Things to Do in Montréal: Old Montréal, Mount Royal and Markets
What to do in Montréal by area: Notre-Dame Basilica, Pointe-à-Callière, Mount Royal, the Plateau, Mile End bagels and Jean-Talon, with closing days.
What's on in Montréal: November 2026 · December 2026 · January 2027 · February 2027 · March 2027 · April 2027 · May 2027 · June 2027 · July 2027 · August 2027 · September 2027 · October 2027
Old Montréal and the Old Port are named by every one of the 19 guides read, and Mount Royal (18), Notre-Dame Basilica (17), the Plateau and Mile End (15) and the Botanical Garden (15) follow. Jean-Talon market (13), the Underground City (12) and the Olympic Park (12) come next. The picks below run from the most named to the least. Opening hours, prices and closing days come from each place’s own site, and where a site didn’t give a fact it’s left out. Prices are adult prices in Canadian dollars. Every place is on the map.
The short list for a first visit
| Do this | Where | Named by |
|---|---|---|
| Walk Old Montréal and the Old Port | Old Montréal | 19 of 19 |
| Climb Mount Royal to the Kondiaronk Lookout | Mount Royal | 18 of 19 |
| See Notre-Dame Basilica | Old Montréal | 17 of 19 |
| Eat and wander the Plateau and Mile End | Plateau | 15 of 19 |
| The Botanical Garden | Olympic Park | 15 of 19 |
| Marché Jean-Talon | Little Italy | 13 of 19 |
| The Underground City | Downtown | 12 of 19 |
| The Biodôme and Olympic Park | East end | 12 of 19 |
What’s on this weekend and this month
Most guides can’t tell you this part. Roam Montréal reads concert, theatre, festival and sports calendars from the venues and organisers themselves and puts them on one list.
- This weekend in Montréal: everything dated Friday to Sunday, with the free ones marked.
- Live music: club shows, jazz bars and concert halls, from the calendars of more than 100 venues.
- Month by month: the links under this guide open each month’s page, from what’s on now to next summer’s festivals.
- The map shows the same events by date, so you can see what’s on near your hotel tonight.
The Canadiens play home games at the Bell Centre, and their dates are on the events page from the NHL’s own schedule.
Old Montréal and the Old Port
Recommended by 19 of 19 guides read.
The old town is the part of the city every guide sends first-timers to. Get off at Place-d’Armes Metro and walk down Rue Saint-Paul past Bonsecours Market to Place Jacques-Cartier, the sloping square with the Nelson column. Then drop to the Old Port of Montréal, which the Old Port’s visitor page says is open from 6 a.m. to midnight.
La Grande Roue de Montréal, the Montréal Science Centre and the spa boat Bota Bota are all on the water. For breakfast, Olive et Gourmando draws a line on weekends. Read the Old Montréal guide.
Mount Royal
Recommended by 18 of 19 guides read.
Mount Royal Park is open every day from 6:00 to midnight, according to the City of Montréal. The main view of downtown is from the Kondiaronk Lookout, which the city’s page lists with the same 6:00 to midnight hours. The Mount Royal Chalet sits just beside it, and the Camillien-Houde Lookout gives the east-facing view. It’s windy at the top. Read the Mount Royal guide.
Notre-Dame Basilica
Recommended by 17 of 19 guides read.
Notre-Dame Basilica charges from $16 plus tax for the daytime visit, per its hours and rates page. Daytime hours are 9:00 to 16:00 Monday to Saturday and 12:30 to 16:00 Sunday, and the page notes some days with shorter hours. The evening AURA show is $37 before taxes.
The Plateau and Mile End
Recommended by 15 of 19 guides read.
This is where the food and street life are. Walk Boulevard Saint-Laurent for the murals, spend time on Avenue du Mont-Royal, and rest in Parc La Fontaine. Mile End is a short walk north, with Wilensky’s Light Lunch and Café Olimpico. Beauty’s Luncheonette is the brunch counter. Read the Plateau guide and the Mile End guide.
