As the capital of the French-speaking region of Quebec, there are plenty of things to do and places to see in Montreal Canada. The city is particularly distinctive for its interesting combination of classic North American lifestyle and European culture.
As well as being the second largest city in the country after Toronto, Montreal is one of Canada’s main economic and cultural hubs. You’ll enjoy its sprawling, lush parks, quirky neighbourhoods and iconic landmarks. You’ll be fascinated by its European-style buildings and fast-paced lifestyle. Read on to discover all the things to do in the amazing city of Montreal.
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Things to do in Montreal Canada
Vieux-Montreal
One of the first things to do on your trip to Montreal Canada is to visit the beautiful historic centre, better known as Vieux-Montreal. Here you can learn all about the history of the city while taking in some of its most significant landmarks.
Located close to the St. Lawrence River, Vieux-Montreal provides an authentic European style, especially in its buildings and architecture. Along the way you will discover iconic spots that you cannot miss, such as the famous Place d’Armes, the imposing Notre-Dame Cathedral or the symbolic Saint Paul Street. We recommend spending a whole morning or afternoon to enjoy the atmosphere and get to know all the important places. You’ll love it!
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See the Clock Tower in Montreal Canada
The Clock Tower is without a doubt one of the most iconic sights in Montreal. This impressive building dates back to 1922 and reaches a height of 45 metres. It was built to commemorate all the Canadian sailors who lost their lives during the First World War.
Although the tower is visible from several points in the city, we recommend going to the famous Jacques Cartier Bridge to see the tower from there. This beautiful building is the entrance to the city’s Vieux Port, and together they form one of the most iconic images of Montreal. If you visit the city during the spring or summer, you’ll even have the chance to climb to the top for free and get the best possible view of Montreal. You can’t miss it!
Parc Jean Drapeau
Parc Jean Drapeau is one of the most beautiful and famous natural spaces in Montreal. As well as providing a spectacular setting full of lush trees and unique vegetation, this park is particularly famous for the number of events and festivals it hosts throughout the year.
This area is made up of two major islands close to Montreal: the island of Notre Dame and the island of St. Helena. Located in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, this park covers almost 270 hectares. In addition to enjoying a great day surrounded by nature, inside you’ll find the famous Expo 67, where you can learn about the city’s main attractions. You can also visit its museums or, if possible, attend one of its festivals such as Osheaga or Piknic Electronik. It is without a doubt one of the liveliest places to visit in Montreal.
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Saint-Catherine Street
Every city in the world has a main street, and in Montreal, it is the famous Rue Sainte Catherine. This long avenue splits in two at the intersection with Berri Street, leaving two distinct areas: East and West.
The east side is characterised by its wide range of leisure and nightlife venues, where you can find several interesting places such as the Opera, the Place des Arts, where many open-air shows take place, or the famous Quartier des Spectacles. Walk a little further and you’ll find the shopping district, with a myriad of shops and busy people. On the other hand, on the west side, just past Peel Street, you’ll find an area full of bars and restaurants where you can stop for lunch or dinner while enjoying the unique atmosphere.
Visit the Old Port in Montreal Canada
The Vieux Port, or Old Port of Montreal, is one of the most important and entertaining places in the city. Stretching for over 2 kilometres, this area is a favourite spot for travellers and locals alike, which is no surprise considering the great atmosphere it exudes.
The Vieux Port was built during the 18th-19th century, the process of which was facilitated by the strong industrial development that took place in the city at that time. Although it was formerly just an industrial port, today the Vieux Port is one of the busiest and most visited places in the city. You can enjoy a pleasant stroll on foot or by bike, have a picnic or even go to the famous Clock Tower Beach, a pleasant artificial beach, which will become one of your favourite places in the city!
Mount Royal Park
Mount Royal Park is without a doubt the most iconic and important park in the city, even giving New York’s Central Park a run for its money. This is because both parks were designed by the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Covering an area of up to 190 hectares, this park offers an infinite number of activities. The brilliant conservation and care of the park’s nature will fascinate you, as well as all the different amenities it provides. It is an ideal place for all ages and interests, as you can go for a pleasant walk, practise sports or visit some of its iconic spots such as the Mount Royal Chalet, walk along the Chemin Olmsted or climb up to the Mont-Royal Cross. You will find it impossible to get bored with the number of activities to do here!
