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Montreal
Check top sights, places to stay and recommendations from local experts
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit Montreal
Founded as Ville-Marie in 1642, Montreal's history is etched into the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal. Here, Neoclassical banks stand near Art Deco icons like the Aldred Building. This blend is what is Montreal famous for among architecture fans.
Discover Mount Royal Park, a 200-hectare urban forest designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. You can cycle the 14.5km Lachine Canal path or kayak its waters. In winter, Parc La Fontaine becomes a vast skating rink, a must-do when visiting Montreal.
The city's food culture is one of the best reasons to visit Montreal. Taste authentic bagels boiled in honey-sweetened water and baked in wood-fired ovens. Explore Jean-Talon Market for local cheeses and try our unique ice cider, a sweet local wine.
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Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Junmild, blooming gardens, fewer crowds
- Jul-Augwarm, summer festivals, busy
- Sep-Octcooler, fall colors, fewer tourists
- Wintercold, snow sports, festive atmosphere
- #ComfortableShoes
- #WarmClothing
- #TravelUmbrella
- #PowerAdapterTypeA
- #ReusableWaterBottle
- 3-5 days for highlights
- 6-7 with nearby attractions
- Canadian Dollar ($)
- English & French
- Both are official languages
- #OldMontreal
- #MountRoyal
- #NotreDameBasilica
- #JeanTalonMarket
- #Biodome
- #MontrealMuseumOfFineArts
- Explore Old Port
- Try poutine
- Visit a rooftop terrace
- Attend a festivals
- Take a bike tour
Recommended Hotels in Montreal by Experience
Things to do in Montreal
Discover
Start exploring Montreal with its historic Old Port, the stunning Notre-Dame Basilica, and panoramic views from Mount Royal Park. The city's core also features the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the modern architecture of the Olympic Park.
Experience
Enjoy seasonal events like the International Jazz Festival or winter's Montréal en Lumière. Cycle the Lachine Canal, shop at Jean-Talon Market, or catch a Canadiens hockey game at the Bell Centre for a local sporting experience.
Old Montreal
Historic district with cobblestone streets and 17th-c. buildings.
Notre-Dame Basilica
Gothic Revival church with a grand, colourful interior.
Mount Royal Park
Large urban park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Art museum with Canadian and international collections.
Jean-Talon Market
Large open-air public market with local produce and goods.
Lachine Canal Path
Urban waterway path for cycling, walking, and kayaking.
Montreal Botanical Garden
A vast garden with themed areas and large greenhouses.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
How to get to Montreal: fly into Montréal-Trudeau (YUL). The 747 bus is a 24/7 Montreal airport to city center shuttle (45-70 min, ~$11 CAD). A train to Montreal via VIA Rail arrives at Gare Centrale, with direct access to the metro.
Getting Around
The public transport in Montreal, run by STM, is excellent. The metro has four lines connecting key areas. For unlimited travel on buses and metro, buy a 1-day or weekend pass. From April to November, BIXI bike-sharing is a great alternative.
Local Essentials
Valuable Montreal travel tips for first-timers: driving in Montreal is tricky as right turns on red are forbidden on the island. Let passengers exit the metro before boarding. Most places accept cards, but keep cash for small bakeries or markets.
Where to Stay in Montreal
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore Montreal's culinary identity. Eat iconic smoked meat, taste authentic poutine, and try Montreal-style bagels. Many locals dine late, grabbing a bite after a night out, making it a perfect time to find the city's best.
Enjoy
Where to eat in Montreal? Try Schwartz's hectic deli, expect lines. For wine and jazz, Modavie is a cozy spot, book ahead. For a bustling brunch at Olive et Gourmando, a local favorite, just arrive early to get a table.
Schwartz's
Iconic smoked meat deli. Expect long but fast-moving lines.
Au Pied de Cochon
Rich, decadent Quebecois fare. Reservations are essential.
Gibbys
Classic steak and seafood in a historic stable. Book ahead.
Garde Manger
Trendy seafood spot with a lively bar. Often a wait.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
For Montreal cultural activities, experience Fête Nationale, a must-see June celebration of Quebec's heritage. It's what to see in Montreal for traditional parades, folk music, and citywide gatherings, connecting to its deep francophone history.
Enjoy
Exploring Montreal reveals a dynamic modern scene. Catch world-class music festivals like the International Jazz Fest or enjoy avant-garde multimedia art installations. These are prime things to experience in Montreal, offering diverse things to do.
Fête Nationale du Québec
June 24 celebration with parades, concerts, fireworks citywide.
Montreal International Jazz Fest
World's largest jazz festival in late June/early July; concerts.
Just For Laughs Festival
Global comedy festival in July; stand-up, galas, street performances.
Montréal en Lumière
Feb winter fest with light installations, food, music, and arts.
F1 Grand Prix du Canada
Annual June motor race on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve; thrilling.
Poutinefest
September festival celebrating Québec's iconic dish; vendors.
MURAL Festival
June urban art event transforming St-Laurent Blvd with murals.
Montreal in winter is something else entirely
The snow didn't slow anything down at all. People are out, restaurants are packed, and the underground city (RÉSO) means you barely need a coat to get around. Poutine from a spot on Rue Sainte-Catherine hit different after a cold day outside.
Best food city I've been to in a long time
The food scene here is genuinely impressive. From bagels at St-Viateur to smoked meat sandwiches at Schwartz's, every meal felt like a proper event. Mile End is a cool neighbourhood to just walk around and eat your way through. Didn't go hungry once.
Great city break with a real French feel
Old Montreal feels like a little piece of Europe. The cobblestone streets around Place Jacques-Cartier are lovely and the cafés are cozy and affordable. French is everywhere which made it feel familiar. A really easy city to enjoy without much planning.
Loved every bit of it
Montreal has a really cool energy. The Plateau-Mont-Royal area is full of independent shops, colourful staircases, and great little restaurants. Nothing felt too touristy or forced. The locals are super friendly and happy to switch to English if you need it.
So much going on during the holidays
We were there just before Christmas and the city felt really alive. The lights around Old Montreal were beautiful and there were festive markets all over the place. Mont Royal park covered in snow is absolutely stunning. A genuinely magical time to visit.
Incredible city for culture lovers
The Musée des Beaux-Arts is world class and totally free on certain days. Street art in the Plateau neighbourhood is everywhere and honestly impressive. Bilingual city, friendly locals, and the food is cheap for what you get. Left very satisfied.