Photo: D. Benjamin Miller, CC0 on Wikimedia Commons
The 4-day plan, rearranged for 6 days: every place stays and a few more are added, and each day keeps to one part of town.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
One of the largest open-air public markets in North America, with stalls of vegetables, fruit, cheese, bread, meat and flowers. Check ahead on days and hours, because some stalls open only on certain days.
Go when Morning, when the stalls are full and the day is cool.
Local tip Walk a full lap before you buy anything. Ask for a taste of the cheese, and carry a tote bag and some cash for the small stalls.
A huge garden of themed plots, greenhouses and quiet paths, a restful way to begin a slow day. Check ahead on what is in bloom and what is open before you go.
Go when Morning, when the paths are cool and quiet.
Local tip Choose two or three of the gardens and skip the rest. Check ahead on which are open in the season you visit.
Pick up a loaf, a wedge of Quebec cheese and a jar of preserves, and eat in the garden or on the grass near the park.
Local tip A sharp apple or a little ice cider makes a good ending.
An indoor museum of living ecosystems, with forest, river and polar habitats under one roof. A good choice on a wet or very cold day. Check ahead on opening and tickets.
Go when Midday, if it is wet, hot or cold outside.
Local tip It is indoors, so it works in any weather. Check ahead on opening and on whether tickets are needed.
The stadium and the tall slanting tower built for an Olympic Games long ago, now a park of sports halls and open space. The tower has a viewpoint over the city, so check ahead on whether it is open.
Go when Afternoon, on a clear day for the best view.
Local tip Look at the stadium and the tall tower from the plaza. The tower viewpoint is a separate visit, so check ahead on whether it is open.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
The Italian quarter, right beside the market. Espresso bars, pasta shops, bakeries and a big church at the heart of it. A good place to stand at a counter and drink a coffee the way the neighborhood does.
Go when Late morning, straight after the market.
Local tip Stand at an espresso bar and drink it the quick way, as the locals do. The big church at the corner is a good landmark.
A big, leafy park with ponds, shaded paths and a place to sit on the grass. A natural stop for a picnic or an ice cream, and a very local one on a warm afternoon.
Go when Midday, with a picnic from the market or a bakery.
Local tip Find a bench by the pond or a spot on the grass. In summer, the park fills with picnickers, musicians and open air shows.
Montreal smoked meat is brisket cured, spiced, smoked and steamed, then piled thick on rye bread with mustard. Find a classic deli counter and order a sandwich with a pickle.
Local tip Ask for it medium or fatty, and share one if the portion looks big.
The neighborhood that gave the city its bagel: a smaller, sweeter, chewier ring than the New York kind, boiled in honey water and baked in a wood-fired oven. Buy one warm, straight from the bag.
Go when Afternoon, with an appetite and a long walk ahead.
Local tip Buy a bagel warm and eat it on the street. Try the plain or sesame ones first, and compare one with a bagel from a second shop.
A long street of terraces, bars and small shops in the heart of the city's gay village, closed to cars on summer evenings. A relaxed, friendly place to end the trip with a late drink.
Go when Late evening, when the terraces and bars are full.
Local tip Walk the length of the street and choose a terrace with a free seat. On summer evenings the street is often closed to cars, so you can stroll in the middle.
A leisurely meal in a small bistro: a glass of wine, a shared starter, a main of duck, fish or a hearty stew, and a dessert to finish. Take your time.
Local tip Book a table ahead, and ask the server for the special of the day.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A neighborhood of tall brick houses with iron staircases that climb up outside, painted in bright colors, and murals on the side walls. Walk the side streets slowly and look at the doors.
Go when Morning, when the light is soft and the streets are quiet.
Local tip Wander the side streets rather than the main avenues, and look for the outside staircases and the murals. People live here, so keep your voice down.
A long, sloping square lined with cafes and terraces, with flower stalls and street artists in the warmer months. A lively place to start the day with a coffee.
Go when Morning, with a coffee, before the terraces fill up.
Local tip Walk to the top of the slope and look back down toward the river. The square gets busy by midday in summer, so the early hour is the calm one.
A thin crepe folded around cheese, ham or mushrooms, then a sweet one with maple after. A light lunch before a long dinner.
Local tip Share one savory and one sweet, and you have lunch and dessert.
A handsome old hall with a silver dome near the river, now home to shops and design stores. A good place to browse out of the weather.
Go when Midday, on the way between the lanes and the Old Port.
Local tip Look at the building first, and go in to see what the shops are doing. Check ahead on hours.
A long promenade along the river, with wide paths, grassy lawns and a view across the water. A good walk to settle your lunch, with plenty of benches along the way.
Go when Afternoon, or around sunset (about 8:44 PM) when the light comes low across the water.
Local tip Walk the promenade to the end and back, and find a bench on the grass. In winter, parts of it become a skating and snow spot, so check ahead.
Tourtiere is the classic Quebec meat pie, spiced and baked until golden. A warm, simple supper after a day of walking.
