Join in a mid-day Zoomba dance work-out in some Montreal plazas; (c) Montreal Tourism
Welcome to Montreal
Located in the province of Quebec, Montréal is an island, like New York City, and is a big draw for people from all over the world. As the cultural capital of Canada, it possesses a distinctive European flair and is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, diverse population, and rich history.
Over 58% of the population speaks French and English, and you’ll find large contingents of Africans, Latin Americans, Italians, Asians, Spanish, and other cultures speaking their native languages. Although French is the official language, English is widely spoken as well. Residents in Montréal proper number approximately 1,895,000 with an estimated 4,342,000 throughout the metropolitan area (2024 figures).
Its setting is simply stunning, surrounded by the St. Lawrence River which serves as the primary drainage outflow of the Great Lakes. Due to its location, Montréal is a major port city, where over 25 million tons of cargo passes through it each year. It is also reportedly one of the world’s most heavily used international trade routes.
River cruises are also very popular along the St. Lawrence, as are boating, kayaking, waterskiing, and other recreational sports and activities.
A carriage ride on Commune Street next to Bonsecours Market; (c) Montreal Tourism
The Old Port of Montréal (Vieux-Port de Montréal) is one of the most popular spots in the city for both residents and visitors alike. Lined with picturesque greenways, a large public market, tourist attractions, restaurants, and amazing water views, it is a great place to visit almost year-round.
Iconic structures exemplifying some of the most beautiful architecture in the world can be found all over the city. This includes Notre Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal), Montréal City Hall (Hotel De Ville de Montréal), the headquarters of the Bank of Montréal, Church of Our Lady of Defense (Chiesa della Madonna della Difesa), Montréal Contemporary Art Museum (Musée D’Art Contemporain de Montréal), and the Montréal Biosphere (Biosphère de Montréal), just to name a few.
One of the most spectacular spots in Montréal is Mount Royal. The city’s namesake hill is designated as a park space and designed by the same architect of Central Park in New York – Frederick Law Olmsted. Walking, hiking, biking, ice skating, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, and snowshoeing are just some of the activities enjoyed here.
If you love performance and visual arts, you’ll find everything from museums to the symphony, opera, major annual festivals, comedy shows, theatre companies, dance companies, classical concerts, and more. And the world’s largest cultural enterprise is also here—Cirque du Soleil—which originated in a small town near Quebec City.
There is so much to see, do, eat, and enjoy here, that a visit to Montréal must be on your travel itinerary!
Witness a Cirque du Soleil street performance;(c) Montreal Tourism
Attractions
Aside from its excellent collection of museums, consider these Montreal attractions.
Bonsecours Market
DESCRIPTION: Inaugurated in 1847, Bonsecours Market “Marché Bonsecours” is one of Canada’s ten finest heritage buildings. More importantly for tourists, it is an essential stop in Old Montréal.
PHONE: 514-872-7730
WEBSITE: https://www.marchebonsecours.qc.ca/en
Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
DESCRIPTION: Montreal’s oldest Catholic church; The first chapel was destroyed in a fire in 1754. The current chapel was rebuilt in 1773. It also contains the Tomb of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys.
PHONE: 514-282-8670
WEBSITE: https://www.faithfullpod.com/montreals-oldest-church-our-lady-of-good-help-notre-dame-de-bon-secours/
Mount Royal Park
DESCRIPTION: Inaugurated in 1876, the park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It is an ideal site for admiring a wide variety of plants and birds or for enjoying outdoor activities.
PHONE: 514-843-8240
WEBSITE: https://olmsted.org/sites/mount-royal/
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal
DESCRIPTION: Located in historic Old Montreal, .the church is situated next to the Saint-Sulpice Seminary and faces a popular public plaza — Place d’Armes.
PHONE: 514-735-1361
WEBSITE: https://www.basiliquenddm.org/en
Old Port of Montréal
DESCRIPTION: A delightful hodgepodge of museums, pools, Ferris Wheel, ziplines, and concert venue to lift your spirits.
PHONE: 514-496-7678
WEBSITE: https://www.oldportofmontreal.com
Bibliothèque et Archives Nationale du Québec
DESCRIPTION: Bibliothèque Nationale du Québec merged with the Grande Bibliothèque du Québec in 2002. Another merger, the National Archives of Québec and the National Library of Québec in 2006, was formed to broaden heritage materials in this a national public library.
ADDRESS: 475, boulevard De Maisonneuve Est, Montréal
PHONE: 514-873-9312
WEBSITE: https://www.banq.qc.ca/accueil
Olympic Park
DESCRIPTION: Built for the 1976 Summer Olympics, the park and stadium remain vibrant city assets for sporting events, concerts and family fun.
PHONE: 877-997-0919
WEBSITE: https://parcolympique.qc.ca/en/
Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier National Historic Site of Canada
DESCRIPTION: Located at Old Montréal at the corner of the prestigious Notre Dame and Berri streets, the Sir George Étienne Cartier National Historic Site is a surprising national heritage treasure.
PHONE: 514-283-2282
WEBSITE: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/etiennecartier
Auberge de Jeunesse Hi-Montréal
DESCRIPTION: A good resource to find hostels in the city.
PHONE: 514-843-3317
WEBSITE: https://www.hostellingMontréal.com
Vieux-Montréal
DESCRIPTION: Get a sense for all the old neighborhoods in the city.
WEBSITE: https://www.vieux.Montréal.qc.ca/eng/accueila.html