Itineraries
Montréal itineraries that start at the hub
Hour-by-hour plans with the métro line and number of stops for every leg. Swap days around to match the weather.
Day 1: The classics
Old Montréal, the basilica, the river and a festival-district evening. Almost everything on foot or one métro stop away.
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- 8:30
Coffee in the Quartier Latin
Start with a croissant on Rue Saint-Denis, a block from the station.
- 9:30
Old Montréal on foot
Place Jacques-Cartier, City Hall, then down Rue Saint-Paul while the streets are still quiet.
Orange line → Champ-de-Mars · 1 stop - 11:30
Notre-Dame Basilica
Book a timed entry for late morning, when the light through the windows is best.
- 13:00
Lunch in Chinatown
Soup dumplings at Sammi & Soupe Dumpling or hand-pulled noodles at Nouilles de Lan Zhou, then Dragon Beard Candy for dessert. A must.
- 15:00
The Old Port and the river
Walk the quays, climb the Clock Tower, or rent a pedal boat in summer.
- 19:30
Evening at Place des Arts
Free outdoor shows in festival season; a concert or a terrace the rest of the year.
Green line → Place-des-Arts · 3 stops
Day 2: Mountain & neighbourhoods
The Plateau's staircases, the view from Mount Royal and the great bagel debate in Mile End.
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Find a Plateau & Mile End food tourWe may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
- 9:00
Breakfast on the Plateau
Take the orange line north and eat where the locals queue.
Orange line → Mont-Royal · 2 stops - 10:30
Staircases and Parc La Fontaine
Wander the side streets between Saint-Denis and Papineau for the classic outdoor staircases.
- 12:30
Up Mount Royal
Walk up from Rue Rachel or take bus 11 to the Kondiaronk lookout.
- 15:00
Bagels in Mile End
St-Viateur (my favourite, cash only) and Fairmount, a few blocks apart. Buy one of each.
- 16:30
Record shops and murals
Boulevard Saint-Laurent is lined with street art all the way back down.
- 19:00
Portuguese dinner at Chez Doval
Sit in the back room near the bar. Not romantic at all, but you'll feel like you're in Portugal, and the food is great.
- 21:30
Drinks at Le Bar Darling
A few minutes away on Saint-Laurent: European-style, eccentric decor, beautiful inside.
Day 3: Market & islands
A market breakfast, the Olympic Park's museums and a sunset on the islands.
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Or: day trip to Québec CityWe may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
- 9:00
Jean-Talon Market
Fruit, cheese and a coffee in Little Italy.
Orange line → Jean-Talon · 6 stops - 11:30
Botanical Garden or Biodôme
Back to the hub, then east on the green line.
Green line → Pie-IX · 12 stops - 14:30
Olympic Stadium tower
Ride the inclined tower for the widest view of the island.
- 17:00
The islands
Biosphère, the river path and the city skyline at golden hour.
Yellow line → Jean-Drapeau · 7 stops - 20:00
Poutine to finish
Back at the hub, La Belle Province at Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Laurent is the classic late-night poutine. Or try Ma Poule Mouillée for one with a twist.
Yellow line → Berri-UQAM · 1 stop
Winter day
A day that keeps you warm between highlights, hopping between indoor sights.
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See winter activitiesWe may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
- 9:30
Grande Bibliothèque
Coffee and a warm-up without leaving the station.
- 11:00
Mary Queen of the World Cathedral
A small St. Peter's of Rome between glass towers. Free and warm inside.
Orange line → Bonaventure · 4 stops - 12:30
Lunch at Le Cathcart
The food hall under Place Ville Marie, a few steps away: lots of choice in one warm place.
- 14:00
Museum of Fine Arts
Quebec and Indigenous art, a design gallery and a good café. Take the green line from McGill.
Green line → Guy-Concordia · 2 stops - 16:30
Skating in the Old Port
Rentals on site; the rink is lit after dark.
Orange line → Champ-de-Mars · 6 stops - 19:00
Hot chocolate and a festival
In January and February, winter festivals light up the Quartier des spectacles.
Green line → Place-des-Arts · 3 stops
Rainy day
Museums, markets with roofs and a basilica: rain barely touches you.
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Book Notre-Dame ticketsWe may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
- 10:00
Biodôme
Four ecosystems under one roof, from rainforest to Antarctic penguins.
Green line → Pie-IX · 6 stops - 13:00
Atwater Market lunch
The indoor hall stays dry; cheese and charcuterie upstairs.
Green line → Lionel-Groulx · 13 stops - 15:30
Notre-Dame Basilica
Dim, grey days make the blue interior glow even more.
Orange line → Place-d'Armes · 5 stops - 18:30
Dinner and a show
Walk there underground from Place-d'Armes through Complexe Desjardins, then catch a play or a concert.
Sleep one block from three métro lines.
Staying near Berri-UQAM means the airport bus drops you at your door and every sight on this site is a few stops away.
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After Montréal, come see Central Africa with me
Through Guide Sabbatique I take small groups off the beaten path: Mount Cameroon, the forests and rivers of the DR Congo, the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia. I don't sell packages. I handle local contacts, logistics and safety briefings, so you can meet people, eat with them and actually live the place.
French is widely spoken in Cameroon and the DR Congo, which makes it easy for travellers from Québec and Europe.
Guide Sabbatique is my own travel business. Site in French.
