Montreal 5 Day Itinerary

Title: 5-Day Montreal Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Downtown Montreal

  • Morning: Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Café St-Henri (4526 Saint-Ambroise Street West). Then, visit the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica (110 Notre-Dame Street) and take a stroll around Old Montreal.

  • Afternoon: Head to Museum of Fine Arts (1380 Sherbrooke Street West) or Pointe-à-Callière, Museum of Archaeology and History (355 Place Royale East). In the evening, enjoy dinner at Le Vin Papillon (463 Rue Saint-François-Xavier), a wine bar with a great selection of dishes.

  • Evening: Catch a comedy show at Just For Laughs Comedy Club (925 Boulevard Saint-Laurent) or explore the vibrant nightlife on Saint Laurent Boulevard.

Day 2: Discover Museum District and Plateau Mont-Royal

  • Morning: Visit The Montreal Biosphere (1675 Avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin), followed by the Insectarium or Botanical Garden (4101 Rue Sherbrooke East). Have lunch at La Toundra (387 Avenue du Mont-Royal Est) in Plateau Mont-Royal.

  • Afternoon: Explore the trendy boutiques and street art on Saint-Denis Street, then visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (185 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street West).

  • Evening: Dine at Au Pied de Cochon (536 Duluth Avenue East) or Toqué! (900 Marie-Anne Street East), two of Montreal’s top culinary destinations.

Day 3: Enjoy Parc Jean-Drapeau and Saint-Helena Island

  • Morning: Take the Metro to Jean-Drapeau Station, then visit Parc Jean-Drapeau (1 Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve). Rent a bike or a kayak, or simply relax at Plage Jean-Doré.

  • Afternoon: Cross over to Saint-Helena Island and explore the Biodôme (4777 Avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin), an ecozone museum showcasing four ecosystems: tropical rainforest, Laurentian forest, Saint Lawrence marine environment, and the Labrador coast.

  • Evening: Have dinner at Maison Boulud (1251 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest) or Restaurant L'Avenue (922 Avenue du Mont-Royal Est).

Day 4: Experience Mile End and Little Italy

  • Morning: Visit the Saint Viateur Bagel Shop (263 Rue Saint-Viateur Est) for a classic Montreal bagel, then explore the hip neighborhood of Mile End.

  • Afternoon: Head to Parc La Fontaine (650 Avenue Lafontaine West) or The Redpath Museum (859 Sherbrooke Street West). In the evening, enjoy dinner at Olive et Gourmando (351 Jean Talon Street West) in Little Italy.

  • Evening: Stroll down Saint Laurent Boulevard to discover more of Montreal’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 5: Visit Jean Talon Market and Griffintown

  • Morning: Visit Jean Talon Market (7070 Avenue Henri-Julien) for fresh produce, local cheeses, and delicious food. Have a leisurely brunch at Café Santropol Roulant (3994 Boulevard Saint-Laurent).

  • Afternoon: Explore the historic neighborhood of Griffintown, visit the Musee de la Tempete (180 Atwater Avenue) or the Doggy Style Art Gallery (1250 Notre-Dame Street West), a unique pet-themed gallery.

Things to Know:

  • Montreal’s primary language is French, but English is widely spoken.
  • The city operates an extensive public transit system, including buses and the Metro.
  • Tip in restaurants: 15-20% of the total bill.
  • Summer months are warm and humid, while winters can be very cold and snowy.

Transportation:

  • Purchase a transportation pass for unlimited use on the Metro and buses (3-day passes available).
  • Taxis and bike rentals are also common.

Tips:

  • Try poutine (fries, gravy, and cheese curds) and smoked meat sandwiches, local specialties you shouldn’t miss!
  • Montreal is famous for its festivals. Check out the schedule during your visit to enjoy a concert or festival.