The Ultimate Montreal Itinerary 5 Days + Hidden Gems (2023)
Montreal is the second-most populous city in all of Canada and has an abundance of historical landmarks, vibrant parks, and cultural centers. If you are visiting for the first time or just are looking for an incredible and unique experience, here is my ultimate Montreal itinerary for 5 days!
What Is Montreal Known For?
Perfectly situated on an island in the Saint Lawrence River, Montreal is known for being the largest city in Canada’s Quebec Province.
Additionally, it is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world, behind Paris. Most residents are bilingual or trilingual.
On an international stage, Montreal is famous for hosting events such as the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, Rogers Cup Tennis tournament, and the 1976 Summer Olympic Games.
Montreal is also where Cirque De Soleil was originally established and the critically acclaimed show is making its grand return to Montreal for the 2022 season.
Oh! And we can’t forget the food scene, cause it was one of my highlights! Montreal is extremely famous for it’s bagels! I mean who doesn’t love a good bagel?!
Montreal Itinerary 5 Days
Getting the most out of a trip can be difficult, especially if you are only visiting for a few days.
To make your life a bit easier and ensure you see all the essential highlights as well as some less-traveled areas, here is my perfect Montreal itinerary for 5 days in the city.
NOTE: Sites and activities in close proximity are grouped together. This will hopefully help save you time by not having to unnecessarily cross the city!
Day 1: Montreal Itinerary 5 Days
1. Vieux Montreal (Old Montreal)
An absolute must-see during your visit to Montreal Canada is Old Montreal. From the cobblestone streets to the iconic Parisian-style architecture, Old Montreal exudes that wonderful European atmosphere.
The main street, Rue Saint Paul, is filled with a variety of restaurants, souvenir shops, markets, and historical buildings dating back to the 17th century. As you walk through the streets, you can easily tell that the area is steeped in history and culture.
Should you get tired, I recommend taking a moment to relax on one of the benches in Place Jacques-Cartier.
Or, if you want to delve deep into the local and cultural history of Old Town, consider taking a walking tour! This is a highly-rated, affordable, and awesome 2-hour walking tour of Old Town that I recommend checking out 🙂
✅ 🚶♂️Check Rates and Availability for this fantastic walking tour
2. Notre-Dame Basilica
While wandering through Old Montreal, definitely take a few moments to admire the architectural masterpiece that is the Notre Dame Basilica.
The basilica dates back to 1824 and faces Place d’Armes Square.
With its impressive brilliant blue and gold-dotted vaulted ceiling, intricate wood carvings, and stained glass windows, the basilica is the epitome of Gothic revival architecture. At the center of the altar is an incredible 1891 pipe organ with 7000 individual pipes.
Behind the main altar is a second more intimate chapel called Chapelle du Sacré-Cœur (Chapel of the Sacred Heart). This smaller chapel features a spectacular bronze altarpiece that will leave you in awe.
Notre Dame Basilica is one of Montreal’s most magnificent architectural structures and was such a highlight of my trip.
Cost
Tickets must be purchased online but no reservation is required.
Adult: $15 CAD // Student: $13 CAD // Child: $9.50 CAD
3. Marché Bonsecours (Bonsecours Market)
Located on the eastern side of Rue Jean-Paul in Old Montreal is the Bonsecours Market Building.
This beautiful Renaissance revival-style building is recognized as one of Canada’s great heritage sites and houses several offices, halls, galleries, and small boutiques.
If you are looking for a special souvenir and want to support smaller local businesses, I would recommend coming here. The boutiques showcase the expert work of local artisans from various trades.
Additionally, during the warmer summer months, the restaurants open their terraces, making it a lovely place to enjoy lunch or dinner.
4. Vieux Port (Old Port)
On the other side of the Bonsecours Market is the Old Port neighborhood that runs next to the St Lawrence River.
Contrary to what the name might suggest, this area of town is always a lively place filled with excitement and laughter.
Old Port features all kinds of small vendor stalls, food trucks, restaurants, and even a mini adventure park. For any thrill-seekers, you can get your heart rate jumping by zooming over île Bonsecours with Tyrolienne MTL Zipline.
Personally, I loved spending the afternoon strolling along the boardwalk, soaking up the sun, and purchasing a few small souvenirs from the boutiques.
