Old Port and Old Montréal

Strolling the picturesque streets of Old Montréal and the beautiful shores of the St. Lawrence River is bonafide mood-booster. Set off with a coffee and croissant from Tommy in a super cute setting or sink your teeth into a scrumptious pastry at the gorgeous Crew Collective & Café, situated in what used to be the Royal Bank of Canada with its imposing historical architecture. Stop in for lunch, pastries, scones, soups and tasty sandwiches at Olive + Gourmando, a spot so well-known and loved it needs no introduction. Grab your food to-go and enjoy your meal on the Grand Quay and Port of Montréal for a breathtaking view of Old Montréal, Habitat 67 and grain Silo No. 5.

From there, head to Saint-Paul Street lined with designer boutiques, cool multi-brand and cutting-edge art galleries A must is the amazing Maison Pepin, Édition | Objets choisis and SSENSE (on rue Saint-Sulpice) are incredicle concept stores that are perfect for browsing. Along your walk, also stop by Denis Gagnon, Sarah Pacini and Philippe Dubuc: the crème de la crème of Québec designers. Then wander around Le Petit Dep, a sweet corner store that overflows with local foods and goodies and the Galerie d'art Images Boréales, which showcases traditional and contemporary Inuit artists.

Next, set your sights on new horizons and climb into a Grande Roue de Montréal gondola, which promises panoramic views (28 kilometres in clear skies!).

If you prefer to unwind, take a break at the Bota-Bota floating spa, anchored on the St. Lawrence River, where you can enjoy the wonderful gardens, high-end baths and saunas and lunch at La Traversée restaurant, with a breathtaking view of the water as a bonus. To continue to take it easy or get out on the water, also dive into this guide to water activities.

Back on land, go to the ever-germane Phi Centre to take in an avant-garde exhibit, or head to  the Pointe-à-Callière museum and learn about the archeology and history of Montréal. Come evening, be enchanted by the AURA multimedia show designed by the renowned Montréal studio Moment Factory, at the Notre-Dame Basilica, and for a more in-depth historical tour of the neighbourhood, check out our guide to French roots in Montréal. Cirque du Soleil is also presenting its brand-new ECHO show under its famous marquee from April 20 to August 20, 2023, and we have designed a guide for you with 10 exciting activities to do in the area.

For gorgeous sunsets with that cocktail you’re craving, make your way up to these rooftop terraces and soak up water views or sleek skyscrapers in the distance. Clink glasses on the roofs of the Auberge du Vieux-Port, Hôtel Nelligan, Perché, William Gray, Bonsecours or Place d’Armes. On ground level, kick back in the garden terrace of the Vieux-Port Steakhouse or the lush garden patios of the Marché des Éclusiers, Lov, Boris Bistro, Jardin Nelson, L’Auberge Saint-Gabriel, all excellent drink and dinner options.

When night falls, relax in the cool luxury of the Hôtel William Gray, Hôtel Gault, Hôtel Place d’Armes or Le Petit Hôtel. Spoil yourself with aperitifs, dinner and breakfast in your room, spa treatments and other pamperings—you deserve it!

Downtown, Quartier des spectacles and the Village

Fill up on culture! Book your tickets now to see the exhibitions at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée d’art contemporain and the McCord Museum. Live immersive experiences on current themes in the OASIS immersion space at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Finally, take advantage of the many festivals offered by summer, the Francos de Montréal, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Festival TransAmériques, MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE, the Festival International Nuits d' Afrique,  Montréal Pride, MUTEK, and so much more!

Above ground or below, shoppers will love downtown’s endless choices. In the underground pedestrian network, you can roam from the Centre Eaton to Place Montréal Trust to the Cours Mont-Royal to Place Ville Marie to Complexe Desjardins. Prefer outdoor scouting? Head to Sainte-Catherine Street, celebrated for its miles and miles of boutiques. Add a little luxury to your day with a visit to the recently renovated Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, a must on everyone’s shopping list.

Getting hungry or thirsty? Get a seat on any one of these plentiful terrasses: Ritz Carlton – Maison Boulud, Renoir, Labo culinaire - Foodlab, Bar George, Pois Penché, Jatoba, Nacarat, Marcus, Hiatus restaurant and bar (at the top of Place Ville Marie) and AIR. Recently opened rooftop terrasses worth noting are Carla, H3 and Bivouac.

