettable visit to this very special city.

MONTREAL FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Montréal is known as the city of festivals , the city of design, and a city of culture. Montréal is a multicultural city in which more than 120 cultural communities live. This makes Montréal an extremely diverse and culturally rich city. Every year, over 100 festivals and events take place in Montréal . More than half of these events are international festivals and some of the more popular events can gather well over 250,000 spectators. Three of the world’s biggest festivals take place in Montréal. Montréal’s International Jazz Festival , the Just for Laughs Festival , and the Francofolies de Montreal alone attract more than 5 million festival-goers to Montréal every year.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT IN MONTREAL

Montréal is a city of international stature. Its summer festivals , restaurants and night life make it a popular destination for travellers from around the world. As a transport hub, Montreal has many direct flights to and from Europe, the United States, Latin America and other Canadian cities, and easy connections to many other flights originating from Toronto . Montreal is served by train and bus service from the United States and the rest of Canada and is an obvious starting point for international travellers who wish to visit other parts of North America.

Montreal's Featured

Montreal’s RESO Network Map (Underground City Map)

The Montreal Metro

Montreal International Jazz Festival (Festival International de Jazz de Montréal)

St. Joseph Oratory of Mount-Royal (L’Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal)

Montreal Botanical Garden (Jardin botanique de Montréal)

International Fireworks Competition (L’International des Feux Loto-Québec)

Downtown Montreal (Centre-Ville)

Just For Laughs Festival (Festival Juste Pour Rire )

Canadian Grand Prix (Grand Prix du Canada)

FrancoFolies de Montréal French Music Festival

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Montreal — Luxury Hotels, Beautiful Parks, and Canada's Best Restaurant Included

Here's where to eat, stay, and explore in Montreal, according to a local.

Best Hotels

• Best Things to Do

Best Places to Eat

Best nightlife, best shopping, best neighborhoods to visit, best time to visit, how to get there, how to get around.

R.M. Nunes/Getty Images

Despite its sometimes divisive language politics, extreme seasons, and chronic traffic headaches, Montrealers, or les Montréalais , are justifiably proud of their distinctive, if idiosyncratic, city — and for good reason. Travel + Leisure readers named Montreal one of their favorite cities in Canada in 2023 .

The sophisticated, French-speaking (yet very bilingual), culturally diverse city lays claim to world-class restaurants, lovely parks, superb art galleries and museums, a dynamic music scene, inspiring 18th- and 19th-century architecture, and vibrant nightlife.

It can also be a lot of fun in the winter , when locals like to get out and celebrate the cold and snow, even extending the revelry at outdoor festivals and concerts at night.

Thom Seivewright, a Montreal expert and former hotel concierge, launched his small-group tour company, Tours Montreal , in the Canadian city in 2016. “Our art scene is on par with cities two or three times our size,” he says. “There’s obviously a big emphasis placed on arts and culture in Montreal.”

There’s a big emphasis on food , too. Montrealers love their bagels, cheeses, poutine, and maple syrup, and they’re loyal to their chef-owned restaurants. “It’s a little gem of a city that has world-class dining — and world-class junk food,” says Seivewright. 

Long known for its exuberant after-dark scene, Montreal has it all, from cocktail bars to Irish pubs, jazz bars to pulsating dance clubs. The city is even planning to create a 24-hour nightlife district .

Here's everything you need to know to plan a memorable trip to Montreal.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• The fashionable, Parisian-style brasserie and rooftop terrace at Hôtel Le Place d’Armes, a boutique luxury property overlooking Place d’Armes and the Notre-Dame Basilica, attracts locals and tourists alike.
• Designed by American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who was also responsible for New York City’s Central Park, Parc du Mont-Royal is an oasis of greenery in the city center.
• Mon Lapin, a cozy wine bar and restaurant in Little Italy serving natural wines and an ever-changing menu of small plates, was voted Canada’s best restaurant in 2023 . 
• Bar Furco’s lovely terrace becomes lively in the summer during Montreal’s ritual cinq à sept (happy hour).
• Saint Laurent Boulevard, a.k.a. the Main, is a good place to get a glimpse of Montreal’s 19th- and 20th-century immigrant history. It's also the historical dividing line between French and English in the city.

Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts

Hotel Nelligan

Hotel Nelligan , located in the heart of Old Montreal, was T+L readers' favorite city hotel in Canada in 2023 . Spanning four 19th-century graystones, the 105-room boutique property lies near the Notre-Dame Basilica and Old Port waterfront. Its seasonal rooftop terrace is a summer favorite for its picturesque views and lively happy hour.

Hôtel Place d’Armes

Another T+L reader favorite, Hôtel Place d’Armes is housed in four 19th-century neoclassical buildings opposite the Notre-Dame Basilica. The property is highly rated for its tasteful rooms featuring hardwood floors and brick walls, swanky French brasserie , and popular rooftop terrace. 

Hôtel Uville

One of the city’s newer hotels, opened in 2020, Hôtel Uville got its name thanks to its location in Old Montreal’s Place d’Youville. Uville is part design hotel, part museum — a love letter to the Montreal of the 1960s and '70s. This was transformative period, a time when francophone Quebecers were turning away from the Catholic church and leading the charge in North America vis-à-vis cuisine, style, and design — the culmination of which were Expo 67 and the 1976 Olympics.

“This hotel is very cool,” says Seivewright. “They did a great job. The details, like the tiled bathrooms and custom-made wallpapers, are amazing. They’ve got archival photos and artifacts from the '60s and '70s in each of the rooms, and documentary films from the National Film Board that you can watch on your room’s TV.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal

Montreal’s grande-dame hotel, the Ritz-Carlton , opened in 1912 in the city's Golden Square Mile. In addition to housing chef Daniel Boulud's Maison Boulud , the refined property offers afternoon tea in the ornate Palm Court and seasonal garden terrace, Spa St. James, and an indoor saltwater pool.

Four Seasons Hotel Montreal

Located in Golden Square Mile since 2019, the posh  Four Seasons Hotel Montreal is connected via a third-floor walkway to the luxury department store Holt Renfrew Ogilvy . The hotel boasts Marcus Restaurant + Terrace, in partnership with legendary Manhattan chef Marcus Samuelsson; a Guerlain Spa; and a skylit swimming pool with an upstream current generator.

Best Things to Do 

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Parc du Mont-Royal

What Central Park is to New Yorkers and Hyde Park to Londoners, Parc du Mont-Royal, or Mount Royal Park, is to Montrealers. At 764 feet high, Mount Royal may not be much of a mountain, but the park is, as Seivewritght says, “the heart and soul of the city.” He adds, “The fact that Montreal is a four-season city and Mount Royal is a four-season park makes it even better because you’ve got skiing, skating, and tobogganing in the wintertime. And in the summer, you can go biking and walking.” You can also go for a picnic and rent a rowboat or Mölkky or spikeball equipment at Beaver Lake. 

Old Montreal

With its graystone buildings and narrow streets, Old Montreal can sometimes feel like a slice of Europe in North America. Certainly no visit to Montreal is complete without a stop here. Not only will you find the city’s most important historic landmarks, including the Notre-Dame Basilica , the 18th-century Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel , the Second Empire-style City Hall, and the neoclassic Marché Bonsecours , but it’s also home to pretty boutique hotels, haute-couture shops, and chef-owned restaurants.

Pointe-à-Callière

A national archaeological site, Pointe-à-Callière , now an impressive archaeology and history museum, sits above the ruins of the birthplace of Montreal. “The Pointe-à-Callière museum is amazing,” says Seivewright. “They’ll take you underground to see the ruins of the original fortifications of Montreal, the original city the French built here in the 1600s.” Visitors can also see Indigenous artifacts uncovered during a dig and part of North America’s first collector sewer, built between 1832 and 1838.

Arsenal Contemporary Art Gallery

Opened in Montreal in an 80,000-square-foot building in 2011, Arsenal Contemporary Art has since expanded to include locations in Toronto and New York City. “Outside of the museums, I would send my clients to certain galleries around town. These days, one of my favorites is Arsenal. It has an amazing [selection] in its permanent collection, but it also puts on temporary exhibits that are just mind-blowing,” says Seivewright.

Montreal is a city of festivals, with everything from jazz (the city hosts the world’s largest jazz festival) to Pride to circus arts celebrated here. There’s even a dedicated festival and outdoor performance space downtown called the Quartier des Spectacles . While there are festivals year-round , May to September is the city’s busiest period.

eyedias/Getty Images

La Banquise

One of Quebec's most beloved foods is poutine, traditionally a mess (translation of "poutine") of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy. But poutine continues to get more upscale. A veritable institution since 1968, La Banquise doesn’t claim to be high-end, but the casual eatery serves 35 kinds of poutine and it’s open 24 hours. “La Banquise is a classic. I’m [vegetarian], and in my opinion, the veggie gravies are even more delicious,” says Seivewright. “A lot of people knock La Banquise because it’s popular, but I stand by it.”

Montreal Plaza

The design at Montreal Plaza is elegant and stylish, yet also notable for its eccentric touches like a dollhouse hanging upside down from the ceiling and Elmo sitting on the bar. Even certain dishes, like crudo or oysters, are served atop a toy triceratops or among plastic Smurfs. Chef and owner Charles-Antoine Crête and his team enjoy serving great food in a playful, joyous way. “This is my favorite place,” says Seivewright. “It’s not the just the way the food is prepared or what it is, but the whimsical, creative way it’s presented.”

Sushi Momo , from Mexican-Canadian chef Christian Ventura, is Montreal’s best vegan sushi restaurant. The sleek, dimly lit, botanically adorned space in the Plateau area is inviting, while the artfully plated confections are a feast for the eyes and the fusion of flavors a song for the taste buds.

Nora Gray , a lively, casual restaurant in Griffintown, is known for its southern Italian cuisine, updated cucina povera , and privately imported natural and organic wines. The dark wood, banquettes, long bar, and warm candlelight lend the restaurant an intimate, romantic, and club-like feel. 

Dominique Lafond

Voted Canada’s best restaurant in 2023 , Mon Lapin is a cozy wine bar and restaurant in Little Italy. It serves natural wines and an ever-changing menu of French- and Italian-inspired small plates. Each dish highlights fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients plus unexpected flavor combinations.

Henryk Sadura/Getty Images

Cloakroom Bar

The 25-seat Cloakroom Bar , with a cloak-and-dagger atmosphere, was named Canada’s second-best bar in 2023 . “It’s one of my favorite bars anywhere in the world,” says Seivewright. “It’s hidden behind a menswear shop, which makes it even cooler. It’s very exclusive feeling. You tell them, 'I like gin, I like citrus,' and they’ll create something for you. If you’re three people and you all like the same thing, they’ll create three different drinks.”

Situated in the Plateau Mont-Royal, Diese Onze is an intimate jazz bar that also serves tapas and mains. “I’m a big jazz fan, and I love Diese Onze,” says Seivewright. “It’s a good mix of local and out-of-town musicians.”

Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill

A Montreal institution since 1995, Upstairs is, funnily enough, located in a basement. It attracts big-name international jazz acts who make this a routine stop on their tour itineraries.

