Montreal is definitely a top city to in North America and if you’re asking whether Montreal is worth visiting, the answer is absolutely YES! This Montreal itinerary will guide you on exactly how to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
A visit to Canada is not complete without visiting this historical city. There is a lot to see and do in Montreal. This is a local’s guide to the city, including the best things to do.
So, keep reading if you’re planning a 4-day trip to Montreal to make the best use of your time.
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Want to book the perfect Montreal getaway? Use the tools below for the to plan a perfect trip!
Book hotels: booking.com | tripadvisor.com
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Car rental: rentalcars.com
Montreal Tours: viator.com | getyourguide.com
Digital & Printable Travel Planners: Pack and Jet shop on Etsy
You might also want to read:
TOP OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES TO DO IN MONTREAL THIS SUMMER
BEST AREA TO STAY IN MONTREAL
Table of Contents
How many days should I spend in Montreal?
There is a lot to enjoy in Montreal, starting with the historical sites, museums, and top rated restaurants. It is also the city to be in for festivals – both in the summer and winter!
Montreal is a very walkable city. There is also an underground path connecting different parts of the city, for those colder days. The Metro and bus systems connect popular parts of the island efficiently. In the summer, rent a BIXI bike and make your way around town using the many bike paths.
As a local, I recommend a minimum of 3 days but would say 4 days is best to perfectly capture the vibes of the city, see everything and try all the food possible at a relaxed pace.
When is the best time to visit Montreal?
For best weather and to enjoy all the activities – I recommend visiting between the months of May and September. During these months, the city comes to life more than ever and festival season begins.
Where to stay Montreal?
There are many different neighbourhoods within the city with each offering something different.
To have the best access to all the sights, I recommend staying in the Old Port or Downtown areas. This will ensure you make the most your short stay.
Check out my post on best neighourhoods, which includes the best hotels in each of these areas to choose where to stay during your trip.
Check out hotel options in Montreal. Make sure to book your hotel in advance, especially in the high season to avoid losing out on the best rooms.
What not to miss in Montreal?
Here is a summary of the top things you should not miss when visiting Montreal:
- Old Port – The European charm and the lively cobblestone streets and cool vibes of Old Montreal are not to be missed
- Quartier des Spectacles – This is where many events are held throughout the summer. Check out the schedule of events to see what events correspond with your visit.
- Mont-Royal – Hike up Mont-Royal and enjoy the wonderful views of the city (if you’re not up for the hike up, you can also drive or take a bus).
- Atwater and/or Jean-Talon Market – For a real Montreal local experience, taste fresh local products and delicacies.
- EAT at some of the best restaurants in the city. As a foodie, I cannot emphasize enough how diverse and delicious food in Montreal can be. Look for links to some of my favorite spots in this post.
The perfect 4-day Montreal itinerary
DAY 1: Discover Old Montreal
Start your first day by exploring the Old Port. Here is where you will feel you’re no longer in Canada, as you walk through the cobblestone streets lined with shops and restaurants. Head into the different art galleries and enjoy the French culture throughout these streets. In the summer, you will find many people enjoying the music and performances on Place Jacques-Cartier.
Visit the Notre-Dame Basilica – One of the most beautiful churches in North America – Take a guided tour to learn about the history and architecture of the basilica. For an extra special experience, purchase tickets for The AURA Experience to enjoy a multimedia display of dynamic light playing harmoniously with orchestral music inside the church!
Pro tip: If you want to enjoy a unique experience, check out OASIS IMMERSION. This show has exhibitions inspired by people, places and ideas and it’s a very cool experience for both adults and kids. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
From here, take a short walk to the Clock Tower (and Clock Tower beach for the summer days). You can climb the 192 steps of the Clock Tower to experience some of the most impressive views of Montreal and the St. Lawrence River. If you are visiting in the warm months of summer, relax and sunbathe on the lounge chairs on the soft sand at the man-made beach, which is a great treat in middle of the city.
One of the best ways to learn more about the city is to do a walking tour through the Old Port to learn more about the history. Choose one of these great guided tours:
Once you have explored the Old Port – if you’re not too tired yet, take a short walk up St. Laurent street and you will arrive in China Town. Walk along Rue De La Gauchetière where all the Chinese shops and restaurants will make you crave a nice meal.
For a more more relaxing option, go to Bota Bota – a floating Scandinavian-inspired spa on the St. Lawrence river, right in the Old Port. Another good option for a Thermal spa is Strom Nordic Spa. Just outside of heart of the city, you will find yourself at a peaceful hideaway. Buy your tickets and reserve your spot in advance to avoid disappointment.
If you love to relax at Scandinavian spas, check out my post on top Nordic Spas near Montreal. These will make for a perfect extension to your Montreal trip beyond the city.
Enjoy the evening by the water. Indulge in a perfect meal at one of the wonderful Old Port restaurants. Take a stroll and enjoy the many activities and events Montreal has to offer and see the city as it lights up for the night. For amazing views of the Old Port, end your night with a ride on the Ferris wheel.
DAY 2: Explore Downtown Montreal
On the second day, spend some time exploring downtown, Montreal. Walk along St. Catherine street to explore all the stores and the many shopping malls. Check out Crescent Street, where you will find many bars and restaurants with terrasses along the street.