Whether you are solo traveling, traveling with friends, or with kids, Old Port is one of the best places to visit because there is an activity for everyone.
5. Ride La Grande Roue De Montreal
Give your feet a break and view Montreal from a new bird’s eye perspective by riding the La Grande Roue De Montreal located across the bridge in Old Port.
For 20 minutes, you can enjoy sweeping views of Old Montreal, the skyscrapers of downtown, and Parc Jean Drapeau in the middle of the Saint Lawrence River.
And like most places, some aspects of Montreal can be on the pricey side…Riding the giant Ferris wheel can be on the pricier side since it essentially costs $1 USD per minute. However, I found that the stunning panoramic views were well worth the money.
Based on how crowded it is, you can expect to do 2 – 4 rotations. To get the most bang for your buck, try to go on a weekday when it’s less crowded, so the ride will not have to stop as often for new passengers.
Cost
Tickets can be purchased on-site or online.
Adults: $28.74 CAD // Students: $25.01 CAD // Child: $22.42 CAD
Day 2: Montreal Itinerary 5 Days
6. Saint Laurent Blvd and Saint Catherine Street
Two of the most popular streets to walk up and down are Saint Laurent Blvd and Saint Catherine Street.
These intersecting streets are considered the main streets of downtown Montreal and always have an energetic buzz surrounding them. People are constantly bustling through the various shops, bars, restaurants, art museums, and universities.
Something I appreciate is that during the summer months, Saint Catherine Street is blocked off by traffic and becomes a pedestrian walkway. Although this adds more foot traffic, the area truly comes alive with tourists and locals alike.
Should your feet get tired as mine did, there are plenty of rest areas with patio chairs underneath trees to relax.
Honestly, I easily spent half a day walking up and down solely these two streets and didn’t see everything. However, this is the place to go to catch a glimpse of everything Montreal has to offer.
7. Chinatown
Concentrated around La Gauchetière Street and near St. Laurent Blvd is Montreal’s vibrant Chinatown.
In this area, you can find an assortment of dim sum places, Asian restaurants, small grocery stores, traditional Chinese pastries, and more!
Although the neighborhood used to be larger, due to expropriation and redevelopment over the years, Chinatown now spans about the area of a city block. Four traditional Chinese gateways, called Paifang Gates, mark the entrances to Chinatown.
During the summer months, part of La Gauchetière Street transforms into a night market/fair with tourists and locals filling the street.
Whether you want to take in the rich history and culture, or you are craving some authentic hand-pulled noodles, I highly suggest roaming through Montreal’s Chinatown.
8. Underground City
If you find yourself caught in the rain or snow, you can escape the cold in the Underground City. This is how locals get a reprieve from the brutal winter weather.
It is an impressive pedestrian network connecting numerous offices, shops, restaurants, halls, and hotels together. Altogether, the Underground City stretches for over 20 miles and links thousands of businesses.
If shopping isn’t your thing, you can access places like the Contemporary Arts Museum of Montreal and the Place des Arts. While walking around, you may even come across a piece of the Berlin Wall on display from when the Iron Curtain fell.
Day 3: Montreal Itinerary 5 Days
9. Parc Jean Drapeau
For Day 3, I recommend taking the metro to Saint Helen’s Island, one of the many islands suspended in the St. Lawrence River, and exploring Parc Jean Drapeau.
From the largest amusement park in Quebec to its winding trails and outdoor aquatic complex, this park offers you the chance to relax and get some exercise in the great outdoors.
Parc Jean Drapeau includes both Saint Helen’s Island and Notre Dame Island.
Below, I detail my favorite parts of the park that I think anyone visiting Montreal Canada should see!
10. The Biosphere
Likely the most noticeable and unique structure that can be seen from miles away in Parc Jean Drapeau is the Biosphere.
Originally, the Biosphere was part of the World Fair that Montreal hosted in 1967 (Expo 67).
Today, it functions as a museum dedicated to informing the public about Montreal’s environment, the natural world, and the fight against climate change.
Within the museum, there are a few engaging and interactive exhibits that make for an awesome educational opportunity for kids.
There’s also a fantastic lookout on the fifth floor that presents you with a beautiful view of the park’s surroundings.
Overall, I would definitely recommend going through the museum if you have an hour or two to spare! However, you can still marvel at the striking architecture just from the outside!