Pub Le Sainte-Élisabeth 

Established in 1997, this European-style pub between the Quartier des Spectacles and student-heavy Quartier Latin is quite cozy inside, but it’s the enclosed, leafy terrace at the back that draws people here come summer. The service many not win any awards, but Le Sainte-Élisabeth is about the ambience. 

The minimalist redesign of the Canadian Fur Company building (hence Furco ), located on a downtown back street, is a big draw for wine lovers and the happy hour crowd. It features an adventurous food and wine menu, in addition to more traditional charcuterie and cheese plates.

Maison Marie Saint Pierre

Marie Saint Pierre 's Montreal-made, ready-to-wear pieces marry timeless feminine styles with contemporary flair and function.

Entering this handsome Crescent Street atelier-cum-boutique near the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is like stepping into an old-school European tailor shop. Started by their father, Arthur Der Shahinian, sons Tavit and John carry on the tradition of crafting impeccably fitted and designed bespoke men’s suits and shirts, with damask silk lining and hand-sewn button holes, never compromising on quality or friendly, professional service.

Simons is originally from Quebec City, but it’s popular in cities across Canada. The small, mid-range department store downtown carries popular fashion brands as well as its own collections, in addition to homewares. “I’m a big fan of Simons,” says Seivewright. “I buy half my clothes there. The price point is good, the quality is good, and I like that it’s a local brand.”

Holt Renfrew Ogilvy

Montreal’s answer to Saks Fifth Avenue, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy is a one-stop shop for all things luxury, including clothing, shoes, and accessories. Clients can also enjoy a personal shopping experience in one of the five fifth-floor suites or the glamorous art-deco Café Holt, with its remarkable solar-like orb set above the central bar.

Saint Laurent Boulevard

“Saint Laurent [Boulevard], between Saint Joseph Boulevard and up to Van Horne Avenue, has the best boutique design shopping nowadays,” says Seivewright. “You could go all the way up to Little Italy and it’s still amazing. I was walking there the other day and every single window I walked by made me want to go in. There are furniture shops, clothing shops, and jewelry shops — some of it is new, some of it is vintage, and it’s all local.”

Saint-Henri

Saint-Henri, once a francophone working-class neighborhood, is now gentrified, replete with popular, chef-owned wine bars and restaurants, antiques shops, cafes, and boutiques. Still, it retains pockets of its former self. “I love it because it has parts that haven’t changed in a hundred years and others that make it the most modern neighborhood in Montreal,” says Seivewright. “It’s got a cool, little rough-around-the-edges vibe. It’s one of those neighborhoods where you’ll have a multimillion-dollar home next to a really rundown place, and you see that contrast. Then, you listen to the people and hear French and English. You've got old people, young people — it’s a neighborhood where everything mixes.”

Plateau Mont-Royal/Mile End

Once relegated to working-class European immigrants, the Plateau/Mile End area is the epicenter of Montreal’s creativity and bohemian joie de vivre. Leafy streets lined with triplexes fronted by balconies and steep, often-winding, wrought-iron staircases invite visitors to explore this neighborhood bursting with convivial cafes, top-drawer restaurants , funky vintage shops, and trendy boutiques.

For a glimpse into how the upper crust of Montreal lived until the 1970s and '80s, head to the neighborhood of Outremont. Its two main shopping and dining strips are Bernard Ouest and Laurier Ouest avenues — part of the former turns into a pedestrian-only area come summer, with restaurant terraces sitting directly on the street.

Montreal is a four-season city. Late April to mid-May tends to be best for blooming trees, while October to early November is usually prime for leaf peeping. The holiday season is lovely, but a white Christmas is increasingly rare. For a stronger chance of experiencing the romance of winter snow, January and February are ideal. Summers in Montreal are hot and humid, and heat waves can now begin as early as May. Visit in May, June, or late August through September and October to avoid the worst of the summer temperatures and crowds.

Chris Jongkind/Getty Images

Montreal can be reached via regular flights with Air Canada, Delta, American, and United. Flying from New York’s LaGuardia to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, better known as Dorval (YUL), takes about 90 minutes gate to gate. Driving may be cheaper, but it takes about seven hours, and unless you’re planning to pay for hotel parking, parking in Montreal can be a hassle. For travelers living in New York or Vermont, a more scenic and leisurely option (10 hours) is Amtrak’s Adirondack train from Moynihan Train Hall to Montreal’s Gare Centrale (Central Station).

Patrick Donovan/Getty Images

In summer, the best way to get around is on foot or by Bixi, the city-wide bicycle rental system. In 2023, Bixi decided to end the storage of their bicycles during the winter, so they are now available year-round. However, there are not as many stations as in summer. The metro (subway) is fairly reliable and frequent during rush hour — and often the quickest way to get from point A to point B. Buses tend to be less reliable, but they go everywhere the metro does not. An Opus card can be purchased with several fares added, if you’re planning on using the metro and/or buses often. Taxis and Ubers are readily available, too, and taxis can be hailed on the street.

The Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Montréal-Trudeau International Airport Guide

Where to Stay in Montreal

Public Transit Guide

48-Hour Itinerary

Day Trips From Montreal

Top Things to Do

Things to Do With Kids

Shopping in Montreal

Skiing in Montreal

Best Montreal Beaches

Guide to Mount Royal Park

Top Museums to Visit

Live Music in Montreal

Montreal's Iconic Food

Best Bars in Montreal

Top Breweries to Visit

Best Restaurants

Your Trip to Montreal: The Complete Guide

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Montreal is one of those multifaceted cities that offers something for everyone. From an incredible food scene and buzzing nightlife, to myriad museums and art galleries to vibrant greenspaces and unique architecture, there’s always something interesting to see and do in the city. Whether you want to shop, bar-hop, or simply explore Montreal’s diverse neighborhoods, it won’t be hard to figure out how to spend your visit. For anyone thinking of planning a trip, read on for tips and information on the best attractions and activities, how to get around, where to stay, and what to eat and drink.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit : The best time to visit Montreal is typically in the spring (mid-April and May) or during the fall (September to early November). At these times, you'll likely find fewer crowds, cheaper accommodations, and the best weather for sightseeing as it is neither too hot nor too cold. Do keep in mind that winters in Montreal can be very cold.

Language : Montreal has one of the largest French-speaking populations in the world. Nevertheless, visitors to Montreal can get by easily only speaking English. Although it is handy to have a few words in French such as greetings.

Currency: The currency used in Montreal is the Canadian dollar (CAD).

Getting Around : Montreal’s metro (subway) system makes for an efficient means of getting around. There are four lines connecting the downtown centre to major tourist sites, bus stops and train stations. The public transit network consists of 68 metro stops and 220 bus lines  . The city is also very walkable (weather permitting), which makes getting around on foot another good option.

Travel Tip : Passport MTL comes in two-day and three-day versions and gives you access to close to 30 Montréal attractions and unlimited public transportation; it makes for a good way to save money on entrance fees.

Things to Do

Montreal’s world-renowned food scene will be a big draw for those looking to sample some of the city’s best dishes, whether from a tiny bistro tucked down a charming side street, a food truck, gastropub, or fine dining establishment. Anyone interested in spending time outdoors will enjoy the many parks and green spaces that abound in the city as well as the Montreal Botanical Garden. Or head below the streets into the “Underground City” to explore the vast network of pedestrian walkways beneath the city where you’ll find shops, eateries and access to transit.

Go back in time in Old Montreal : A visit to Old Montreal is a must for anyone visiting the city. Even if you don’t have an agenda, just meandering the scenic cobblestone streets is a worthwhile endeavor on its own. You’ll see centuries-old buildings blending seamlessly with trendy bistros and cute cafes and you can easily spend half a day exploring.

Do some shopping along Sainte-Catherine Street : From major department stores to funky boutiques, there is a lot to shop for on Sainte-Catherine Street. From west to east, it stretches 9 miles across the city. Spend an afternoon strolling, visiting shops, people-watching, and making stops at ay of the many cafes and restaurants in the area.

Explore the Old Port : Montreal’s Old Port features a range of things to see and do, making it a great area to spend an afternoon or even a whole day. During the warmer months, relax under a parasol at Clock Tower Beach, rent a paddleboat, or take a boat cruise along the St. Lawrence. You’ll also find plenty of options for food and drink at the various cafes, bars, and food trucks. Old Port is also where you’ll find the Montreal Science Centre and its IMAX theatre, and in the winter, take advantage of the outdoor skating rink.

Hang out in Parc du Mont-Royal : No matter what time of year you visit Montreal, you’ll find something to do at Parc du Mont-Royal. The park is popular among walkers, joggers, and bikers as well as picnickers in the spring and summer. While in the winter, you can enjoy the skating rink and sledding slope or do some snowshoeing. Also known as “the mountain” to locals, you can hike or bike to the summit for lovely views.

Check out our full length articles on the best things to do in downtown Montreal , the best attractions in Old Montreal , and where to go shopping in Montreal .

Where to Eat and Drink

Montreal’s culinary influences are wide ranging and go well beyond classic French fare. You can find almost anything you might be craving here, such as Middle Eastern, Thai, elevated Quebecois dishes, and nearly everything in between. Despite the exciting diversity, there are a few things to seek out in terms of food while you’re in the city. First up, poutine: that gooey, delicious mess of French fries, gravy and squeaky cheese curds. You can find poutine all over Canada, but you really don’t want to miss out in Montreal. Even if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you should be able to find an option to try. Next up is bagels. But not just any bagels—these are Montreal style. These are boiled in water sweetened with honey, and then cooked in a wood-fired oven for a satisfying chew and golden brown exterior. If you are a meat eater, you will also want to seek out a Montreal smoked meat sandwich, popular throughout the city.

Beer drinkers will also be happy to know that there are close to 30 microbreweries in the city, so finding a local brew won’t be difficult. In addition, make sure to stop by the iconic Jean-Talon Market in the heart of Montreal’s Little Italy neighborhoods, one of North America’s largest open-air public markets. Here you’ll find everything from fresh produce and flowers, to cheese, meats, specialty food items, and much more.

Learn more about the food scene in Montreal with our articles on the best brunch spots in Montreal , Montreal’s best late night food , vegetarian restaurants in Montreal , and Montreal’s best terraces and rooftop patios .

Where to Stay

In Montreal you have your pick of stylish boutique hotels, luxury properties, business-oriented hotels, family-friendly hotels, and more. There are more than 25,000 rooms in the city (with 16,000 located downtown) . Downtown is a good option in terms of where to stay since many of the city’s hotels can be found here, as well as a wide variety of the city’s attractions, museums, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Another good option is Old Montreal, which has its own fair share of hotels. This gives you easy access to the area’s historic architecture, cobblestone streets, boutiques, and bistros. You’ll also be very close to the Old Port, with its own set of fun attractions and activities.

For more about where to stay in Montreal, take a look at our full length stories on the best boutique hotels in Montreal and the best hotels in Old Montreal .

Getting There

You can get to Montreal in several ways. If you plan on flying, Montreal's Trudeau International Airport is about 20 minutes by car from downtown Montreal. The convenient 747 Express bus operates 24/7 year-round and will get you to one of nine downtown stops in 40 to 60 minutes  .

In terms of driving, Montreal is about a three-hour drive west from the provincial capital, Quebec City, about a six-hour drive east from Toronto, and six hours north of New York City.

