- Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris.
- The city is built on a network of underground pedestrian tunnels spanning over 30 kilometers, designed to connect major buildings and metro stations during harsh winters.
- Montreal has an unusually high density of restaurants, consistently ranking as one of the top cities in North America for the number of dining establishments per capita.
- The city operates as a UNESCO City of Design, reflecting its long history of creative urban planning and architectural innovation.
- The official language of the province of Quebec is French, though English is widely spoken throughout the downtown and tourist-heavy districts.
About Montreal
Montreal is a bilingual metropolis situated on an island in the Saint Lawrence River, defined by a distinct fusion of European architecture and North American energy. The city serves as a major cultural hub where visitors can explore historical sites like the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal [31978] or stroll through the vast green spaces of Mount Royal Park [3666]. Its urban landscape balances a dense downtown core with sprawling public venues like the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve [31379], which hosts international racing events. Visitors often frequent the Vieux-Port de Montréal [31978] for riverfront recreation and educational stops such as the Montreal Science Centre [4159].
Highlights of Montreal
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Temples
Features intricate wood carvings and a deep blue interior design.
Parks
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, this hill provides panoramic views of the entire downtown skyline.
Places of interest
This historic waterfront district serves as the primary recreational hub for river activities.
Museums
Houses a comprehensive collection of international art ranging from ancient times to contemporary pieces.
Temples
Renowned for its massive copper dome, it is the largest church in Canada.
Museums
Located within a former Expo 67 pavilion, this museum focuses on the ecology and environment of the Saint Lawrence River.
Venues
A permanent motor racing circuit located on Île Notre-Dame that hosts major international grand prix events.
Museums
Built over the city's original colonial foundations, this museum details Montreal's evolution through interactive exhibits.
Top things to do in Montreal
The 259 highest-rated places in Montreal, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
The Vieux-Port de Montréal is a two-kilometer-long recreational area stretching along the Saint Lawrence River. It serve...
2
Temples
The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is a premier example of Gothic Revival architecture located in the historic Old Mont...
3
Parks
Mount Royal Park is a 200-hectare green space designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect who design...
4
Temples
Saint Joseph's Oratory is Canada's largest church, featuring a dome that is the third largest of its kind in the world b...
5
Museums
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is the oldest art museum in Canada, founded in 1860 as the Art Association of Mo...
6
Parks
The Centre de la nature is a 50-hectare former quarry turned public park located in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul district o...
7
Venues
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a 4.361-kilometer semi-permanent motor racing circuit located on Notre-Dame Island in the S...
8
Parks
Parc Jarry is a 36-hectare municipal park located in the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough of Montreal. It se...
9
Museums
The Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, also known as Pointe-à-Callière, is built directly atop the birthplace o...
10
Parks
Parc Angrignon is a 97-hectare English-style landscape park featuring over 20,000 trees and a central pond. Designed by...
11
Parks
Parc Jean-Drapeau comprises Saint Helen’s Island and the man-made Notre-Dame Island, situated in the Saint Lawrence Rive...
12
Museums
The Montreal Science Centre is located within the historic Old Port of Montreal, housed in a renovated warehouse buildin...
13
Museums
The Biosphere is a dedicated environmental museum housed within the iconic geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller...
14
Venues
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier is the largest performing arts venue within Montreal's Place des Arts complex. It serves as the...
15
Parks
Jeanne-Mance Park serves as a primary recreational gateway to Mount Royal Park, located at the base of the mountain's ea...
16
Parks
Super Aqua Club is a large outdoor water park situated on the shores of Lac des Deux Montagnes in Pointe-Calumet, Quebec...
17
Venues
Le Bordel Comédie Club is a premier stand-up venue in Montreal located in a historic building in the Quartier Latin. The...
18
Zoos
The Ecomuseum Zoo is an outdoor wildlife park dedicated exclusively to the native fauna of Quebec's Saint Lawrence Valle...
19
Parks
Rapids Park (Parc des Rapides) is a significant riparian zone located on the banks of the Lachine Rapids in the LaSalle...
20
Parks
Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier Park is a primary urban recreational hub located in the Le Plateau-Mont-Royal borough of Montreal. T...
21
Parks
Visitation Island Nature Park is a 34-hectare urban park located on the banks of the Rivière des Prairies in northern Mo...
22
Temples
Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal. The structure is a...
23
Venues
Théâtre St-Denis operates as a central hub within the Espace St-Denis cultural complex in Montreal's Latin Quarter. The...
24
Parks
Dorchester Square is a historic public square in downtown Montreal, originally established in the 19th century on the si...
25
Amusement parks
La Grande Roue de Montréal is the tallest observation wheel in Canada, reaching a height of 60 meters. It features 42 cl...
26
Venues
The Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault is a purpose-built performing arts center in downtown Saint-Jérôme, designed to host a dive...
27
Museums
Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum, houses the largest collection of railway artifacts in Canada, spanning over 10 he...
28
Parks
René-Lévesque Park is a 14-hectare man-made peninsula extending into Lake Saint-Louis at the entrance of the Lachine Can...
29
Parks
Westmount Park is a historic 26-acre Victorian-style green space serving as a central community hub in the city of Westm...
30
Parks
Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques is the largest park in the Montreal network, spanning 330 hectares on a peninsula at th...
Around Montreal
Worth the short trip out of the city.
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Montreal on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Montreal
June through August is ideal for outdoor festivals and pleasant weather, while September and October offer vibrant fall foliage.
3-4 days to experience both the historical Old Montreal district and the surrounding diverse neighborhoods.
The city features an extensive and efficient Metro subway system, a reliable bus network, and is highly navigable via the BIXI bike-share program.
Stay in Old Montreal for historic charm and proximity to the river, or select the Plateau Mont-Royal for proximity to local boutiques, cafes, and residential architecture.
Montreal is generally a mid-range destination, offering a wide variety of accommodation and dining price points compared to other major North American cities.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 259 curated attractions in and around Montreal, ranked by traveller ratings.
Vieux-Port de Montréal is the highest-rated place to visit in Montreal right now.
The largest category is parks, with 95 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Toronto, North Vancouver (city), Ottawa.
Explore more of Canada
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.