By foot, bike and bus

Whether you’ve arrived by air or by land, there’s so many great ways to explore Montréal that lets you leave the car parked (or in the garage back at home). There’s few finer ways to witness the colours of autumn than with a reinvigorating autumn walk through some of the city’s favourite parks and local forested areas. Cyclists will love the city’s bucket list bike rides that take riders through some of Montréal’s most memorable neighbourhoods and along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. And the city’s public transport system also offers some unforgettably picturesque routes if you’d rather sit back and let someone else do the driving.

Get ready for picturesque in Old Montréal

We’d suggest signing up for one of Montréal’s multiple walking tour options to get the lay of the land, and then head out on some self-guided exploration. And a great place to start is where it all began – historic Old Montréal. Home to more than just the city’s most iconic historic sites, you’ll also find some of the most cutting-edge galleries and restaurants throughout Old Montréal’s cobblestone streets.

FUEL UP:

• The charmingly old school Le Petit Dep
• Hipster haven Tommy
• The cozy café Mère-Grand
• People watch at Paquebot Old Port
• The foodie must-eat Olive et Gourmando
• Natural wine specialists NELLI bistro

CULTURAL MUST-SEES:

• The PHI Centre's regularly-changing virtual reality expositions are exactly the type of immersive activity best experienced solo
• Catch works by some of the world’s leading contemporary artists at PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art
• Witness Québec’s Indigenous history through its art at Galerie d’art Images Boréales, Heritage Gallery and Galerie Le Chariot
• Stand in awe in front of epic-sized installations at Fonderie Darling – Quartier Éphémère

And when it comes to Old Montréal, even if you’re travelling solo you’re never alone – projected on façades, storefronts and alleyways, Montréal en Histoires – Cité Mémoire brings the neighbourhood’s ghosts back to life every evening at dusk. Download the app to trigger the projections and connect with history 1-on-1.

It’s always primetime in Downtown Montréal and the Village

Long a cultural hot-spot, Downtown Montréal (and it’s Golden Square Mile and Quartier des Spectacles neighbourhoods) are home to some of Canada’s best museums and shopping. And amid the skyscrapers and buzzing commuters, there’s postcard-pretty green spots like Dorchester Square and Place du Canada perfect for a picnic break.

MUST-SEE MUSEUMS:

• Get up and close with some arts masters at the Museum of Fine Arts
• Explore Montréal life (with a side of fashion) at the McCord Museum
• While presently under renovation, the Musée d’art contemporary de Montréal is hosting virtual exhibitions until reopening
• The Canadian Centre for Architecture's eye-opening exhibitions explore trends in world architecture
• The outdoor Galerie Blanc in the heart of the Village lets nature shine its spotlight on new works
• Dive into local history at the Écomusée du fier monde.

LET’S SHOP!:

• Roam boutique to boutique along Sainte-Catherine Street
• Treat yourself at the city’s major shopping centres Complexe Desjardins, Centre Eaton, Place Montréal Trust, Les Cours Mont-Royal, Place Ville-Marie, Centre Alexis Nihon and, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy – and the underground city links them all together in case of rain.

DOWNTOWN CHOW DOWN:

• Join the local style set for sushi at Ryú
• Grab a slice at Slice + Soda or Moleskine

Foster some #FOMO in the Plateau, Mile End and Outremont

While they exist side-by-side geographically, Outremont, the Plateau and Mile End are each uniquely distinct in their own unique flavour. Home to some of Montréal’s cafés, shops and restaurants préféré (or favourites), these are the ideal neighbourhoods to fully immerse yourself in local living, and the brightly coloured building sides of the area (thanks in large part to the annual MURAL Festival) are Instagram-ready.

EAT UP:

• You’ll want to get bagels from both Fairmount Bagel and St-Viateur Bagels, proof positive that Montréal bagels are the best bagels
• The Lawrence, Larrys and Boucherie Lawrence trifecta offer great eats and neighbourhood flair
• The $5 gnocchi at Drogheria Fine makes you look like a local
• Try the iconic sandwiches at Schwartz’s (Montréal smoked meat) and Wilensky (salami and baloney) and take some photos for the folks back home
• Grab a pizza at Toni or a falafel at Yoni
• Grab a well-deserved pastry dessert at Boulangerie Guillaume

GET YOUR WALK ON:

• The ultimate city stroll is up to the top of Mount Royal itself, with breathtaking views
• Busy parallel thoroughfares Saint-Denis Street and Saint-Laurent Boulevard are home to boutiques, bistros and Bohemians
• Find your next outfit in Laurier Avenue West's stylish shops
• Mont-Royal Avenue is one of the city’s busiest shopping streets, punctuated by views of the Olympic Stadium and Mount Royal on opposite ends

Keep it real in Little Italy and Villeray

Put simply, Little Italy and Villeray is where Montréalers come to eat. Influenced by the city’s Italian community, there’s a mouthwatering variety of restaurants and food shops that will leave you wishing for an extra inch of room in your belt.

MUST-EATS:

• No visit to the neighbourhood is complete without a visit to Jean-Talon Market
• Montréalers love a park picnic, and Dinette Triple Crown's picnic service in Park Little Italy is truly unforgettable
• The cannoli at Pasticceria Alati-Caserta is so good, you’ll think you’re in Italy
• You want pizza? Look no further than San Gennaro or neighbourhood mainstay Pizzeria Napoletana
• Save space for sweet treats at État de Choc and La Boulangerie Jarry

STOCK UP YOUR KITCHEN:

• There’s always something unique at arloca, specializing in Québec design
• The mind boggles at the selection of utensils at Quincaillerie Dante

A river runs through Les Quartiers du Canal

The neighbourhoods of Griffintown, Little Burgundy and Saint-Henri are intersected by the historic Lachine Canal, and also home to Montréal’s Antique District. The area is also home to many of Montréal’s groundbreaking new startups and tech firms, and local cafés are full of telecommuters and students. 

MUNCHIES: 

• Atwater Market is one of Montréal’s busiest markets, with an iconic clock tower and hanging lights 

• Grab a snack at Le Marché Italian Le Richmond and enjoy on a patch of canal-side grass 

• Enjoy one of the creative meal options at Foxy 

Get up-and-coming in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Montréal’s working class and urban wilderness collide in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, where huge leafy expanses co-exist side by side with row housing and homey shopping streets. Solo explorers looking for a truly local experience will find it here, and friendly locals abound.

NATURE IN THE CITY:

• Get lost in the mammoth Parc Maisonneuve
• Plant lovers will flip for the Botanical Garden
• Get up close and personal with some rare flora and fauna at the Biodôme

WHEN HUNGER STRIKES:

• Third wave specialists Hélico Café will get you back on your feet
• Turn back the clock to the mod 1960s at Atomic Café
• Hit two birds with one stone – coffee and a tattoo – at Club Social Wolfgang
• Join the vegan flock at Antidote Bouffe Végane
• Pizza done right at Pizzéria Heirloom
• Taste the neighbourhood’s unique flavour at État Major

Explore off-island

Situated in the waters of the St-Lawrence River, the Parc Jean-Drapeau's twin islands were created from the earth removed in the construction of Montréal’s Métro system. Built for Expo67 (including Habitat 67), these parklands are now home to the Formula 1 Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the La Ronde amusement park, the Casino de Montréal, myriad hiking trails and a bevy of local animals. A peaceful getaway from the city – not to mention a great spot for some last snaps of Montréal’s skyline – it’s a great end to a solo city excursion.