Quebec · Canada

Montreal (Montréal) — Canada

The largest French-speaking city in North America, on an island in the Saint Lawrence River: Old Montreal, Mount Royal, basilicas, museums and summer street festivals.

Quebec

In the photo: Montreal — Montreal

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A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Montreal is on an island in the Saint Lawrence River, in the province of Quebec, and is the largest French-speaking city in North America. French is the language of signs and everyday life, but English is widely spoken, especially downtown and in the west of the island.

The city was founded by the French in 1642. Old Montreal, near the port, preserves cobblestone streets, 18th- and 19th-century buildings and the Notre-Dame Basilica. The Pointe-à-Callière Museum was built over the ruins of the founding site. Downtown, skyscrapers coexist with the Underground City, a network of passages that connects metro stations, shops and buildings.

In the middle of the island rises Mount Royal, the hill that gave the city its name and became a park, with viewpoints over downtown. On its slopes are Saint Joseph’s Oratory and neighborhoods such as Plateau Mont-Royal, with houses featuring exterior staircases. To the east, the Olympic Park includes the Botanical Garden and the Biodome.

The city is known for its food, from bagels and smoked meat to the stalls of Jean-Talon Market, and for summer festivals like the jazz festival and the comedy festival. In winter, with very cold weather, there are outdoor festivals and skating at the Vieux-Port.

This destination brings together 1 city: Montreal.

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Where Montreal (Montréal) — Canada is

Boundaries: Statistics Canada (Statistics Canada Open Licence) / geoBoundaries. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Montreal (Montréal) — Canada

✈ Aéroport international Montréal-Trudeau (YUL), in Dorval · 20 km to Montreal

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, in Dorval, is about 20 km from downtown, with an express bus running 24 hours. VIA Rail trains arrive at Gare Centrale from Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City.

Quebec · Montreal (Montréal) — Canada

Montreal

The largest city in the province of Quebec, on an island in the Saint Lawrence River. Old Montreal has cobblestone streets, the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Pointe-à-Callière Museum by the Vieux-Port. Mount Royal, in the middle of the island, is a park with viewpoints. Visits also include Saint Joseph’s Oratory, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Botanical Garden and Jean-Talon Market.

The local experience

Things to do in Montreal (Montréal) — Canada

Montreal · Quebec · Historic center

Old Montreal

The city’s founding neighborhood on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, with cobblestone streets, 18th- and 19th-century buildings, Place Jacques-Cartier and the Vieux-Port.

Montreal · Quebec · Church

Notre-Dame Basilica

Neogothic church from 1829 on Place d'Armes, with a blue and gold interior, carved wooden altarpiece, stained glass about the city’s history, and a large organ.

Montreal · Quebec · Park

Mount Royal Park

The hill that gave Montreal its name, turned into a park by the same landscape architect as New York’s Central Park, with trails, a lake, and the Kondiaronk lookout over downtown.

Montreal · Quebec · Sanctuary

Saint Joseph's Oratory

Catholic sanctuary on the slope of Mount Royal, with one of the largest domes in the world, associated with Brother André, and a terrace with views to the west of the city.

See 4 more places in Montreal (Montréal) — Canada

Montreal · Quebec · Museum

Pointe-à-Callière (Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History)

Montreal’s archaeology and history museum built over the city’s founding site, with ruins, an old sewer collector, and exhibitions about the port.

Montreal · Quebec · Museum

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

One of Canada’s largest art museums, with pavilions on both sides of rue Sherbrooke and collections of Canadian, Quebec, European, decorative and contemporary art.

Montreal · Quebec · Botanical garden

Montreal Botanical Garden

One of the world’s largest botanical gardens, in the Olympic Park, with greenhouses, Chinese and Japanese gardens, a First Nations garden and the insectarium. The Biodôme is next door.

Montreal · Quebec · Market

Jean-Talon Market

An open-air market of Quebec producers in Montreal’s Little Italy, with stalls selling fruit, vegetables, cheeses, maple syrup, fish and prepared foods year-round.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Summer, from June to August, has warm days and the major street festivals. Autumn brings colorful foliage on Mount Royal, usually from late September to mid-October. Winter, from December to March, is very cold and snowy, with skating and outdoor festivals.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days for Old Montreal, Mount Royal, the museums and the neighborhoods. With four or five days you can add the Olympic Park, the markets and a day trip to Mont-Tremblant or the Eastern Townships.

Which city to stay in

Old Montreal has accommodations in historic buildings near the port. Downtown (Centre-Ville) is close to the metro, shops and museums. Plateau Mont-Royal and the Latin Quarter have smaller lodgings, cafés and nightlife.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Montreal (Montréal) — Canada

How many days to stay in Montreal?

Three days for the main sights; four or five to include the markets, the Olympic Park and a day trip.

Do I need to speak French in Montreal?

No. French is the province’s official language, but English is widely spoken in shops and tourism. Greeting people with a "bonjour" is customary.

How to get from the airport to downtown Montreal?

The 747 express bus links the airport to downtown 24 hours a day, taking about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic. There are also taxis with a fixed fare.

When to go to Montreal?

From June to September, for festivals and outdoor activities, or in early October for Mount Royal’s foliage. Winter is very cold.

Do I need a car in Montreal?

No. the metro and STM buses cover the city, and downtown and Old Montreal are walkable. A car is helpful for Mont-Tremblant and the countryside.

What time zone is Montreal in?

Eastern Time, UTC−5, and UTC−4 from March to November during daylight saving time.

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Montreal (Montréal) — Canada

A region to enjoy
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