If you prefer to arrive by train, VIA Rail makes for a scenic and relaxing ride. Their rail network connects many major cities to Montréal, you can choose from 17 daily departures from Gare Centrale  .

As for the bus, Greyhound Lines serves Montreal from numerous cities in the US and Canada. Buses arrive at Montreal Bus Central Station, which is connected to the Berri-UQAM metro station.

Money Saving Tips

• Spend some time browsing both the Jean-Talon Market and Atwater Market for a free and fun way to get a sense of all the great food available in the city. While you may be tempted to buy, browsing doesn’t cost anything.
• You can visit a few of the city’s museums for free on certain days of the month, including the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts where the permanent collection is free on the first Sunday of the month; or the Centre Canadien d'Architecture which is free on Thursdays after 5:30 p.m. and on the first Sunday of each month.
• There is plenty to see and do in Jean-Drapeau park, which offers everything from a beach, gardens and picnic areas, to an aquatic centre, hiking trails, bike paths, and canoe and kayak rentals. You’ll also find public art here, as well as a rock climbing wall.

Find out more with our full length article on the 25 best free and cheap things to do in Montreal.

Montreal Transit. " Visitors ."

Montreal Tourism. " Where to Stay. "

Montreal Tourism. "Grab a Flight to Montreal."

Montreal Tourism. " Take the Train to Montreal."

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A multicultural centre whose French accent mingles with those of some 80 other ethnic communities , Montreal charms the visitor with its combination of Old-World charm and North American energy.

The downtown centre teems with life at the foot of the mountain, while the city's history is deeply rooted in the old neighborhoods near the river. And you don't need a rental car to discover its charms: Montreal can be easily visited on foot.

Discover Montreal through its 5 most beautiful neighbourhoods .

OLD MONTREAL 

Old Montreal still conserves its European feel, with cobblestone streets, historic buildings, public squares and monuments.

The historic Old Port , one of Old Montreal's most popular attractions, is made up of a series of piers linked by a park-lined boardwalk. The area is vibrant all year round, offering a wide variety of activities, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and museums.

NOTRE-DAME BASILICA

A neo-gothic masterpiece, Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the crown jewels of Quebec's rich religious heritage .

Built between 1824 and 1829, the church is reputed for its grand polychrome interior and the fine craftsmanship of its fittings . Don't miss the 1891 Casavant organ, one of the most outstanding in the Americas.

As of March 2017, visitors can experience the beauty of the Basilica's grandiose architecture in an extraordinary new way with “Aura”, a unique multimedia show combining light and orchestral music created by renowned Montreal studio Moment Factory. The experience takes place in two parts: path of lights revealing the Basilica’s wealth of exquisite works, followed by an immersive multimedia spectacle (23 minutes). Total runtime is approximately 45 minutes.

In high season, showings Monday-Friday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. (schedule differs in low season). We strongly recommend buying your tickets online to be sure of getting in. Visit www.aurabasiliquemontreal.com for more information.

The Basilica is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

RUE SAINT-PAUL

Lined with architecturally stunning 19th century buildings, much of Saint Paul is still paved with cobblestones. Its former warehouses have been transformed into art galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

PLACE JACQUES-CARTIER

This famous square is named after Jacques-Cartier, who dropped anchor in the nearby river in 1535.

The heart of Old Montreal , Place Jacques Cartier is alive with street artists, flower stalls and a multitude of restaurants and cafes that now occupy the early 19th century buildings.

The piers of the Old Port offer a wide variety of popular activities, including:

Old Port Zipline The very first urban zipline circuit in Canada allows you to explore Montreal from a bird’s eye view! Fly over the famous île Bonsecours in Montreal’s Old Port , one the city’s busiest tourist areas, for a thrill like no other! Open in summer from Sunday-Friday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

La Grande Roue Take a seat in the tallest Ferris wheel in Canada for spectacular panoramic views of Old Montreal, from 60 metres in the air . This unforgettable experience can be enjoyed year-round in the comfort of a climate-controlled gondola that is heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer. A unique activity in a picturesque setting on the shore of the St. Lawrence River. In the evening, colourful lights creating a romantic and festive atmosphere. The site also houses two restaurants: Bistro de la Grande Roue and Café de la Grande Roue . Open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

CENTRE-VILLE 

The famous Saint Catherine Street , a busy 15-kilometre commercial avenue, is widely considered to be the heart of downtown Montreal.

MARY, QUEEN OF THE WORLD CATHEDRAL

Throughout the cathedral, artwork depicts the history of the Catholic Church in Montreal.

Open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Corner of René-Lévesque Ouest and Mansfield.

THE UNDERGROUND CITY

It is the largest underground complex in the world and contains almost 12% of all of the businesses in the area. 

The underground city can be enjoyed in all kinds of weather, and is easily accessible by public transit, with a number of Metro stations, two commuter train stations and a regional bus terminal.

MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

The museum houses collections containing more than 35,000 works from around the world, from Antiquity to today, including a magnificent collection of Inuit and Canadian art .

Exhibitions may vary throughout the year.

Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

THE LATIN  QUARTIER

The Latin Quarter is found near the intersection of St-Denis and St-Catherine streets (Berri-UQAM Metro Station).

This neighbourhood steeped in culture and learning is home to Théâtre St-Denis, the National Film Board of Canada, the Grande Bibliothèque public library, the Cinémathèque Québécoise, Université du Québec à Montréal and Cégep du Vieux-Montréal. It is a vibrant student district, filled with sidewalk cafes and restaurants and specialty boutiques.

PLATEAU-MONT-ROYAL

For years, the Plateau has been known as a "trendy" neighbourhood, and it is also the area of choice for new arrivals from France.

The Plateau Mont-Royal offers a variety of cafés, bookstores and trendy boutiques. It is the perfect place to "hang out" , go out for dinner, take a walk or stop for a drink at one of its many bars.

BOULEVARD SAINT-LAURENT

Boulevard Saint-Laurent, between Rue Sherbrooke and Avenue Mont-Royal, is Montreal's geographic meridian, separating East from West. It is commonly known as "The Main" .

Saint-Laurent is a trendy street with numerous bars, restaurants and shops. It is also a multicultural hub: a large number of immigrants settled in the area from the beginning of the 19th century, opening their businesses and restaurants on "The Main".  

CARRÉ SAINT-LOUIS

Victorian style residences line the streets facing the park, where well-off French-Canadian families lived in the 1800s. The square was also a popular location for a number of Quebec poets and artists.

*Sherbrooke Metro station

MOUNT ROYAL PARK

The Mountain is one of Montreal's distinguishing features, setting it apart from other major North American cities, an ever-present backdrop to city life.

Every Sunday from May to September, a large, impromptu drum circle known as the "Tam-Tams" takes place around the Sir Georges-Étienne Cartier Monument (Avenue du Parc, between Mont-Royal and Ave. des Pins). This lively event has been a real tradition for Montrealers since the 1970s. People come to play music, dance, have a picnic or just hang out, from around noon until the sun goes down. Arrive early if you want to have a place to sit down.

THE GAY VILLAGE

Its clubs and bars are some of the most popular in the city, and partygoers can often dance to the music of some of the finest DJs in the world.

The village is also an important cultural hub with a number of theatres and several television and radio stations.

A memorable and colourful place to visit!

ORATOIRE ST-JOSEPH

The Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal is an architectural jewel , an emblem of Montreal and a National Historic Site of Canada. Located near Mont Royal Park, the grandiose and peaceful site attracts close to 2 million visitors and pilgrims each year. As an added bonus, you will have a superb view of the city . Museum, cafeteria, gift shop, guided tours and parking on site.

Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

BOTANICAL GARDEN

A popular oasis in the heart of the city, the Jardin botanique de Montréal is recognized as one of the world’s largest and finest botanical gardens. It offers a colourful program of events, exhibitions and activities all year long in addition to its extensive collection of 22,000 plant species and 10 exhibition greenhouses . The Insectarium , on the same site as the Botanical Garden, offers a look into the fascinating universe of insects.

Open Sunday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with more restricted hours in low season.

The Biodome is home to more than 4,500 animals of more than 250 species and more than 500 plant species . Like the Botanical Garden, it is part of Montreal's Space for Life ( Espace Vie ). Embark on an immersive sensory journey through the five ecosystems of the Americas and discover the plants and animals that live there. Explore the Tropical Rainforest , the Gulf of St. Lawrence , the Laurentian Maple Forest , the Labrador Coast and the Sub-Antarctic Islands . A one-of-a-kind experience!

Open Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Quebec's largest amusement park with many high-adrenaline rides as well as gentler attractions for younger visitors. Numerous shows, entertainment and restaurants on site. Festive atmosphere.

Open from mid-May to the end of October, every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in high season with more restricted hours in low season.

Optional activities

• Montreal Biodome
• Guided Tour of Old Montreal
• Guided city tour with a Montrealer
• La Grande Roue

Where to eat

• $ Inexpensive
• $$ Moderate
• $$$ Upscale
• $$$$ Fine dining

ST-VIATEUR BAGEL & CAFÉ MONT-ROYAL ($)

Montreal is widely considered to have the best bagels in the world. Each Montreal bagel is hand-rolled, boiled in honey water, and cooked in a wood fired oven. At St-Viateur Bagel & Café, you will get to enjoy the world-famous St-Viateur bagel, hand-made in the finest traditional by one of Montreal's oldest bagel bakeries, in operation since 1957.

Open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

SCHWARTZ ($)

Another Montreal institution, Schwartz's Deli is world-famous for its succulent smoked meat sandwiches.Founded in 1928 by a Jewish immigrant from Romania, the Hebrew deli regularly draws long lineups of customers eager to grab a quick and tasty meal. It's a must-try!

Open Sunday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.

LA BANQUISE ($)

You can't visit Quebec without trying our famous “poutine”, a staple across the province since the 1950s. Poutine is a French-Canadian dish generally made of French fries and fresh cheese curds covered in gravy. There are also many variations made with other types of sauce and different garnishes such as meat, vegetables, etc. La Banquise is one of the best poutine restaurants in the province, with over 30 types of poutine to choose from.

Open 24 hours a day, 7 daya a week!

OLIVE + GOURMANDO ($$-$$$)

Olive + Gourmando is said to have the best panini in town. This bakery and sandwich shop uses only the best quality ingredients for its breakfast and lunch menus. In addition to sandwiches, you will find a mouth-watering selection of soups, salads, fresh-baked pastries and specialty coffees.

Open Wednesday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

AU PIED DE COCHON ($$$)

For a dining experience unlike any you have had, visit Au Pied de Cochon, the wildly popular restaurant of celebrated Quebec chef Martin Picard. People come here to eat good, festive, rich and unusual food in a casual and friendly atmosphere. You will not find a fine dining experience or a stylish décor: this is simply the city's most original restaurant, serving lavish portions of unique dishes such as foie gras poutine and lobster French fries.

Open Wednesday-Sunday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

L'AUBERGE SAINT-GABRIEL ($$$)

Built by a French soldier in 1688, Auberge Saint-Gabriel was the first inn in North America to receive a liquor license, in 1754… One could say that the building is a testimony to the history of a nation! Another interesting fact: two of its three current owners are none other than Garou and Guy Laliberté. The Auberge's restaurant is one of the trendiest spots in Montreal to enjoy fine Quebec dining and tasty market cuisine in an elegant and welcoming atmosphere.

