Montréal 7-day itinerary

Begin at Place d'Armes in the heart of Old Montréal. Enter the Notre-Dame Basilica (C$18) for its breathtaking neo-Gothic interior — blue vaulting, thousands of gold stars, and stained glass depicting Montréal's history. Walk Rue Saint-Paul past stone buildings, art galleries, and the Bonsecours Market. Coffee and pastry at Olive + Gourmando (C$5–8) before crowds arrive.

Explore the Old Port waterfront — rent a Bixi bike (C$6 day pass) and ride to the Clock Tower for harbour views. Visit Pointe-à-Callière (C$27), Montréal's archaeology museum built over the city's actual birthplace — you walk through excavated ruins beneath the building. Lunch at Marché Atwater with charcuterie, artisan cheese, and fresh bread from the market vendors.

Dinner at Modavie on Rue Saint-Paul — live jazz nightly with Mediterranean mains (C$22–35). Or keep it budget at Koa Lua for poke bowls (C$15–18). Walk the illuminated cobblestone streets — Old Montréal transforms at night with atmospheric lighting on heritage buildings. End at Philémon Bar for cocktails (C$14–18) or Auberge Saint-Gabriel, one of the oldest inns in North America.

Hike up Mont Royal from Avenue des Pins — the forested trail takes 20 minutes and emerges at the Kondiaronk Belvedere with a panoramic view over downtown, the Saint Lawrence, and beyond. Walk around Beaver Lake (Lac aux Castors) and through the sculpture garden. On Sundays from May to September, the Tam-Tams drum circle at the monument below draws hundreds of locals.

Walk down to Mile End — Montréal's creative epicentre. Grab a wood-fired bagel at St-Viateur Bagel (C$1.25, open 24/7). Browse Drawn & Quarterly bookshop, dig through vinyl at Phonopolis, and walk the mural alleys. Lunch at Wilensky's Light Lunch — same pressed salami sandwich since 1932 (C$5.25). Walk to the Rialto Theatre on Avenue du Parc for the stunning art deco facade.

Dinner at Le Cornichon for inventive BYOB bistro fare (mains C$18–26, bring wine from a dépanneur for C$10–15). Or try Damas for upscale Syrian cuisine (C$20–35). After dinner, walk to Dieu du Ciel! on Laurier for world-class Québécois craft beers — the Péché Mortel espresso stout is legendary (pints C$8–10). Bar Waverly and Bily Kun round out the Mile End nightlife scene.

Walk the residential streets of the Plateau to see Montréal's iconic colourful spiral staircases — Rue Drolet, Rue De Bullion, and Rue Berri have the most photogenic examples. Brunch at L'Avenue on Avenue du Mont-Royal (C$16–22) — legendary portions, quirky decor, and a queue that moves fast. The Plateau has more murals per block than almost any neighbourhood in North America.

Relax at Parc La Fontaine — the Plateau's answer to Central Park with a lake, fountains, and Montréalers lounging on the grass. In summer, free outdoor theatre performances happen here. Walk south on Rue Saint-Denis — the French-language cultural corridor with indie cinemas, bookstores, terrasses (patios), and the Quartier Latin around UQAM university.

The essential Montréal meal: poutine at La Banquise, open 24 hours with 30+ varieties (C$10–16). The classic is perfect, but La T-Rex with ground beef and bacon is the crowd favourite. After dinner, the Plateau bar scene stretches along Mont-Royal and Saint-Laurent — Le Réservoir for rooftop beers, Casa del Popolo for live indie music (often free), and Apt. 200 for dancing.

Metro to Jean-Talon for Montréal's largest public market. Stalls overflow with Québec cheeses, seasonal produce, maple products, and spices. Breakfast here is a ritual — crêpes at a vendor stall, fresh fruit, espresso from Café Italia on the corner. Stock up on maple syrup (C$8–12 per can) and local cheese for picnics. The market has been running since 1933.

