Exploring Montréal is a pilgrimage for many Canadians. Montréal is Canada’s little Europe. Colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, old world charm: it’s all in Montréal and, for Canadians, it’s the best way to get a feel for Europe without having to fly. Montréal is like a mini New York with awesome sights and restaurants galore.
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Essentials
Language: French and English.
Currency: The Canadian Dollar.
Voltage: 120V
Major Train Station: Complexe de la Gare Centrale (Montreal Central Station). The Via Rail is the main train company in Canada that can easily get you across the country.
Major Airport: Montreal-Trudeau International Airport
Best Time to Visit: October to April. It starts to get really hot in Montréal during the summer months. Bring hats and a waterbottle!
Getting There
Driving to Montréal could be an option if you’re already in a nearby province (like Ontario). It makes for a fun road trip because you’ll get to stop in some small Canadian towns along the way. Taking the train is also a great option and stress free. The train usually drops you off right in downtown Montréal, so you’ll be able to get around easily. Avoid driving in Montréal in winter if you can help it. The roads get slippery and icy really quickly and it’s just not worth the stress!
Buy tours with Viator to explore Montréal with local guides. A good, curated tour saves you the hassle of commute and planning. Check out my list of curated Viator tours to Montréal.
Where to Stay
Indulge in some prime location properties that’ll get you all around town easily and efficiently.
Springhill Suites Old Montreal
Address: 445 Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Montreal (Vieux Montreal), Quebec, Canada, H2Y 2Z7
This is located right in the heart of Old Montreal with first-come, first-serve underground parking. It’s a great choice if you’re driving to, and staying in, old Montréal and just want to park the car for the duration of your trip. The hotel is modern, clean, and functional. It’s actually very quiet even though it’s in historic downtown. It’s the perfect spot if you want Old Montréal to be literally steps outside your door.
L Hotel Montreal
Address: 262 St-Jacques Street West, Old Montreal (Quebec), H2Y 1N1 Canada
A boutique hotel decorated with 80s furniture and pop art! The decor is too fanciful for me (way too much pop art on the walls and the constant 80s music can get annoying). However, the place itself is steps away from Old Montreal and the rooms are spacious (generously so!) with high ceilings. It does get noisy during the long weekends because it is facing the main streets. The rooms are super comfy, the location is perfect, but noise could be a problem.
What to See and Do
Visit the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal
This is THE historic cathedral located in the center of downtown. It’s open for mass and also for tourists when mass isn’t in progress. It’s quite dim inside, but the light gives it an aura of magic. The interior architecture has a fairy-tale quality to it.
Stroll Historic Old Town Montréal
Stroll back in time to cobblestone streets and stone buildings. There’s plenty of shopping and dining options here. You have to be a bit picky with the restaurants since they can be a bit touristy (read: expensive and low quality), but the quality is improving and more restaurants are opening back up.
Catch a Show at the Palais des Congrès
It’s a large venue hosting cosplay and other conventions year-round. But they have some projection shows here and there that are pretty interesting. The projection shows were cool, but not worth the money in my opinion. But listing the venue here in case you find shows you might be interested in watching.
Shop at St. Catharine’s
There are a lot of good shops and trendy boutiques here. It’s highly recommended you visit Hudson’s Bay here as it’s got floors of nice ready-to-wear items. I personally also find Simon’s the mid-tier department store fun to shop at too. The Winners in the Complexe Desjardins has lots of brand name items on sale that’s worth taking a look at.
Marvel at St. Joseph’s Oratory
A famous basilica on Mount Royal in the West Mount neighbourhood. It’s a famous church where hundreds of worshippers, through their faith, were healed and no longer had to use their crutches. Hundreds of those crutches are now hanging on the walls inside the church. It’s a miraculous sight and humbling to look at. You can also tour the basement where the relics are kept.
Where to Eat
Montréal has some delectable places to eat! You could plan your whole itinerary on just where to dine. Here are some of my favourite spots to hit when I’m visiting Montréal.
Savour Smoked Meat at Schwartz’s
The BEST smoked meat ever. Ask for half fatty on rye with mustard and pickles. It’s a jam-packed joint that’s well worth the wait. Depending on how long the line is, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get in, but it is well worth it. Be prepared to squeeze in and share a table with others.
Luxuriate in Fine Canadian Cuisine at Toqué!
A lovely restaurant serving fine Canadian cuisine. They serve a blind-tasting 7 course menu with wine pairing that was absolutely delightful. It was a real treat to dine here. You’ll get to taste Canadian cuisine at its finest where food is supplied by local farms around Québec.
Revel in Hearty Meals at Joe Beef
Do not skip this place! It’s one of the best restaurants in Montréal serving hearty, Canadian cuisine from local ingredients. Bring some friends because the portions are meant to be shared. Try their lobster spaghetti with bacon, lamb and merguez, foie gras, shrimp cocktail, salad, and any specials they may have. You will leave satiated!
Cherish Good Coffee at Le Petit Dep
Ah good coffee on any trip is a must! You’ll be heading up early and discovering things, so get yourself caffeinated. Le Petit Dep is right in Old Town and is also a fine little shop selling food and souvenirs. Try their flat whites and pastries for a classic French breakfast.
Indulge in Dipped Cone at Chocolat Favori
The queen of dipped cones in my opinion! Chocolat Favori is on Rue St. Catharine (Quartier des Spectacles) and it must be on your itinerary. It has the tastiest ice cream enrobed in chocolate and makes a sweet ending to your trip.
Planning for some dream trips or bucket-list journeys? Check out my other travel guides for more tips and tricks on planning your ultimate dream getaways.
