A positive impact stay in Montréal

Where to stay

Check into one of these hotels with eco-friendlier practices, hand-picked by Tourisme Montréal. Book yourself a room at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Le Germain Montréal, Saint-Sulpice or Ruby Foo’s. All of these outstanding establishments have strong environmental practices. Another option includes the ITHQ Hotel, which is just steps away from the Entertainment District (known locally as the Quartier des Spectacles). Alternatively, the Alt Hotel in Griffintown has EV charging stations in its parking area.

Where to eat

Montréal's food scene offers an abundance of environmentally responsible choices. From this directory, we particularly recommend Le Saint-Urbain and Jaja, establishments known for their exceptional practices and exquisite flavors.

Vegans, look no further! Your taste buds will find their happy place at LOV, Aux Vivres, Tendresse, Café Dei Campi, Pâtisserie Zébulon, Lola Rosa, Bloom Sushi, or The Green Panther. Hungry for more? Try the fresh and creative cuisine made with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients at Candide, Chez Victoire, Le Mousso, Othym, Toqué!, Renoir or the ITHQ restaurant. If you fancy some fish and chips, head to Brit & Chips, where the catch is sourced from more sustainable fisheries. In an effort to help the planet, some cafés, bars, and restaurants have taken significant steps toward zero-waste and less-waste solutions, such as Café des habitudes,La Cale, and much more. Check out our guide here.

Where to rest, relax and rejuvenate

Let your tension float away at Bota Bota, a river spa anchored on the St. Lawrence River. The facility uses geothermal-type energy to heat and cool its indoor spaces and thermal baths. The energy is extracted directly from the St. Lawrence River, which means it's renewable. Beyond the technical aspects, the spa uses Babor vegan products made with natural and organic ingredients sourced from the Alps. Added bonus: the spa's unique location offers terrific views of Montréal's cityscape. We love it!

Where to camp near Montréal

Want to balance your urban vacation with a few days of camping? Huttopia offers a hassle-free ready-to-camp option just a few kilometres from downtown Montréal. To get there, hop the metro, bus and river ferry to Grosbois Island in the Îles-de-Boucherville provincial park. There are 21 cozy tents for rent on site. Visitors should bring their own sleeping bag and pillow. For more information, go to sepaq.com.

Embark on a cruise

Curious to know more about the history of the 150-year-old Lachine canal? Hop aboard the Petit Navire, an electric propulsion boat. Enjoy a 45-minute to two-hour historic ride where you can sip a drink and chat with fellow passengers.

Where to surf, kayak and more

Surfing, SUP, SUP-yoga, kayaking: whatever sport you choose, you'll quickly discover that the St. Lawrence River offers everything from serene spots to adrenaline-inducing areas! KSF calls itself "a family that's expanding around the St. Lawrence." Their team is passionate about adventure, nature and water and will provide you with unforgettable experiences accredited by Aventure Écotourisme Québec, members of the 1% for the Planet movement, and committed to the Leave No Trace Canada movement. Grab a paddle!

Get out and get moving!

Just minutes away from downtown by metro is where you’ll find Parc Jean-Drapeau, a sprawling natural four-season playground alive with activities and festivals all year long. Explore its network of artwork-lined trails, two museums, and expansive beach. Drop by the freshy renovated Biosphère, a Montréal icon since the Expo ’67 World’s Fair,  where you can learn about the importance of a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle through scientific exhibitions and demonstrations. 

Witness thriving urban agriculture firsthand on the green roof atop the Palais des congrès, then head out to discover Montréal’s best seasonal markets and summertime spaces to drink in the city’s summertime vibe.

Where to rent a bike and enjoy a ride

Ready to embark on a two-wheeled adventure? It's easy in Montréal, where bike rental shops and tours are available throughout the city (Ma Bicyclette, Fitz Montréal, Ça roule Montréal, BIXI and Spade & Palacio) and there are more than 1000 km of bike paths. Plus, there are tons of places to eat and drink along the way. We recommend packing a picnic lunch with fresh produce from the Jean-Talon, Atwater, or Maisonneuve markets and then cycling to La Fontaine, Jeanne-Mance, Laurier or Jarry Park. It's a great way to explore different Montréal boroughs.

