Montreal

Flourishing on an island on the Saint Lawrence River, this typically North American city wonderfully combines old buildings with tall, modern towers. As the second largest French-speaking city in the world, Montreal is one of the most cosmopolitan places in Canada, where every district has a specific atmosphere. Some of those districts include: the Chinese, gay, business, student and historical districts, etc.
Reputed for its nightlife, Montreal can also be explored in the daytime, on foot, underground or on the ground. Its art galleries, bars, museums, shops, churches and parks are pleasant places to take in a breath of culture and enjoy yourself.
North of Montreal, the Laurentians, a hilly region with numerous lakes, provides a vast area for leisure sports, attracting skiers, fishermen, hikers and bathers, in other words, all nature lovers. South of Montreal, only a few miles separate us from the United States of America and New York is only a ten-hour bus ride away at the most.
Find cheap flights to Montreal using our price ranking

Whether you go to a nightclub or watch a cabaret show, make sure that you enjoy the lively nightlife here.
Ski on the lit-up slopes of the Laurentians, a 40-minute drive away from Montreal.
Stroll along the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, where a maze is open from April onwards.
Visit the Notre-Dame Basilica, which is easy to spot from its two towers, as well as the Mac Cord, Fine Arts and Contemporary Arts museums.
Go and have a drink at the terrace of one of the numerous bars and restaurants around Jaques Cartier square.
Shop in Sainte-Catherine street, where all the international brands are gathered, but also brands that can only be found in North America.
Go from the Place des Armes (square), the departure point for the exploration of Old Montreal and stroll around the narrow lanes around the harbour.

The underground shopping centre with shops, restaurants and bars.
Numerous art galleries, museums and all types of festivals.
Old Montreal.
An open-air festival.

Wear a big coat in the winter by all means, but do not dress too warmly underneath so that you are able to shop in the underground shopping centres without sweltering.

Avoid eating too many poutines, as the consequences are enooorrrmmmooouuusss! This is a word of advice from a true poutine lover.

Smoked meat served in generous sandwiches, a speciality of Montreal to be sampled at Schwartz's, the most authentic Montreal restaurant which has been serving the best smoked meat since 1928. Located on the historic St-Laurent boulevard, the 'Main', it has become an institution. Be warned though, there is often a long queue.
A stop off in Montreal is not complete without tasting the ultra-calorific 'poutine', a local speciality of chips, brown gravy and cheese curds.

The classic maple syrup, which is better bought in a tin from a supermarket.
Clothes and knick-knacks in one of the original shops at the top of Saint-Denis street (near Mont-Royal underground station).