Montréal is absolutely worth visiting. Montréal is the largest French-speaking city in the Americas, where French is the language of daily life and visitors are welcomed in English throughout the tourism sector. Murals and street art adorn walls everywhere you look, while the smell of poutine and fresh bagels waft from local shops on every corner.
If you’re considering visiting Canada, Montréal is one of the cities to put on your bucket list. This Canadian city brims with old European charm mixed with modernity and is packed with experiences, including visits to historic businesses and churches, outdoor adventures, excellent restaurants and more.
10 Reasons to Visit Montréal
Montréal is the second-largest city in Canada and offers plenty of things to see and do. In a single day, you can explore the rich French and English history of Old Montréal and marvel at the stunning Notre-Dame Basilica, while also trying delicious food in Chinatown and even embarking on a white-water rafting adventure.
Montréal attractions blend big-city energy with old-world charm, so every stop teaches you something new about the city's roots. Here are just a few of the reasons you should consider a visit to Montréal on your Canadian vacation:
1. See the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montrèal
Looking back into the history of Montréal, you’ll no doubt encounter mentions of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal, which was built in the early 1800s. The beauty of the basilica has inspired travelers and the people of Montréal for decades and today you can visit to view sculptures, stained-glass windows and other amazing works of art.
When you go, you can take a self-guided tour that lasts approximately an hour. During the tour, you’ll explore 24 points of interest in the nave, the basilica’s main hall, including beautiful stained-glass windows, a pipe organ made up of 7,000 pipes, an explanation of the founding of Montréal and more.
2. Learn the history of Old Montrèal
Visitors love Old Montréal, where they can enjoy some of the city’s most historic businesses and attractions. Old Montréal is a protected heritage district where centuries-old buildings house contemporary restaurants, galleries and hotels; the architecture is preserved, but what happens inside it keeps changing. Walk the cobblestone streets, visit Notre-Dame Basilica and the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel and explore museums built on the city's original foundations.
3. Get in some exercise with a Bike Tour
With more than 1,000 kilometres of bike paths, including a network kept clear year-round, Montréal is one of North America's great cycling cities. The BIXI bike-share system puts a bike within a few blocks of almost anywhere downtown, and the Lachine Canal path runs from the Old Port straight out to Lac Saint-Louis. As a rider, you’ll love taking a bike tour to enjoy key landmarks, urban settings, quiet streets, waterfront views along the St. Lawrence River and photo opportunities.
Tours are abundant, so choose the one that’s right for you, whether that’s a pleasure ride through downtown and Old Montréal or a spin through some of Montréal’s quieter neighborhoods. If you’d rather have a more laid-back experience with less pedaling, an e-Bike tour is a good choice.
4. Marvel at Saint Joseph's Oratory
Saint Joseph’s Oratory is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and a National Historic Site of Canada. It’s the largest church in Canada and one of the largest domes in the world. Inside the church, you’ll see an Art Deco interior attracting millions of visitors each year.
Set on the northwest slope of Mount Royal, the Oratory's dome is one of the largest church domes in the world and reaches the highest point of any structure in Montréal; roughly 863 feet above sea level, making it visible from much of the city.
5. Invigorate your mind at the Museum of Illusions
Illusion lovers will find their match at Montréal’s Museum of Illusions, which features more than 70 educational rooms, holograms and stereograms. The Museum of Illusions is as entertaining as it is educational, with brainteasers the whole family can enjoy.
The Montréal Science Centre offers another enriching family experience in the Old Port, with hands-on exhibits like Nanualuk, which explores the Arctic through Inuit legends, plus a seven-story IMAX theater.
6. Indulge in Iconic Montréal Foods
Montréal is a food lover’s city full of iconic foods. Smoked meat sandwiches and Montréal-style bagels both got their start here, and poutine; born in rural Québec in the 1950s found its most inventive interpretations in this city. Don't leave without trying a steamé, Montréal's own take on the hot dog: steamed bun, steamed sausage, coleslaw and mustard. Plus, the city’s Chinatown neighborhood adds food markets, stores, Asian restaurants and cultural centers to the mix, all within walking distance of downtown.
