Montreal
Festivals, jazz, and joie de vivre 🎶
Montreal (French: Montréal ) is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest in Canada, and the eighth-largest in North America. Founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie , or "City of Mary", it now takes its name from Mount Royal, the triple-peaked mountain around which the early settlement was built. The city is centred on the Island of Montreal and several much smaller, peripheral islands, the largest of which is Île Bizard. It lies 196 kilometres (122 mi) east of the national capital, Ottawa, and 258 kilometres (160 mi) southwest of the provincial capital, Quebec City. As of the 2021 Canadian census, the city had a population of 1,762,949 and a metropolitan population of 4,291,732, making it the second-largest metropolitan area in Canada after Toronto. French is the city's official language.
Guides in Montreal
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Culinary Classics & Neighbourhood BitesTravel from an iconic roadside orange stand through Atwater’s market stalls and downtown Montréal institutions, then head north for Plateau, Mile End, and Little Italy favourites.9 places
Iconic Montréal5 places
Montréal Beyond the Main SightsFollow Montréal’s quieter side through riverfront history, offbeat museums, artist-run spaces, independent culture, and neighbourhood institutions. This cross-city route starts by the Lachine Rapids and finishes with one of the city’s most overlooked Beaux-Arts mansions.10 places
Montréal Highlights: Essential Sights from Summit to RiverfrontTake in defining views, historic streets, landmark architecture, and standout museums on a cross-city route. Begin atop Mount Royal, descend through downtown and Old Montréal, then finish with the gardens and big attractions of the east end.18 places
Montréal’s Screens, Stages & Cult ClassicsTrace Montréal’s pop-cultural pulse through cult-food institutions, indie cinemas, game-making, broadcast history, landmark music rooms, and headline venues. This cross-city route is ideal by bike, transit, or car, with a mix of enduring local favourites and major cultural stages.15 places
Old Montréal’s Cobblestones, Landmarks & RiverfrontFollow a compact eastbound walk through Old Montréal, from the city’s archaeological birthplace and Place d’Armes to the market district and Old Port. Expect major heritage sites, museums, church architecture, public squares, and a waterfront finish.7 places
