Montréal Tips

As a country, Canada has long been one of our favorite travel destinations. If you're planning a trip here, you shouldn't forget about the city of Montréal in the province of Quebec. Why? You'll find out here!

Montréal is unofficially considered the cultural capital of Canada. While one might debate this, what cannot be contested is the unique sense of joy that can be felt throughout Montréal, even though winter temperatures can drop to minus 15 degrees Celsius, and it doesn't really warm up again until April. The people of Montréal don't let this dampen their spirits. They are in a celebratory mood year-round, showcasing this through their nearly 100 festivals. Time and again, they demonstrate hospitality, openness, and tolerance. It's no surprise that in this multicultural and bilingual city (both French and English are spoken), people of all nationalities, sexual orientations, and religions feel at home. Montréal is also highly favored among students; in 2017, the QS World University Rankings named it the most student-friendly city in the world.

If it's your first time in Montréal, there are a few stops you can't miss on your sight-seeing tour. We've put together an article with the most important attractions in Montréal where you can find all the essential information. You can also learn about opening hours, transportation, and entrance fees. To help you plan your stay, we've created a map just for you. If you download it, you can even use it without Wi-Fi.

Where there's so much to see, there's surely plenty of excellent shopping opportunities too. The best places to shop are underground, particularly at the Place Ville Marie shopping center. However, Rue Saint-Denis and Rue Sainte-Catherine are also perfect for shopping sprees. You'll find highlights of Canadian design in the charming, historic atmosphere of the Marché Bonsecours.

If you've known us for a while, you know that a successful city trip also requires perfect dining options. We especially love to indulge in the city's specialties. In Montréal, I immediately think of poutine. This dish features fries topped with cheese and gravy, which is such a staple of Canadian fast food culture that even places like McDonald's include it on their menu. Additionally, the people of Montréal enjoy smoked meat, notably at the famous Schwartz's Deli, and bagels. My favorites for bagels are St. Viateur and Bagel etc.

Contrary to what one might initially think, Montréal is also popular with vegetarians and vegans. Rightfully so, given the extensive and delicious offerings that even committed meat-eaters often choose the meatless options! No matter what dietary preference you adhere to, you won't regret dining at Aux Vivres or La Panthère Verte.

My final tip for foodies is the Marché Jean-Talon, a massive market in the Little Italy neighborhood. Here, not only the city's chefs stock up on fresh ingredients, but you can also find delicious snacks like sandwiches, tacos, and ice cream. You'll be spoiled for choice between the cafés and delis that lure you in with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and tasty pastries. You can also take home some Quebec specialties as souvenirs.

The happy hour from 5 to 7 is a staple of the nightlife in Montréal. So dive into one of the many bars and mingle with the locals to experience an authentic impression of how this city ticks. Dinner is typically later, around 9 PM, which is later than what's customary in Germany. While you can find cool bars in Downtown or the Old Town, the scene is less touristy in Quartier Latin and Griffintown. In summer, many locals gather in the Village around Rue Sainte-Catherine, which is also a hotspot for LGBTQ culture.

To top off the nightlife experience, we can't forget to mention the Casino de Montréal with its extravagant shows and events. You can dance until the early morning hours at Club Unity and Muzique Nightclub.

The people of Montréal simply love their festivals and events - not just, as one might initially suppose, in summer when it's warm outside and the days are long, but year-round. Even during winter, their celebratory spirit defies any weather. There are around 100 festivals for various occasions. The events are just as musical as they are athletic and culinary. Here are a few highlights we'd like to introduce you to.

One of the city's flagship events is the International Jazz Festival. It typically starts at the end of June, lasts for 10 days, and boasts an exceptional lineup each year. For jazz fans or anyone who wants to become one, it's definitely a must-see.

Montréal is also famous for its gigantic events celebrating the LGBTQ community. Fierté Montreal or Montréal Pride is the largest event of its kind, with over a million participants each year, including heterosexuals, demonstrating for the rights of the LGBTQ community worldwide while having a fantastic time. The Black and Blue Festival in the second week of October focuses more on the musical and artistic aspects.

Generally, you will discover Montréal as an incredibly musical city. Every Sunday in summer (from May 22 to October 2), Piknic Electronik takes place in Jean-Drapeau Park, an outdoor event for electronic music. This concept has gained so much popularity in Montréal that it's now being adopted in other major cities globally. You can enjoy picnics with the finest electronic sounds in cities like Barcelona, Melbourne, Dubai, and Santiago de Chile - with more to come.

If you want to make your Sunday afternoon in Montréal even more special, check out the so-called Tam-Tams when drummers from all nations meet at Parc du Mont-Royal in front of the George-Étienne-Cartier Monument to make music together. These events are not officially organized, yet they are a staple in the cultural landscape of Montréal and showcase the unique charm of this city. Music lovers should also not miss the Osheaga Festival, which annually showcases the best in rock and pop.

As mentioned earlier, the people of Montréal are not discouraged by the frosty temperatures of the Canadian winter; instead, they celebrate it with the annual Montréal En Lumière festival. Aside from concerts, theater, and dance performances, the main focus is on gastronomy. The festival's highlight is Nuit Blanche, when all residents of the city take to the streets, museums, and clubs to participate in the extensive cultural program. This year, it will take place on March 4, and the celebrations will last from February 23 to March 11. The Igloofest, featuring a top-notch lineup of DJs, is essentially the winter counterpart to Piknic Electronik. Unfortunately, this year it has already passed, but mark your calendars between January and February for next year.

The sports highlight of the event year in Montréal is undoubtedly the Canadian Grand Prix, taking place this year on June 11. For sports enthusiasts, it's also worth attending a hockey game featuring the Montreal Canadiens, as the city has played a significant role in the history of hockey.

We didn't promise too much when we mentioned that there's always a reason to celebrate in Montréal, did we? We've done our best to showcase the highlights of this wonderful city to illustrate how diverse and charming it is. However, keep in mind that this is just a glimpse of all the exciting events, restaurants, and activities that Montréal has to offer. The best way to appreciate the charm of this city that has captivated us is to see it for yourself. Feel free to send us a custom travel inquiry if you're considering a trip to Canada.