25 Best Things To Do in Montréal in 2026 (With Prices in CAD)
Travel writer — I Love Tour Canada
Updated March 2026. Montréal is endlessly surprising — a city with world-class food, festivals for every season, a stunning underground city, and architecture that blends 17th-century French heritage with cutting-edge modern design. Here are the 25 best things to do, with honest prices in CAD.
Why Montréal is Different From Every Other Canadian City
Montréal doesn’t feel like a Canadian city. It feels like a European city that somehow landed in North America — French language, café culture, outdoor terrasses, a genuine reverence for food, and a packed festival calendar that runs 12 months a year.
For travelers from the rest of Canada or internationally, Montréal offers something genuinely unique: a city where you need to slow down, linger over meals, explore neighborhoods on foot, and stay up later than you planned.
Old Montréal — Historic Heart of the City
1. Walk the Cobblestone Streets of Old Montréal
Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal) is a UNESCO-worthy historic district — 17th and 18th century stone buildings, cobblestone streets, and the St. Lawrence River waterfront. Free to explore on foot.
Tip: Start at Place Jacques-Cartier and walk toward the Old Port. The streets are most atmospheric in early morning (before 9 AM) or evening.
2. Notre-Dame Basilica — CAD $12–$25
One of the most spectacular interiors in North America — neo-Gothic architecture with an explosion of cobalt blue, gold, and hand-carved wooden detail. The Aura light show (evening projection show) runs CAD $25/adult.
Hours: Monday–Friday 8 AM–4:30 PM, weekends vary. Book online.
3. Old Port of Montréal — Free to CAD $30
The waterfront promenade is one of Montréal’s most popular gathering spots. In summer: paddleboats (CAD $20–$30/hour), zip line (CAD $15), outdoor cinema. In winter: skating rink (CAD $10 skate rental).
4. Pointe-à-Callière Archaeology Museum — CAD $24
Built directly on the site of Montréal’s founding (1642). You walk through archaeological excavations of the original settlement underground. One of Canada’s best museums. Bilingual exhibits.
Food & Drink — Montréal’s Real Claim to Fame
5. Schwartz’s Smoked Meat — CAD $12–$18
The most famous deli in Canada. Open since 1928. The smoked meat sandwich (CAD $12) is the only thing you need to order. Expect a line — it moves fast. Cash only.
Address: 3895 boul. Saint-Laurent (the Main). Open daily.
6. St-Viateur Bagel — CAD $2–$15/dozen
Montréal bagels are different from New York bagels — smaller, denser, sweeter, wood-fired. St-Viateur (Mile End) and Fairmount Bagel (Plateau) are the two legendary spots. Open 24 hours.
The debate: St-Viateur vs Fairmount. Try both and pick a side.
7. Jean-Talon Market — Free to browse
The largest open-air market in North America. Fresh produce, Quebec cheeses, maple syrup, local charcuterie. Best visited Saturday morning. Free to browse — budget CAD $20–$40 for shopping.
8. Food Tour — CAD $65–$110
Guided food tours of the Plateau, Old Montréal, or Mile End neighborhoods hit 5–7 spots with tastings included. Best way to taste the city in 3 hours. Look for tours that cover both French and Jewish food heritage.
👉 Montréal food tours on Viator from CAD $65
9. Poutine — CAD $10–$20
Poutine (fries, cheese curds, gravy) originated in Québec. Best spots in Montréal: La Banquise (24h, 25+ varieties, CAD $13–$18), Chez Claudette (classic, Plateau), or Au Pied de Cochon (upscale foie gras poutine, CAD $35+).
10. Atwater Market — Free to browse
West Island counterpart to Jean-Talon. Smaller, less touristy, with excellent cheese shops, butchers, and a flower market. Great for picnic supplies before heading to Lachine Canal.
Culture & Museums
11. Montréal Museum of Fine Arts — CAD $0–$26
The largest art museum in Canada — 44,000 works from ancient civilizations to contemporary art. Permanent collection is free. Temporary exhibitions: CAD $16–$26.
12. Pointe-à-Callière — CAD $24
See entry above — one of the city’s best museums.
13. Musée d’art contemporain (MAC) — CAD $15
Contemporary art museum focusing on Québec and international artists. Renovated in 2023 with a stunning new wing.
14. McCord Stewart Museum — CAD $20
Fascinating museum of Montréal and Québec social history — photography, Indigenous artifacts, and everyday life through the centuries.
Outdoor & Active
15. Mont-Royal Park — Free
The mountain in the heart of the city. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (who also designed Central Park). Excellent views from the Kondiaronk Belvedere lookout. In winter: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing. Free year-round.
