You only have two days in Montreal? Is it possible to explore Montreal in two days? Yes. We got your back. Make the most of Montreal in 2 days following our itinerary.
Day 1 – Old Montreal
To start off your trip around Montreal in 2 days, we’re heading to the historic Old Montreal. To kick off the morning, there’s no better way to get the blood flowing than by taking a walking tour of the Old Town. To gain a unique and detailed perspective of Old Montreal’s history, make sure to check the options for different walking tours that can suit your interests.
After a nice walk around the Old Town, it’s time to stop off for lunch in the neighborhood. Taverne Gaspar, located on rue de la Commune within a 19th Century warehouse, offers French-inspired pub-style food with options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diets.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to try out Quebec’s famous dish, Poutine, while on your trip, take a short walk down to Montreal Poutine on rue Saint-Paul. As well as specializing in the world-famous dish, complete with cheese curds and gravy, Montreal Poutine offers burgers and hot dogs alongside their many variations on the classic dish.
After lunch, it’s time to head to the Pointe-à-Callière Museum of Archaeology and History to learn all about Montreal’s origins and foundations. Not only is the museum a fantastic resource for learning about the history of Montreal, but it’s also a historical site built on the same spot that the city was founded on. If the morning walking tour was enough for you, however, Old Montreal is also the perfect place to relax for an afternoon.
Located at the Old Port, the Bota Bota spa offers a variety of packages to spoil yourself with, all as you enjoy the spectacular views of the city. The spa is perfect for solo or couple travelers, with saunas, steam rooms, hot and cold pools, relaxation rooms, and various treatments offered.
For dinner in Old Montreal, look no further than Modavie, located on Saint-Paul Street. Offering spectacular French and European cuisine, Modavie is a jazz bar and bistro, featuring local bands alongside an extensive wine menu. Their specialty is lamb, though imaginative vegetarian options are also available.
To finish off your first of two days in Montreal, head to rue Saint Vincent to find the Coldroom, a speakeasy specializing in cocktails. Hidden behind a black door, the Coldroom can be easy to miss, but well worth the hunt.
For your detective skills, you are rewarded with excellent gourmet cocktails and a cozy, Prohibition-era vibe that will make your very legal drinks feel that little bit more cheeky.
Day 2 – City Centre and Plateau Mont-Royal
For the second part of your trip around Montreal in two days, it’s time to explore the city centre and Plateau Mont-Royal. First up is a morning walk to Mount Royal, the famous mountain overlooking Downtown Montreal. If your trip to Montreal is during the winter, your top priority should be ice skating on Beaver Lake.
Beaver Lake is Mount Royal’s outdoor refrigerated skating rink, with free access and skate rental available from $10 for 2 hours. For those visiting Mount Royal with children, Mount Royal also offers snow tubing down the hill overlooking Beaver Lake. This activity is suitable for children aged 4 and up, with daily passes available at the equipment rental counter.
If visiting Mount Royal in the summer, Beaver Lake is still the top attraction. Rowboats can be rented for use on the lake, available for $12 per half hour for one to two people to experience the tranquility of the water. For those who would rather not traverse the waters themselves, Mount Royal also offers remote controlled sailboats for $10 per half-hour, which are fun for kids and adults.
For lunch, you have the option of several restaurants and cafes on the mountain. For a quick bite to eat, head to the Mont-Royal Chalet, the Pavillon du Lac-aux-Castors (adjacent to Beaver Lake) or Maison Smith, where you’ll find an array of soups, sandwiches, and snacks. Alternatively, head into Plateau Mont-Royal for lunch (or brunch!) at Restaurant L’Avenue.
Offering breakfast, brunch, and lunch with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, Restaurant L’Avenue is the perfect example of dining in the artsy Plateau neighborhood.
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.
After lunch, head downtown to Sherbrooke Street to visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the largest art museum in Canada. Alongside collections including Picasso, Rembrandt, and Goya, the museum is currently hosting their Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives exhibition until March 29th.
On display at this expo is over 1000 dolls, each with a unique outfit created by designers such as Christian Dior, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, and Christian Louboutin.
For dinner, head into Downtown Montreal to Restaurant Zibo, located on Robert-Bourassa Boulevard. Offering California-inspired Canadian cuisine, Zibo caters to vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diets with their extensive menu. To complement your meal, Zibo also boasts an impressive beer, wine, and cocktail menu to choose from.
To finish off the night and round off your 2 days in Montreal, take a short walk down to 3 Brasseurs microbrewery on Saint-Catherine Street. With locations all over Montreal and the rest of Canada, 3 Brasseurs was an influential player in the Canadian microbrewery scene. Alongside beer that’s brewed in-house, 3 Brasseurs also offers a food menu that pairs individual beers with specific dishes that complement each other’s flavors.
Not only for beer lovers, however, 3 Brasseurs also offer cocktail and wine menus. So there’s something for everyone! If visiting in the summer, this location also boasts outdoor seating so that you can enjoy your finely crafted beer in the mild summer air. If you’re keen to party, you could head to 2 Pierrots, which is a popular bar for experiencing French Canadian live music.
Offering drinks, bar food, and live music, 2 Pierrots is always lively and bustling with locals, and is the perfect evening spot for those that like to let loose at the end of the day and experience the city as the locals do.
Wondering where to stay during your trip to Montreal?
Read our article to help you pick the right neighborhood and the right hotel.
