Where to eat

Montréal has something for foodies of all budgets, interests and tastes. And SO MANY spots that are ideal for inconspicuous solo dining, whether that’s gastronomic food courts, casual lunch spots, gourmet dinner stops, tasty morsels of history, the city’s most prized eateries or our curated list of restaurants that make eating alone both comfortable and memorable. Between meals, make sure you wander one of our public markets, like the Jean-Talon Market, Maisonneuve Market or Atwater Market. You can chat with local producers, pick up things for the hotel and snack away on your yummy finds onsite.

Where to shop

If there’s one thing Montrealers love it’s a good boutique. You can find standalone shops with unique items in every neighbourhood. So explore! Go downtown for chock-a-block shops both above ground and below, including tons of major labels. On the Plateau, get a feel for our many independent boutiques as well as Québec chains. In Old Montréal you’ll find local fashion as well as incredible homewares, while in Mile End, you can unleash your inner deal finder in excellent vintage stores or get your hands on some of the city’s trendiest looks. For beautiful, original and locally-made souvenirs of the city, be sure to pop by the Boutique Bonjour Montréal at Place Jacques-Cartier before you leave.

Where to commune with nature

If you’re craving greenery and fresh air, go for a walk on the city’s pride and joy: Mount Royal. You can while away an hour or the entire day soaking up its impressive flora and fauna in easy-to walk trails covering 10 square kilometres. The cityscape is also dotted with plenty of other parks that are perfect for relaxing, reading or picnicking, including Parc Maisonneuve, Parc La Fontaine, Parc Jarry and Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Where to go out

Montréal has got it going on any time of year. In the warmer months, it’s all about sunshine, fun and free public events, including free programming related to all the festivals. Follow your feet to Quartier des spectacles and discover new artists at Francos de Montréal and the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, for starters. Piknic Électronik in Parc Jean-Drapeau and the Tam-tams du mont Royal are also unique Montréal summertime gatherings. In the colder months, festivals like MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE and Igloofest draw crowds with incredible music and food, while culture rules all night at Nuit Blanche. For more, find a whole slew of winter activities in this curated list of things to do solo.

Where to chill

One famous thing about Montréal is what locals call “5 à 7”, otherwise known as happy hour. 5 à 7s are everywhere, in most bars and pubs starting at 5 pm, as well as in some art galleries, restaurants and cafés. They’re an excellent way to make new friends, if you simply sidle up to the bar (an ideal spot when travelling solo) and start chatting. Brasserie Harricana, Birra - Bar à Bières maison, The Burgundy Lion and BENELUX brewpub are among the many venues to keep on your radar.

Where to meet people

Itching for some company? There are lots of ways to meet Montrealers in easy breezy atmosphere, including taking a cooking or dance class that lets you immerse yourself in an authentic Montréal experience while mingling with locals. If you want to watch the pros at work and meet new people, why not go on a guided tour? Discover Little Italy, Old Montréal and the Mile End with a guide or go on a thematic food tour. Go local with a Spade & Palacio tour, which gives you the inside scoop on the city.

Where to chill

Silence is golden and spas get that, which means they are sublime spaces if you’re looking to just peace out. Among the detour-worthy are Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau, which is housed in a former ferryboat, and the architecturally-acclaimed Scandinave Spa Vieux-Montréal, located in a historic greystone building in Old Montréal. Different atmospheres, but great go-tos for some solo R&R. Montréal has many more spas for you to enjoy on your solo trip.

How to get around

Public transit, hands down, is the best way to get around Montréal for longer distances. The bus and metro networks are reliable, secure and affordable (don’t you just love that?).

BIXI, Montréal's bike-share system, makes visiting Montréal's points of interest hassle-free. You can borrow a bike from one station and return it to any other station in the network.

Where to stay

If you feel like meeting other like-minded travelers, youth hostels could just be your thing—some offer private rooms, which still give you access to common areas that are perfect for socializing. Among the many to check out is the Auberge de jeunesse HI Montréal in the heart of downtown. If you’re more of a hotel person, go luxe with the Hôtel William Gray, Le Place d’Armes Hôtel & Suites or Hôtel Nelligan. If you’re on a budget, the Hôtel de l’ITHQ is an excellent choice: the four-star teaching hotel is operated by students and features two restaurants facing the magnificent Carré Saint-Louis. 

So, whether you’re zipping in for a 24-hour stay or stretching it out to a weekend or more, you’ll have a plethora of picks to discover on your solo escapade in Montréal. And who knows? You might just meet a few new mates.