Montréal Botanical Garden
Recommended by 15 of 19 guides read.
The Montréal Botanical Garden is run by Space for Life with the Insectarium and the Biodôme. Check the Space for Life calendar for its hours before you go. Read the Olympic Park guide.
Marché Jean-Talon
Recommended by 13 of 19 guides read.
Marché Jean-Talon is open every day, 8:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday and 8:00 to 17:00 Sunday, on the market’s own page. From June to October the aisles close to cars Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 to 17:00. Read the Little Italy guide.
The Underground City
Recommended by 12 of 19 guides read.
The Underground City (RÉSO) links Metro stations, malls and offices over more than 33 kilometres, according to Tourisme Montréal. It’s the cold-day and wet-day answer, and it follows the hours of the buildings it runs through.
Olympic Park and the Biodôme
Recommended by 12 of 19 guides read.
The Biodôme shares the Olympic Park with the Botanical Garden, so check the Space for Life calendar for its hours. The Montréal Tower is closed for renovation and is set to reopen in spring 2027, according to the Olympic Park.
Lachine Canal and Atwater Market
Recommended by 11 of 19 guides read.
Atwater Market is open 9:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 9:00 to 17:00 on weekends, per the public markets’ page. Beside it, the Lachine Canal path is open every day from sunrise to 11 p.m., says Parks Canada, and it suits a bike ride.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory
Recommended by 10 of 19 guides read.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory is free to enter. The shrine is open daily from 6:30 to 21:00, and the Oratory’s schedule page says hours may change without notice.
Montréal Museum of Fine Arts
Recommended by 10 of 19 guides read.
The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts charges $32 for ages 26 and over and is free for ages 25 and under (hours and admission). It’s open 10:00 to 17:00 Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday, 10:00 to 21:00 Wednesday, and closed Mondays. On Wednesday from 17:00 only the special exhibition is open, at $16.
Montréal bagels
Recommended by 9 of 19 guides read.
Buy a dozen at St-Viateur Bagel (Mile End), which lists 6:00 to midnight daily on its site, then compare them with Fairmount Bagel.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Recommended by 9 of 19 guides read.
Parc Jean-Drapeau is reached by the Yellow line and holds the Biosphère and La Ronde. Île Sainte-Hélène is open 6:00 to midnight and Île Notre-Dame 6:00 to 23:00, per the park’s FAQ. Read the Parc Jean-Drapeau guide.
Poutine
Recommended by 7 of 19 guides read.
La Banquise is the named stop and says it’s open around the clock on its site.
Quartier des spectacles
Recommended by 7 of 19 guides read.
Place des Festivals is the heart of the district and hosts the jazz festival and Francos in summer. Read the Downtown guide.
Less common picks
These come up in 3 to 6 guides each.
- McCord Stewart Museum (6 of 19). Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00, and until 21:00 on Wednesday, closed Mondays (hours).
- Pointe-à-Callière (5 of 19). The archaeology and history museum is $30 with taxes, open Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 17:00 and weekends 11:00 to 17:00, and closed Mondays (hours and rates).
- Smoked meat at Schwartz’s Deli (5 of 19). It lists 10:00 to 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday (contact page).
- Chinatown (5 of 19), along Rue de la Gauchetière. Read the Chinatown guide.
- Canadian Centre for Architecture. Check its visit page for open days.
Free things to do
- Walk Old Montréal and the Old Port.
- Climb to the Kondiaronk Lookout.
- Visit Saint Joseph’s Oratory.
- Browse Marché Jean-Talon and Atwater Market.
- If you’re 25 or under, the Museum of Fine Arts is free.
The events page marks the free concerts, markets and festivals on while you’re here.
Montréal by season
Winter (December to March). The city goes outside anyway. See the Christmas markets and the winter festivals pages for dates, and use the Underground City to get around. Parc La Fontaine is a favourite skating spot.
Spring (April and May). A good time for museums before the festivals start.
Summer (June to August). Festival season, with the jazz festival, Just for Laughs, Osheaga and Pride. The organisers announce exact dates closer to the time, and the month pages pick them up as they’re published.