Open Wednesday-Saturday from 5 p.m.

CLUB CHASSE ET PÊCHE ($$$)

With a solid reputation in Montreal, Club Chasse et Pêche always lives up to its high standards. You will enjoy unique dishes prepared using the finest ingredients, served in a charming retro-modern decor straight out of a late 19th-century English gentlemen's club.

Open Wennesday-Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

BOUILLON BILK ($$$$)

At Bouillon Bilk, whose specialty is neither soup nor bouillon, you will be served spectacular dishes that are both delicious and beautiful to look at. The menu is short (6 starters, 5 main courses, 6 desserts), but it will transport your taste buds to creative and delightful lands.

Open for lunch Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 and every evening from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

TOQUÉ! ($$$$)

If you are looking for an unforgettable culinary experience, you need to go to Toqué! Chef Normand Laprise and his team will welcome you to their legendary establishment for a gastronomical experience that you won't soon forget. The menu features products from local artisans, carefully prepared with flare and creativity.

Open Tuesday-Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

*** Hours may vary ***

Where to sleep .

• Hotel Place d'Armes
• Delta Montreal
• Hotel Le Roberval
• Alt Hotel Montréal

Festivals calendar

Les franco de montréal.

Dates: mid-september 2022

This large annual music festival features over 1,000 artists, musicians, renowned singers, rising stars and promising talent from 20 countries in a celebration of the diversity and rhythms of French music from around the world, attracting over half a million visitors each year.

Grand Prix du Canada

Dates: mid-June 2022

The best drivers in the world meet at the demanding Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit to battle out an important stage of the Formula 1 World Championship.

L’International des Feux Loto-Québec

Dates: mid-June to mid-July 2022

This renowned fireworks festival was first held in 1985 at La Ronde, Quebec's largest amusement park, built for the 1967 Universal Exposition. The pyromusical arts at their best! Saturdays and Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

Montreal International Jazz Festival

Dates:   mid-September 2022

Ranked as the world's largest jazz festival by Guinness World Records since 2004, it is no surprise that the Montreal Jazz fest is able to attract the greats of the jazz world. The lineup is incredible!

Montréal en Arts

Dates: early July 2022

This Montréal festival of contemporary art features over 75 local artists exhibiting and selling their work. There are also participatory activities, activities for children and live performances. St. Catherine Street between St. Hubert and Papineau.

Dates: late July / early August 2022

Osheaga is a popular independent music and arts festival that takes place each year in Jean-Drapeau Park on île Ste-Hélène. 6 stages present shows featuring emerging artists and international headliners.

Just for Laughs Festival Just

Dates: mid-July 2022

Montreal is apparently the funniest city in the world! Come see for yourself at the largest international comedy festival in the world . It features galas, club shows, solo shows, outdoor street performances, parades, as well as film and TV show screenings.

When to visit

• Very Favourable
• Unfavourable

A city that moves (too much)

(Translated by Google) Too much work during our visit, the city has become a total construction site: "soon more orange cones than people here" says a resident

An amazing marriage of communities

(Translated by Google) City tour with cousins. Very nice day with a walk from the city center to Mont Royal and on the menu, the inevitable poutine.

Mount Royal to; crepescule is beautiful at see.

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Montreal Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 30, 2023

Montreal is Canada’s “European” city. It’s one of the five largest French-speaking cities in the world, and at one point it was even the capital of the country. The second-largest city in the country, it’s charming, historic, and unlike Canada’s other large cities.

Personally, I think it’s one of the best cities in Canada. The city’s Old Town looks like something straight out of medieval France and the French-inspired cuisine and eclectic nightlife (especially the jazz clubs) leave little to dislike. For outdoor explorers, there are a lot of incredible bike paths and nearby mountains to hike to.

I first came here when I was 18 because it was the closest place to where I lived that allowed me to drink (the legal drinking age is 18). Subsequent visits as an adult have only made me appreciate the city on a deeper level and it remains one of my favorites in North America.

It’s also noticeably cheaper than Canada’s other large cities (I’m looking at you Toronto and Vancouver ), so there’s good reason to stay awhile and soak up the unique culture.

This travel guide to Montreal can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most out of your time in this incredible city.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Montreal

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Montreal

1. Walk around Old Montreal

Old Montreal is easily the most attractive part of the city. Its cobblestone streets and historic greystone buildings date back to the 1700s. When people think of Montreal, this is the part of the city they picture. Some of the city’s finest museums and art galleries are here too, including the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History (admission is 25 CAD). You can also take a Ghost Tour with Get Your Guide for 21.50 CAD.

2. Visit the Place des Armes

This is one of three main squares in Old Montreal dating back to the end of the 17th century. Originally used for military events and markets, today it’s a beautiful piece of preserved history. Nearby is the Vieux Séminaire de St-Sulpice, Montreal’s oldest seminary and building (built between 1684-1687) for the Catholic Order of Sulpicians. You’ll also find the majestic Notre-Dame Basilica cathedral here, lauded for being one of the most beautiful churches in North America. Lastly, there is the Bank of Montreal’s founding building, and also the New York Life Insurance skyscraper, constructed in 1888. The plaza is a wonderful place to people-watch and take in the local pace of life.

3. Relax on Mont Royal

This beautiful park is one of the highlights of the city and a symbol of the city’s heritage (Montreal comes from ‘Mont Royal’). With 200 acres of lush vegetation, it’s a great place to stroll around or walk up the “mountain” (it’s just a large hill) for fantastic views over the city skyline. On Sundays in the summer, the park comes alive with picnickers and the “Tam-Tams” — an eclectic drum circle that draws huge numbers. The park is open all year round and attracts a broad range of sporting enthusiasts for jogging, skiing, skating, boating, biking, sledding, and more. With so many activities, it’s a great place to spend a sunny day.

4. See the Biodome

The biodome features four distinct ecosystems. You can visit the Tropical Forest, see otters and lynx in the Laurentian Maple Forest, visit the puffins on the Labrador Coast, and explore the volcanic landscape of the Sub-Antarctic Islands. There are over 200 species of animals here and some 750 different species of plants. Admission is 21.50 CAD. It’s especially fun and educational for kids.

5. Tour the Museum of Fine Arts

This enormous museum has over 43,000 works of art, with many temporary exhibits on rotation as well. There are five intersecting pavilions but the Claire and Marc Bourgie Pavilion is especially worth seeing for its collection of Quebec and Canadian art, including Inuit art. The museum is famous for its community and education collaboration to create unique art experiences as part of its art therapy initiatives. Admission is 24 CAD.

Other Things to See and Do in Montreal

1. take a free walking tour.

Whenever I visit a new destination, one of the first things I do is take a free walking tour. It’s the best way to see the main sights and connect with a local guide who can answer all your questions. Free Montreal Tours has a comprehensive two-hour tour that covers all the main highlights. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

2. See the Jardin Botanique

Montreal is home to the second-largest botanical garden in the world. Spanning 185 acres and opened in 1931, it showcases ten indoor greenhouses including a Chinese garden, a Japanese garden, a lily garden, and a rose garden. There’s also a tranquil First Nations Garden designed to represent the natural environment of Quebec’s First Nations, including plants from the Nordic Zone. Admission is 22 CAD. Combined tickets offering discounted rates are available if you also want to visit the Biodome or one of the other museums in the Espace Pour La Vie (Space for Life) natural museum complex. On Thursdays, Planetarium tickets are only 8 CAD after 5pm.

3. Wander the Jean-Talon Market

The city’s largest market hosts hundreds of stalls in the middle of Little Italy. Shops and small specialized grocers surround the square, so be on the lookout for Quebecois delicacies like pure maple syrup or ice wine. One of the oldest markets in the city, it’s a great place to have lunch or grab fresh food for later. There are often events like workshops and culinary demonstrations here too, so you never know what you might stumble upon.

4. Take a half-day bike tour

On a three-hour guided bike tour with Fitz & Follwell, you’ll visit some of Montreal’s key sites including Old Montreal, Mile-End, Mont Royal, and the Plateau. They also offer themed tours to certain neighborhoods, like the North End, where you’ll explore open-air markets and street art. Bikes and helmets are provided, and the 16-kilometer (10-mile) route has an easy-going pace, making this tour accessible for anyone who can ride a bike. Three-hour tours start at 70 CAD. Ça Roule Montreal on Wheels has four-hour tours for 32 CAD or a full-day rental for 40 CAD (helmet and lock included).

5. Relax in Parc La Fontaine

Whether you want to play beach volleyball, tennis, or just have a picnic, Parc La Fontaine is a relaxing spot to kick back and enjoy. This former farm became a public park in the 19th century and has been a beloved community greenspace ever since. In the summer, there are free performances at the outdoor Théâtre de Verdure, while in the winter you can skate on the pond or go cross-country skiing.

6. Walk around Le Plateau

This popular neighborhood combines shady residential streets, colorful old Victorian homes, boutique shopping, and trendy restaurants. Walk around and admire the architecture, pop into some antique shops, and keep an eye out for colorful street murals. In the summer, the Ave. du Mont-Royal even transforms into a huge street fair!

7. Take a boat ride

Montreal is on an island and there are 234 islands in its vicinity. To explore, you can take different boat tours of the harbor from the Old Town, as well as longer tours of the Lachine Canal and the nearby Boucherville Islands. Along the way, your guide can tell you all about the area’s maritime history. Some tours are limited to 30 passengers, which means you’re never competing for the best view. La Petit Navire offers tours starting at 23.50 CAD for the Old Town tour and 34 CAD for Lachine Canal.

8. See the St. Joseph Oratory

Standing nearly as tall as St. Peter’s in Rome (97 meters/318 feet), this basilica towers over the city skyline. It is one of the most visited shrines in the world, also housing a chapel and a crypt. Canada’s largest church, it’s the final resting spot for Brother André, a simple porter turned miracle worker from the early 1900s who supposedly had healing powers. The architecture is interesting as well, with a Renaissance Revival facade and Art Deco interior. Entry is free and guided tours cost 5 CAD (tours are currently suspended due to COVID-19). The Oratory Museum displaying art and heritage is 3 CAD open daily 10am-4:30pm. You can even stay at the Oratory overnight (55 CAD for a twin room, with breakfast included).

9. Visit the Notre Dame Basilica

This 17th-century Gothic Revival basilica started as a tiny stone church. Now, it’s a testament to the importance of religion and art in the city’s history (Catholicism is the dominant religion in Quebec). Its dual towers are reminiscent of the cathedral in Paris, and its interior is a stunning display of religious paintings, colorful stained-glass windows, and gold-leaf decorations. There’s also a 7,000-pipe organ inside. You can visit and do a 60-minute self-guided tour for 14 CAD. The award-winning Aura multi-media luminous experience (a light and projection show inside the church) is 34 CAD and has attracted over half a million people from all over the world.

10. See the Cabaret Mado

This entertaining drag cabaret is hosted by Mado Lamotte, an iconic diva from the city’s Gay Village. It’s been going on for 30 years and makes for a wild night of music, comedy, costume, and dancing, with guest performers each night. Don’t sit too close to the stage or else you’ll get roasted! Tickets start at 30 CAD.

