Wondering if you should add Montreal city to your Canada itinerary? To help you make a decision, we listed all the reasons why we LOVE Montreal and why you should consider visiting Montreal while in Canada.
The city’s festival culture
The city of Montreal loves to express its vibrant culture and diversity through a flurry of festivals. With festivals running year-round, particularly in the summer, Montreal regularly becomes a hub of entertainment that you won’t want to miss out on.
In the summer, you’ll find such thrilling festivals as the Chromatic arts festival, Montreal Completement Cirque festival, Piknic Electronik music festival, and the Montreal First People’s festival. Just to name a few! In the colder months, Montreal plays host to festivals such as the Igloofest winter music festival, a light festival, and even the Fete des Fromages d’Ici festival!
A rich historic background
One of the main things to know about Montreal is that it’s rich in history. The city of Montreal dates back to the neighborhood of Old Montreal, which was founded by French settlers in 1642 as Fort Ville-Marie and protected with fortifying walls.
Today, Old Montreal maintains many of the original buildings and structures that date back to the era of New France in a conscious effort to retain its historic charm and keep Montreal’s French heritage alive.
Home to historic points of interest such as the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Old Port of Montreal, and the remains of the old settlement at Champ de Mars, Old Montreal is a must-visit location for any and all with an interest in Canada’s history. Walking tours can be booked to help you make the most of this historic town.
The food scene
From traditional French and European cuisine to new and inventive Quebec recipes, Montreal is perfect for foodie travelers. Must-try dishes include smoked meat sandwiches from Schwartz’s, piping-hot freshly baked bagels, and countless variations on Quebec’s world-famous poutine. Visitors to Montreal can also experience walking food tours of the city’s neighborhoods, such as Mile End and Old Montreal, allowing you to taste your way through Montreal’s culinary world.
And if you’re a drinks lover, you won’t want to miss out on Montreal’s wine and craft beer tours, allowing you to experience different varieties of your favorite drinks while learning all about the local methods.
Breathtaking nature
Canada is well-known for its spectacular natural environment, with forests, mountains, and crystal clear lakes abound. Montreal is certainly no exception to the rule. Some of the most breathtaking natural sights around Montreal include Mount Royal, the famous mountain overlooking the city centre, and the Laurentian Mountains, a mountain range most well-known as the home of the Mont Tremblant ski resort.
Montreal makes a great effort to preserve and protect the city’s natural environment, with various organizations coordinating conservation projects that the locals often get involved with, such as the weekly environmental activities held at Mount Royal.
The active lifestyle
If you’re a sporty or active person, Montreal is the place for you. The city contains a whole host of active opportunities suitable for everybody, from beginners to experts to even those who prefer their recreational activities on the extreme side.
In the summer, there are plenty of opportunities to go walking, golfing, cycling, or swimming, with activities such as snowshoeing, skating, skiing, and sledding available in the winter. And if you’re looking for something more extreme, try some rock climbing nearby or water rafting at the Lachine Rapids.
The bustling nightlife
Montreal certainly doesn’t stop once the sun goes down, it’s quite the opposite. No matter how you want to spend your night—low-key or raging—the city has something to offer you.
If a chilled night out is more your style, head out to one of the lounge bars in the area, such as the Bartizen. And if you’re looking for a uniquely glamorous night out, why not check out one of Montreal’s many burlesques and drag venues, such as the Cabaret Mado.
The transportation
If you’re still wondering “Is Montreal worth visiting?”, the answer is yes. Montreal is a very well-connected city with very convenient transportation options, meaning that the city is perfect for stress-free travel.
The bus and subway services are fully integrated and are both run by STM (Société de transport de Montréal), meaning that ticket fees are the same across the board and you can easily take a combination of the two services in order to complete your trip efficiently. With the combination of bus and subway, there are very few places that you can’t reach by using public transport, particularly in Downtown Montreal.
The galleries and museums
Alongside the living history that is Old Montreal, the city doesn’t skimp out on the priceless experience of visiting the fascinating gems that you’ll find in its many galleries and museums. Of course, Montreal’s history is begging to be told to all that visit, and you can learn more about the story in places such as Pointe-à-Callière.
Art lovers should look no further than the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for their fix of art, antiquities, and archaeology. And for those interested in the natural world and its history, visitors won’t want to miss out on Montreal’s Biodôme, Insectarium, botanical gardens, and planetarium, all of which are a part of the Space for Life museum district.
Shopping
Shopping comes in all forms in Montreal, from shopping malls and markets to antique stores and an entire underground city. For your shopping mall needs, look no further than Complexe Desjardins and Centre Eaton. If you’re on the hunt for some unique Quebecois fashion, head down to Old Montreal where you’ll find both artisans and designers down the streets of Saint-Paul and la Commune.
And if you’re visiting in the winter, there’s no need to fear the cold as you try to enjoy a shopping spree, because the Underground City has what you need. Stretching out over a whopping 20.5 miles, you’ll find all the clothes, food, and souvenirs you could ever need, away from the harshness of the elements.
The people
The people are what make Montreal the appealing city that it is, and will always be one of the main reasons to visit. The city is known for its art, culture, and creativity, all of which are thanks to the unique people that live there and keep on creating.
If you’re planning to visit Montreal, remember the amazing artists and creators that made your experiences in the city so memorable!
