Montreal, the second-largest city in Canada, was the starting point of our two-month adventure across the country. As the primary language here is French, don’t be surprised if some locals don’t speak English—especially in smaller neighborhoods. All road signs are in French too, so if you’re planning to rent a car like we did, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with local traffic signs and rules. They’re quite different from the standard European ones and can even vary from city to city within Canada.
We only spent two days in Montreal, as the main focus of our trip was hiking in Canada’s national parks. But to our surprise, the city ended up being one of our favorites among the major Canadian cities we visited. It has lush green parks, charming French-style architecture, and a more relaxed atmosphere than many other major cities. We also noticed fewer visible signs of homelessness compared to other major cities like Vancouver or Calgary.
How to Get There?
We chose Montreal as our entry point to Canada not only because it’s the country’s second-largest city and a vibrant cultural hub, but also because it offers plenty of flight options from Europe.
We flew with Austrian Airlines, but unfortunately, it wasn’t the best experience. While the fare was quite affordable, the overall quality of the long-haul flight left a lot to be desired — from uncomfortable seats to low-quality food. Next time we fly across the Atlantic, we’ll choose Qatar Airways or Emirates for a better price-to-quality ratio.
Getting Around
Since we had planned a 7-day road trip through Quebec’s stunning national parks—including Mont-Tremblant, La Mauricie, Saguenay, and Trois-Rivières — renting a car turned out to be the most convenient option.
Where to Stay?
We actually ended up staying in two different places in Montreal—thanks to a mix-up with our arrival date due to the time zone difference. So, if you’re traveling from a different part of the world, double-check your dates to avoid the same mistake! We had to make a last-minute extra booking for one night, but in the end, it worked out well.
What to Do in Montreal?
1. Old Montreal
Explore this historic district with its charming cobblestone streets, French-style architecture, and plenty of authentic restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
2. Notre-Dame Basilica
This stunning Gothic-style church is a must-visit in Old Montreal. Although it was under renovation during our visit, it’s one of the most visited landmarks in North America—definitely worth seeing!
3. Bonsecours Market
Located in Old Montreal, this historic building was once the city’s main public market for over 100 years. Today, it houses shops, galleries, and cafés in a beautiful heritage setting.
4. Old Port of Montreal
Take a stroll along the waterfront promenade to enjoy scenic views of the river and Old Montreal. A relaxing spot, especially at sunset.
5. Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal)
One of Canada’s largest urban parks, perfect for walking or hiking through lush forest trails. Don’t miss the lookout point for stunning views of the city skyline.
6. Saint Joseph’s Oratory
Located on the northern slope of Mount Royal, this is the tallest building in Montreal and Canada’s largest church. Its dome is among the biggest in the world.
7. Explore Downtown and Relax in Stylish Cafés
Montreal’s downtown is beautiful, with charming residential streets that sometimes made me feel like I was walking through a scene from Charmed! It’s a great area for a morning stroll, followed by breakfast at one of the city’s many stylish cafés.
Here are a couple of our favorites:
Conclusion
Though we only spent two days in Montreal, it left a lasting impression—beautiful, walkable, and full of charm. Not a bad warm-up before trading city strolls for muddy boots and mountain views!
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