11. Explore Parc Jean-Drapeau

Made up of two islands, Parc Jean-Drapeau covers 662 acres of green space and contains a racetrack, museums, and even the La Ronde amusement park. The park was the site of the 1967 World’s Fair and today it remains an important event space. Most of the city’s major festivals are held here, including Osheaga, the Canadian Grand Prix, and the Fête des Neiges (a free winter carnival). If you visit during the summer, check out Piknic Électronik, a weekly electronic music festival held each Sunday typically from May to the end of October. Everyone brings a picnic and a bottle of wine! Tickets are 20 CAD.

12. Take a food tour

Montreal is Canada’s food capital. Local Montréal Food Tours has several different food tours around town on which you’ll sample Montreal classics like Montreal bagels as well as poutine, a purely Canadian dish of fries, a gravy-like sauce, and cheese curds. They also have a brewpub tour if you find yourself extra thirsty as you explore. Prices start from 52 CAD for a two-hour tour.

  For more information on other cities in Canada, check out these guides:

• Calgary Travel Guide
• Nova Scotia Travel Guide
• Ottawa Travel Guide
• Quebec City Travel Guide
• Toronto Travel Guide
• Vancouver Travel Guide
• Vancouver Island Travel Guide

Montreal Travel Costs

Hostel prices – A bed in a 4-8-bed dorm costs 35-45 CAD per night while a dorm with 10 beds or more costs 30-35 CAD. A standard private room starts at 75 CAD per night for two people but averages closer to 150 CAD. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels have self-catering facilities. A couple of hostels also include free breakfast.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is available outside the city for around 25 CAD per night. This gets you a basic plot without electricity for two people.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels start at 110-125 CAD in the center of town. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, AC, and a coffee/tea maker.

Airbnb is available everywhere in Montreal, with private rooms starting around 45 CAD per night. An entire home/apartment starts at around 90 CAD per night. Expect prices to double if you don’t book early.

Food – The food in Montreal is a collage of dishes from other cultures, owing to the country’s diverse history of immigration. In Montreal, you’ll want to make sure you try poutine (it has the best poutine in the country), smoked meat, and Montreal bagels, as well as more general Canadian staples like beaver tails (fried dough with maple syrup), Canadian bacon, and the oddly tasty ketchup chips.

For budget travelers, Montreal has an endless selection of fast-food joints and takeaway spots. You can find poutine for under 10 CAD, or burgers and small pizzas for around 10-12 CAD each. A smoked meat sandwich can cost around 20 CAD with fries and coleslaw, while a hearty bagel sandwich costs about 10-12 CAD. Fast food (think McDonald’s) is around 13 CAD for a combo meal.

A meal at a casual restaurant is around 20 CAD. A beer to go with it is about 6-8 CAD. If you want to splash out, a meal at a high-end restaurant costs about 45 CAD for an entree without a drink.

If you cook for yourself, expect to spend around 50-60 CAD per week on groceries. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, produce, and some meat.

Some of my favorite restaurants in Montreal include Fairmount Bagels, Damas, Wilensky’s, Le Serpent (for something upscale), La Chilenita, Olive et Gourmando, Main Deli, Sushi Momo, and Drogheria.

Backpacking Montreal Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Montreal, expect to spend at least 60 CAD per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel, cooking all your meals, limiting your drinking, walking everywhere or taking public transportation, and doing mostly free activities like hanging out on Mont-Royal and doing free walking tours. If you plan on drinking, add 10-20 CAD to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 150 CAD per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, eat out for a few meals, take the occasional taxi, enjoy a couple of drinks, and visit some museums or do a food tour.

On a “luxury” budget of 265 CAD or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, take more taxis or rent a car, and do whatever tours or activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in CAD.

Montreal Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Montreal isn’t one of the cheapest destinations on the world but there are a lot of ways to cut your spending when you vist, especially if you stick to the free activities. Here are some ways to save money when you visit Montreal:

• Stay with a local – If you plan ahead, you can usually find a Couchsurfing host in Montreal. This way, you not only have a free place to stay but you can connect with a local who can share their insider tips.
• Take a free walking tour – Walking tours are a great way to get familiar with a city and its culture. Free Montreal Tours offers one that covers all the main highlights. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!
• Get the museum pass – A Montréal Museum Pass provides access to over 40 different museums around Montreal. A three-day pass is 75 CAD, while a three-day pass with unlimited transportation is 80 CAD.
• Apportez-votre vin – Many restaurants in Montreal have a sign displayed out front that says “Apportez-votre vin” (bring your own wine). You can pick up a cheap bottle of wine at the supermarket and bring it to dinner with you!
• Look for free events – Montreal has tons of free events year-round, but especially during the summer. Many of the major music festivals (like the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the largest jazz festival in the world) have free concerts or shows in the streets. There are also free art shows, theatrical performances, and even stand-up comedy (the annual Just For Laughs comedy festival is the largest comedy festival in the world). Mtl.org lists all events!
• Check out Montreal Sweet Deals – Mtl.org also has a selection of “Sweet Deals,” where if you book a room with one of the partner hotels directly, you’ll get special perks like late departure, breakfast included, or a discounted room rate (sometimes up to 30% off).
• Eat at Montreal’s Food Markets – Head to Jean-Talon market in Little Italy, the largest open-air market in North America for a unique experience and stock up on fresh food items. There are also many eateries and places to get a snack or a full meal whether you’re in the mood for tacos, mozzarella sticks, crepes, ice cream, or oysters.
• Pick up a Passeport MTL – Much like the museum pass above, the official city pass, Passeport MTL, lets you choose admission to five attractions from a list of over 28 attractions when you buy a card. The card also includes discounted offers to other attractions too. It’s 95 CAD.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter to ensure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Montreal

Montreal has lots of hostels that are fun, social, and affordable. Here are some of my suggested places to stay:

• HI Montreal Hostel
• Alexandrie-Montréal
• Samesun Montreal Central

How to Get Around Montreal

Public transportation – Montreal’s bus service covers the entire city center and the outskirts of town, including the airport. It’s 3.50 CAD for one ride or 6.50 CAD for a return trip. An unlimited day pass is 11 CAD, which is your best option. You can use your tickets on the subway as well, which is the best way to get around the city.

If you’d like to be able to top up your transit card, purchase an OPUS card for 6 CAD.

You can take bus 747 to and from the airport for 11 CAD each way.

Taxi – Taxis are not cheap here. Their base rate is 4.05 CAD and it’s an additional 1.75 CAD per kilometer afterward. Skip the taxis if you can as prices add up fast!

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Montreal and is a bit cheaper than taxis, however, it’s still much more expensive than public transportation and likely not much faster if you’re downtown. Bicycle – Montreal is very bike-city friendly and there are plenty of bicycle rental businesses around town. The public bike rental system is Bixi Bike. It costs 50 cents to unlock a bike, and then 10 cents/per minute for a regular bike or 12 cents/per minute for an e-bike. With over 8,000 bikes available at 700 stations across the city, you can easily hop around the city by bike. If you purchase an OPUS transit pass, you can link it to Bixi Bike to easily tap and rent a bike, as well as receive 10% off fares.

When to Go to Montreal

Montreal is at its busiest in the summer, especially when all the outdoor patios are open and there’s a festival practically every week. July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures hovering around 25°C (78°F). Just note that accommodation prices increase and tourist attractions can get crowded during this time so you may want to book early.

Both early fall and late spring are excellent times to visit as the weather is warm, you can do all the outdoor exploration you want, and there aren’t many tourists around. It’s stunning from late September to the end of October when the leaves start turning color.

Winters in Montreal are bitterly cold, with temperatures averaging around -7°C (19°F) in January though it can get much colder. Expect lots of snow too. In short, I wouldn’t suggest visiting in the winter unless you’re heading further afield to ski and enjoy the snow.

How to Stay Safe in Montreal

Montreal is very safe and you’re unlikely to experience any violent crime here. Your greatest risk is petty crime, like pickpocketing, but even that is rare. Pickpocketing is most likely to occur in busy restaurants and cafes or on public transportation, so keep an eye on your valuables when you’re out and about just to be safe.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe in the country, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). For more information, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs on the city.

Avoid neighborhoods like Notre Dame Ouest and Wellington Street after dark as sometimes gangs frequent the area.

If visiting in the winter, dress warmly. The temperature can get extremely cold (to the point where people have died).

Scams here are in the city. If you’re worried about them though, you can read about the common travel scams to avoid here.

The number for emergency services is 911.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Montreal Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Montreal Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Canada and continue planning your trip:

Where to Stay in Quebec City: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Vancouver: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Toronto: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Canada Road Trip: A One Month Suggested Itinerary

How to Road Trip the Yukon on a Budget

How to See Alberta: A 10-Day Suggested Driving Itinerary

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Montreal is shaped by its stirred-up history, the constant flow of immigrants, and a cultural identity crisis. Is it a French city with an English twist, or the other way around? Even after 400 years of quarreling, no one really knows. But to Montrealers, this dichotomy only adds substance to the city. Neighborhoods like Mile End and Petite-Patrie are artsy and homey, while the McGill Ghetto thrives as an international student community thanks to the city’s five major universities. And of course there is Old Montreal, the one place in North America that could be mistaken for an ancient French village.

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When’s the best time to go to Montreal?

Its location far up the eastern coast of North America means this city is blessed with four very distinct seasons, each beautiful in its own way and with its own share of things to do (yes, even in the dead of winter, Montreal is alive with energy).

How to get around Montreal

Montreal’s airport is about 30 minutes from the city center via bus (with free Wi-Fi) or taxi (the $40 flat fare from the airport gets you anywhere you need to go within downtown).

Renting a car in Montreal is not recommended, as traffic is awful and finding parking nearly impossible. But a bicycle-sharing system, Bixi—the first of its kind—is blessedly extensive. The public transit system, STM, with its reliable network of Métro and buses, is easy to navigate and quite cheap (a 3-day pass costs $18).

Can’t miss things to do in Montreal

Skip the skyscrapers and high-end stores of downtown and head straight to Plateau Mont-Royal for artsy coffee shops, local designers, and delicious brasseries. This is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in the city and definitely gives the best feel for Montreal’s vibrant city life.

Food and drink to try in Montreal

Montreal’s world-famous restaurant scene really is as awesome as people say. From exotic hole-in-the-walls in Shaughnessy Village to the French bistros of Plateau Mont-Royal, and from eateries that redefine poutine and the fine dining experiences of downtown to ethnic foods from around the globe, locals will tell you to pack your eating pants because you will need them.

Culture in Montreal

The massive Fine Arts Museum, with its touring exhibits and permanent collection of Canadian art, is the perennial favorite. And the whimsical Science Museum, in Old Montreal, offers fun stuff for kids and adults. Other popular highlights are the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Canadian Architecture Center, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum, and the McCord Museum.

Montreal could be called the festival capital of the world, with hundreds of festivals year-round, even during the cold months. The official season kicks off in June with Francofolies, a French music festival, and goes into fall, with Chinese Lanterns at the Botanical Gardens. Other notable events include Osheaga, Jazz Fest, Just for Laughs, the fireworks competition, and White Night. If you can, time your trip to catch a festival (or two).

