Places / North & Central America / Canada
Montreal
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At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Region
- Quebec
- Population
- 1.8 million
- Best time to go
- May to October
- Main airport
- Montréal–Trudeau International (YUL)
- Coordinates
- 45.50°N, 73.57°W
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Overview
Montreal is a French-speaking city on an island in the St Lawrence River, with cobbled streets in its old port and a forested mountain in its middle. It combines European flair with North American scale, and nearly everyone switches easily between French and English.
Food and festivals define it. Expect bagels, smoked meat and poutine, terraces packed from the first warm day, and a summer calendar crammed with music, comedy and fireworks.
Things to see
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Photo: User Gjm130 on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Old Montreal
Cobbled lanes, grey-stone buildings and the Old Port make this the city's most atmospheric quarter, especially at dusk.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Notre-Dame Basilica
A Gothic Revival church with a breathtaking deep blue and gold interior.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Chicoutimi, Public domain Mount Royal
Climb the park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted to the Kondiaronk lookout for a view over the downtown towers.
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Photo: Thomas Ledl, CC BY-SA 4.0 Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Canada's oldest art museum, with collections stretching from Inuit sculpture to European old masters.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Paolo Costa Baldi, CC BY-SA 3.0 Saint Joseph's Oratory
A vast domed basilica on the slopes of Mount Royal, with fine views from its terrace.
Things to do
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Photo: Garyperlman at English Wikipedia, Public domain Bagels and smoked meat
Compare the wood-fired bagels of Mile End's rival bakeries, then try a smoked meat sandwich piled high on rye.
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Photo: Chicoutimi, Public domain Explore the Plateau
Wander streets of colourful houses with twisting outdoor staircases, cafés and independent shops.
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Photo: Brandon Moore ( Raskuly ), CC BY 4.0 Shop at Jean-Talon Market
A huge open-air market in Little Italy, overflowing with Quebec produce, cheese and maple syrup.
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Photo: Jeangagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cycle the Lachine Canal
A flat path follows the old canal past converted factories, with Atwater Market a good stop.
Where to stay
Old Montreal
Romantic and historic, with boutique hotels in old stone buildings. Quieter at night.
Hotels in Old MontrealPlateau Mont-Royal
Characterful and residential, great for food and a local feel, with good Metro links.
Hotels in Plateau Mont-RoyalDowntown
Central and practical, close to museums, shopping and the underground city.
Hotels in DowntownMile End
Creative and relaxed, with bagel shops, cafés and small guesthouses.
Hotels in Mile End
Getting around
The Metro and buses are reliable, and BIXI bike-share is great in warmer months. Neighbourhoods like the Plateau are best explored on foot.
The 747 express bus runs around the clock from the airport to downtown, taking about 45 to 60 minutes; a taxi takes around 30.
When to go
Late spring to early autumn is the best time, with the jazz festival and other big events in summer and bright foliage in early October. Winters are long and very cold, softened by festivals and the underground city.
Plan your trip to Montreal
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.