13 Best Things to Do and See in Montreal
Exploring Montreal on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Montreal, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Montreal. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. Old Port of Montreal
Old Montreal’s Old Port is an iconic place on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, where visitors can discover a harmonious blend of history, waterfront strolling and leisure activities. Here, you can admire lively quays, green spaces, city views and heritage buildings that recall Montreal’s port past. Popular with both visitors and locals, it also offers bike paths, relaxation areas and several cultural and recreational attractions, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the city’s historic center.
2. Basilica of Notre-Dame de Montréal
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is one of Old Montreal’s most iconic landmarks, appreciated both for its religious purpose and its heritage value. Stepping inside, visitors discover a vast, richly decorated interior, with dark woodwork, intricate sculptures, and stained-glass windows that create a solemn and impressive atmosphere. This monument attracts visitors for its remarkable architecture, peaceful ambiance, and central role in Montreal’s cultural and spiritual life. It is an essential stop for understanding the history and charm of the historic district.
3. Mount Royal Park
Mount Royal Park lets visitors discover a large urban hill in the heart of Montreal, where nature, city views, and walking paths come together. Explore wooded trails, open spaces, and popular areas for walkers. The park offers a strong contrast between natural relief and the metropolitan setting, with Montreal's mountain landscape always in view.
4. Place des Arts
Place des Arts is one of Montreal’s major cultural hubs in Canada. This large complex brings together several performance and concert halls where you can attend concerts, theater performances, dance shows, and other artistic events. It also offers a lively atmosphere connected to the city’s cultural life, with public spaces often busy during festivals and events. Located in the heart of downtown, it is a must-see destination for experiencing Montreal’s vibrant arts scene.
5. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts offers a rich collection of artworks and objects spanning several centuries of creativity. Visitors can explore paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and graphic art displayed in one of Canada’s most renowned museum settings. The collections provide an overview of art from Quebec, the rest of Canada, and abroad, while showing how styles and sensibilities have evolved. It is a place where heritage pieces and contemporary works come together in the heart of Montreal’s cultural life.
6. La Fontaine Park
La Fontaine Park offers a large breathing space in the heart of the Plateau-Mont-Royal. Visitors can explore a sequence of ponds, lawns, mature trees, and paths that create a much-loved urban landscape. The park also stands out for its place in a dense Montreal neighbourhood, where it serves as a walking area, activity spot, and place to relax. Its design shows how a large, structured park can fit into the city fabric while keeping a peaceful identity.
7. Kondiaronk Lookout
Kondiaronk Lookout offers one of Montreal’s best-known views from Mount Royal. Enjoy a sweeping panorama of downtown, major city routes and the river, with a clear view of the surrounding landscape. The attraction stands out as an observation point in Mount Royal Park, where the contrast between nature and the city is immediate. It is also prized for its open setting and iconic status when discovering Montreal.
8. Pointe-à-Callière
Pointe-à-Callière is Montreal’s museum of history and archaeology, located in the heart of Old Montreal, on the very site where the city first took shape. Visitors can explore archaeological remains showcased in an underground trail, as well as exhibits on Montreal’s history, its founding peoples, its urban development, and its maritime heritage. The museum also offers temporary exhibitions and activities for different audiences, making for an educational and immersive visit that helps you better understand the origins and identity of Quebec’s metropolis.
9. Bonsecours Market
Located in Old Montreal, Bonsecours Market is an elegant heritage building that appeals to both visitors and locals. Inside, you’ll find shops, galleries, and spaces dedicated to crafts, fashion, and local products, all in an atmosphere that is both historic and lively. The venue also regularly hosts exhibitions, cultural events, and seasonal activities. With its remarkable architecture and versatile purpose, it offers a great place to stroll, shop, and enjoy the atmosphere of Montreal’s historic downtown.
10. Montréal Science Centre
Located in Old Montreal’s Old Port, the Montreal Science Centre is an interactive museum that invites visitors of all ages to explore the big themes of science and technology. It features hands-on exhibits on space, the environment, the human body, innovation, and everyday life, with plenty of interactive displays to try. The venue also offers educational activities and IMAX screenings, making learning fun. It is an ideal visit to spark curiosity and enjoy a science experience that is accessible to everyone.
11. Biosphere of Montreal
The Montreal Biosphere is a museum dedicated to the environment and a must-see attraction in Jean-Drapeau Park, on Sainte-Hélène Island. Located inside its iconic geodesic dome, it features interactive exhibits on themes such as climate, water, biodiversity, air, and major environmental challenges. The visit offers a better understanding of the relationship between people and nature, while also enjoying remarkable views of Montreal and the Saint Lawrence River. It is an outing that is educational, fun, and inspiring.
12. Jean-Drapeau Park
Jean-Drapeau Park is a vast green space in Montreal, spread across Sainte-Hélène and Notre-Dame islands in the heart of the Saint Lawrence River. Visitors can enjoy sweeping landscapes, walking and cycling trails, beaches, relaxation areas, and numerous facilities dedicated to leisure and events. The park also hosts cultural and sporting activities throughout the year, in a natural setting that is highly appreciated by both locals and visitors. It is an iconic place to enjoy the outdoors just minutes from downtown.
13. Underground City of Montreal
Montreal's Underground City is a vast pedestrian and shopping network in the heart of downtown, linking metro stations, office towers, hotels and malls. Explore arcades, restaurants, services and convenient indoor access away from cold weather or bad weather. Popular with locals and visitors alike, it offers a uniquely Montreal urban experience, with plenty of walking, shopping and easy connections across the city without going outside.
14. The Montreal Ferris Wheel
The Great Montreal Ferris Wheel is an iconic attraction in the Old Port, offering panoramic views of downtown, the Saint Lawrence River, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Set in a lively setting, it lets visitors discover Montreal from a different perspective, both during the day and at sunset. Its enclosed cabins make the experience enjoyable in any season, while the whole site blends harmoniously into the urban and waterfront landscape. It is a popular spot to admire the city, take photos, and enjoy a relaxing moment above the bustle of the port.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
