The Plateau
Local life, cafesColourful streets and bars.
City guide
Things to do in Montréal
French-speaking, creative and the best night out in Canada: Old Montréal's cobbled streets, bagels and smoked meat, the Plateau and Mile End, Mount Royal, and summer festivals almost every week.
13
Hostels in the city
8.0
Average, from 26,710 reviews
3am
Bars close
3–4
Days
Canada's most European city
Montréal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris, and the most European city in North America. It sits on an island in the St Lawrence River, around Mount Royal, the hill that gives it its name. Most people speak both French and English, and the mix gives the city a relaxed, creative energy.
Old Montréal has cobbled streets, stone buildings and the Notre-Dame Basilica, with its glowing blue interior. The Plateau and Mile End are the neighbourhoods to explore on foot, with spiral staircases, murals, cafes and bars. The food is famous: wood-fired bagels, smoked meat sandwiches, poutine and Jean-Talon Market.
Summer is festival season, with the jazz festival, Just for Laughs and Osheaga, and in winter the city goes underground into its network of tunnels, or outside to Igloofest. Montréal is also better value than Toronto or Vancouver. Give it three or four days.
Where to base yourself
The Plateau for local life, Old Montréal for history, or downtown and the Quartier Latin for nightlife and transport.
Old Montréal
HistoryCobbled streets and the Old Port.
Downtown and Quartier Latin
Nightlife, transportBusy streets, festivals and the metro.
Mile End
Bagels, creativeCafes, bagels and shops.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 7 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Montréal
Walk Old Montréal and the Old Port, and see the Notre-Dame Basilica. Climb Mount Royal to the Kondiaronk Belvedere for the view over downtown, and on Sundays in summer, join the Tam-Tams drum gathering at the foot of the mountain.
Wander the Plateau and Mile End, eat bagels from St-Viateur or Fairmount, and shop at Jean-Talon Market. Visit the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, and see the Biodôme and Botanical Garden at Space for Life.
In summer, catch free outdoor shows at the Quartier des Spectacles during the festivals, and cycle the Lachine Canal. In winter, skate on the outdoor rinks and go to Igloofest.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Mount Royal Park, the Old Port and Old Montréal are free to explore. The jazz festival and other summer festivals have hundreds of free outdoor shows.
The Tam-Tams on Sundays in summer are free, and so are the city's murals, especially along Boulevard Saint-Laurent.
Some museums have free or reduced entry at certain times; check before going.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Montréal has the best food scene in Canada. Try bagels, boiled in honey water and baked in wood-fired ovens; a smoked meat sandwich from a historic deli such as Schwartz's; and poutine, best late at night. Jean-Talon and Atwater markets sell Québec cheese, maple products and produce.
Many restaurants are 'apportez votre vin', where you bring your own wine, which saves a lot.
Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.
More on food and drink in Montréal
Nightlife
Going out
Montréal is the best night out in Canada. Bars stay open until 3am, and the Plateau, Mile End and Boulevard Saint-Laurent are full of bars and live music. The Quartier Latin and Crescent Street are busy with students, and the Village is the centre of LGBTQ+ nightlife.
Drinks are cheaper than in Toronto or Vancouver.
In summer, the festivals run late into the night.
Getting around
Getting around
The metro is fast and easy, with four lines, and buses fill the gaps; both are run by the STM. The 747 bus runs 24 hours between the airport and downtown. BIXI bike share is excellent in summer.
The REM light rail is expanding across the city.
VIA Rail trains run to Québec City, Ottawa and Toronto, and buses go to Québec City in about three hours.
Costs
What Montréal costs
Montréal is better value than Toronto or Vancouver. Dorm beds start at around €22 to €34 a night, more during festivals. Restaurant mains cost €12 to €22 before tax and tip.
Sales tax in Québec is about 15 per cent (5 per cent federal and 9.975 per cent provincial). Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.
Bring-your-own-wine restaurants and free festivals help.
More on costs in Montréal
Safety
Safety and scams
Montréal is a safe city. Take normal care at night, especially around busy nightlife streets, and watch for pickpockets at festivals.
Winter is very cold, with snow and ice; wear proper boots and watch for ice on pavements and falling ice from roofs.
Most people speak English, but starting with 'bonjour' is appreciated. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth leaving town for
Québec City, mountains and lakes.
Québec City
The walled old town.
Mont-Tremblant
Mountains, lakes and skiing.
Eastern Townships
Villages, wineries and lakes.
Ottawa
Canada's capital.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Jazz, comedy and music festivals.
Late June to early July
Montréal International Jazz Festival
Quartier des Spectacles
Hundreds of concerts, many free and outdoors.
July
Just for Laughs
Across the city
The big comedy festival.
Early August
Osheaga
Parc Jean-Drapeau
A big music festival.
January and February
Igloofest
Old Port
Outdoor electronic music in the snow.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Montréal, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Saintlo Montréal
Dorms from €23 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
M Montreal
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal
Dorms from €22 a night
See dates and book
Alt Hostel
Dorms from €21 a night
See dates and book
Auberge du Plateau
Dorms from €24 a night
See dates and book
Samesun Montreal Central
Dorms from €20 a night
See dates and book
Auberge L'Apero
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
When to go
June to September is festival season and the best time to visit. Autumn colour peaks in early October. Winter, from December to March, is very cold and snowy, with Igloofest and winter sports.
Jan
Very cold, Igloofest
Feb
Cold, Igloofest
Mar
Thaw begins
Apr
Spring
May
Pleasant
Jun
Jazz festival begins
Jul
Festivals
Aug
Osheaga
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Autumn colour
Nov
Cold
Dec
Snow
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Winters are very cold.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Montréal prices.
Treat these as a guide, before tax and tip. Festival weeks cost more.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Montréal questions
The ones we get asked most.
Do I need to speak French in Montréal?
No. Most people speak English, but starting with 'bonjour' is appreciated.
How many days do you need in Montréal?
Three or four days.
When are the festivals?
Mostly June to August, with Igloofest in winter.
What is the best bagel in Montréal?
Locals argue between St-Viateur and Fairmount. Try both.
Is Montréal cheaper than Toronto?
Yes, especially for drinks and food.
How do I get from the airport?
By the 747 bus, which runs 24 hours.
How cold is Montréal in winter?
Very cold, often well below freezing for weeks.
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