What are the best things to do in Montréal?
Top picks in Montréal include Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal), Notre-Dame Basilica, Mount Royal Park lookout, Jean-Talon Market. See the full list and itinerary on this Montréal travel guide.
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Montréal Travel Guide
Things to do in Montréal — Explore Montréal
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Why visit Montréal
Prohibition on sales of alcohol in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s made Montreal a destination for cross-border fun seekers from nearby New England and New York. The city built up a seedy, yet playful, industry in alcohol, burlesque, and other vices. In the 1960s, an urban renewal drive centred on Expo 67. The World's Fair in Montreal brought the Metro system and attractive urban parks and is considered to be one of the most successful World Fairs. Over 50 million visitors gathered in Montreal during… (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)
Montréal is a stop in Canada, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal), Notre-Dame Basilica, Mount Royal Park lookout instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 110–240 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Montréal
1
Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal)
2
Notre-Dame Basilica
3
Mount Royal Park lookout
4
Jean-Talon Market
5
Underground City
6
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
7
Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood
8
Olympic Park / Biodome
Budget travel
Free things to do in Montréal
Mount Royal Park lookout
Jean-Talon Market
Olympic Park / Biodome
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Montréal itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal)
- Visit Notre-Dame Basilica
- Visit Mount Royal Park lookout
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Jean-Talon Market
- Visit Underground City
- Visit Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood
- Visit Olympic Park / Biodome
Prefer a full 15-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Montréal itinerary guide.
Budget
Montréal trip cost
Budget
USD 50–85
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 110–240
per person / day
Luxury
USD 275–455+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Montréal, Canada. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Montréal
Estimated total (USD)
$3,090
≈ $1,545 per person · $441 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $180/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Montréal mid-range ground costs (budget 50–85 · mid 110–240 · luxury 275–455+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Brasserie La Cage
Sports bar and grill. Great place to watch Montreal Canadiens hockey games, the atmosphere gets crazy during the NHL playoffs!
Les Trois Brasseurs
Microbrewery with a pub-style menu and a European flair.
Juliette et chocolat
Specialised in chocolate desserts and famed for its very rich drinking chocolate.
Rockaberry
Enormous portions of cakes, pies, crumbles and brownies.
Copper Branch
Vegan chain serving sandwiches, wraps, soups and some desserts.
Shopping
- Village des Valeurs
- Le coffre aux trésors "Chainon"
- L'Aubainerie Concept Mode
- Friperie St. Laurent
- MEC
- La cordée
In pictures
Montréal gallery
Photos: Quintin Soloviev, Krish Dulal, Tango7174, Jiaqian AirplaneFan, Paolo Costa Baldi — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Montréal travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Montréal?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Montréal?
Plan at least 3 days in Montréal for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Montréal?
Stay near the centre of Montréal for easy access to attractions, or near the airport if you have a short layover.
How much does a trip to Montréal cost?
On the ground in Montréal (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 50–85 per person per day, mid-range about 110–240, and luxury about 275–455+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Montréal, Canada. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