No matter your taste, there are plenty of restaurants in Montréal for you to explore during your stay.
7. Embrace the Holidays at Montréal’s Christmas Markets
Visit Montréal during the winter holidays and you’ll find the city dressed for the season. Christmas markets pop up across downtown and Old Montréal, offering local crafts, mulled wine, warm pastries and festive lights that make a cold night worth bundling up for.
You can even take part in a Christmas walking tour in Old Montréal to learn how the city has celebrated the holidays for generations, from its French and English roots to today’s traditions.
8. Ride the Lachine Rapids
On a Montrèal rafting experience, you’ll get soaked while taking in views of the Montréal Casino, Victoria Bridge and the Clock Tower along the St. Lawrence River. This three-hour outing includes a life vest, helmet, paddles and storage for your belongings.
9. Conquer the climb and enjoy Mount Royal Park
Mount Royal is a 761-foot hill, the highest point in Montréal, frequented by dog walkers, joggers and other visitors. Mount Royal Park covers the mountain itself, one of Montréal's largest green spaces. Skate on Beaver Lake in winter, catch the fall foliage in October, and climb to the Kondiaronk Belvedere for the city's best view. The neighbouring Mount Royal and Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemeteries are open to visitors and worth the detour.
Mount Royal Park packs in some of the best things to do in Montréal, from renting a rowboat in warmer months to catching the colorful fall foliage. Wander through the park’s cemeteries, then head to the top of the hill for a breathtaking view of the city.
10. Smell the Flowers at Montrèal Botanical Garden
The Montréal Botanical Garden, recognized as one of the world’s best botanical gardens, is a living museum featuring 20 thematic gardens, an arboretum and plants from around the world. All the gardens are beautiful, but the crown jewels at the Montréal Botanical Garden include the Chinese Garden, the First Nations Garden and the Japanese Garden.
How to Get Around Montréal
Getting around Montréal is easy, no matter how you like to travel:
- Metro: Montréal offers an extensive public transportation system with more than 200 bus lines and an underground metro connecting 68 metro stations. The cost of the metro is per ride, not by distance, making this an economical way for many visitors to get around. The metro runs on four colour-coded lines and is straightforward to use; one-day and three-day passes are available, and the STM app handles trip planning. Downtown, the RÉSO underground network links about 20 miles of passageways between metro stations, shopping centres and hotels; invaluable in January.
- Walking: Montréal is big, but many visitors choose to walk when they’re in the downtown area. Montréal is connected via an underground network known as the Underground City. So even if you’re visiting in winter, using the Underground City to get from place to place makes walking easier and more realistic.
- Taxis and Rideshare services: Both are available when you need to get somewhere fast. But if you want a more relaxing way to get to your destination, consider renting a bicycle.
Where to Stay
Montréal lays claim to a bevy of outstanding hotels, including the following centrally located establishments with top AAA ratings:
- Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth (900 Blvd Rene Levesque West-Bldg A): This landmark hotel offers convenient Four Diamond-designated accommodations and high-end amenities. Making a skyscraping splash on Montréal's cityscape upon its construction in 1958, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth has no shortage of historical significance: from hosting John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1969 "Bed-In for Peace" (and "Give Peace a Chance" recording session in Suite 1742) to serving as headquarters for the 1976 Summer Olympics. Highlights include the full-service spa and the on-site bistro fare at Rosélys.
- Hôtel Le Germain Montréal (2050 Rue Mansfield): This chic (and colorful) AAA Four Diamond-designated hotel gives you ready access to the charms of Old Montrèal, among the oldest and architecturally richest urban cores in North America and all the energy of the Quartier des Spectacles district. Designed by Zébulon Perron with a playful Sixties-style touch, the 23-story hotel includes a happening lobby bar, French-inspired cuisine at Le Boulevardier and a summer dining terrace, plus a fitness room and massage facility.
