You only have one day in Montreal? Is it possible to explore Montreal in a day? Yes. We got your back. Make the most of Montreal city in a day following our itinerary.
We understand that your 24 hours might look different, so feel free to swap these things around according to your schedule.
Morning
To start off your day in Montreal, a walking tour in Old Montreal is ideal to get the blood flowing in the morning and begin your day strong by exploring Montreal’s most historic spot.
Old Montreal was founded by French settlers in 1642 as Fort Ville-Marie, and many of the buildings and structures date back to the era of New France. Montreal’s historic district is perfect for visitors, providing any shutterbugs with countless photo opportunities to help you remember your trip.
For those interested in the detailed history of the area, a walking tour of the Old Town is offered by Guidatour, which takes you through some of the town’s most famous sites such as Notre-Dame Basilica, Place Jacques-Cartier, City Hall, and Champ-de-Mars.
The tour is available from $24.50 per person, and visitors have the option to take a tour of the east side, west side, or both sides of Old Montreal to get the full experience of the old town. Walking tours are available year-round, so this morning activity is ideal regardless of when you visit.
Lunch
Following your walking tour in Old Montreal, it’s time to stop off for some lunch in the neighborhood. Situated in a 19th Century warehouse on rue de la Commune, Taverne Gaspar offers French-inspired pub-style food on a stylishly historic backdrop. The restaurant also offers vegetarian and vegan options, as well as accessibility for a gluten-free diet.
And if you’re visiting Montreal in the summer, Taverne Gaspar will be opening up their large terrace on the street so that you can enjoy the warm weather alongside your food.
Alternatively, if you’re eager to try Canada’s most famous dish, Poutine, take a trip to Montreal Poutine, located on rue Saint-Paul.
Poutine is a quintessential Canadian dish that originated in Quebec during the late 1950s, consisting of french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds, and is known for being one of the most famous comfort foods. Montreal Poutine offers many variations on this classic dish, including both meat and vegetarian options, as well as burgers and hot dogs.
Afternoon
After lunch, it’s off to Mount Royal, Montreal’s famous mountain overlooking Downtown Montreal. Mount Royal was first ascended in 1593 by Jacques Cartier and is the very mountain that gave Montreal its name. Mount Royal is great both in summer and winter, so there’s plenty to do regardless of when you might be spending your one day in Montreal.
If your visit to Montreal is during the summer, you’ll strongly want to consider heading off to Beaver Lake and renting a rowboat. A rowboat can be rented for $12, which allows for half an hour of tranquil floating on the lake for one to two people. It should be noted that children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Alternatively, Mount Royal also offers remote-controlled sailboats for $10 per half hour, for those that would rather stay on land and play captain.
If you’re heading to Mount Royal in the winter, ice skating should be at the top of your list. Adjacent to the Lac-aux-Castors Pavillion is Mount Royal’s refrigerated ice skating rink, with free access and skate rental available ($10 for 2 hours).
Nearby in the Pavillion restaurant, visitors can warm up with hot drinks and snacks. If you’re traveling with children, you may also want to consider snow tubing down the hill overlooking Beaver Lake. Daily passes are available at the equipment rental counter, at $6 for 4-11 year old and $10 for 12 years and up.
Dinner
For dinner, head to Restaurant Zibo in Downtown Montreal. Offering California-inspired Canadian cuisine, Zibo is vegetarian and vegan-friendly, with options for gluten-free diets. Zibo features a contemporary Californian design, with elegant decor standing out over a modern industrial backdrop.
The menu is vast, offering dumplings, calamari, mac and cheese, and everything in between. Zibo also boasts an impressive wine selection, beers, and cocktails to accompany your meal.
Alternatively, you can head towards the Plateau Mont-Royal and take a seat at La Banquise or PoutineVille – which are both amongst the best restaurants to try the famous poutine.
Evening
After dinner, it’s time to head to one of the city’s vast selection of bars and terraces to finish off a day in Montreal.
For those with a passion for craft beer, 3 Brasseurs is the place for you. With multiple locations in both Old Montreal and Downtown Montreal, 3 Brasseurs dates back to 1985, when the descendants of one of France’s most important breweries decided to open up the first microbrewery in the neighborhood.
Their beer is brewed in-house, alongside a food menu that pairs individual beers with the flavors. As well as their specialty, beer, 3 Brasseurs also offers cocktails and wine. If visiting in the summer, most of their locations also provide outdoor seating to relax in the evening after a long trip of experiencing Montreal in one day.
Wondering where to stay during your trip to Montreal?
Read our article to help you pick the right neighborhood and the right hotel.
