| You haven’t been to Montreal if… FOOD – You haven’t tried poutine! ATTRACTIONS – You haven’t been to the top of Mont Royal! SOUVENIRS – You haven’t packed some excellent maple syrup! |
Table of Contents
Introduction
Another conference and another opportunity to visit a wonderful new city! This time, we’re going to Canada and more precisely to Montreal, the largest and most populous city in Quebec. In this article, we’re going to discover this interesting metropolis overlooking the banks of the Saint Lawrence river and find out what to see in Montreal in 2 days.
Although the conference lasted for a week, I still managed to find time to visit the city of Montreal during my spare time. In this article, you have all the information to plan the best possible itinerary for your trip.
If you’ve already had the pleasure of visiting Montreal, we’d love for you to share your favourite spots in the comments! Your recommendations will help other readers plan their dream trip to Montreal.
When to go to Montreal
The great thing about Montreal is that you can choose the date to visit to suit your personal preferences! However, the most popular seasons to visit the city are summer and autumn, when the city is at its most vibrant and beautiful! The summer months (June to September) are a wonderful time to visit Montreal.
The weather is typically warm and pleasant, with average temperatures around 20-25 degrees. This season, Montreal comes alive with a whole host of fantastic festivals, outdoor events, concerts and cultural activities.
Autumn (September to November) is an absolutely amazing time to visit Montreal, especially to admire the bright colours of the foliage. The temperatures are starting to cool down, but it’s still a great time to visit! Expect temperatures to fluctuate between 10 and 20 degrees.
However, winter in Montreal is a whole other story! Despite the same latitude as Milan, temperatures can drop to below zero (even -25°C!!!) and there’s plenty of heavy snowfall. The city administration has built an incredible system of tunnels and underground pedestrian passages that connect many buildings in the city centre over time.
This incredible underground city, known as RÉSO, is a fantastic way for citizens to get around during Montreal’s freezing winter months. The tunnels are filled with shops, restaurants, offices, malls and subway stations, allowing people to navigate the city safely and conveniently, even in the worst weather!
How to get to Montreal
If you’re trying to get to Canada from Europe, you’re in luck! It’s a very convenient journey. Air Canada, the Canadian national airline, offers direct flights to Montreal from various European cities such as Milan, Paris and London, so you can be sure of a smooth and comfortable journey!
Air Transat, an airline based in Montreal, also offers direct flights from Europe, although the quality of the flight is slightly lower than Air Canada.
Once you’ve landed at the Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, you’ll find there are plenty of ways to get into the city centre (click here). The 747 bus is a great option, running 24/7 and costing just 9$ per person. Alternatively, you can hail a taxi or Uber, which will cost you around $50 on average.
How to get around in the city
The transportation system in Montreal is absolutely one of the best in North America! The metro is made up of four main lines that cover most of the city, and the stations often feature distinctive designs, making the journey an experience in itself!
And when the metro doesn’t suit your needs, the buses will take you where you need to go! And there are so many bus lines, all over the city, including night service! Montreal is building a network of light trains called REM (Réseau express métropolitain), which is currently under construction. The REM will connect Montreal to the entire metropolitan area, offering rapid and efficient transport.
The best way to use the public transportation system in Montreal is to purchase tickets directly at subway stations, at automatic kiosks or via the STM (local public transportation company) mobile app. In any case, I highly recommend downloading the MonTransit app to have bus timetables and lines at your fingertips!
And there’s more! Montreal has an extensive system of cycle paths that allows you to cycle throughout the city, thanks to the numerous bike-sharing services present.
What to see in Montreal in 2 days: our recommended itinerary
Day 1 – Historic centre, old port (Vieux-port) and Plateau Mont-Royal
As soon as you arrive in Montreal, you’ve got to head straight for the historic centre of the city! You’ll be blown away by the sheer number of traces of French domination left in the city. The square and main street of Montreal, Place Jacques-Cartier and Rue Saint Paul, are particularly impressive. They’re full of architectural elements that recall France, from the cobblestone paving to the beautiful buildings.
