Montreal Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Montreal

Montreal Travel Guide Video

The City of a Hundred Steeples charms with its French identity, year-round festivals, and one of the most lovingly preserved historic city centers in North America.

Montreal is a proudly French city. It began as a French fur trading post. Its official language is French, and many Montrealers insist on speaking it. Even the way the city looks and feels is often described as Parisian. Montreal’s colorful townhouses, bohemian lifestyle and love of dining and the arts all mirror the French capital. Check out the cafés and bookstores of Plateau-Mont-Royal in the city’s northeast for the purest taste of Montreal’s Parisian spirit.

Thanks largely to its Old Port, Montreal has historically been a wealthy trade city and much of the city’s elegant architecture was built on a grand scale. Step inside massive churches like Notre-Dame Basilica, where Celine Dion was married, and St. Joseph’s Oratory, the largest church in Canada. Head for the glistening silver dome of the Bonsecours Market, which was built to show off the city’s grandeur to visitors. Explore and shop in the extensive Underground City, which is the largest subsurface complex in the world.

Montreal is a city of festivals and features a year-round calendar that peaks in the summer months. Festivals dedicated to jazz, fireworks and stand-up comedy annually attract millions of visitors from across the world. Many are held in the Quartier des Spectacles among the skyscrapers of Downtown. Thanks to Montreal’s world-class concert halls and outdoor stages, many of these festivals are considered the best of their kind.

Montreal is located in the very south of the Canadian province of Quebec, only 45 miles (72 kilometers) from the U.S. border. The city rests on an island between the St. Lawrence River and the Rivière des Prairies with a hill at its center, called Mount Royal.

Though Montreal is spread wide across the island, an excellent public transportation system makes it easy to navigate without a car. The metro is the most convenient option, with 68 stations throughout the city and cheap visitor deals like three-day or weekend passes available. Montreal’s creativity is clear even on the metro: each station was designed by a different architect in a distinct style, so the metro is as vibrant as the city itself.

Where to stay in Montreal

Downtown Montreal showing a monument, outdoor art and a city

Downtown Montreal

4/5(100 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Montreal. Check out top attractions like Bell Centre and The Underground City, and jump on the metro at Peel Station or McGill Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Montreal
Notre Dame Basilica which includes religious aspects, a church or cathedral and interior views

Old Montreal

4.5/5(33 area reviews)

A bustling port renowned art and top sights from Old Port of Montreal to Notre Dame Basilica – discover Old Montreal, a destination also famous for its historic sites.

Old Montreal
Mount Royal Park showing a skyscraper, a city and views

Ville-Marie

2/5(1 area review)

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning cathedral and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Ville-Marie. Top attractions like Old Port of Montreal and Notre Dame Basilica are major draws. Catch the metro at Champ-de-Mars Station or Jean-Drapeau Station to see more of the city.

Ville-Marie
Plateau Mont Royal featuring a city, outdoor art and signage

Plateau Mont-Royal

4/5(10 area reviews)

Noted for its art galleries and cafes, there's plenty to explore in Plateau Mont-Royal. Top attractions like Saint Denis Street and Saint Laurent Boulevard are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Mont Royal Station or Laurier Station to see more of the city.

Plateau Mont-Royal
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Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

The churches and live music are just a few things visitors like about Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. Saint Joseph's Oratory and Saint Jacques Street are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Cote Sainte Catherine Station or Snowdon Station to get around the larger area.

Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
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Southwest

While you're in Southwest, take in top sights like Saint Jacques Street or Lachine Canal National Historic Site, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Place Saint Henri Station or Jolicoeur Station.

Southwest
Hotel Chrome Montreal
Hotel Chrome Montreal
3 out of 5
215 Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, Montreal, QC
The price is ฿2,866 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
฿2,866
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Montreal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the clean rooms ...
6.4/10 (3,049 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2024

Hotel Chrome Montreal
Le Nouvel Hotel
Le Nouvel Hotel
4 out of 5
1740 Rene-Levesque West, Montreal, QC
The price is ฿5,447 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
฿5,447
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Montreal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,977 reviews)
"Room was big and very clean. Comfy bed and the staff was helpful."

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2024

Le Nouvel Hotel
Hotel Bonaventure Montreal
Hotel Bonaventure Montreal
4 out of 5
900 rue De La Gauchetiere West, Montreal, QC
The price is ฿7,183 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
฿7,183
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Montreal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, hot springs on-site and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,201 reviews)
Urban Nature
"Great hotel. Fantastic staff. Loved the pool. Being wrapped in nature in an urban environment was spectacular."

Reviewed on 3 Jun 2024

Hotel Bonaventure Montreal
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hotel Chrome Montreal
Hotel Chrome Montreal
3 out of 5
215 Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, Montreal, QC
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Montreal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the clean rooms ...
6.4/10 (3,049 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2024

Hotel Chrome Montreal
Hotel Faubourg Montreal
Hotel Faubourg Montreal
3 out of 5
155 Rene Levesque Boulevard East, Montreal, QC
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Montreal. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8/10 Very Good! (3,491 reviews)
"The staffs are very accommodating and friendly :)"

Reviewed on 4 Jun 2024

Hotel Faubourg Montreal
Hotel Omni Mont-Royal
Hotel Omni Mont-Royal
4.5 out of 5
1050 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Montreal. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,954 reviews)
"Pretty good over all but please update bathroom. Nice and brown tub with walls."

Reviewed on 4 Jun 2024

Hotel Omni Mont-Royal
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Montreal

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
51
" "5 - Excellent 41.12903225806452%
4 - Good
59
" "4 - Good 47.58064516129032%
3 - Okay
11
" "3 - Okay 8.870967741935484%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 1.6129032258064515%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.8064516129032258%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Locals friendly , easy to walk around and safe

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Can walk everywhere. Must go to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal, truly amazing.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

I don’t think Montreal really fits the hype. I wasn’t expecting skyscrapers. The old town wasn’t that big. Go to Europe and see the real thing.

4/5 - Good

ASHISH

From a leisure traveller's point its probably a nice city for one visit if interested in cultural and tourist attractions. Probably a 2-3 times if interested in visiting the theme parks, Gilles circuit or specific adventure activities.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful city with a distinctive French rhythm. We were here during the recent Canadian general election, and it was easy to see where the locals loyalties lie first.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice city to just walk around

Cities near Montreal