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Montreal Canada?
Visit Quebec City
Located about 250 kilometres from Montreal is the impressive city of Quebec City. Although it’s almost a 3 hour journey, it’s definitely one of the places you can’t miss on your trip to Montreal Canada.
You can wander through its fantastic old town, better known as Vieux-Quebec, and feel like you’re in an authentic medieval European city. You can also ride a funicular railway up a steep hill while taking in unbeatable views of the city. Don’t forget to stroll through the narrow streets and see its most iconic buildings, from the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires to the impressive Château Frontenac. A visit to Quebec City is the perfect getaway for a couple of days on your trip to Montreal.
Zoo de Granby
The Granby Zoo is the largest zoo in the entire region of Quebec. It is the ideal place to spend a morning or afternoon, especially if you are travelling with children, and it’s only an hour’s drive from Montreal!
Inside, you will be able to walk along countless trails while discovering more than 1,500 animals and around 225 exotic species. Among them, you will be especially fascinated by the gorillas, tigers, elephants and giraffes. And if that wasn’t enough, this zoo doesn’t just have animals, but also has a fun water park where the little ones will have a great time, as well as the South Pacific Odyssey pavilion. Can you think of a better day out?
What to do in Montreal Canada in 1 day?
- Stroll through Vieux-Montreal
- Admire the Clock Tower
- Go down St. Catherine Street
- Climb up to Mount Royal Park
What to do in Montreal Canada in 2 days?
- Stroll through the Parc Jean Drapeau
- Visit the Old Port of Montreal
- Escape to Quebec City
- Enjoy Granby Zoo
Tips for a trip to Montreal Canada
- Buy the Passeport MTL if you are going to spend several days in Montreal.
- Make sure you get your ETA right
- If you are travelling in winter, make sure you are well prepared for the weather.
- Consider the time of year you want to travel depending on your interests.
- Don’t forget to leave a 15% tip at meals.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Montreal Canada
The best time to travel to Montreal is from May to September, when the temperature is warmer, making it less difficult to visit and do activities.
A ticket for adults (ages 13-64) costs CAD$46, equivalent to about €31. A children’s ticket (ages 3-12) costs $32 CAD, equivalent to about €22. Children under the age of 2 go free.
– You can get to Quebec from Montreal by bus with Orléans Express. The trip takes about 3 hours and, if you buy your ticket at least a week in advance, the ticket costs about $25 CAD (equivalent to about €17).
– You can also get to Quebec City by train, which takes about three and a half hours. It costs $101 CAD (about €67), so it’s not the cheapest option. However, if you book online, you can get tickets for $34 CAD (about €23).
– Finally, you can go to Quebec by car. The drive also takes about three and a half hours, plus the cost of car rental and petrol.
Winters in Montreal can be harsh due to cold temperatures. Still, if you decide to visit during the frosty season, here are some fun things to do to make winter more enjoyable.
– First of all, don’t miss the famous Fête des Neiges, or Snow Festival. This event takes place in the Parc Jean Drapeau, which is filled with ice slides, shows, children’s games and ice skating – an experience like no other!
– Secondly, you can’t miss a hike up Mount Royal when it’s completely covered in snow. You can also rent cross-country skis or snowshoes to make your walk even more fun.
– Finally, we recommend you try ice fishing in Vieux Montreal, where you can experience this activity with a professional group just a stone’s throw from the historic centre.
How to plan your itinerary of things to do in Montreal Canada?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way and according to number of days and things you want to do in Montreal Canada.
With the app you can:
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save tickets and reservations.
- Plan your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point, or any other point you choose.
- Find out the best travel option for each location.
- Keep and post your own photos and experiences in each of the places as you go, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip in Montreal Canada?” you can reply “Check out my traveller profile on Passporter.”
If you are interested in finding out more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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