- The Ritz-Carlton Montréal (1228 Rue Sherbrooke West): The sole AAA Five Diamond-designated hotel in Québec (and the second Ritz-Carlton location to open in North America), The Ritz-Carlton Montréal has offered the pinnacle of luxury hospitality on Sherbrooke Street since 1912. From the heated marble floors in the bathrooms to the hotel spa's crackling fireplaces and indoor saltwater pool with a downtown view, elegant comforts abound here. Sit down to French dining in Maison Boulud and savor high tea or lounge cocktails in the Palm Court. A special gem is the Cosner Art Gallery, notable for its works by acclaimed Canadian painters.
- Providing strategically located accommodations atop Place Bonaventure, this AAA Three Diamond-designated hotel in the heart of Montréal has an oasis feel, what with its water-laced gardenscape (including a duck pond) and fountains. The year-round outdoor heated pool on the rooftop is a definite draw. Hôtel Bonaventure also harbors two restaurants, a bar and an executive lounge as well as a fitness center and spa.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Montréal?
The best time to visit Montréal depends on what you want out of your trip:
- Spring (March to May): Sugaring season opens the year; sugar shacks within an hour of the city serve maple-drenched meals from March into April before the terrasses reopen and the city moves back outdoors.
- Summer (June to August): The most vibrant, energetic time to be in the city, but also the busiest and most expensive.
- Fall (September to November): Another shoulder season and a favorite for many visitors thanks to colorful foliage. Plan a trip to Montréal during the fall for cooler weather and smaller crowds.
- Winter (December to March): Cold, yes, and one of the liveliest times to be here. Christmas markets and holiday lights give way to Igloofest in January and Montréal en Lumière and Nuit Blanche in late winter, when the city stays out all night.
FAQs
Get answers to all your questions before you go to Montrèal. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Montrèal and the surrounding area.
What's the weather like in Montréal?
Montréal summers are warm and humid, with July and August regularly reaching the high 80s and feeling hotter. Winters are properly cold often well below freezing, colder still with wind chill and the city sees about 82 inches of snow a season. Pack layers whenever you come.
Know the time of year you’re traveling and plan to wear layers, no matter the weather. Check out our packing tips to make sure you bring your essentials.
What type of ID do Americans need to visit Montréal?
You’ll need a valid passport to enter Canada from the United States. If your stay is longer than 180 days, you’ll also need a visa. If you have a criminal record, you could be denied entry into Canada.
Is Montréal safe?
Montréal is an incredibly safe city and has appeared on lists of the world’s safest cities, including Berkshire Hathaway’s. Still, you need to practice caution when you’re traveling, especially when in crowded spaces.
Is Montréal expensive?
Visiting Montréal can be expensive during peak tourist seasons. If it’s important to you to stay in one of the best hotels in Canada or if you’re going for the shopping and fashion, it’s unlikely you’ll have an inexpensive trip. However, there are ways to make Montréal cheaper when on a budget.
Visit at a time of year when the prices are lower (fall, winter or spring) and explore all of your options for a hotel in Montréal. Limit your shopping budget and spend more time outdoors. If you have a AAA Membership, you can also enjoy discounts on your hotel and other activities.
How many days do you need to visit Montréal?
Plan on three to four days to see Montréal's highlights, including Old Montréal, the Notre-Dame Basilica and Mount Royal Park, with time left over for a meal in the city’s food scene. Add a day or two if you want to explore at a slower pace or take a day trip outside the city.
What’s the difference between Montréal and Québec City?
Montréal is Canada’s second-largest city, known for its mix of French and English culture, big-city energy and diverse neighborhoods. Québec City, the provincial capital, is smaller and more historic, built around a walled Old Town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only fortified city north of Mexico. French is very much the language of the street, and English is spoken throughout the tourism sector. Many visitors pair the two cities on one trip.
Plan Your Trip to Montréal With AAA
With four centuries of history, a food scene unlike anywhere else on the continent and neighborhoods you won't find in any other city, a trip to Montréal is an easy yes. If you want to see even more of the country while you’re there, these top Canada excursions can help you extend the trip beyond the city.
Start planning with the experts at AAA Travel, who can help you build an itinerary, book a hotel and find the excursions that fit your trip. And with your AAA Membership, you’ll get discounts on hotels, activities and more along the way.
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