Highlights of Montreal – What to see and do

My name is Amy, and I am the writer and founder here at www.templeseeker.com. My cultural travel blog focuses on the most amazing historical and religious sites throughout the world. I’m here today to help you to explore the highlights of Montreal. This exciting multicultural city in Canada has something for everyone from Churches and Museums to cycling and hiking. It even has it’s own Biodôme!

Bizarrely, I never actually planned to visit Montreal. I was en route to Quebec for a travel blog conference. I decided to add a stop in Montreal, simply because my flight was out of Montreal to London Heathrow. I have ZERO regrets! Montreal was simply beautiful! I am even going to put a really contraversial statement out there….I think that I actually liked Montreal more than Quebec!

Why I loved Montreal more than Quebec!

Yes, Quebec is stunningly beautiful with cobbled streets and traditional French colonial architecture. But, Montreal offers a cosmopolitan city with some stunning sites including Notre-Dame Basilica, the scenic Mount Royal Park, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the vibrant Jean-Talon Market. Montreal is relatively flat and also well-connected by the Montreal Metro, making it easily accessible for travellers without a car. It’s a city that boasts street art in an abundance of diverse neighbourhoods – Little Italy, the gay village, the Latin Quarter and one of my favourites, of course – little Portugal. I kind of feel like Quebec is a lovely place to visit, but Montreal would be a great place to live!

A Brief Introduction to Montreal – Q and A

• Where is Montreal? Montreal is located in Canada, in the province of Quebec (not to be confused with Quebec City, which is another city within the province. It sits on Montreal Island at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers.
• What language is spoken in Montreal? In Montreal, French is the main official language and the most widely spoken. However, you will probably find that most people will be bilingual, with English being used regularly.
• What is the vibe of the city like? The city is an international city, with a European feel and artsy neighbourhoods. Home to top institutions like McGill University and the Université de Montréal, Montreal is also considered a world class student city.
• When is the best time to visit Montreal? The best months to visit Montreal are June and September when it is warm and sunny but not too hot and crowded.
• What is the currency for Montreal? The currency is the Canadian dollar, and many of the coins have lovely images of Canadian animals on them (such as moose, beaver and bear) so they are very collectable! VISA and Mastercard work in Montreal and sometimes only card is accepted (no cash) so take several credit and debit cards as well as cash money.
• How long should I spend in Montreal? Although you can get the gist of the city in a weekend, I would recommend that you spend at least 3-4 days in Montreal so that you can enjoy some of the museums and other experiences such as a boat ride or the Biodôme.
• Is Montreal LGBTQI friendly? Yes, Montreal is a diverse and liberal city that welcomes LGBTQI visitors. Montreal has a gay village (Now called The Village) and hosts a massive Gay Pride celebration on an annual basis, with over 300,000 visitors to the city to celebrate!
• Is the Metro easy to use? Yes, the Montreal Metro is easy to use as it has just 4 lines – green, orange, yellow and blue. You can buy a 24 hour pass, which makes it easy to jump on and off to see the main sights such as Notre-Dame Basilica and St. Joseph’s Oratory. You can check the up to date maps and prices here on the  Société de transport de Montréal website.
• Are there hop-on and hop-off buses? Yes, and the hop-on hop-off buses are a great way to get the main sights of the city under your belt! The red line goes around the city (including Mont-Royal) and the blue includes the outskirts such as the Biosphere (not to be confused with the biodome!).

When to Visit Montreal and what is the weather like in Montreal?

Do think about the seasons and the contrasting weather in Montreal. There is a big difference between the winter and the summer temperatures, so make sure that you take the weather into considering when you book. The summer months can be really hot – around 27°C-30°C. In contrast, temperatures can fall below -10°C and -11°C in January and February! I travelled to Montreal in June and it was perfect weather! Sunny, but not too hot!

You might like to consider some of the special celebrations such as the Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs, Fête de Neige. If you are interested in any of the musical and cultural events in Montreal you can find out more here on the offical Montreal city website.

Bear in mind that the Grand Prix comes to Montreal and so you may want to plan to attend or avoid that, depending on your love for motorsports! The prices of hotels can be high in Montreal at the time of the Grand Prix, and it can be noisy as the cars that enter usually have a parade through the city!

Highlights of Montreal – At a Glance

• Churches and Cathedrals of Montreal – Don’t miss Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, Saint Joseph’s Oratory and Marie Reine du Monde Cathedral.
• Mount Royal – the triple-peaked hill in the heart of the city gives Montreal it’s name and is perfect for hiking and cycling. You can also visit on the bus tours and get excellent views of the city.
• Museums – Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Pointe-à-Callière Archeology Museum.
• Quirky Neighbourhoods – The Latin Quarter, Mile End, The Village, Little Italy, Little Portugal.
• Food and eating out – Go to Jean-Talon Market for local food tasting (poutine, maple leaf cookies and bagels). Some of my favourite restaurants in Montreal were Mechant Boeuf Bar Brasserie, Terrasse Sur l’Auberge and Restaurant Bonaparte. If you want Michelin Star, head to Damas.
• Shopping – Shoppers wanting high end and designer clothing should head to one of the malls such as Underground City or Complexe Desjardins. For boutiques with local quirky products and souvenirs go to Marché Bonsecours.

Highlights of Montreal – What to see and do in Montreal

I know that you are really eager to explore this culturally diverse French-Canadian city, so here are the best highlights of Montreal in more detail, so that you can start to plan your trip!