Reluctant to work up a sweat? No worries, you can always rent an electric scooter at Jusst. Les Urbanités has also put together an itinerary of Montréal's "green alleys." Everyone loves a quick escape into a green corridor!

Public transportation—offered through the STM bus and metro system—is another choice way to get around the city. Take advantage of special offers on tickets and a practical online tool to plan your journeys quickly and efficiently. You can also download the Transit and Chrono apps to consults real-time schedules.

The best way to explore Mount Royal

You can't visit Montréal without seeing Mount Royal, our local "mountain." The park, which acts as the city's lungs, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect behind New York City's Central Park. It's located right in the centre of the city and can be explored on foot, by bicycle, on cross-country skis or on snowshoes. In winter, Les Amis de la montagne, a non-profit that helps protect Mount Royal, offers a guided night-time snowshoeing excursion called "By the Glow of the City Lights (À la lueur de la ville)." Pro tip: Finish off this memorable experience with a warm mug of hot chocolate!

Where to see arts and culture

Montréal's well-known cultural scene includes several sustainable attractions. Espace pour la vie is Canada's largest nature and science museum complex. It includes the Biodôme, the Insectarium, the Jardin botanique and the Planetarium, four exceptional institutions that combine science with emotion to influence your perspective of the natural world and educate visitors of all ages. What will you learn?

The TOHU Pavilion is a venue for shows, experimentation and convergence between culture, environment and community projects. It's also an outstanding example of LEED GOLD-certified Canadian architecture. The facility includes a round circus-arts performance hall—the first of its kind in North America—as well as access to the Saint-Michel environmental complex. A little further north, lose yourself in the valleys and meadows uniquely punctuated with white spheres in parc Frédéric-Back, a new green space dedicated to the environment, culture, leisure and sports. Don't miss it!

Finally, the Maison du développement durable was the very first building in Québec to earn LEED Platinum NC certification. It offers guided tours, meetings and discussions on sustainable development.

Where to buy local products

As you stroll through Montréal’s dynamic neighbourhoods, check out the city’s many boutiques specializing in ethical and local fashion and products. Head over to Saint-Laurent Boulevard to BKIND, a store with more environmentally-friendly practices offering natural, vegan, and Québec-made beauty products. A little further down in the Plateau neighbourhood, don't miss Savonnerie M'Nonga, where you can watch soapmakers at work. Shop for handcrafted body products, including natural soaps, bath salts, oils and body butters.

On Plaza Saint-Hubert, arloca boutique offers a fine selection of local products for all tastes, and creative workshops for the artist in you. The Boutique Espace Urbain features a vast collection of afro, urban and vintage fashion, including unique jewellery, from over 120 different vendors. It's all about sustainable, locally made products and supporting the region's creative entrepreneurs. There are also multi-brands specializing in Québec and Canadian design. At Belle et Rebelle, the selection of clothing and accessories is wildly colourful, cutting-edge and features collections by designers committed to sustainable and eco-responsible production. Unicorn in the Mile End is also well worth a visit. 

In the Petite-Patrie district, discover the Marmier Betina Lou boutique-atelier, a multi-brand that promotes slow wear with carefully selected brands embodying strong values of design, quality, transparency and ethical manufacturing. The DDD boutique will win you over with its selection of design and responsible products. Fall for a Matt & Nat backpack or handbag made from recycled plastic bottles, succumb to the fragrance of Dot & Lil's retro handmade soaps and melt for an urban honey produced here by Alvéole.

Located in Verdun, Harricana par Mariouche is a world-renowned for its clothing and objects made from recycled furs, cashmeres and silks. The boutique also offers workshops for making pom-poms, braided scarves from recycled furs and custom hats. Let your creativity run wild!

Little things can go a long way

In addition to promoting the local economy through all the possibilities listed above, adopt a slow tourism approach during your stay by staying several nights in the same neighbourhood to discover its energy, habits and merchants. Always carry a kit with reusable utensils and lunch dishes to encourage less waste. Choose cafés that offer the reusable La Tasse mug, supporting more responsible consumption. You'll maximize your impact on a healthier planet!