Montreal, Canada 5 Day Itinerary

5-Day Itinerary for Exploring Montreal, Canada

Day 1: Discover Downtown Montreal

Places to Go:

  1. Notre-Dame Basilica: A stunning Gothic Revival-style church that’s one of Montreal’s most famous landmarks. (Address: 110 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest)
  2. Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal): Stroll through the historic district with cobblestone streets, 17th and 18th century architecture, and various shops and cafes. (Between Rue Saint-François-Xavier and Rue de la Commune East)
  3. Montreal City Hall (Hôtel de Ville): An impressive building with free public tours available. (Address: 1 Place Ville Marie)
  4. Mount Royal Park: Take a scenic walk or bike ride to the top for panoramic views of Montreal. (Entrance at Mont-Royal Avenue and Saint-Urbain Street)

Where to Eat:

  1. Joe Beef: A popular restaurant known for its seafood dishes. (Address: 2491 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest)
  2. Schwartz’s Deli: Try the famous smoked meat sandwich. (Address: 3895 Boulevard Saint-Laurent)

Where to Stay:

Recommended hotels in downtown Montreal include:

  1. Le Germain Hotel Montreal (45 President-Kennedy Avenue)
  2. Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth (900 Rue René-Lévesque Ouest)

Things to Know:

  • Montreal’s official languages are French and English, but most residents speak English.
  • The public transportation system is efficient and affordable with the STM network of buses, metro, and trains.
  • Tip in restaurants (10-15%), taxis (15%), and for hotel staff (CAD 1-2 per day).

Day 2: Museums & Art

Places to Go:

  1. Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal): One of the most significant museums in North America. (Address: 1380 Sherbrooke Street West)
  2. The Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art (Esplanade de la Ville-Marie) (Address: 185 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest)
  3. Biodôme: A group of five ecosystems recreated from around the world, including a tropical rainforest, a Laurentian maple forest, and a Saint Lawrence marine environment. (Address: 4777 Avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin)

Where to Eat:

  1. Au Pied de Cochon (536 Duluth Avenue East) for pork-centric dishes
  2. Toqué! (900 Rue Saint-Paul Est) for innovative French cuisine

Day 3: Mile End and Plateau Mont-Royal

Places to Go:

  1. Mural Festival’s Murals: Explore the colorful street art throughout these neighborhoods. (Mainly found on Rue Saint-Viateur, Rue Saint-Laurent, and Rue Drolet)
  2. Parc La Fontaine & Jean-Talon Market: Visit the park and then browse local produce, specialty foods, and crafts at the market. (Address: 7070 Avenue Casgrain)
  3. St. Viateur Bagel Shop: Try Montreal’s famous bagels. (Address: 263 Rue Saint-Viateur Ouest)

Where to Eat:

  1. Folksy (5428 Avenue du Parc) for vegan and vegetarian dishes
  2. L’Avenue (922 Rue Rachel Est) for burgers and brunch

Day 4: Griffintown & Olympic Park

Places to Go:

  1. Griffintown: Explore this up-and-coming neighborhood with its mix of old and new architecture, art installations, and trendy eateries. (Between Notre-Dame Street West and De Maisonneuve Boulevard West)
  2. Olympic Park (Parc Olympique): Visit the famous Olympic Stadium, the Biodome, and Botanical Garden. (4141 Pierre-de-Coubertin Avenue)

Where to Eat:

  1. Atwater Market (138 Atwater Avenue West) for local produce, food stands, and cafes
  2. Kem Coba (1045 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest) for gelato

Day 5: Day Trip to Mont-Tremblant

Take a day trip to Mont-Tremblant (approximately 1.5 hours by car or bus), a popular ski resort that’s beautiful year-round. Enjoy activities like hiking, mountain biking, or visiting the village for shopping and dining. Return to Montreal in the evening.

Tips:

  • Purchase an OPUS card for unlimited travel on STM buses, metro, and trains (CAD 6 per day or CAD 20 for a week).
  • Explore Montreal’s vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs, and live music venues in areas like Saint-Laurent Boulevard and rue St. Denis.
  • Download the App Mobile Montreal for local event listings, restaurant recommendations, and more.
  • Enjoy your trip to Montreal!