Top places to visit in Montreal

• Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal)

  Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h

  Historic district along the St. Lawrence River with cobblestone streets, 17th–19th-century architecture, Place Jacques-Cartier and boutiques.

• Mount Royal Park

  Nature · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h

  Large hilltop park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted; Kondiaronk Belvedere offers the classic skyline view.

• Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

  Church · 4.8 rating · about 1.3 h · entry CAD 16

  Gothic Revival basilica (1829) famed for its deep-blue vaulted ceiling, intricate woodwork and Casavant organ.

• Old Port of Montreal

  Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2 h

  Riverside promenade along the St. Lawrence with the Montreal Science Centre, La Grande Roue ferris wheel, ziplines and seasonal events.

• Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal

  Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h

  Canada's largest church and a major pilgrimage site, with one of the world's largest church domes and panoramic city views.

• Jean-Talon Market

  Market · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h

  One of North America's largest open-air public markets in Little Italy, with Quebec produce, cheese, maple products and food stalls.

• Montreal Botanical Garden

  Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 22

  Vast botanical garden with themed gardens including the Chinese and Japanese gardens, greenhouses and the autumn Gardens of Light.

• Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

  Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 24

  Quebec's largest art museum, spanning five pavilions with international and Canadian art, decorative arts and major touring exhibitions.

• Plateau Mont-Royal

  Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 2 h

  Trendy, walkable neighbourhood known for colourful triplexes with exterior spiral staircases, murals, cafés and Avenue du Mont-Royal.

• Place Jacques-Cartier

  Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h

  Lively cobblestone public square in Old Montreal lined with terraces, street performers and the Nelson Column.

• Olympic Park & Montreal Tower

  Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · entry CAD 25

  Legacy of the 1976 Olympics; the inclined Montreal Tower is the world's tallest inclined tower, with an observatory over the city.

• Underground City (RÉSO)

  Cultural · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h

  Vast network of underground pedestrian tunnels linking metro stations, malls and offices — a refuge in winter.

Things to do

• Old Montreal Guided Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from CAD 35 per person
• St. Lawrence River Jet-Boating Adventure · 1.5 h · from CAD 75 per person
• Mount Royal & Belvedere Hike Hiking · 2.5 h · from CAD 30 per person
• Montreal Food Tour: Plateau & Mile End Food Tour · 3 h · from CAD 90 per person
• Notre-Dame Basilica AURA Experience Show · 0.8 h · from CAD 32 per person
• BIXI Bike Lachine Canal Ride Cycling · 2 h · from CAD 25 per person
• Montreal Botanical Garden & Insectarium Visit Sightseeing · 3 h · from CAD 22 per person
• Montreal Tower Observatory & Olympic Park Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from CAD 25 per person

Day trips and tours

• Montreal City Highlights Full-Day Tour 7 h · from CAD 95
• Quebec City Day Trip from Montreal 11 h · from CAD 135
• Eastern Townships & Wine Country Tour 9 h · from CAD 150

Where to stay in Montreal

• Old Montreal about CAD 300 per night

  Historic riverside quarter with cobblestone streets, boutique hotels and top restaurants; very walkable and atmospheric.

• Downtown (Ville-Marie) about CAD 230 per night

  Central business and shopping district with the best transit links, the Underground City and major museums.

• Plateau Mont-Royal about CAD 180 per night

  Bohemian, residential neighbourhood with cafés, brunch spots, murals and the signature spiral staircases.

• Mile End about CAD 170 per night

  Hip district known for bagels, indie shops and a creative arts scene; quieter than the Plateau.

Hotels

• Hotel Le St-James 5-star · CAD 500 to CAD 1,200 per night
• Hotel Nelligan 4-star · CAD 250 to CAD 500 per night
• Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth 4-star · CAD 320 to CAD 700 per night
• Le Petit Hotel 3-star · CAD 170 to CAD 320 per night
• Hotel Bonaventure Montreal 4-star · CAD 180 to CAD 360 per night
• HI Montreal Hostel 2-star · CAD 45 to CAD 140 per night

Where to eat

• Schwartz's Deli Deli, Jewish, Smoked Meat · about CAD 25 per person
• La Banquise Quebecois, Poutine, Comfort Food · about CAD 18 per person
• St-Viateur Bagel Bakery, Bagels · about CAD 8 per person
• Fairmount Bagel Bakery, Bagels · about CAD 8 per person
• Au Pied de Cochon Quebecois, French · about CAD 90 per person
• Olive et Gourmando Cafe, Bakery, Brunch · about CAD 25 per person
• Joe Beef French, Quebecois, Bistro · about CAD 120 per person
• Modavie French, Mediterranean, Bistro · about CAD 60 per person

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Metro main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Unofficial / overcharging taxis

  Trudeau Airport (YUL) & tourist areas

  Some drivers take longer routes or quote inflated flat fares instead of using the meter.

  How to avoid it: Use the fixed YUL-to-downtown flat rate, insist on the meter, or use a ride-hail app. Note the taxi number.

• Street performer / photo tip demands

  Place Jacques-Cartier & Old Port

  Performers or costumed characters pose for photos then aggressively ask for tips.

  How to avoid it: Agree on a price or politely decline before any photo; a couple of dollars is plenty if you choose to tip.

• Fake charity / petition clipboard

  Downtown & Old Montreal squares

  People with clipboards ask you to sign a petition then pressure you for a cash donation, sometimes as a distraction for pickpocketing.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline and keep walking; keep valuables secure in crowded squares.

More in Canada

• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Banff
• Niagara Falls
• Quebec City
• Whistler