Tip: Rent a bike from BIXI (CAD $8/30 min) and ride up from downtown.
16. Lachine Canal Bike Path — Free to CAD $20
14km paved bike path from Old Montréal to Lachine along a historic canal. Flat, beautiful, family-friendly. BIXI bike rentals along the route.
17. Botanical Garden — CAD $22
One of the world’s largest botanical gardens — 75 hectares, 22,000 plant species. The Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden are especially beautiful. The October Lantern Festival (Les Nuits des Lumières) is one of Montréal’s best events.
18. La Ronde (Six Flags) — CAD $50–$75
Amusement park on Île Sainte-Hélène with roller coasters, water rides, and a spectacular July fireworks competition (Les L’International). Open late May through October.
Neighborhoods Worth Exploring
19. Plateau-Mont-Royal — Free
Montréal’s most iconic residential neighborhood — colorful staircases, independent cafes, vintage shops, and the liveliest street life in the city. Walk Saint-Denis and Mont-Royal Avenue.
20. Mile End — Free
Hipster neighborhood north of Plateau — bagel shops, record stores, creative studios, the best coffee in the city. Walk Saint-Viateur and Fairmount streets.
21. Little Italy — Free
Cluster of Italian restaurants, cafes, and the Jean-Talon Market. Best for Sunday brunch or evening dining. Caffe Italia has been serving espresso since 1956.
22. Griffintown / Sud-Ouest — Free
Rapidly gentrifying former industrial area with craft breweries, excellent restaurants, and the Lachine Canal. Best for dinner and evening drinks.
Festivals — Plan Your Trip Around These
23. Montréal Jazz Festival (Late June–Early July) — Free to CAD $100
The world’s largest jazz festival — 1,000+ concerts over 10 days, 500 of which are free outdoor shows. Downtown closes to traffic and becomes one massive concert venue.
24. Just for Laughs Comedy Festival (July) — Free to CAD $80
The world’s largest comedy festival — outdoor shows on Saint-Denis Street are free. Indoor shows with major comedians: CAD $40–$80.
25. Igloofest (January–February) — CAD $30–$45
Outdoor electronic music festival in January — yes, outdoors in winter. Old Port becomes a giant outdoor club with snow and lights. One of the most unique events in Canada.
How Much Does Montréal Cost?
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel/night | CAD $80–$130 | CAD $150–$250 | CAD $300+ |
| Food/day | CAD $30–$50 | CAD $70–$120 | CAD $150+ |
| Activities/day | CAD $0–$25 | CAD $40–$80 | CAD $100+ |
| Total/day | CAD $110–$205 | CAD $260–$450 | CAD $550+ |
Montréal is one of the most affordable major cities in North America, especially compared to Toronto or Vancouver.
FAQ — Things to Do in Montréal
What is Montréal best known for? Montréal is famous for its food (poutine, smoked meat, bagels, fine dining), its festival culture (Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs, Igloofest, Osheaga), its bilingual French-English culture, and Old Montréal’s stunning historic architecture. It’s consistently ranked one of the world’s best student cities.
How many days do you need in Montréal? 3 days is ideal for a first visit — you can cover Old Montréal, the Plateau, Mont-Royal, and key food stops. 5 days lets you explore neighborhoods more deeply and add a day trip to Québec City (2.5h by train) or the Laurentians.
Is Montréal safe for tourists? Yes — Montréal is consistently one of Canada’s safest major cities. Standard big-city precautions apply (watch your belongings, be aware in very late-night bar areas). The historic and tourist areas are extremely safe.
What is the best month to visit Montréal? June–September for outdoor festivals, terrasse dining, and parks. December for Christmas markets and winter activities. February for lower prices (30% off summer rates) and Igloofest. Avoid March–April (grey, cold, no snow, muddy — the least appealing season).
Is French required to visit Montréal? No. English is widely spoken throughout the tourist areas, restaurants, and hotels. A few words of French (bonjour, merci, s’il vous plaît) are appreciated and culturally respectful. Most menus are bilingual.
Book Your Montréal Experience
👉 Browse Montréal tours on Viator — food tours, walking tours, city passes from CAD $20
👉 Find hotels in Montréal on Booking.com — from CAD $80/night
Written by Alex Tremblay
Rania is a writer and traveler behind I Love Tour Canada. She writes honest travel guides across Canada with real prices in CAD, updated regularly.
Ready to Book?
Find the best tours and hotels in Canada — curated and compared for you.