Wherever your hotel is, hop on the metro and get off at Place d’Armes, the closest stop to the city centre. From there, continue up the climb that leads you to the square with the same name. You’ll be amazed by the magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica, which at first glance resembles its Parisian sister.
This magnificent building is one of Montreal’s most iconic landmarks. Its interior is a sight to behold, boasting splendid Gothic architecture and awe-inspiring stained glass windows. It’s a must-see! Adult tickets cost around $12, while children aged 6 to 16 pay approx. $9. Kids under 6 get in free! Click here for timetables and reservations.
After leaving the Basilica, you simply have to treat yourself to a mid-morning (very sweet) snack at Le Petit Dep – Café et épicerie fine. This place is absolutely gorgeous, and you’ll be blown away by the incredible selection of local sweets! It’s just a few steps from the church entrance (461 St Sulpice St, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2V8, Canada).
Once you continue your journey, head along Rue de Notre Dame in east direction and after a few hundred metres, you will see on your left first the courthouse and then the city’s majestic town hall (Hotel de Ville). Between these two buildings is Place Vauquelin, which is well worth exploring. Follow it to the end and you will find yourself in the Champs-de-Mars, a large city park.
As you head back along Place Vauquelin, you’ll come across the magnificent monument to Admiral Nelson, marking the start of the city’s main square, Place Jacques-Cartier. This is a truly beautiful area, full of picturesque restaurants and always buzzing with tourists from all over the world.
The final part of the square is crossed entirely by Rue Saint Paul, the most important and tourist street in Montreal. You absolutely have to explore this amazing street in its entire 2 km length, in both directions! Place Jacques-Cartier divides the road into Rue Saint Paul Ouest and Rue Saint Paul Est.
At the end of Rue Saint Paul Est, you’ll find the incredible Bonsecours market, a truly iconic place in Old Montreal. This magnificent neoclassical style building was constructed in 1847 and originally served as a public market where citizens came to purchase fresh produce.
Inside the market, you’ll find a treasure trove of shops offering a wide range of products, from crafts, clothing, jewellery and souvenirs. And there’s more! Several art galleries also feature exhibitions by local and international artists.
For lunch, you simply have to try Poutine, one of the most delicious culinary symbols of Montreal and Quebec, in one of the many restaurants in the area. It’s a delicious combination of French fries, cheddar cheese and gravy (a delicious meat-based sauce).
The traditional way to make poutine is to use fresh, hand-cut potatoes for the chips, melt cheese on top of the chips while they’re still warm, and then pour gravy over the top.
The combination of crispy potatoes, stringy cheese and hot sauce creates a substantial dish that locals absolutely love, and tourists (my opinion!) just have to try! You simply have to try it at least once to experience the true Québécoise cuisine!
After lunch, head to the old port, just a few minutes from Rue Saint Paul, and take a long walk along the Promenade du Vieux-Port to work off the poutine and enjoy the incredible view of the riverside.
Each dock overlooking the Saint Lawrence is home to a unique attraction. The Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal (main pier) is home to the cruise terminal and the observation tower, a strange glass building with a panoramic view of the entire city port.
King Edward Quay is home to the Science Center, while Quai Jacques-Cartier (a continuation of the homonymous square) is home to Cirque du Soleil, a world-famous circus company that has its roots in Montreal, with its permanent headquarters.
If you’re looking for something fun for the kids, head east of Quai Jacques-Cartier and you’ll find a whole series of amazing attractions! The Voiles en Voiles pirate theme park (with a ropes course), the big Ferris wheel, the Tyrolienne MTL Zipline and the SOS Labyrinthe (an indoor playground) are just a few of the fantastic things to do.
As the sun sets, it’s time to hop on the metro and head back to Place d’Armes. From there, you’ll make a few stops and get off at Mont-Royal (orange line, direction Montmorency). And there you are in the Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood, a bohemian area known for its boutiques, cafés and trendy restaurants.
The main street of the neighbourhood is the fantastic Rue de Mont-Royal, which you can take as soon as you exit the metro station. Along this street, which becomes completely pedestrian in summer, you will find an infinite number of bars where you can stop for a drink or dinner.
