From art-filled streets to historic cobbled quarters, explore the must-see attractions in hip-and-happening Montreal
Old Montreal
Why go to Old Montreal?
Cobbled streets, contemporary galleries, high-end restaurants and neoclassical buildings come together in Old Montreal – the original part of the city, founded by French settlers in the 17th century. Crowds gather at its central square, Place Jacques-Cartier, where artists and street performers draw the crowds, while the Old Port of Montreal flanking the St Lawrence River is perfect for a stroll or cycle.
What to do in Old Montreal
Unmissable here is the Notre-Dame Basilica – an opulent, 19th-century church whose interior is genuinely mesmerising, with an electricblue colour scheme and striking stained-glass windows.
Wander Rue Saint-Paul, home to boutiques, galleries and eclectic cafes, and stop by bakery-cafe Olive et Gourmando, renowned for its Italian delicacies. Delve into the past with a visit to the Museum of Archaeology and History (Pointe-à-Callière), then swing by Marché Bonsecours to see one of the city’s foremost markets, established in 1847 and marked out by its huge columns and elaborate dome.
When you’ve had your fill of culture, head to the Old Port (pictured) to see where Europeans arrived in the 1600s. Climb aboard the Grande Roue de Montreal – Canada’s tallest observation wheel – for sweeping views, and if you’re feeling adventurous, harness up for a zipline ride over the harbour.
Stay into the evening to try some of the city’s best restaurants. Gibbys is known for its steak dishes served in an atmospheric, 18th-century stable, while fine-dining seafood spot Le Garde-Manger has garnered acclaim under celebrity chef Chuck Hughes. The neighbourhood is also a hotspot for speakeasies such as The Coldroom, tucked away underground.
Mile End
Why go to Mile End?
One of Montreal’s trendiest and most creative neighbourhoods, Mile End’s array of coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants reflects its diverse cultural heritage. Part of the wider, plusher Plateau-Mont-Royal district, it’s home to colourful murals alongside vintage stores that make it a hotspot for off-beat shopping.
What to do in Mile End
Any visit here should start with a stroll along Saint-Laurent Boulevard (aka ‘The Main’), home to a smattering of cafes and quirky boutiques. Wander over to Rue St-Viateur to check out a 1,400sqm mural by artist Ola Volo, then head to St-Viateur (pictured), one of the city’s oldest and most popular bagel shops.
Stop by Vietnamese ice cream shop Kem Coba for standout scoops and unique flavours – try durian, if you dare – and when night falls, head to hipster hotspot Casa Del Popolo for live bands and DJs.
Downtown Montreal
Why go to Downtown Montreal?
Downtown Montreal isn’t only about the skyscrapers; while it’s the city’s business core, it’s also home to a string of museums and galleries, green spaces, high-end shops, excellent restaurants and buzzing entertainment district Quartier des Spectacles.
What to do in Downtown Montreal
For a culture fix, start with a visit to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Canada’s largest gallery, housing works by the likes of Monet, Picasso and Rembrandt, alongside plenty of Canadian artists.
Stop by the McCord Stewart Museum, which traces the history of the city and its many communities, then head beneath the streets to Underground City, where subterranean passages are home to shops, restaurants and more. In the evening, head to Quartier des Spectacles for bars, clubs, theatres and restaurants.
Olympic District
Why go to Montreal’s Olympic District?
Built for the 1976 Olympic Games, Montreal’s Parc Olympique is more than just a stadium, with several attractions to explore.
What to do in Montreal’s Olympic District
The Botanical Gardens (pictured, below) are among the highlights here, with 22,000 plant species on display. For more in the way of nature, visit the Montreal Biodome (pictured, below), home to an array of wildlife spread across five ecosystems. Or turn your attention skywards – either at the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium next to the Biodome, or by ascending the 165m-high Montreal Tower. Then tour the Olympic Stadium to learn more about the creation of the park.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Why go to Parc Jean-Drapeau?
Split across two islands and accessed by ferry from the Old Port or by metro from downtown, Parc Jean-Drapeau (pictured) offers a peaceful, nature-focused retreat from the main city.
What to do in Parc Jean-Drapeau
If you fancy getting active, take a walk along the river or hop on a bike to try the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, a car-racing track that’s also a hotspot for cyclists. On warmer days, a particular attraction is Jean-Doré Beach, where a sandy bay flanks the water with food trucks and a bar, plus occasional DJs. It gets especially lively on summer weekends, when locals alternate between dancing on the sand and cooling off in the water.
Little Italy
Why go to Montreal’s Little Italy?
Italian immigrants flocked to Montreal in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and today their influence is especially prominent around this quaint, culinary-centred neighbourhood.
Aptly named Little Italy, its leafy streets flank the art-filled district of Villeray, where locals sip cocktails on streetside terraces beside winding, flower-bedecked staircases.
What to do in Montreal’s Little Italy
At the heart of Little Italy is the Jean-Talon Market (pictured), one of North America’s biggest open-air markets, where stalls selling cheese, fish, spices, flowers and other goods spill on to the streets. The surrounding area is filled with Italian delis, cafes, bars and restaurants – try Ristorante Lucca for standout pasta dishes.
Close by, Parc Jarry provides a serene escape, while Rue de Castelnau is lined with art installations and colourful cafes that offer a glimpse into Montreal at its most quintessential.
Book it:
North America Travel Service offers a four-night break at Le Germain Hotel from £1,155 per person, based on two adults sharing, including flights from Heathrow in November.
northamericatravelservice.co.uk
Premier Holidays offers a week in a Standard Queen Room at the Best Western Ville-Marie Montreal Hotel & Suites from £999 per person (room-only), including return flights from Heathrow on April 15, 2025.
premierholidays.co.uk
Tried & tested
Le Germain Hotel Montreal
This stylish, hip hotel blends an ultra-bright facade that was created for the Mural Festival (see page 38) with sleek, modern rooms, an elegant brasserie and plush lounge bar. It’s set in the heart of Downtown, a short walk from Quartier des Spectacles and Mount Royal Park – one of the city’s most popular green spaces – with museums and other attractions right on the doorstep. A Classic room starts from about £131 per night room-only.
germainhotels.com
Festivals in 2025
Montreal is rightly famous for its festival scene. Here are the standouts to help sell a trip in 2025.
❂ Mural Festival – June 5-15
For 11 days every June, The Main in Mile End is filled with street artists creating giant murals (pictured) for visitors to witness – expect live music, street food and after-parties aplenty.
❂ International des Feux Loto-Québec – June 23-August 10
Countries from across the world compete at this firework extravaganza, with music-accompanied displays held every Wednesday and Saturday across seven weeks.
❂ Montreal International Jazz Festival – June 26-July 5
One of the world’s most renowned jazz events, this 10-day fiesta draws thousands of artists and more than two million visitors each summer; listen out for soul, blues, R&B and other genres alongside plenty of jazz.
❂ Festival International Nuits d’Afrique – July 8-20
More than 700 artists take to the stages at this 13-day event, celebrating African, Caribbean and Latin American music across various venues (pictured).
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Awana JF, Andriy Blokhin, Wirestock Creators, Hak im; Shutterstock/Tanveer Nadeem, Duho Cha, Tommy Larey, Shawn.ccf; Shutterstock/Firefighter Montreal, JHVEPhoto