Local travel tips for Montreal

Don’t let weather extremes keep you from discovering the city; as locals say, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. Locals also know to never take a car—except to get outside the city, after rush hour. Montreal is very walkable, and your destination is most likely a quick Métro ride away. Also, do brush up on a few French phrases ( Bonjour , Merci , S’il-vous-plaît ). Many Montrealers really appreciate it when visitors acknowledge the city as French-speaking. You may be rewarded with warm smiles.

Local Resources

Tourism Montreal

A Montrealer Abroad

Guide Editor

Marie-Eve Vallieres

Marie is a native Montrealer trying to balance a deep love for her hometown and an unquenchable thirst for travel and discovery. She has been to more than 20 countries, lived abroad in both France and the U.K., and is always on the lookout for authentic experiences wherever she travels—especially if it involves chocolate. She blogs at To Europe and Beyond .

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Check out this year's Best in Travel winners

Head to bilingual Montréal to enjoy a taste of French culture in a North American city that's in love with festivals, the arts, good food and enjoying life to the hilt.

Best Time to Visit

Best things to do, leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real Montréal. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Parc du Mont-Royal

The charming, leafy expanse of Parc du Mont-Royal is charged for a wide range of outdoor activities. The wooded slopes and grassy meadows have stunning…

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal

Montréal’s Museum of Fine Arts is an accessible and beautifully updated oasis of art housed in architecturally striking buildings. A visit here is a must…

Basilique Notre-Dame

Old Montréal

Montréal's famous landmark, Notre Dame Basilica, is a 19th-century Gothic Revival masterpiece with spectacular craftsmanship – a visually pleasing, if…

Oratoire St-Joseph

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Montréal and beyond

Montreal Travel Guide

Planning a trip to Montreal? Let us help. In this Montreal travel guide, you’re going to find all the best Montreal travel tips.

Before we start, we understand that you might still be at the planning stage. This also means, you might not be sure if Montreal made the final itinerary. We get it – the Canadian Rockies are very pretty, ha!

If you’re looking for something different, you should definitely visit Montreal while in Canada. Meeting friendly French Canadians will surely mark your stay in Canada.

This guide is all about Montreal and beyond. We want to help you plan your trip to Montreal and we will push it – we are planning on convincing you to go beyond Montreal .

If you just started planning your trip to Montreal, you’re at the right place. We will discuss everything you need to plan your trip to the Belle Province.

What to know about Montreal

Montreal is the biggest city in Quebec province. Here, we are talking about a population of 1.78 millions. Montreal is a vibrant, cultural city where you can eat pretty much everything, from poutine to the famous smoke meat, you shouldn’t leave hungry.

Montreal is pretty multi-cultural and most citizens are open-minded. Whether you walk around the Village, Mount Royal or in the Old City, you can admire beautiful architecture.

The Canadian Dollar is the local currency. You can find ATMs easily around the city and you can usually pay by card everywhere. Since the Canadian Dollar is not very strong, you should be able to make the most of your American Dollar over there.

Montreal is a Canadian city which means the city knows 4 different seasons. From very cold winters to hot summers, you can experience different seasons during your stay in Canada. I’d recommend reading about the seasons and the best time to visit before booking your flights.

Montreal might be located in the French province of Quebec, but the city is multilingual. Most citizens can speak English and you can easily find English menus in restaurants. In fact, some neighbourhoods are mostly English depending on where you’re heading.

Getting to Montreal

Whether you’re coming from another country or from another Canadian city, it’s usually easy to get to Montreal. You can get there by flight, car, train or bus.

Getting around Montreal

Getting around Montreal is easy. There are buses and subways options in the city. You can also walk or ride a bicycle around Montreal easily. Of course, it also depends on your accommodation. If you stay in the Old City or the city centre, you will be able to walk everywhere.

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Montreal 3 Day Itinerary: 72 Hours in Montreal for the Ultimate Getaway

Posted on Published: October 16, 2020  - Last updated: March 15, 2024

Categories Blog , Canada , City Guides , Montreal , Quebec , Travel Guides

This Montreal 3 day itinerary will show you how to have an amazing getaway to this fantastic Canadian city. There are so many awesome things to do in Montreal, and I’ve created a Montreal itinerary that I’m sure you will love, too. As I live in the Toronto area, I’ve been to Montreal on numerous occasions (it’s only about a five hour drive away). With this handy travel guide, you can spend the best 3 days in Montreal ever, whether it’s your first time visiting or you’ve gone a few times before.

Whether it’s one day , 36 hours, 2 days in Montreal, or a long weekend, this travel blog will give you lots of great ideas when searching for what to do in Montreal. Feel free to pick and choose your favorite aspects or follow it to a T. This Montreal 3 day itinerary will allow you to see the most iconic areas of the city, plus some of its hidden gems. Ready? Let’s go!

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Table of Contents

Day 1: Old Montreal and Old Port

One of the first areas of the city that comes to mind when you think of Montreal might be Old Montreal and Old Port. With its cobblestone streets and grandiose architecture, you might feel like you’ve transported yourself to Europe. It makes sense to start your first day in Old Montreal.

In the first day of this Montreal 3 day itinerary, we’ll explore Old Montreal by foot and also wander to some nearby neighborhoods. Then, I highly recommend that you rent a bike and do some cycling. Montreal is a very bike-friendly city. Cycling around Montreal is one way that you’ll feel connected to the city and feel a little more like a local resident.

Old Montreal

Old Montreal (Vieux Montreal) likely tops your list of the best places to see on a weekend trip to Montreal. We’ll start the first day of your 3 days in Montreal with a walking trip around Old Montreal and other notable areas near downtown Montreal.

I recommend that you wander around Old Montreal on foot. Walk up and down all of its streets and side streets. You never know what you might discover around each corner. The historic cobblestone streets and old architecture definitely ooze European vibes.

If you enjoy walking tours to get acquainted with new cities, there’s no better place in Montreal to go for a walking tour than Old Montreal. I suggest booking this Old Montreal Walking Tour that’s about two hours long with a maximum of six people per group.

More into spooky experiences? Check out this Old Montreal Ghost Walking Tour of the older parts of the city. Hear chilling stories and tales from your guide, and be on the lookout for the spirits that haunt Old Montreal. There are lots of scary tales and unexplained mysteries, and your guide will share all of the gruesome details.

Rue Saint-Paul

Rue Saint-Paul is the oldest street in Montreal, and some of its cobblestones date back to 1672. Yes, there are many souvenir shops on this stretch. However, keep walking and you’ll find some interesting boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and patios.

Bonsecours Market

Bonsecours Market is the home of the largest public market in Montreal, dating back 150 years. You can’t miss its glimmering silver dome. It was built in 1847 and once served as City Hall. It became Montreal’s main marketplace for over a century until it closed in the 1960s.

Nowadays, it’s a heritage building that was recently renovated in the 1990s. You’ll find it on Rue Saint-Claude. It’s no longer the traditional farmers market that it used to be, but you’ll find lots of boutique and high end shops inside this grandiose building. There are also three restaurants, including a cafe, a brewpub, and a Japanese sushi restaurant.

We didn’t do much shopping inside the Bonsecours Market, but Justin and I definitely took a moment to admire this stately architectural work before continuing on our way. If you’re looking for a public market, head to the Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy.

Notre-Dame Basilica / Basilique Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Montreal is one of the most visited monuments in North America with over 11 million visitors annually. This work of Gothic Revival architecture is one of the most brilliant and dramatic, decorated in blue and gold. The stained glass windows depict scenes from Montreal’s religious history rather than biblical scenes. There is a small admission fee to visit Notre-Dame Basilica as a tourist.

By night, you can visit Notre-Dame Basilica for AURA , an illuminating light show experience at the cathedral. It’s a three act multimedia spectacular featuring the architecture, lights, and orchestral music. It’s a fascinating and captivating way to visit the cathedral at night time.

Artist Alley on Rue Saint-Amable

The Arts Court, Artist Alley, or as its officially known, La Cour des Arts du Vieux-Montreal, is a must visit for those looking to purchase a gift or memento from their trip. Its tucked away inside a little alley off Rue Saint-Amable. Once you enter through the doorway, you’ll walk into a partially covered, partially open-air courtyard.

There are many vendors here selling local, handmade wares that are much more lovely than anything you’d find in the souvenir shops. You’ll find handmade jewelry, art, prints, wood carvings, and all sorts of locally produced gems.

Château Ramezay

Château Ramezay is a historic site and museum in Montreal featuring over 500 years of history in its exhibits and gardens. This home was originally built in 1705 as the home of the governor, Claude de Ramezay. Later, it was the first building to be declared as a historical monument in Quebec, and it was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1949.

Its permanent collection has over 30,000 objects, and there are also many temporary exhibitions and multimedia displays. There’s also a glorious garden on the property where you can go for a stroll. It’s divided into three sections: an orchard, a kitchen garden, and a pleasure garden. There are plant species that are very close or similar to the ones grown back when Ramezay lived at the property.

Coffee at Cafe Olimpico

When you’re in Old Montreal and Old Port, pop by Cafe Olimpico for a cup of coffee. Cafe Olimpico was founded in 1970 and it remains one of Montreal’s favorite coffee shops. You can get a variety of coffee and espresso beverages. It’s definitely one of the best cups of coffee that I’ve had in Montreal.

When I was walking around the artist alley in Old Montreal, one of the shop owners asked if I was from Montreal. When I replied that I wasn’t, she said that she was surprised to see someone from out of town drinking a coffee from Cafe Olimpico. She said that most tourists go for the bigger chains and they don’t realize that Cafe Olimpico has the best coffee. So, there you have it. When one of the locals can vouch for it, you know that their coffee must be one of the best.

The Old Port of Montreal is a historic 2km stretch along the St. Lawrence River. Old Port dates back to the year 1611 when it was used as a trading post for fur traders. Old Port is right next to Old Montreal, making it easy to combine a visit to both areas. You’ll likely walk from Old Montreal right into the Old Port area without even realizing it.

There are lots of activities and attractions in Old Port, such as the Montreal Clock Tower, La Grande Roue de Montréal (a gigantic ferris wheel), the Montreal Science Centre, zip lines, and paddle boat rentals. There are paved paths for cycling, roller blading, and walking that lead to the Lachine Canal. There’s no shortage of things to do in Old Port to add to your Montreal 3 day itinerary.

I also loved walking along Rue de la Commune to look at the old buildings and architecture that lines the waterfront. There are a few other places of interest in Old Port, such as the Pointe-à-Callière (Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History) and the Scandinave Spa Vieux Montreal . You can also book a craft beer tour in Old Port where you’ll be able to sample nine different craft beers along with some snacks.

Lunch at Le Panthere Verte

La Panthere Verte, or The Green Panther, is an all vegan establishment in Montreal that’s perfect for lunch. They’ve got some of the best falafels in town. La Panthere Verte serves up delicious sandwiches, hummus, bowls, and sweet potato poutine. I also highly recommend that you pair your meal with one of their refreshing fruit smoothies.

La Panthere Verte takes pride in serving meals made with fresh and organic ingredients. They use locally grown food whenever possible. Plus, they emphasize bringing your own container when possible, and they only use compostable takeout containers. It’s great to support a plant-based restaurant that also cares about the environment, too.