Cost
Tickets can be bought online.
Adults: $22 CAD //Students: $16 CAD // Child: $11 CAD
There is a special price break with the passport if you plan to visit multiple spaces in Montreal dedicated to learning about nature.
11. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
After exploring St. Helen’s Island, you can walk across Cosmos Bridge or Concorde Bridge to reach Notre Dame Island.
For any Formula 1 fan, Notre Dame Island is home to the famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve where the Canadian Grand Prix is held. You can easily walk along the track and view the paddock, where all the team garages are located.
👉 If you are interested in attending the Formula 1 Grand Prix, check out my post that details how to best attend the Canadian Grand Prix.
Notre Dame Island is also the location of Casino de Montreal, which is open 24 hours a day. The casino is also known for entertaining guests with flashy lives shows and fancy restaurants.
Regardless if you are interested in trying your luck inside the casino, you can appreciate the remarkable architecture of the casino and the lush surroundings of the island!
12. Habitat 67
Near St. Helen’s Island and Notre Dame Island is Habitat 67, the famous model community and apartment complex.
This apartment building was originally designed as a thesis project by a Master’s student for the School of Architecture at McGill University. The building was famously showcased during the 1967 World Fair (Expo 67), where it gained international attention.
The entire structure consists of 354 identical concrete “cubes” that have been arranged into differing configurations creating over a hundred apartment units.
To get an up-close view of this marvelous architectural feat and walk through some of the apartment units and their connecting walkways, you can take a guided 90-minute tour.
NOTE: It is doable to walk here from St. Helen’s Island, but I would suggest taking the bus or a taxi back to Montreal! Your feet will be much happier 🙂
Day 4: Montreal Itinerary 5 Days
13. Olympic Stadium & Park
Originally built for the 1976 Summer Olympic Games, the Olympic Stadium is now the go-to place for large events.
The stadium is able to hold more than 56,000 people and is often used for hosting many international sporting events, concerts, and rallies.
Standing 540 feet tall at a 45° angle, the Montreal Tower above the stadium is the tallest inclined tower in the world. Unfortunately, visitors are unable to go up to the observatory deck in the tower until the renovation is completed in spring 2024.
Regardless, it is still fun to walk around Olympic Park and admire the astonishing architecture of the stadium and tower.
14. Montreal Botanical Gardens
My absolute favorite place that I visited during my 5 days in Montreal was the beautiful botanical gardens. It is only a short 10-minute walk away from the Olympic stadium and park.
The botanical gardens spread across 190 acres of land and are nothing short of exceptional with over 22,000 plant species, 10 greenhouses exhibits, and 30 unique thematic gardens.
You could comfortably spend hours upon hours wandering through the twisting paths, looking at the brilliant flora and scenery. These gardens evoke such a wonderful sense of serenity and provide a welcome oasis of tranquility from city life.
Although all the gardens are amazing, my favorite gardens were the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, and Alpine Garden.
If you get hungry, they have a cafeteria and small food truck with various soups, salads, pastries, and wraps that are quite affordable.
Overall, the botanical gardens are well worth the price and are a place you won’t regret visiting!
Cost
Tickets can be bought online.
Adults: $22 CAD //Students: $16 CAD // Child: $11 CAD
Day 5: Montreal Itinerary 5 Days
15. Musée Des Beaux-Arts De Montréal
Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts Famous is the largest and perhaps most impressive museum in all of Canada.
It holds tens of thousands of pieces from all the artistic giants, including Rodin, Picasso, Goya, Rembrandt, Dali, Monet, and so many more. There’s also a dedicated sculpture garden and numerous visiting exhibits that provide a constant influx of new pieces.
The museum contains so many pieces, it spans 5 buildings that are connected via passages.
Since the museum is gigantic, I recommend visiting the museum at the start of your day. This is because walking through the labyrinth of galleries and thousands of pieces tends to be mentally draining.
For me, museums are most rewarding when I am mentally ready to spend time examining and thinking about the artwork.
Cost
Tickets can be bought online or in person.
Ages 30+: $24 CAD // Ages 21-30: $16 CAD // Ages 0 – 20: FREE
16. McGill University
Located a couple of blocks from the Museum of Fine Arts is McGill University, one of Canada’s top research universities.
