Overview

Montréal, an island city in eastern Canada situated on the St. Lawrence River, presents a captivating blend of modern North American flair and the traditional charm of Western Europe. Renowned for its vibrant nightlife, culinary delights, and rich cultural and historical heritage, this metropolis is a treasure for any visitor. With stunning scenery, over 110 festivals throughout the year, and a richly diverse population, Montréal truly offers something for everyone.

Things to Do

Explore Old Montreal. Take a stroll in the oldest neighborhood in the city where you’ll find the site where Montreal was first established in 1642. Settled on the west bank of the Saint-Lawrence River, the Old Town or Viewux-Montreal, as it’s called in French, covers roughly a 0.3-mile area. Whether you choose to explore it on foot, on bicycle or onboard a horse-drawn carriage, you’ll enjoy meandering through the myriad of small streets lined by charming restaurants, boutiques, and animated by street performers and musicians. Enjoy the beautiful waterfront (known as the Old Port) during the day, and enjoy a drink or meal at its many modern restaurants at night.

Stroll St Paul Street, a 1.2-mile stretch of cobblestoned street in Old Montreal. One of the oldest streets in the city, it’s a very commercial lane in which you can find many restaurants serving the most popular Quebecois dish, poutine.

Visit the colorful 19th century, Notre-Dame Church. Walking the Old Port neighborhood of Montreal, it would be hard to miss the two large towers of the Nore-Dame Basilica of Montreal jetting above the skyline. This stunning church is built in Gothic Revival style and is one of the main landmarks of Old Montreal. The beautiful stained-glass windows and religious paintings leave many visitors in awe. Admission includes a 20-minute guided tour introducing the history, architecture, and art. You can also enjoy mass or take an extended tour to access the sacristy, galleries, and baptistry.

Take in the fresh air at Mount Royal. The vast park is 764 ft tall at the summit, just west of the city center. Much of Mount Royal is within a large park of the same name. It was Frederick Law Olmstead, the designer of New York’s Central Park, who designed Mount Royal Park, and the two landmarks serve a similar purpose - existing as an outdoor space in the city where people meet, hang out, spend time outdoors, play sports, and much more. The park also hosts landmarks and attractions such as Mount Royal Chalet, 2 lookouts, Mount Royal Cross, a snow tube, a skating rink and children’s playgrounds, among other attractions.

Admire the fantastic art collections at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. One of the largest museums in Montreal and one of the most prominent in Canada. There are over 40,000 works in the museum’s collection. Founded in 1860, the museum is actually the most visited art museum in all of Canada, attracting over one million art lovers every year. You’ll find a combination of artistic disciplines that go from fashion to fine arts and from music to design, and more. There are permanent and temporary exhibitions along with a concert hall.

Check out the hip and trendy neighborhood, Mile End. This multicultural area has a strong artistic, bohemian vibe and is home to a lively scene of boutiques, cool restaurants, designer workshops, and art galleries. Mile End is also home to many breweries and live music venues which make it a great area to hang around in the evening. Located just north of Mount Roayla, the district covers half a mile of space that can easily be explored on food.

Explore the Underground City of Montreal, the RÉSO, as it is officially named. The city has a network of tunnels that interconnect the Metro stations in central Montreal. Nearly 20 miles of underground paths and tunnels offer shelter from the harsh winters of Montreal. You can enter the network from the street, nine major hotels, or eight different subway stations, and have access to 2,000 stores, 17 museums, a hockey arena, a movie theatre, nightclubs, and countless other restaurants and businesses. It’s like a city within the city. The highlights of the Underground City are Station Champs-de-Mars, the Grévin Museum, and the World Trade Centre Montreal, which is one of its main entrances.

Discover the Jean-Talon farmers’ market. Established in the Little Italy district in 1933, this market is a great place to get a glimpse of daily life in Montreal and shop for fresh local products. You’ll find fruit and vegetable growers from the surroundings of the city and small shopkeepers selling meat, fish, cheese, and bread. Theres plenty of cafes and restaurants in the area to stop in to enjoy a meal, or take in the local street food.

Spend some time exploring Sainte Catherine Street. (known locally as Rue Ste. Catherine). At 9 miles long this street is the shopping hub of Montreal. Whether you’re after high-end designers, chain store brands, local boutiques, or souvenirs, you can find it here. Sainte Catherine Street crosses Montreal’s downtown core from east to west. In addition to shopping, you’ll find restaurants, bars, and cafes lining the street, which is easily accessible by bus or metro. Visit in the summer and enjoy the street energy as it comes alive as sidewalks dining.

Local Cuisine

Poutine is a quintessential Quebec dish available at many restaurants. Created in the late 1950s, this hearty dish consists of French fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy. Once considered a low-class meal, it has become trendy and widely popular.

Montreal-Style Bagels are another must-try food. These bagels are smaller, denser, and sweeter than their New York counterparts. Boiled in honey-sweetened water before being baked in wood-fired ovens, they are typically served with cream cheese and lox.

Montreal Smoked Meat is similar to pastrami, usually served on rye bread with mustard. Schwartz's Deli is a renowned spot to try this delicacy. Line-ups for this iconic deli on Boulevard St Laurent can stretch longer than a couple of blocks, but the wait is generally short due to its no-frills dining experience.

Tourtière is a traditional French-Canadian meat pie, often enjoyed during the holidays. It's made with minced pork, veal, or beef, and seasoned with spices.

French Influences: Montreal boasts famous croissants and pastries. Many bakeries and patisseries in the city offer high-quality French pastries, including croissants, pain au chocolat, and éclairs. You can also find classic French dishes such as coq au vin, duck confit, and steak frites in numerous bistros across the city.

International Cuisine: Montreal's multiculturalism is reflected in its wide array of international cuisines. Expect to find excellent options for Italian, Jewish deli, Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisine throughout the city.