10 Best Things to Do in Montreal

Places d’Armes is a 6,000-sq-m square in the heart of Old Montreal. A statue of Paul de Chomedey, the founder of Montreal, is raised in the centre of the square which is bordered by buildings representing the evolution of Montreal through history. The most notable landmark which flanks the square is the twin-towered Notre-Dame Basilica. Seating areas shaded by trees offer cool people-watching spots, and the terrace of Xavier Artisan is a pleasant place to snack on homemade ice creams or to drink a coffee.

Old Montreal is the historical district and one of the main attractions in the city. Settled on the west bank of the Saint-Lawrence River, the Vieux-Montréal, as it’s called in French, covers roughly a 1-sq-km area. Founded in 1642, it still features a few 17th-century buildings that survived the many fires that punctuated the tumultuous history of the city. Whether you choose to explore it on foot, on bicycle or onboard a horse-drawn carriage, you’ll enjoy meandering through a maze of small streets lined by quaint restaurants, boutiques, and animated by street performers and musicians. 

Erected in the early 19th century, Notre-Dame Church was raised to the status of a basilica in 1982. This stunning twin-towered edifice is built in Gothic Revival style and is one of the main landmarks of Old Montreal. A visit to Notre-Dame Basilica is really worth the C$6 entrance fee. The basilica is simply beautiful. You can also attend the Aura sound and light show held Tuesday through Saturday at 6pm and 8pm and Sundays at 7pm and 9pm. It emphasizes the majestic and solemn atmosphere of the place.

Mount Royal is a large hill – 233 metres tall at the summit – just west of the city centre. It gave its name to Montreal and is a popular natural spot to hang around, whichever the season. This former 3-peak volcano is home to many wild animals. 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. Café des Amis is a cool restaurant at which you can lunch or take a pause on the side of the Beaver Lake.

One of the largest museums in Montreal and one of the most prominent in Canada, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a walk away from the Old Town. You’ll find a combination of artistic disciplines that go from fashion to fine arts and from music to design, and more. The museum hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions and is home to a concert hall. During your visit, you can take a break at the Beaux-Arts Bistro which serves delicious snacks and refreshments.

Covering over 75 ha, Montreal Space for Life is a multipurpose attraction that features different sections including a biodome, an insectarium, a planetarium and a botanical garden. It’s located 7 km north of Downtown Montreal, right next to the Olympic Stadium, and easy to get to by metro. Space for Life is a very family-friendly complex, with many playground areas to keep children busy. Beautiful and very well kept, its extensive size means you’ll have to walk a lot, so wear comfortable shoes. Carts sell snacks and refreshments and many seating areas are available to take a break. 

Mile End is a cool, multicultural neighbourhood in Montreal. It has a strong artistic, bohemian touch and is home to a lively scene of quaint boutiques, cool restaurants, designer’s workshops and art galleries. Mile End also hosts breweries and live music venues which make it a pleasant area to hang around at night. Located just north of Mount Royal, the district covers a 1.5-sq-km area that can easily be explored on foot.

Montreal Underground City is a network of tunnels that interconnect the Metro stations in central Montreal. Known as RÉSO in French, there are over 30 km of corridors that offer shelter from the harsh winters of Montreal. Inside, you’ll find restaurants, hotels, shops, attractions and services. 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. 

Jean-Talon Market is a genuine farmers’ market established in Little Italy district since 1933. It’s a popular place to mingle with locals, in which you’ll find fruit and vegetable growers from the surroundings of the city and small shopkeepers selling meat, fish, cheese and bread. Jean-Talon Market offers the opportunity to get a glimpse of the daily life in Montreal. Small cafés and restaurants offer good occasion to take a break while enjoying homemade ice cream, wine, pizza and many other types of street food.

Saint-Paul Street is a 2-km-long 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. Created in the late 1950s, poutine is a hearty dish made of French fries, cheese curds and brown gravy. For a long time considered a low-class dish, it’s now as trendy as can be and has spread in popularity across the entirety of Canada and even into the north of the US. Poutine is great washed down with a cold beer.