We’ve got a fantastic recommendation for dinner: Smash Burger Steakhouse (2000 Mont-Royal Ave E, Montreal, Quebec H2H 1J6, Canada). It’s an all-wood restaurant with a typically mountain air, and the burgers are to die for!
Day 2 – Mont-Royal Hill and Quartier de Spectacles
Start the second day in the best possible way with a visit to another iconic Montreal spot (which even gives it its name), the Mont-Royal hill. You’ll be blown away by the breathtaking panoramic view of the city!
The best way to reach the summit (just 233 metres) is by taking a leisurely stroll through the park. You’ll get to admire the famous Beaver Lake (an artificial lake built, according to legend, from the removal of a beaver dam) along the way.
Alternatively, hop on bus 11, which will take you to the Remembrance / Du Chalet stop. From there, it’s just a short 8-minute walk to the summit! Once you’ve reached the summit, you’ll be treated to a truly spectacular view of the city from two different vantage points.
The Kondiaronk viewpoint is the most breathtaking, offering unparalleled vistas of the St. Lawrence River and the Montreal skyline in a southerly direction. Alternatively, the Camillien-Houde viewpoint offers a unique eastward perspective of the city.
And there’s more! At the Kondiaronk viewpoint, you’ll find the famous Chalet du Mont-Royal, a historic building that houses the information centre and a refreshment point where you can relax and enjoy a panoramic view.
You can spend the afternoon in the cultural centre of the city, the Quartier des Spectacles, where you’ll find a buzzing atmosphere and a plethora of attractions. Get off the metro at Place-des-Arts station and get lost in the shopping streets around there! You’ll find some great shopping spots, especially in Rue de Sainte-Catherine and Place des Festivals, the true beating hearts of Montreal.
For dinner, we highly recommend returning to the old city. If you’re looking for an excellent steak, then Mignon Steak Vieux-Montreal (101 Saint-Paul St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1Z5, Canada) is the place to go. It’s the best in town!
Otherwise, if you’re looking for a cool place to drink craft beer and eat Greek food, then the Marché des Éclusiers (400 De la Commune St W, Montreal, Quebec H3C 0N8, Canada) is the perfect spot.
Possible day 3 – Museum of Fine Arts, Botanical Gardens and Jean Talon Market
If you have an extra day at your disposal, you can dedicate it to visiting the remaining attractions and making the most of your time!
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is home to an incredible collection of Canadian and international artworks, showcasing everything from old masters to contemporary artists.
The Botanical Gardens are a real treat for the senses! They feature a wide range of plants and flowers from around the world, and are divided into different themes, such as the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden and Butterfly Garden.
And finally, the Jean-Talon Market, in the Little Italy neighbourhood, is one of the largest food markets in North America and is a fantastic place to buy fresh produce, cheeses, breads, cured meats and much more!
We’d love to hear your ideas for more things to do in Montreal in an extra-day! Please share them in the comments!
How much do you spend?
There’s no way you can think of leaving for Canada and spending only two or three days in Montreal before returning home! A weekend of this type is the perfect opportunity to combine with a holiday in Canada of one or more weeks. Or, as we said at the beginning, it can represent an excellent opportunity in the event of a long-term stopover here!
In any case, here are the main expense items you’ll need to budget for if you’re spending two days in Montreal. I’ve also included the average cost of a flight from Europe and travel insurance.
The costs incurred are as follows:
- Direct flight from Europe: approx. 1.200$
- 2 nights in a 3-star hotel: approx. 370$ (in summer)
- Transports (2 all-inclusive bus tickets + daily metro): 16$
- Food (22$ on average per meal): approx. 86$
Conclusions
You simply have to visit Montreal! The largest city in Quebec has so much to offer tourists who include it in their itinerary as a stop on a tour of eastern Canada.
Many tourists combine it with a visit to Quebec City, Ottawa and Toronto (read here for Toronto and Niagara Falls!), or follow a long stopover before embarking for a new destination even further west.
Whatever your reason for visiting, Montreal will delight you with its European ambience, a legacy of its past, combined with the spaces and way of life typical of large North American cities.
We’re here to help! Please don’t hesitate to write any questions in the comments. We’re so happy to answer you as soon as we can!
