- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit Montreal
Founded as Ville-Marie in 1642, Old Montreal preserves its colonial roots with 17th-century streets. The Notre-Dame Basilica's Gothic Revival splendor is one of the top attractions in Montreal, contrasting with modern marvels like Habitat 67.
Mount Royal Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offers panoramic city views from its 233m summit. The Lachine Canal features a 15 km path for cycling and walking, while winter brings unique ice canoe races on the Saint Lawrence River.
No Montreal travel guide is complete without its food. Beyond poutine and smoked meat, try bagels boiled in honey-sweetened water. Explore Jean-Talon Market for local cheeses and try "pouding chômeur", a classic dessert born from the Depression era.
- MontrealCanada
- MontrealCanada
- MontrealCanada
- MontrealCanada
Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Octmild, fewer crowds
- Jul-Augwarm & busy
- Wintercold, heavy snowfall
- #ComfortableShoes
- #WeatherAppropriateClothing
- #Umbrella
- #LayeredClothes
- #TravelGuide
- 3-4 days for highlights
- 5-6 with side trips
- Canadian Dollar ($)
- English & French
- Both are official languages
- #OldMontreal
- #MountRoyalPark
- #BasiliqueNotreDame
- #JeanTalontMarket
- #MuseumOfFineArts
- #BotanicalGarden
- Explore Old Port
- Try poutine
- Stroll through Plateau-Mont-Royal
- Visit the Montreal Science Centre
- Enjoy a bagel from St-Viateur
Recommended Hotels in Montreal by Experience
Things to do in Montreal
Discover
Discover what to see in Montreal by visiting its iconic sights. Explore the historic streets of Old Montreal, see the city from the Au Sommet Place Ville Marie observation deck, and enjoy nature at Mount Royal Park or the Botanical Garden.
Experience
Experience the city's culture at the Just for Laughs festival or a Canadiens hockey game. Cycle the Lachine Canal path, browse the Jean-Talon Market for local foods, or enjoy Osheaga music festival in the summer and Igloofest in winter.
Old Montreal
Historic district with cobblestone streets and 17th-c. charm.
Notre-Dame Basilica
Gothic Revival church with a stunning, deep-blue interior.
Mount Royal Park
Large urban park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
City's largest museum with vast international art collections.
Lachine Canal National Historic Site
Waterside path ideal for cycling, walking, and kayaking.
Jean-Talon Market
One of North America's largest open-air public markets.
Montreal Botanical Garden
Extensive themed gardens and large greenhouse complex.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
Fly into Montréal-Trudeau (YUL). The 747 Express bus provides a direct route from the Montreal airport to city center, running 24/7 (~45-70 min). A train to Montreal via VIA Rail or Amtrak arrives at Gare Centrale in the heart of downtown.
Getting Around
Navigate using STM's public transport in Montreal, which includes four metro lines and an extensive bus network. Get an Opus card or a day pass for unlimited travel. In summer, use the BIXI bike-share system or try the Bateau-Bus for scenic water travel.
Local Essentials
Essential Montreal travel tips for first-timers: driving in Montreal has unique rules, like no right turns on red lights on the island. With a car rental in Montreal, book parking ahead. Most places accept cards, but carry cash for smaller bakeries.
Where to Stay in Montreal
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore traditional food in Montreal by tasting iconic poutine, smoked meat, and authentic bagels. Locals embrace the '5 à 7' happy hour, a perfect time to eat and unwind before a late dinner. This city's food scene is a true cultural journey.
Enjoy
Find the best restaurants in Montreal like Au Pied de Cochon's rich, decadent vibe, book far ahead. Taste cocktails at Modavie, a moody live jazz spot, arrive early. For a hectic but classic café experience, try Olive et Gourmando, expect queues.
Schwartz's
Iconic Montreal smoked meat sandwiches. Long lines expected.
Au Pied de Cochon
Decadent, rich Quebecois fare. Reservations are essential.
La Banquise
Famous 24/7 poutine spot with many variations. Often crowded.
Gibbys
Classic steakhouse in a historic stone building. Book in advance.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Montreal's heritage through its must-see celebrations. Experience the Fête Nationale du Québec on June 24 with city-wide parades and bonfires, a tradition rooted in celebrating French-Canadian culture since 1834.
Enjoy
Discover Montreal's creative pulse at its modern festivals. This city is one of the best places to visit for indie rock at Osheaga and electronic music at Piknic Électronik and Igloofest. These Montreal attractions are key to the city's artistic scene.
Festival International de Jazz
The world's largest jazz festival held in late June/early July.
Montréal en Lumière
Winter festival in Feb/March with light shows, food, music.
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
Major multi-genre music festival in August with global stars.
Fête nationale du Québec
Quebec's national holiday on June 24 with parades and shows.
MURAL Festival
June street art festival with live mural painting and music.
Igloofest
Outdoor electronic music festival in Jan/Feb at the Old Port.
First Peoples' Festival
August celebration of Indigenous cultures through art and film.
A beautiful and walkable city
Montreal is a fantastic city to just walk around in. It has this unique North American and European feel. The architecture in the Old Port is gorgeous, with lots of small cafes and shops along the cobblestone streets. It feels very accessible.
So much to see and do
Getting around the city is super easy with the metro system. We really enjoyed the collections at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood was great for finding interesting little restaurants and just seeing daily life.
Great winter destination!
We were there for the Montréal en Lumière festival and it was so well done. The city really knows how to handle the winter with lots of outdoor activities and lights. Skating outdoors was a definite highlight. A fun trip if you don't mind the cold.
Loved the different neighborhoods
Montreal has some really cool neighborhoods worth exploring. We spent a good amount of time in the Mile End, which has a nice, local feel. Tried the famous bagels there, of course. It's a city that feels very real and lived-in.
Stunning city views
The walk up through Mount Royal Park is totally worth it for the view of the city skyline. It's a beautiful, big park right in the city, and it was nice seeing people out enjoying the snow. A perfect spot for a bit of nature without leaving town.
Smart city for cold weather
I was impressed by the Underground City (RESO), which connects malls and metro stations so you don't have to be outside. Saint Catherine Street had all the shopping we wanted. It makes a winter visit very comfortable and convenient.