I know opting to walk around a college campus may seem weird if you are not a college student or at least a prospective one. However, the environment and architecture of several campus buildings are phenomenal and worth taking a moment to appreciate.
Additionally, the campus features some fun art installations that you can take pictures with and there are plenty of benches to sit on if you want a break.
17. Mont-Royal Park
In the heart of Montreal, 765 feet above the city, lies the magnificent behemoth that is Mont Royal Park.
This sprawling park is undoubtedly one of the best places to kick back and relax or partake in some outdoor activities.
Trails wrapping all around the park are optimal for running or hiking. Additionally, there is a lovely lake that you can paddle across with their rentable boats.
During the winter, Mont Royal becomes a fantastic spot for people keen on sledding, ice skating, or having a snowball fight!
Despite all the wonderful bits of the park, my favorite feature is all the scenic lookouts. While there are smaller observation decks along some trails, the best viewing point at Kondiaronk Belvedere.
This lookout point offers breathtaking panoramic views that let you glimpse everything in Montreal Canada at once and is truly a sight to see, especially at sunset.
Fun Fact: You may notice that the Mont Royal sounds a bit familiar. This is because the city of Montreal is named after Mont Royal!
Where to Stay in Montreal
And if you’re looking for places to stay in Montreal, here are some hotels worth checking out. They are all centrally located downtown so you won’t have to make a long 1.5-hour commute into the city like I did — will not be making that mistake again 🙃
Fantastic Hostel Stays
- M Montreal: Great hostel, a 10-minute walk from Old Montreal! | ⭐️ 9.6 / 10
- Auberge du Plateau: Centrally located & has a rooftop terrace! | ⭐️ 9.1 / 10
Low Cost Stays
- Hôtel Château de l’Argoat: Great 3-star hotel near Old Port | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
- Hôtel Le Dauphin Montréal Centre-Ville: 3-star hotel w/ breakfast| ⭐️ 8.8 / 10
Mid-Range Hotels
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Old Montreal: 3.5-star hotel w/ pool | ⭐️ 8.4 / 10
- Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile: 5-star hotel w/ restaurant & bar | ⭐️ 8.5 / 10
Luxury Hotels
- Hôtel Le Germain Montréal: Excellent 4-star hotel w/ spa services | ⭐️ 8.9 / 10
- Ritz-Carlton Montreal: A extremely luxurious 5-star hotel! | ⭐️ 9.3 / 10
Feel free to click the buttons below to head to your favorite booking platform and see additional housing options there.
Or, use the interactive map and scroll around to see up-to-date prices of other available housing accommodations!
How to Get Around Montreal Canada
By far the easiest and most financially friendly way to see and do everything on my Montreal itinerary for 5 days is by using the public transportation system. Montreal has a fantastic metro and bus network that can take you within walking distance of nearly any attraction that you may be interested in.
Simply buy a public transit card at one of the fare vending machines. Afterward, you will be able to hop on and off all forms of public transit.
If you are arriving by airplane through Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), you can obtain a public transit card at one of the machines near the entrance/exit of the airport.
From there, you can hop on the 747 shuttle that takes you directly from the airport to downtown Montreal. The ride is approximately 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and drops you off at one of the metro stations.
In contrast, you can opt to take a taxi from the airport directly to your accommodations and then roam through the city via public transport. You will just have to get a public transit card at one of the metro stations.
If there isn’t a metro station near nearby your housing, you can always pay for a single bus fare with Canadian cash and have that take you to a metro station.
Cost
3-day pass: $20.50 CAD // Week Pass (good from Mon-Sun): $28 CAD
Where to Eat in Montreal Canada
Montreal has a diverse culinary scene and is most famous for its bagels, poutine, and smoked deli meat. Despite this, I figured I would spread the love by sharing what ended up being my favorite places to grab a bite to eat, regardless if it’s special to Montreal or not. Because after all, an amazing 5 days in Montreal itinerary is not complete without a guide on where to eat!
St-Viateur Bagel & Cafe
Arguably the most famous place in Montreal to get a taste of the renowned bagels is St-Viateur Bagel. At 60 years old, it is the longest-running bagel shop in Montreal.
These bagels are cooked in wood-burning ovens until golden perfection and then removed on a Sheeba (a particular wooden plank).