While La Panthere Verte has six locations across Montreal, there’s one not too far from Old Port that works perfectly with this Montreal 3 day itinerary. You’ll find it in the Latin Quarter of Montreal at 1735 Rue Saint-Denis. They also offer delivery with Uber Eats.

Gay Village

The two of us visited Montreal’s Gay Village on our last visit, and we suggest going for a walk through this lively and colorful Montreal neighborhood. A few years ago, we walked around an area that was closed down to traffic where we admired lots of outdoor public art. The Gay Village neighborhood is a brilliant place to include on a Montreal 3 day itinerary.

One of the main art installations there was  Les Boules Roses  – pink balls strung across the entire length of the road. It was so cool to see all of the pink balls overhead extending for as far as we could see. There’s always lots of street art on the buildings and public art displays. In addition, there are shops, restaurants, cafes, and more.

Rent a Bike and Go Cycling

Riding bikes around the city was one of our favorite things to do in Montreal during this Montreal 3 day itinerary. There are so many bike paths in Montreal, so there are numerous places to go cycling. We stuck to more of the scenic areas and parks for a pleasure ride between Old Port and Parc Jean-Drapeau.

You have a few options for riding bikes in Montreal. First, if you are looking for a guided tour experience with a local, I recommend booking this Montreal Bike Tour . This tour offers a few different options, such as riding around downtown and Old Montreal, venturing to vibrant neighborhoods like Mile End and Le Plateau, or combining your bike ride with lunch and a trip to the Nordic spa.

How to Rent Bikes in Montreal

For those looking to take shorter bike rides from place to place, there are Bixi Bikes all over Montreal. These are meant more for short distance bike rides from one spot to the next. You can download their app to see where there are bikes available at each station. You can buy day passes with Bixi Bikes. Use the bike for 30 minutes or less (or there will be additional charges). This program is designed more for city dwellers who need to get around from one place to the next rather than visitors looking to explore for a few hours by bike.

The third option is the one that we decided to do, which was rent bikes from a shop. Ça Roule Montréal , or Montreal On Wheels, offers half day or full day bike rentals. We rented our bikes for four hours, which gave us the freedom to ride wherever we liked. This is a slightly more expensive option than using Bixi Bikes. However, if we rented the Bixi Bikes and didn’t return them for many hours, it would be far more expensive. We also found that the bike rentals from Ca Roule Montreal were more comfortable and better quality than the Bixi Bikes.

The employees at the bike shop gave us a map and explained a few routes that we could take. We decided to ride from Old Port along the waterfront to Habitat 67 and Parc Jean-Drapeau. Justin and I wanted to ride our bikes around the neighboring islands to check out the Biosphere and Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, an F1 race track where you can go cycling.

Habitat 67 is a unique housing complex in an architectural style that I haven’t seen anywhere else. Check it out on a bike ride between Old Port and Parc Jean-Drapeau. Designed by Israel-Canadian architect, Moshe Safdie, Habitat 67 was built as a pavilion for Expo 67. While it was conceived as a way to revolutionize housing around the world, it never quite stuck. There weren’t any others designed that used this one as a model.

In 2009, Habitat 67 was granted heritage status by the Quebec government. Today, Habitat 67 in Montreal is a popular residence and a community in itself. Many of the cubes that were singular apartments are connected together for sprawling residences with multiple terraces.

The views of the river and the city skyline are beautiful. It’s one of the most sought after properties in the city to call home. It’s also one of the most unique Montreal attractions and a must visit for architecture lovers on this Montreal 3 day itinerary.

The Biosphere

The Montreal Biosphere was built for Expo 67 to house the United States pavilion. Today, it’s a museum devoted to the environment. There are interactive exhibits and activities relating to climate change, sustainability, biodiversity, water, and much more. The goal is to raise awareness about these important issues and encourage visitors to take action in their daily lives.

The Biosphere was closed when we visited, but we rode our bikes to Parc Jean-Drapeau to admire this unique and photogenic structure. There’s also a Metro stop at Parc Jean-Drapeau, so it’s really easy to access by public transportation if you want to visit without riding a bike there.

Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve

Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is a Formula 1 race track that hosts the Grand Prix du Canada (since 1978). It’s 4,361 meters long and wraps around Notre Dame Island, a man-made island built up for Expo 67 (and now part of Parc Jean-Drapeau). When the F1 races aren’t happening, this race track is repurposed as a multi-use track for everyone to enjoy.

You can ride your bike around the F1 circuit track. It’s also possible to go rollerblading, go for a jog, and even drive your car around the F1 track. There’s a separate lane for pedestrians and cyclists, and there’s another lane for cars. Whether navigating the track by bike or car, it’s a pretty exhilarating experience to glide around an actual F1 circuit track (even if you’re traveling way slower than the professionals!).

We returned our bikes after riding around Old Port and Parc Jean-Drapeau for a few hours. If you find yourself with some spare time before dinner, it’s not too far to walk from Old Port to Montreal’s Chinatown neighborhood. Chinatown is essentially one large city block in Montreal, bordered by Rue Saint-Dominique, René-Lévesque Boulevard, Rue Viger, and Rue Jeanne-Mance.

There are four paifang  gates at each of the four entrances to Chinatown, which are intricately decorated archways to demonstrate that you’re entering Chinatown. In fact, Montreal has the most paifang gates out of any city in North America. Go for a stroll around Chinatown to visit shops, restaurants, and even check out some street art and murals.

Dinner at LOV

For dinner, LOV is our first restaurant choice in Montreal for fresh and flavorful meals. Their restaurants are super popular so you’ll want to make a reservation in advance. They’re 100% vegan, and the food leans towards a fine dining experience (but the restaurant is casual enough that you don’t need to get dressed up).

To drink, I ordered the Peach Bum cocktail, which has a little fuzzy peach candy sticking out of it. For food, it was a really tough decision. We decided to split the dumplings (mushroom and vegetable with an almond butter kimchi sauce). For our main courses, Justin and I ordered the LOV tacos (breaded tofu, avocado sauce, chili and red onion pickling) and the Mac n’ cheese LOV.

While we ate delicious food throughout our entire stay in Montreal, our meal at LOV was our favorite of all. The food is skillfully prepared, looks beautiful on the plate, and tastes super yummy.

Day 2: Mont Royal and Mile End

On day two of this Montreal 3 day itinerary, we’ll explore Mont Royal and the Mile End/Le Plateau neighborhoods. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start the day off by climbing to the top of Mont Royal. It isn’t a super far walk from the hotel, but you can also choose to take the Hop On Hop Off Bus to learn a few facts about the city on your way.

Climb Mont Royal

Mont Royal (or Mount Royal) is Montreal’s small mountain or volcanic-related hill, and it’s where Montreal gets its name. Mont Royal is right in the middle of Montreal, not far from the downtown core. At the top of Mont Royal, you’ll be able to savor incredible panoramic scenery of the city. A visit to Mont Royal is an absolute must for your Montreal 3 day itinerary.

There are winding paved paths so you can ride your bike up to the top (these are also accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, although it can get a little steep). Climbing the staircases is the quickest way to reach the top. It’s a little bit of a trek to get to the top, and it might leave you a little winded.

If you’re in a reasonable amount of shape, it isn’t a problem to hike to the top. We managed to see some locals jogging up and down the stairs, as well as a woman dressed in heels and business attire climb to the top (while chatting on the phone, I might add) without breaking a sweat.

The views from the top are absolutely worth the climb. I know that the scenery here must look amazing in all four seasons. I’ve also heard that this is a fantastic place to watch the sunset.

Walk the Trails and Visit Beaver Lake (Lac aux Castors)

Mont Royal Park is so much more than that one viewpoint. It’s a beautiful park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the same man who designed Central Park in NYC. It’s a magnificent green space, one of the largest in Montreal, with a small lake and walking trails. When you’re looking for the best things to do in Montreal in 3 days, take the time to appreciate Mont Royal Park.

Beaver Lake (Lac aux Castors) is a beautiful, man-made lake where visitors can go for a stroll to admire the views. There’s vast open green spaces around the lake that are perfect for a picnic lunch. You can rent rowboats there in the summer and go ice skating there in the winter, making it the ideal all seasons destination. There are also many interesting sculptures to view on your walk between the summit of Mont Royal and Beaver Lake.

Coffee Break at Dispatch Coffee

Dispatch Coffee is one of the top coffee shops in Montreal. I suggest stopping for a coffee after you visit Mont Royal and before you explore Mile End and Le Plateau Mont Royal neighborhoods. It’s a charming little cafe with a funky mural on the side of the building.

They source, roast, and distribute their own coffee, keeping the prices affordable. At the same time, they are responsible in purchasing beans at a fair price directly from the farmers. Dispatch Coffee has a great selection of plant-based milks, including my favorite, oat milk. I ordered an iced Americano with oat milk and it was super refreshing.

Search for Street Art in Mile End

Many areas of Montreal are virtually open air art museums that you can visit for free, any time of the day or night. Mile End likely has the most murals as the art festival, MURAL, happens annually each June on  Saint-Laurent Boulevard. On this Montreal 3 day itinerary, you can’t help but stop to admire the street art because it’s virtually everywhere you look.

Don’t limit yourself to exploring only Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Some of the best works of art are around the corner, whether they’re painted on buildings down side streets, down narrow alleyways, or the backs of buildings facing parking lots. Sometimes we walked down the street only to realize that there were incredible works of street art behind us that we didn’t even notice. It won’t take long for you to stumble into one amazing piece after another.

If you love public art, street art, and murals, you should book this Montreal street art tour . You’ll walk around with a local guide to learn more about the artists and discover the most famous murals in the city.

Even though we saw so much street art throughout our stay, there’s always more to discover. I’m not sure you’ll be able to see all of the Montreal street art in one visit, but you’ll certainly see a lot of it when you walk around Mile End. In addition to soaking up those amazing street art views, I also adore the houses and buildings in this neighborhood, too.

Lunch at Mimi & Jones

Mimi & Jones is a vegan diner featuring delicious comfort food. You can choose from a burger, a cheeseburger, tofu nuggets, raviolis, Caesar salad, or their famous milkshakes. We decided to order some burgers, nuggets, and a chocolate milkshake.

Everything was super yummy! The tofu nuggets were heavenly little bites, especially when you dip them in the maple Dijon dipping sauce. They operate mostly for takeaway during the pandemic, but we dined on a small bench just outside of the restaurant.

Shop at the Boutiques of Mile End and Le Plateau Mont Royal

When you wander around Mile End and Le Plateau Mont Royal, you can pair street art hunting with boutique shopping. There are loads of great stores with unique, one of a kind items. We loved browsing the antique shops and poking our heads into indie record stores. There’s a shop for every taste and style, whether you’re looking for clothes, gifts, or something for your home.

Relax at Square Saint-Louis

Square Saint-Louis is an urban park and square in the Plateau Mont Royal neighborhood. There’s a Victorian fountain in the middle of the park, and the park is surrounded by rows of brightly painted Victorian homes. Throughout this Montreal 3 day itinerary, I’ve tried to build in some moments of relaxation. Square Saint-Louis is a great place to unwind with a cup of coffee, people watch, rest your legs, and collect your thoughts.

It’s one of the most beautiful parks in Montreal, and a great place to rest your legs after all of the walking you’ve been doing all day. Bring your camera as you’ll want to take some photos of the colorful graystone row houses.

