Montreal (Montréal) is Quebec's largest city and the second-largest in Canada, home to about 1.76 million people on an island in the St. Lawrence River. This guide covers Old Montreal, Mount Royal, museums, neighbourhood food, transit and practical costs for visitors.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Montreal.
-
1
Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal)
Gothic Revival basilica completed in 1829 on Place d'Armes, known for its deep-blue, gold-starred vault and carved wooden interior; the AURA light show runs in the evenings.
-
2
Old Montreal and Place Jacques-Cartier (Vieux-Montréal)
The historic core of the city, with 17th- to 19th-century stone buildings, cobbled Rue Saint-Paul and the sloping square of Place Jacques-Cartier leading down to the Old Port.
-
3
Old Port of Montréal (Vieux-Port de Montréal)
A 2.5 km waterfront park along the St. Lawrence River with promenades, the Clock Tower, the Montréal Science Centre, the Grande Roue and seasonal activities such as the outdoor skating rink.
-
4
La Grande Roue de Montréal
Canada's tallest observation wheel, about 60 metres high, with climate-controlled gondolas looking over Old Montreal, the river and Parc Jean-Drapeau; a ride lasts about 20 minutes.
Tip: Book online for the lowest adult price of about CAD 30-33 · Ride at sunset or after dark for the best city-light views · Weekday mornings and early afternoons have the shortest queues · Pair the ride with a walk along the Old Port or a visit to Pointe-à-Callière · Confirm seasonal opening hours on the official website before going · Hold the camera close to the glass to reduce reflections
-
5
Mount Royal Park and Kondiaronk Belvedere (Parc du Mont-Royal)
A 200-hectare park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and opened in 1876 on the mountain that gives the city its name; the Kondiaronk Belvedere beside the Chalet du Mont-Royal has the classic downtown skyline view.
-
6
Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal (Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal)
Canada's largest church, a domed basilica inspired by Brother André and completed in 1967, set on the northwest slope of Mount Royal with views over the city.
-
7
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal)
Quebec's largest art museum, spread across five pavilions on Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, with Canadian, Quebec, Indigenous, international and decorative-arts collections plus major temporary exhibitions.
-
8
Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex
Archaeology and history museum built over the 1642 founding site of Ville-Marie, with underground remains of the first settlement, the city's first collector sewer and the old market square.
-
9
Montréal Biodôme
Living-ecosystem museum in the former 1976 Olympic velodrome, recreating a tropical rainforest, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a Laurentian maple forest and sub-Antarctic islands with penguins.
Tip: Visit on weekday mornings outside school holidays for fewer crowds · Dress in layers because temperatures change between ecosystems · Family ticket at CAD 68 covers two adults and three children · Combine with the Botanical Garden and Insectarium, a short walk away · Take the Green Line metro to Viau, then walk about five minutes · Check espacepourlavie.ca for seasonal hours before going
-
10
Montréal Botanical Garden (Jardin botanique de Montréal)
A 75-hectare botanical garden with about 20 thematic gardens and exhibition greenhouses, including the Chinese and Japanese Gardens and the First Nations Garden; the Gardens of Light lantern event runs in early autumn.
Tip: Plan two to four hours and wear comfortable walking shoes · Visit late May-June for lilacs and roses · Go in September-October for fall colour and the Gardens of Light · Weekday mornings are best for quiet photography · Pair with the neighbouring Insectarium on the same day · Check espacepourlavie.ca for hours, which extend in summer
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmark
Historic-District
Waterfront
Observation-Wheel
Park
Religious-Site
Museum
Zoo-And-Nature
Garden
Market
Amusement-Park
Historic-Site
Neighbourhood
Shopping
Cultural-District
Architecture
Historic-Market
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD); card and tap payment widely accepted
- Getting Around
- STM Metro (Green, Orange, Yellow and Blue lines), buses and the REM light rail; STM bus 747 runs 24 hours between Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL) and downtown
- Transit Info
- stm.info for Metro and bus; trip planning on Google Maps, the Transit app or the Chrono app; BIXI bike share at bixi.com
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance; Info-Santé 811 for non-urgent health advice
- Tourist Information
- Tourisme Montréal, mtl.org; Old Montreal tourist information centre at 174 Rue Notre-Dame Est
- Accessibility
- Not all Metro stations have elevators; the STM lists accessible stations and elevator status at stm.info
- Best Season
- June to September for festivals and terraces; late September to mid-October for fall colours on Mount Royal; December to February for winter festivals and skating
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Buy Notre-Dame Basilica AURA tickets and Space for Life tickets online in advance; summer evenings and weekends sell out.
The Biodôme, Planetarium, Botanical Garden and Insectarium sit side by side in the east end; plan one full day there using Viau and Pie-IX Metro stations.
Several major museums close on Mondays, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the McCord Stewart Museum.
A single STM fare is CAD 3.75 (about USD 2.63) and gives 120 minutes of transfers across Metro, bus and REM; an OPUS card costs CAD 6 (about USD 4.20).
Free options include Mount Royal Park, Saint Joseph's Oratory, the public markets, the Lachine Canal path and Wednesday evenings at the McCord Stewart Museum.
Signs are in French first; useful words are 'entrée' (entrance), 'sortie' (exit), 'billetterie' (ticket office) and 'fermé' (closed).
All prices are in CAD with approximate USD at CAD 1 = USD 0.70; Quebec GST and QST (14.975% combined) are often added at checkout.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Montréal Tower at the Olympic Stadium open?
No. The tower observatory is closed for renovation and the Olympic Park lists a planned reopening in spring 2027. The esplanade and the nearby Biodôme and Planetarium remain open.
How much does Notre-Dame Basilica cost?
A daytime visit costs CAD 16 (about USD 11.20) for adults plus tax; the evening AURA light show starts at CAD 37 (about USD 25.90).
What are the best free things to do in Montreal?
Walk Old Montreal and the Old Port, climb to the Kondiaronk Belvedere on Mount Royal, visit Saint Joseph's Oratory, browse the Jean-Talon and Atwater markets and follow the Lachine Canal path.
Do visitors need to speak French in Montreal?
No. French is the official language and signs are in French, but English is widely spoken downtown, in Old Montreal and at major attractions. Opening with 'Bonjour' is appreciated.
Can Quebec City be a day trip from Montreal?
Yes, but it is a long day: Quebec City is about 250 km away, roughly 3 hours by car or 3-3.5 hours by VIA Rail from Gare Centrale.