Walk through Little Italy along Dante Street past Italian delis, gelaterias, and espresso bars that have been here for decades. Madonna della Difesa church has a remarkable fresco. Continue to Rosemont — an up-and-coming neighbourhood with excellent coffee at Dispatch, vintage shops on Masson Street, and a genuine local feel tourists rarely experience.

Montréal's craft beer scene rivals Portland and Brussels. Start at Vices & Versa on Boulevard Saint-Laurent for 40 Québécois beers on tap (pints C$8–10). Dinner at a Rosemont BYOB — Ma Poule Mouillée for Portuguese chicken (C$12–16, cash only, bring wine) or Hoogan et Beaufort for refined Québécois cuisine. Walk off dinner through Parc Molson.

The MMFA (C$24, free under 21) on Sherbrooke Street is one of Canada's finest museums — five pavilions spanning Canadian and international art, decorative arts, and world cultures. The Québécois and Inuit art collections are unique to this museum. Allow 2–3 hours. Walk the Golden Square Mile neighbourhood around the museum — Montréal's wealthiest Victorian-era district.

Descend into the RÉSO — Montréal's famous underground city connecting 33km of tunnels, shopping centres, metro stations, and office buildings. Enter at Place Ville Marie and walk underground to the Eaton Centre, Complexe Desjardins, and Place des Arts. Emerge in Chinatown for lunch — Nouilles de Lan Zhou for hand-pulled noodles (C$12–15) or dim sum at Maison Kam Fung.

Place des Arts and the surrounding Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal's cultural hub — check for free outdoor concerts, projections, and installations (especially during festival season). Dinner at Bouillon Bilk (tasting menu C$75 or à la carte from C$18) or keep it budget at Restaurant LOV for plant-based mains (C$16–22). The neighbourhood lights up with interactive art installations after dark.

Rent a Bixi and ride the Lachine Canal bike path — a flat, scenic 14km route from Old Port to Lachine through post-industrial landscapes, parks, and waterside cafes. Stop at Marché Atwater for a pastry and coffee. The canal is lined with converted warehouses now housing lofts, galleries, and restaurants. This is Montréal's most pleasant long ride.

Griffintown is Montréal's fastest-changing neighbourhood — old Irish working-class district now filled with condos, brewpubs, and restaurants. Walk the streets between Notre-Dame and the canal for enormous murals from the annual MURAL festival. Lunch at Joe Beef (C$25–40 for lunch, far cheaper than dinner) or Satay Brothers for Singaporean street food (C$14–18).

Walk to Saint-Henri — Montréal's brewery district. Tour McAuslan Brewing (home of St-Ambroise, free samples) or grab flights at the Atwater Cocktail Club. Dinner at Elena in Saint-Henri for wood-fired pizzas (C$18–22) or Manitoba for creative small plates. The neighbourhood has a gritty charm that feels authentically Montréal — old brick factories, dive bars, and community gardens.

Metro to Pie-IX for the Olympic Park area. The Montreal Botanical Garden (C$22.25, one of the world's largest) has 75 hectares of thematic gardens including a stunning Japanese garden and Chinese garden with miniature landscapes. The Biodôme (C$22.25) recreates four ecosystems under one roof. A combo ticket covers both for C$40.

Metro to Beaudry for Le Village — Montréal's vibrant LGBTQ+ neighbourhood, welcoming to everyone. Walk under the famous rainbow ball canopy on Sainte-Catherine Street East. Lunch at a BYOB restaurant — Khyber Pass for Afghan cuisine (mains C$14–20) or Le Petit Alep for Syrian dishes (C$16–22). Browse the vintage shops on Amherst Street (now called Atateken).

No trip to Montréal is complete without smoked meat at Schwartz's Deli on Boulevard Saint-Laurent (C$12–15 for the classic medium-fat sandwich, cash only). The queue is part of the experience — it moves faster than it looks. Final drinks at Furco on Sainte-Catherine for cocktails (C$14–16) or one last round at your favourite Plateau bar.