Autumn (September to November). Hockey season starts at the Bell Centre.
How many days do you need?
Three days covers the list above without rushing.
- Day 1: Old Montréal and the Old Port. Notre-Dame Basilica in the morning, then the waterfront.
- Day 2: Up Mount Royal in the morning, down into the Plateau for lunch, then Mile End for bagels. A show in the evening (check this weekend or live music).
- Day 3: Marché Jean-Talon in the morning, then the Museum of Fine Arts or the Olympic Park museums.
With two days, drop day 3. With a fourth, take a day trip to Québec City or the Eastern Townships. For where to sleep, read where to stay in Montréal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the must-see places in Montréal?
Old Montréal and the Old Port, Mount Royal, Notre-Dame Basilica, the Plateau and Mile End, the Botanical Garden and Marché Jean-Talon, in the order the guides read name them.
Is 3 days in Montréal enough?
Yes, for a first visit. Three days covers Old Montréal, Mount Royal, the Plateau and Mile End, a market and a museum. Add a day for Québec City.
Is there a Sunday market in Montréal?
Yes. Marché Jean-Talon is open 8:00 to 17:00 on Sundays and Atwater Market 9:00 to 17:00.
What food is Montréal known for?
Bagels (St-Viateur and Fairmount), poutine and smoked meat.
What is there to do in Montréal this weekend?
The this weekend page lists every concert, festival, show, exhibition and game dated Friday to Sunday, from the organisers’ own calendars, and it’s updated every day.
Sources: 19 guides in English, French, German and Spanish, and 11 official pages
Guides in English
- 11 things to do in Montreal if you're visiting for the first timeDaily Hive
- Best things to do in Montreal for first-time visitorsA Globe Well Travelled
- The Best Things to See and Do in Montreal, CanadaSunny Days with Juliette
- 13 Bucket-List Spots To Take Someone If They've Never Been To Montreal BeforeMTL Blog
- 10 things to do in Montréal: must-see attractions for first-time visitorsTourisme Montréal
- 12 Best Things to Do in Montreal (Canada) for First Time VisitorsEat and Travel With Us
- The 25 best Montreal attractions for tourists and localsTime Out Montréal
- 15 Best Things To Do in MontrealContiki
- A Weekend Getaway Travel Guide to MontrealAFAR
- Best Things to Do in Montreal: Attractions & Local TipsEskimo
Guides in French
- Que faire à Montréal ? Voici 13 visites incontournablesOK Voyage
- Que faire à Montréal ? Top 33 des meilleurs endroits et activitésVoyage avec nous
- Visiter Montréal : Les 33 choses à faire et à voirVoyage Tips
- Visiter Montréal : TOP 10 des choses à faireAuthentik Canada
- Visiter Montreal : les 12 choses incontournables à faireGénération Voyage
Guides in German
- Top 10 Montréal SehenswürdigkeitenUrlaubsguru
- Montréal Reisetipps & SehenswürdigkeitenViel Unterwegs
- Montreal Tipps - Die Highlights der Metropole im ÜberblickReiseuhu
Guides in Spanish
- ¿Qué hacer en Montreal en un día?Felices Vacaciones
Official pages
- Notre-Dame Basilica, hours and ratesbasiliquenotredame.ca
- Pointe-à-Callière, hours and ratespacmusee.qc.ca
- Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, hours and admissionmbam.qc.ca
- Jean-Talon Marketmarchespublics-mtl.com
- Atwater Marketmarchespublics-mtl.com
- Saint Joseph's Oratory, shrine and schedulesaint-joseph.org
- City of Montréal, Kondiaronk Lookoutmontreal.ca
- City of Montréal, Mount Royal Parkmontreal.ca
- Old Port of Montréal, visitor informationvieuxportdemontreal.com
- Tourisme Montréal, Underground City guidemtl.org
- Parks Canada, Lachine Canal hoursparks.canada.ca
Places in this guide
Photos show the actual places, licensed under Creative Commons and credited to their photographers.
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