If you like museums, visit the MAC (Contemporary Art Museum of Montreal), or Musée des Beaux-Arts. This is one of the largest museums in Canada. The museum has an extensive collection of art from around the world.
While you are downtown, also visit the beautiful Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral. This is a 19th-century church modeled after the famous St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
From downtown, you can also either bike or walk to Lachine Canal and check out the Atwater Market. There is a beautiful bike bath along the canal that takes you from Old Port to the Atwater Market (and beyond) with views of the city and Mont-Royal. The paths along the Canal have a cool, vibrant energy as everyone picnics and enjoys the green spaces.
If you’re into exploring the city on a bike (or an electric bike), opt to do a tour such as the Montreal City Architecture Guided Bike Tour.
Enjoy a nice dinner at one of the restaurants in Griffintown or St.Henri – some of the best in Montreal in my possible biased opinion. You can find some suggestions in the list of best romantic restaurants in Montreal or restaurants out of town visitors must try.
To have a fun night out, check out what events there may be at Quartier des Spectacles. The most popular Montreal events such as the Montreal Jazz Festival are held here. Enjoy a great night of music and dancing during the festival season (July & August).
DAY 3: Enjoy the great outdoors
The third day can be spent enjoying the nature and the green spaces in Montreal. For a morning stroll, go up to Mont-Royal to see some of the best views of the Montreal skyline from above the “mountain”. This is one of the best highlights of any Montreal itinerary.
There are multiple viewpoints, and two of them are Camilien-Houde Belvedere and Kondiaronk Belvedere. With the most popular being the latter. This is especially beautiful during the Autumn, when the colours of the leaves change. Also beautiful during the spring when the tulips are in full bloom.
There are a few hiking trails on the mountain. You can also picnic around Beaver Lake. If you visit in the winter, have a real Canadian experience and go ice skating at Beaver Lake.
From here, head over to St. Joseph’s Oratory – Canada’s largest church! The Oratory is also the highest building in Montreal, and it actually breaks the law because of its height. This is one the best spots to watch the sunset. Make sure to time your visit to enjoy a beautiful view.
Fun fact: The municipal building code of Montreal limits the height of any building, including skyscrapers, from surpassing the height of Mount Royal.
To enjoy more of the green spaces and nature parks around Montreal, visit Parc La Fontaine. Take the perfect evening stroll around the park and the lake here. Bonus tip: Grab a poutine from La Banquise (a must try!) and enjoy it in the park.
In the evening, check out Les Jardins Gamelin – A space created to enjoy the summer with diverse nightly musical programs and dancing.
DAY 4: Explore trendy neighbourhoods
For your last day on this 4-day Montreal itinerary, take the time to explore the trendy and hip neighbourhoods of Plateau Mont-Royal, Little Italy and Mile end.
The Plateau neighbourhood is one that architecture enthusiasts will love. The streets are lined with charming, and colourful historical buildings, many with the famous spiral staircases. Visit Saint-Louis Square, which was created in 1876.
Here you will also find some wonderful street art and can even enjoy the Mural Festival in the summer if you plan to be there at that time. A cool way to experience everything is to go on a guided tour of Montreal’s murals or explore on your own. Here is a great interactive map of all of the Montreal Murals: https://muralfestival.com/festival/dynamic-map/
Other sites to not miss on your itinerary:
In little Italy, visit Jean Talon Market – one of the city’s largest farmers’ markets – and sample fresh, Quebec produce, including artisanal cheese, produce, and baked goods. If you are a foodie like me, then you might want to join a food tour, which comes highly recommended.
Visit the Montreal Botanical Garden and stroll through the various gardens, including the Chinese and Japanese Gardens. The garden also features a greenhouse with exotic plants and a butterfly exhibit.
If you have more time, visit the Olympic Stadium and the Biodome in the same neighbourhood.
In the summer, the Olympic Park Esplanade has many outdoor events. Make sure to check out their website for the schedule.
The Biodome has recreated four ecosystems: the Tropical Rainforest, the Laurentian Maple Forest, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Sub-Antarctic Islands. Each exhibiting animals, plants, and simulated weather conditions of the respective ecosystem.
For the foodies:
Throughout the time you are sightseeing, make sure to visit as many trendy Montreal restaurants as you can. This for me makes the city very special. Some of the best chefs have restaurants all around the city and I am sure you will not be disappointed with what they offer.
To get the real foodie experience, you can also choose to go on a local food tour. Here is a private one that may suite you. If you’re a fan of beer, do a Montreal craft beer guided tour.
Final Thoughts:
If you enjoy good food, good art, good festivals then you will love this city. The charm and vibe of the city is definitely different than any other North American city. With this 4 day Montreal itinerary, you will be able to see the main sights and enjoy the all the things the city has to offer.
If you’re visiting Montreal in the summer and looking to enjoy the outdoors, here is a list of activities that can help you take full advantage of what this city has to offer.
Travel tip: You can buy a MTL Passport which allows you to visit up to 28 of Montreal’s must-see attractions at great rates, including public transit.
For the perfect adventure, you can combine this Montreal itinerary with a road trip to Quebec City and even beyond. Lastly, you can also book one of these tours to further discover Montreal.
