By foot, by bike and by bus

Whether you’ve arrived by air, land or sea, Montréal is a city best discovered by foot, atop two wheels or on public transport. Fill up your Instagram with postcard-pretty nature shots on a reinvigorating autumn walk through some of the city’s favourite parks and 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 picturesque St. Lawrence River. And the city’s easily navigated public transport system also offers some unforgettably picturesque routes if you’d rather sit back and let someone else do the driving!

Start at the beginning in Old Montréal

Montréal’s walking tour options are a perfect way to get the lay of the land before heading 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:

• Prepare yourself for the epic arched ceilings of Crew Café, named one of the most beautiful in the world
• The charmingly old school Le Petit Dep, now with multiple locations around town each just as photogenic as the last
• Mingle with local laptop creatives at hipster haven Tommy
• Curl up at the cozy café and brunch spot Chez Mère-Grand
• People watch and discover new music at Paquebot Old Port
• Keep up with the culinary scene at the foodie must-eat Olive et Gourmando
• Spoil yourself at the natural wine specialists NELLI bistro

CULTURAL MUST-SEES:

• The PHI Centre's cutting-edge 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 and reflect on 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 in a converted foundry 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 and their stories 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 or a bit of people-watching.

MUST-SEE MUSEUMS:

• Get up and close and personal with some arts masters and blockbuster temporary exhibitions at the Museum of Fine Arts
• Explore Montréal life (with a side of fashion) at the McCord Museum
• While their home base is presently under extensive renovation, the Musée d’art contemporary de Montréal is hosting must-see exhibitions in their temporary location at Ville Place Marie
• The Canadian Centre for Architecture's eye-opening exhibitions explore trends in world architecture
• Dive into local neighbourhood history at the Écomusée du fier monde

LET’S SHOP!:

• Roam between the major flagship stores and unique boutiques 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
• Explore Montréal’s haut cuisine scene to-go at the Time Out Market
• Discover some of the city’s coolest food artists at Le Central—Manger Montréal
• Try a local favourite in Chinatown

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 an in-the-know 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, where breathtaking views await
• Busy parallel thoroughfares Saint-Denis Street and Saint-Laurent Boulevard are home to boutiques, bistros and Bohemians
• Find your next outfit to get everyone talking back home 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
• 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.