They offer all kinds of bagels: sesame, poppy, all-dressed, rosemary and sea salt, cinnamon and raisin, blueberry, plain, whole wheat, pumpernickel, and muesli.
If you fancy ordering more than just a bagel, they do have an assortment of bagel sandwiches. Personally, I tried the Bagel Matin, which includes egg, grilled ham, lettuce, tomato, and pesto. In case you were wondering, it was everything and more :”)
There are a total of three St-Viateur Bagel & Cafe locations. However, I would recommend the Mont Royal location because there is plenty of outdoor seating nearby.
Furthermore, the street is closed to traffic during the summer months and becomes a pedestrian walkway. Therefore, you can take in the chill ambiance and easily browse through the small shops afterward.
NOTE: They do not accept credit cards. Bring Cash!
Mont Royal Address: 1127, av. Mont-Royal E. Montréal, QC, H2J 1X9
Hanzo Izakaya
While it was absolutely pouring rain in downtown Montreal, my friends and I stumbled across Hanzo Izakaya. This little spot offers a wide selection of Japanese cuisine and drinks.
The food portions are certainly smaller, but the prices, fortunately, reflect that. This restaurant is great for smaller groups and getting to sample a wide array of dishes.
My personal favorite was the Kombini Fried Chicken (KFC) with this tasty aioli sauce. Seriously, it was heaven and I dream about their food whenever I am hungry…I also was a fan of the beef and cheese. It’s literally a single skewer with two pieces of beef wrapped in melted cheese, but it’s damn good.
An added bonus is the wait staff is attentive without being overwhelming, and our food was served in a timely manner! Definitely make a reservation online in advance if you can.
Tacos Victor
Although this is by no means native Montreal food, Tacos Victor was one of my favorite places to dine. They serve delicious authentic Mexican tacos for a decent price, and the staff is quite friendly.
I highly recommend the taco box, which is a dozen taquitos filled with different meats for $36. This is a great option for sharing food and splitting costs among 2 – 4 people!
There are three locations spread across the city, so you can find one that is closest to you. If you go on the weekend, consider making a reservation online as it does get busy.
Is Montreal Canada Safe?
Whether you are a solo traveler, a woman, a person of color, or just someone who would like a little peace of mind, you can rest easy knowing Montreal is a very safe destination for travelers of all backgrounds!
Based on the crime rate index and the city’s homicide rate, Montreal ranks as one of the top safest cities in Canada. During my time in Montreal, I did not witness any crimes nor did I ever feel threatened or in danger.
Similar to all travel destinations, as long as you are relatively vigilant and do not leave your personal items unattended, you should be perfectly fine.
Best Time to Visit Montreal
Unless you enjoy the snow and freezing your butt off during Montreal’s harsh winter months, I recommend visiting either between April – June or during September.
Vising during these times will help you skip the massive throngs of tourists that flock to Montreal for their summer vacation. Fewer tourists also mean prices for housing accommodation tend to be a bit cheaper, which I personally love!
Simultaneously, you can enjoy balmy day temperatures of around 50° – 70° F. Beware, it does drop to the 30s and 40s at night, so you still will want to bring warm clothes.
Things to Pack for Montreal
No matter what time of the year you decide to make your way to Montreal, there are a couple of essential items to pack!
🍁 Rain jacket – All year long, Montreal receives about 2 – 3 inches of rain. If you don’t want to end up looking like a soggy mop, I would recommend packing a nice rain jacket!
You may be wondering if you need an umbrella. Personally, I didn’t pack one, and it thunderstormed a few days I was there. If you have space, I would bring one, but it’s not totally necessary if you don’t mind getting a little wet.
🍁 Canadian Cash – Before every trip, I order at least $100 USD worth of foreign currency from my bank. I recommend bringing some Canadian cash if you intend to purchase items from street vendors or grab bagels from the famous St. Viateur’s Bagel & Cafe.
Wrap-Up: Ultimate Montreal Itinerary 5 Days
Without a doubt, Montreal is one of my favorite cities that I have ever visited. Simply put, Montreal is a delightful city that is diverse and rich in culture, history, food, architecture, and opportunity.
It offers the big city vibe without it feeling suffocating or too overwhelming. A plethora of green spaces are scattered around the city, so if you feel like you need to escape to nature, you can.
I genuinely believe that Montreal, Canada has it all, and there is something to see and do for everyone.
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