Local tip Order it with a green salad and a spoon of fruit relish, and ask what the kitchen serves it with.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
The oldest district, with cobbled streets, stone warehouses and small courtyards. Walk the lanes slowly and look up at the old gables and chimneys. It is the best kind of wandering.
Go when Late morning, with no plan other than to wander.
Local tip Take the small side lanes and the courtyards between the main streets. The cobbles are uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.
The city's museum of archaeology and history, built on the spot where the city began, with ruins you can walk through below ground. Check ahead on opening and tickets.
Go when Morning, as a slow indoor start to a day in the old town.
Local tip Go down to the underground ruins and take your time. It is a good choice if the weather turns.
A grand church with a deep blue ceiling dotted with gold stars and a richly carved inside. It is a working church, so keep your voice low. Check ahead on visiting hours, and note that a ticket may be needed.
Go when Midday, to step out of the crowd for a quiet half hour.
Local tip Look up at the blue vault. It is a place of worship, so be quiet and respectful, and check ahead on visiting hours and whether a ticket is needed.
The downtown arts district, with theaters, concert halls and open squares that often hold free events and light displays. A lively place to walk before dinner.
Go when Early evening, as the lights come on.
Local tip Walk through the squares and look at what is on. In festival season, there are often free shows outdoors, so check ahead on the dates.
End the trip with the longest meal of the week: several small plates, a bottle of wine, and a dessert you share. Order what looks best on the table beside you.
Local tip Book ahead, and ask for a table that does not need to be given back.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A large, leafy cemetery on the slope of the mountain, with winding paths, old trees and a peaceful feel. A quiet walk for a morning with no plans.
Go when Morning, when the paths are empty.
Local tip Walk slowly and be respectful. It is a working cemetery, so keep your voice low and stay on the paths.
A network of tunnels and halls under downtown that links shopping centers, metro stations and offices. It is a handy rainy day option, or a way to cross town in the snow without a coat.
Go when Any time it pours, snows or is bitterly cold.
Local tip Follow the signs between the metro stations. It is a practical way to cross downtown, and it is more of a convenience than a sight in itself.
The city's big art museum, with collections from many places and centuries. Choose one wing and leave the rest, since there is a lot to see. Check ahead on opening.
Go when Afternoon, on a wet or very hot day.
Local tip Do not try to see it all. Pick a floor, stay with it, and leave when your eyes are tired.
A stone terrace on Mount Royal with a wide look over downtown and the river beyond. Walk up through the park and arrive for the light going soft over the rooftops.
Go when Around sunset (about 8:44 PM), when the city lights begin to come on.
Local tip It is a walk uphill, so go slowly on the park paths. Stay for the view over the rooftops as the light turns gold.
Fries, cheese curds and gravy, the dish the province is known for. A dressed-up version or a plain one at a late night counter is equally fine. Order it with a cold beer.
Local tip Share one among two, since a plate is big, and add a pickle on the side.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
An old canal turned into a long green path, with a bike lane along the water. Rent a bike or walk a stretch, and finish at a market for a picnic.
Go when Morning, on a bike or a long walk.
Local tip Start near the market and go as far as you like. The path is flat, so it is an easy ride for most people.
A public market in a handsome old hall beside the canal, with butchers, bakers, cheese shops and flowers. Check ahead on days and hours, then buy something for a picnic.
Go when Afternoon, to put together a picnic for the evening.
Local tip Walk the hall once and then step outside and look at the canal. Check ahead on days and hours for the stalls you want.
A huge domed church high on the side of Mount Royal, among the largest of its kind in the world, with a long staircase and wide views over the city. It is a place of worship and pilgrimage.
Go when Afternoon, after a morning in the Plateau or on the mountain.
Local tip It is on a hill, so wear good shoes. Keep your voice low inside, and check ahead on visiting hours.
A neighborhood on the south side of the island, with a long main street of cafes, small shops and a riverside path. A local, easygoing place for an afternoon.
Go when Afternoon, for a coffee and a slow walk.
Local tip Walk the main street and then head to the river path. It is a quieter side of the city than the center.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, May and July to September are the most comfortable months for walking around Montreal. This plan is built for early June, which is a good month. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 6 days in Montreal, planned for early June. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 1.5 to 9.9 kilometers between its stops, and 34.1 kilometers in all across 6 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
5 days in Quebec CityAbout 240 km awayAn easy add-on
4 days in BostonAbout 400 km away
3 lakeside days in the Finger LakesAbout 410 km awayOther guides with a page about Montreal. Each one opens in a new tab.
WikivoyageMontreal, the free travel guideLonely PlanetMontreal travel guideCondé Nast TravelerMontreal travel guide
Time OutThings to do in MontrealThe GuardianMontreal travel featuresPhoto: Brandon Moore ( Raskuly ), CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Colocho, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Chicoutimi on Wikimedia Commons · Photo by Pascal Bernardon on Unsplash · Photo: Benoit Rochon, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
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