Dinner and Drinks at Bowhead Pub

The Bowhead Pub is Montreal’s first vegan pub, and we absolutely adore it! They have a delightful patio just outside of the restaurant where we enjoyed a couple pints of beer along with some delicious appetizers. They have a full menu, but we were really feeling the sharable items that night. Justin and I ordered the Chkn Wings and the Cheese Sticks (vegan feta in a Guinness batter). They also have burgers, comfort main dishes, and desserts.

Day 3: Olympic Park and Museums

I’ve left the third day of your 3 days in Montreal devoted to some of the best museums and attractions in Montreal. You’ll start off your morning by visiting MAC, the contemporary art museum in Montreal. After lunch, you’ll travel a little outside of downtown Montreal to Olympic Park. I suggest taking the Metro there as there’s a subway stop right at Olympic Park.

If you’re only spending 2 days in Montreal, I’d suggest simply doing the first two days of this Montreal itinerary. However, if you’re able to create a Montreal 3 day itinerary, this plan is perfect. If you only have a weekend in Montreal, you can also mix and match your favorite aspects of this travel guide.

Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal

Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal , also known as MAC, is the modern art museum in Montreal. Their collection includes over 7000 works by more than 1500 artists. They primarily focus on artists from Quebec and across Canada. You’ll find everything from paintings to digital and sound works, installations, sculptures, and more. It’s easy to spend at least a couple of hours wandering around MAC, enjoying the atmosphere and all of the thought-provoking works of art.

Lunch at Lola Rosa

Lola Rosa is a delightful vegan restaurant in Montreal with three locations. There’s one right across the road from the Montreal Contemporary Art Museum, so it’s easy to pop over for a quick bite. They have lots of comforting, hearty dishes that will please vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.

Justin and I both couldn’t resist ordering their Cajun Burger (it’s funny when we both decide to order the exact same thing on the menu!). I got mine with a vegan poutine because…when in Montreal, right? They’ve also got a great selection of local beers, as well as pitchers of sangria and cocktails.

Montreal Botanical Garden

To reach Olympic Park , you’ll need to take an Uber or a Metro ride as it’s a little farther outside of town. The Montreal Botanical Gardens is a wonderful and peaceful place to visit, whether you’re roaming the gardens by day or visiting a special exhibit by night. I recommend adding the Botanical Gardens to your Montreal 3 day itinerary, whether you are admiring the gardens by day or attending the lantern festival in the fall.

It’s 75 hectares of gardens and greenhouses with a remarkable selection of plants and themed gardens. There are 10 greenhouses and numerous gardens, like the Chinese Garden, the First Nations Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, the Toxic Plants Garden, and more. Depending on the time of year that you visit, different plants and flowers will be in bloom, so your experience can vary from one time to the next.

Montreal’s Lantern Festival at the Botanical Gardens

If you’re visiting Montreal in the fall, I highly recommend that you check out the Gardens of Light Festival ( Jardins de Lumière ). It’s an annual tradition at the Montreal Botanical Gardens. Hundreds of lanterns flood the Chinese and Japanese Gardens with light, illuminating the landscape with bursts of bright colors. The lights transport you to another place for the evening. I felt as though I was in China rather than Montreal.

Though Chinese lanterns typically celebrate Chinese New Year, they’re on display here for the fall harvest, or Moon Festival. The lanterns are handmade in Shanghai, and it takes a full year of preparations to organize and display the lights. Every small detail contributes to the magical atmosphere of the festival.

Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium

If you’re a fan of outer space, science, or planetariums, you’ve got to pay a visit to the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium at Montreal’s Olympic Park. It’s a must for any Montreal itinerary if you love museums and attractions. There are a number of French and English language shows, although there are fewer English ones. It’s best to plan accordingly ahead of time so you don’t miss out. They have their programming schedule posted online (as well as some virtual programming at the moment, until the planetarium reopens).

Coffee Break at Caffe in Gamba

Want a little pick-me-up before dinner? Venture over to Caffe in Gamba for a delicious cup of coffee or espresso beverage. It’s back in the Mile End neighborhood where you’re invited to do more exploring before dinner. I ordered a simple black coffee here and it hit the spot. I’m all about finding great coffee shops on the go, so be sure to add Caffe in Gamba to your list of Montreal cafes.

Dinner at Aux Vivres

Aux Vivres continues to be one of our favorite restaurants in Montreal, ever since we first traveled to the city together back in 2013. Back then, we actually ate dinner at Aux Vivres and went there for brunch one morning, too! You know the restaurant is good if you choose to dine there twice.

It’s a 100% vegan restaurant and one of the original vegan restaurants in Montreal. They have a huge menu with lots of favorites, from sandwiches and wraps to bowls and burgers. We also adored the blueberry pancakes that they serve for weekend brunch.

Pints at Le Sainte-Elizabeth’s Patio Garden

End your trip to Montreal with a pint or two at Le Sainte-Elizabeth pub. They have a gorgeous back patio that’s the closest thing I could find to a beer garden in Montreal. You’re surrounded by tall, brick walls covered in vines and greenery. There are tall trees in the middle of the patio garden. Plus, there are tons of heat lamps, meaning that this patio is open all year long.

More Than 3 Days in Montreal?

If you find yourself with more time, there are still many more things to do in Montreal. For instance, you could stay within the city and check out some more museums . You can book a relaxing Nordic spa experience just a few minutes away from downtown Montreal. Or if you’re looking for what to do in Montreal and you’re thinking about taking a day or two away from the city, I suggest a trip to nearby Mont Tremblant.

Visiting Mont Tremblant From Montreal

If you have an extra couple of days, I recommend making the short drive from Montreal to Mont Tremblant. Tremblant resort is a fantastic experience any time of the year, whether you’re visiting Tremblant in the summer or partaking in outdoor activities in the winter . In the summer, Mont Tremblant hosts their sensational International Blues Festival , and there are also lots of great vegan restaurants at Tremblant , too.

Want to see more photos of Montreal?

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Where to Stay in Montreal

Justin and I spent three nights at the Hotel Bonaventure Montreal . It was our second time staying here. We enjoyed our first stay so much that we didn’t hesitate to make it our temporary home again in Montreal. It’s right downtown in the perfect location, right in the middle of all the action. We’re able to walk almost everywhere from this hotel.

The hotel has all the modern amenities you need for a comfortable stay, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure. There’s complimentary Wi-Fi and we found the speeds were lightning fast. We stayed in one of their newly renovated rooms, which was super comfortable and spacious. There’s a rooftop pool, a terrace garden with ducks, a fitness center, and restaurants on site.

Everything you could possibly want or need is right here at the Hotel Bonaventure. Click here to book your stay  at the Hotel Bonaventure Montreal. There are also many more  reviews of Hotel Bonaventure Montreal  online, and I encourage you to check them out when you’re reviewing hotels in Montreal for your holiday.

Montreal Frequently Asked Questions

Thinking about planning a trip to Montreal? You might have a few questions about Montreal that I haven’t answered already. Here’s some basic info about Montreal that you should know before you go.

Of course, yes! I have visited Montreal on multiple occasions. Even though it’s not too far away (about 5 hours by car), I think Montreal is a great city to visit even if you are coming from abroad. There are many things to see and do, and it’s such a vibrant and awesome city.

Yes! Most people in Montreal speak both French and English. While you may be initially greeted in French, don’t worry if you cannot speak French. I’m sure many people would appreciate if you tried. But, if you start speaking in English, pretty much everyone will flip over to English and communicate that way.

Montreal is a very walkable city. You can walk most places, especially if you stay in a centrally located downtown hotel. However, there’s also the fabulous and easy to navigate Montreal Metro if you’d rather travel by the subway or public transportation.

3 days is the perfect amount of time to visit Montreal. You’ll be able to see many attractions and places of interest. Of course, you can visit for 2 days or 4 days (or even longer), but you should be able to tackle most of the best things to do in Montreal in 3 days.

Please use Canadian currency in Montreal. We do not use US dollars here. I am sure many places will accept US dollars, but they won’t do any currency exchange for you. As the US dollar is valued much higher than the Canadian dollar, it makes more sense to convert your money into Canadian dollars.

Montreal is a great city to visit all year long. However, it does get quite cold and snowy in the winter, so you’ll need to dress appropriately. I love the spring and the fall the most in Montreal. September is a great time of year (after Labour Day weekend) because there are fewer crowds and the weather is still warm. The prices for hotels are more affordable during the shoulder seasons (March to May and September to November).

Map of Montreal

Navigate your way around the city with this handy map. See everything that I mentioned for this Montreal 3 day itinerary visually represented on a map.

Do you want to save this map for future reference? If you click the star beside the map title, it will be saved to your Google Maps account. Then, you can access it while hiking from your own Google Maps app (it will be listed under “your places” and then “maps”).

More Things to Do in Quebec

For more Quebec travel guides and itineraries, please check out these popular travel blog posts:

• 20 Best Things to Do in Laval
• Mont Tremblant in Summer
• Mont Tremblant in Winter
• Montreal 3 Day Itinerary
• Terrebonne and Ile-des-Moulins, Quebec
• Quebec City 3 Day Itinerary
• Quebec City in Winter
• Quebec Winter Carnival
• Snow Tubing in Quebec at the Ultimate Winter Playground
• Quebec City Christmas Market
• Ice Hotel Quebec: A Survival Guide to Staying Overnight
• Le Monastere des Augustines: Quebec Monastery Turned Wellness Centre
• 7 Day Itinerary for a Gaspe Peninsula Road Trip
• Whale Watching in Tadoussac
• 3 Days In Lanaudière Mauricie Itinerary

Is there anything else that you’d add to your Montreal itinerary?

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Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.

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Travel from past to present in Old Montréal

Old Montréal, home to the city's most historic and newest attractions, provides an unbeatable glimpse into city's many lives throughout its extensive history. While the memory of Jeanne Mance, Jacques Cartier and de Maisonneuve can still be felt on the cobblestone streets, Old Montréal and the Old Port make up one of the city’s most constantly evolving and dynamic quarters, with attractions ranging from cathedrals and museums to an observation wheel and river cruises.

Back to the future

Old Montréal is a district of contrasts. Alongside the stately grace of the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Bonsecours Market’s glistening dome awaits a wealth of cutting-edge design shops and forward-thinking restaurants. The riverside pathways that teem with joggers and cyclists throughout the day swell with romantic strolling couples after the sun goes down. The area’s beautiful buildings transform nightly into glowing beacons with innovative lighting effects and the modern Grande Roue de Montréal ferris wheel offers new vistas over a grand quartier nearly 400 years in the making.

See Montréal from both sides now

For almost 400 years, travellers have oohed and aahed at the architectural beauties of Old Montréal and the Old Port. And while the turn of every corner reveals another timeless surprise, these are some definite top of the list musts to experience before heading back into the modern world.

• Marvel at the Notre-Dame Basilica
• Take a walk back in time down Saint Paul Street
• Reach new heights and experience new vistas on the Grande Roue de Montréal
• Share the view of the St. Lawrence with the angels of Ville-Marie atop the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
• Play urban archaeologist and trace the fortifications from Pointe-à-Callière
• Do a guided tour, such as with TourBird