Dorchester Square

There are a lot of interesting things to see on Dorchester Square, a picturesque oasis of calm in the city, lined with monuments and surrounded by fabulous architecture. Don’t miss the bronze equestrian statue by George W. Hill, , the Boer War Memorial or the Sir Wilfrid Laurier monument. Amongst the most impressive buildings in this area are the Sun-Life building and the Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral (follow this link for more on the Churches of Montreal). From Dorchester square you can also catch the open top bus tour or descend into the underground shopping centres.

Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) – Town Hall and Bonsecour Market

Bonsecour market is a famous two story domed marketplace in the centre of Old-Town Montreal. It’s full of gorgeous boutique style independent shops. Historically, it was the main public market for around 100 years from 1847. It closed in 1963 but was then re-opened and renovated as a cultural space.

Notre-Dame Basilica and Place d’Armes

One of the highlights of Montreal is Notre-Dame Basilica. Take the metro to Place d’Armes to visit the Cathedral. The entrance fee is 16 CAD. Inside the Basilica, you will see a bright blue interior that is representative of Saint Chapelle in Paris. Also, take a look at the organ and the stained glass windows (which tell stories about the history of the City of Montreal). After your visit to the Basilica, be sure to check out the statues in the corners of the square – there is a man with a pug and a woman with a poodle.

Mont Royal and Saint Joseph’s Oratory

One of my favourite places to visit in Montreal is Saint Joseph’s Oratory – the largest shrine in the world dedicated to Saint Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ. Saint Joseph’s Oratory is more than just a Church it’s a place of pilgrimage. It’s actually 6 floors in total, with a votive chapel, crypt church, main shrine, original chapel, black marble tomb of Brother André Bessette and several museum exhibitions. If you would like to read more about Saint Joseph’s Oratory, you can read my blog here, or check out my YouTube video on Saint Joseph’s Oratory.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

There’s one museum that I would have loved to visit, and that is the Montreal Museum of fine arts. The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal) is one of Canada’s most impressive cultural institutions, blending classic elegance with modern creativity. Spanning several interconnected pavilions, it houses an extraordinary collection that ranges from European masters and Canadian landscapes to contemporary installations and Indigenous art. The museum also hosts world-class temporary exhibitions, often exploring themes that bridge art, history, and social change. As well as the galleries, visitors can enjoy a sculpture garden and a stylish café, which is perfect for reflecting on the city’s vibrant artistic spirit.

The Village and The Latin Quarter

The Village and the Latin Quarter are two of Montréal’s most vibrant and characterful neighbourhoods. The Village, was formerly known as the gay village, but it is now referred to simply as ‘The Village’ to be inclusive and all encompassing. It is known for its lively LGBTQ+ scene, bursts with colour, especially in summer, when Sainte-Catherine Street becomes pedestrianised and adorned with art installations and open-air cafés. The Village hosts a MASSIVE pride event with over 300,000 visitors.

Walkable from the Village is the Latin quarter, an area brimming with bohemian charm. The Latin Quarter is home to student haunts, independent bookshops, and buzzing bistros. By day, you can sip coffee on a sun-dappled terrace; by night, the area comes alive with music, theatre, and nightlife.

Shopping in Montreal

From the elegant boutiques of Rue Sainte-Catherine to the quirky vintage shops of the Plateau, the city of Montreal offers something for every style and budget. Don’t miss the underground city! Yes, Montreal has a vast network of underground shops and cafés, which are perfect for exploring during the colder months. For a touch of local creativity, browse the artisan markets in Mile End, where you’ll find handmade jewellery, art, and fashion by Montréal’s talented designers. Whether you’re after high-end fashion or unique souvenirs, shopping in Montréal is an experience as vibrant and diverse as the city itself.

Food and eating out

Go to Jean-Talon Market for local food tasting – don’t miss out on trying poutine, maple leaf cookies and Canadian bagels. In fact, one of my highlights of Montreal was eating my first poutine! Some of my favourite restaurants in Montreal were Mechant Boeuf Bar Brasserie, Terrasse Sur l’Auberge and Restaurant Bonaparte. If you want Michelin Star, then head to Damas or Europea for a first class experience.

• Le Club Chasse et Pêche – A top-tier fine dining spot in Old Montreal. Romantic, elegant, excellent cuisine and service make it a perfect splurge.
• Europea (Jérôme Ferrer – Europea) – Michelin-starred, blending French technique with top-quality Québec ingredients; superb atmosphere for a refined meal.
• Hoogan & Beaufort – Modern, creative cooking with strong respect for local produce; also known for a great wine list.
• Vin Mon Lapin – Chic but playful; fun design and excellent food. Loved for its wine pairings and inventive dishes.
• Bouillon Bilk – Excellent choice for fine food without being overly formal; stylish interior, top quality plates.
• Beba – If you like something different, this Argentine-Jewish fusion restaurant in Verdun has been praised highly; flavourful, creative, and less traditional but very well done.
• Mastard – A newcomer that’s already turned heads; Michelin starred, bold, precise, with a strong tasting-menu experience.
• Sabayon – Known for a delicate touch in its cooking, especially with vegetables and fruit, with minimal meat; also Michelin recognised.

Highlights of Montreal – Conclusions and Further Reading

I hope that you enjoyed reading about the highlights of Montreal. There are so many amazing things in this city, that I couldn’t include them all on this blog, so feel free to comment or message me if you’d like to know more. I have several videos on my YouTube channel about Montreal including Montreal: The best weekend getaway that you didn’t know about and my first day riding the Montreal Metro: Will I survive?!