Quartiers du Canal and Pôle des Rapides

Another day, another adventure! This time, you’re heading to Montréal’s dynamic southwest borough to soak up the fun just steps away from the St. Lawrence River. Window shop on Promenade Wellington, a charming street in the borough of Verdun. Take a walk along the riverside trail, which offers a magnificent view of the river. Then, grab a bite at one of Verdun’s hot spots and best-kept secrets (less and less, however!). You’ll love the seaside ambiance of Verdun Beach and the little restaurant bars that set that oh-so summery mood. Check out the Verdun Beach Guinguette where you can sip organic wines and seasonal dishes,  Palco and Bénélux microbrewery, just a few of the neighbourhood go-tos.

How about surfing on the St. Lawrence? Hook up with KSF, a team with a passion for water adventures that offers not only surfing lessons, but gentle or more challenging kayak or SUP (stand up paddleboard) outings.

Next, head to the Lachine Canal for a leisurely stroll, kayak ride or pleasure boat ride along the water. Book your trip with Aventures H2O and check out our ideas on water fun across the island.

Be sure to stop by the Atwater Market for a take-out lunch in a bustling, bohemian ambiance, then make your way to Notre-Dame Street West, which is crammed with crave-worthy eateries. Enjoy a meal on the terrasses of Vin Papillon, Liverpool House, Joe Beef, La Bête à pain Griffintown designer bakery, Marché Le Richmond, Patrice Pâtissier, Nora Gray, Candide or Perles et Paddock. Wrap up your day with a relaxing drink on the Terrasse St-Ambroise or Riverside St-Henri in industrial chic surroundings alongside the canal. What could be more Montréal than this?

Plateau, Mile-End and Outremont

Charming houses, green back alleys and that extra special vibe: this is why these Montréal neighbourhoods are worth the detour. Linking all three is Mount Royal or the  “lungs” of the city, where you can go to soak up stunning city views and fill up on fresh air. Love urban art? Book a guided tour with Spade & Palacio and discover the Plateau’s bounty of urban visuals during the MURAL festival. You’ll be smitten with their colourful and history-rich tour along Saint-Laurent Boulevard. For brunch, lunch, supper or even coffee on the go, the list of options is long. Start with the sweet outdoor patios at Alma, Bloomfield, Rumi, Hà, Rouge Gorge, Santropol, Olimpico or Buvette chez Simone. For a bucolic picnic surrounded by locals, stroll through these various oases of greenery: Parc La Fontaine and Parc Sir-Wilfrid Laurier, both with a very lively atmosphere, and Parc Outremont, which is more subdued.

Little Italy, Rosemont, Mile Ex and Villeray

Without a doubt, the star of this neighbourhood is the magnificent Jean-Talon Market. Grab a coffee and wander dreamily among colourful stands that will make you want to scoop up everything in sight. Next, check out the recently revamped Plaza St-Hubert for its refreshing mix of on-trend and traditional boutiques that changes up the shopping experience. Be sure to stop by the Montreal Restaurant Plaza, a typically trend-setting Montréal brewery that offers delicious dinners for two. Those in the know know that Mile-Ex, Little Italy and Villeray offer a bounty of culinary delights on tucked-away terraces. You’ll love restaurants like Vin Mon Lapin, Impasto, Jaja, Anemone, Mesón and Tapeo. Next climb to the tony perch of Taverne Atlantic, Vices&Versa’s hidden outdoor patio or relax in the lush greenery and scenery of  Bar Cicchetti’s popular terrasse.  Also check out our on-point list of the best restaurants on rue Beaubien, in full culinary effervescence! Call it a night with a leisurely stroll around the lovely pond at Parc Jarry to digest your delicious meal.

Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and Est de l’Île

For a soul-soothing and peaceful walk, the Botanical Garden offers a country-like romantic oasis of greenery. Discover a superb collection of 22,000 species and cultivars, 10 exhibition greenhouses and some 30 gorgeous theme gardens. Once you’ve had your green fix, take a break in one of Hochelaga’s hotspot neighbourhood restaurants like Les Canailles, Hélicoptère, Le Flamant, the Heirloom pizzeria or the brand-new aube bakery.

Parc Jean-Drapeau

Straddling two islands in the St. Lawrence River, this verdant park becomes a beachy escape in sunny weather. Just a five-minute jaunt from downtown, the Jean-Doré Beach has a pretty sand beach where you can work on your tan, splash about or play volleyball. With its big, beautiful outdoor pools, the park’s aquatic complex is also discovery-worthy. The park also provides sports lovers, walkers and nature lovers 25 kilometres of multipurpose trails to explore. Wander to your heart’s content along paths dotted with some of the city’s most celebrated artworks, including Calder’s Man stabile. Download free podcast documentaries on the mobile app Portrait Sonore to learn more about 15 public artworks around Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame.

Happy discoveries à deux!