Montreal Canada Old Montreal Mount Royal and Bagels

Why visit Montreal

Founded as the mission of Ville-Marie in 1642, Montreal was for most of Canada's history its largest and most important city, and it shows in the grand churches, banks and stone warehouses of the old quarter. Today it mixes that history with a young, creative energy fed by several large universities, a strong arts scene and neighbourhoods full of murals, cafes and independent shops.

The city is also built for enjoying yourself. Summer brings back to back festivals, from jazz to comedy, and terraces spill onto every street.

Old Montreal and the Old Port

Notre-Dame Basilica

Facing the square of Place d'Armes, this Gothic Revival basilica is one of the most visited monuments in North America, and its interior is unforgettable: a deep blue vaulted ceiling scattered with gold stars, intricate woodcarving, and stained glass windows that depict scenes from Montreal's own religious history rather than the Bible.

Place Jacques-Cartier and Rue Saint-Paul

This sloping square runs from Montreal's ornate City Hall down toward the river, lined with cafes, street performers and flower stalls in summer.

The Old Port and Bonsecours Market

Along the waterfront, the Old Port has been turned into a long promenade with green spaces, a Ferris wheel, the Montreal Science Centre and the Clock Tower at the eastern end.

Pointe-à-Callière Museum

Built on the spot where Ville-Marie was founded, this archaeology and history museum takes you underground among the remains of early buildings, the city's first Catholic cemetery and an old collector sewer, and tells the story of the Indigenous peoples, French settlers and British traders who shaped Montreal.

Mount Royal and its slopes

Saint Joseph's Oratory

On the mountain's Westmount summit, this huge basilica is Canada's largest church and has one of the largest domes in the world. It was founded in 1904 by Saint André Bessette, and pilgrims still climb the central stairs on their knees. Inside, the Art Deco interior contrasts with the Renaissance Revival exterior, and the terrace offers wide views over the city's north side.

Neighbourhoods, markets and museums

Jean-Talon Market

In Little Italy, Jean-Talon is the largest market in Montreal and one of the largest open air markets on the continent. Stalls overflow with Quebec produce, cheeses, maple products, cider, fish and bakery goods, and there are plenty of counters for a snack.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

On Sherbrooke Street West, one of Canada's leading art museums spreads across several connected pavilions, with collections ranging from ancient art to Quebec and Canadian painting, international modern art and decorative arts. Allow two to three hours.

Olympic Park, the Biodome and the Botanical Garden

East of downtown, the park built for the 1976 Summer Olympics holds the leaning tower of the Olympic Stadium and the Biodome, a former velodrome where you walk through recreated ecosystems, from a tropical rainforest to a sub Antarctic coastline.

Parc Jean-Drapeau

In the river opposite the old town, the islands that hosted Expo 67 are now a large park with trails, a beach, festival grounds and the Biosphere, a geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller that now houses an environment museum. Allow half a day.

Food and local flavors

Montreal bagels are smaller, denser and sweeter than New York's, boiled in honey water and baked in wood fired ovens. The two famous Mile End bakeries, St-Viateur and Fairmount, have been producing them for decades, around the clock.

Poutine, fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, is Quebec's comfort food, and you will find it everywhere from snack bars to upscale bistros.

Popular dishes to try in Montreal

Where to stay

Old Montreal suits couples and first time visitors who want historic charm, boutique hotels and the waterfront on their doorstep; it is quieter at night once day visitors leave.

Downtown, around Sainte-Catherine Street, is the most practical base, with many hotels, shopping, the underground city and quick metro links, which matters in winter. The Plateau and Mile End are ideal if you want a local neighbourhood feel, with short term rentals and small guesthouses among the cafes.

Where to stay in Montreal

Best time to visit

Summer, from June to August, is festival season and the city's busiest time.

Late September and October bring autumn colour on Mount Royal and comfortable walking weather.

Getting there and getting around

Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), west of the centre, has direct flights across North America and to Europe. The 747 express bus runs around the clock between the airport and downtown, using bus lanes to skip some traffic.

The STM metro is clean, fast and easy to use, with four lines covering downtown, the Plateau, Olympic Park and Parc Jean-Drapeau.

A suggested itinerary

Practical tips

• Start conversations with Bonjour; most people in central areas switch easily to English, and the greeting is appreciated.
• Tipping is customary in restaurants, bars and taxis, and sales taxes are added to listed prices.
• Book festival week lodging and Grand Prix weekend months ahead.
• In winter, pack a warm coat, hat, gloves and boots with good grip for icy sidewalks.
• Use the underground pedestrian network to move between downtown buildings and metro stations in bad weather.
• When driving or cycling, note that turning right on a red light is not allowed on the island of Montreal.