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Montreal

TRAVEL GUIDE

Montreal

TRAVEL GUIDE

The Fodor's Five

The five things you need to know before traveling to Montreal

# 1

The public transportation system is one of the best in North America.

There are many cities in North America where you might not want a car (traffic, parking, etc.) even if it might make getting around easier. Montreal is not one of those places. People often look at New York as the gold standard of a city that doesn’t require a vehicle. But Canada’s second-most populous city certainly gives it a run for its money. The metro gets you around pretty much wherever you need to go, and where it doesn’t, a bus likely will. Buy an Opus card and load it with tickets and passes.

# 2

Winter is a nice time to visit—if you can stand the cold.

Canada, and Montreal in particular, are known for brutal winters. However, the vibe is unmatched during this season. In much of the U.S., winter is simply endured. Up north though, the season is enjoyed to its fullest. You can ski and sled right on Mont-Royal, and almost every park has a skating rink. Furthermore, Montrealers are not scared of the cold; it’s not uncommon to see people bundled up outside enjoying drinks with a roaring fire nearby! There are also underground passageways, for those days where the wind makes it just a little too cold.

# 3

French is present and necessary-ish.

Montreal is a bilingual (French/English) city, but it is located in the officially monolingual French-language province of Quebec. So most signs will be in French or bilingual. Additionally, when you enter a shop you’ll be greeted with “bonjour/hi” and “bonjour” ALWAYS comes first. This is meant to offer clients an option for which language they’d like to speak. As a visitor, you will find people in most places, people speak English. However, for the sake of reading signs and being understood in rarer instances, it’s best to brush up on the basics. Especially if you plan to visit other parts of the province.

# 4

It’s a different kind of outdoorsy city.

Sure, there are plenty of bars, clubs, festivals, and shopping all over, but Montrealers also adore nature. There’s a mountain in the heart of the city that provides endless trails. Additionally, check out Jean Drapeau, La Fontaine, The Canal, and more.

# 5

Food is more than smoked meat and poutine but don’t sleep on the poutine.

Although numerous villages will argue about who actually invented it, Montreal invented poutine. Order it with confidence in the city—ideally with smoked meat, another Montreal specialty.

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Neighborhoods

Sandwiched between Downtown and the Old City is bustling Chinatown. The center of the action is at the intersection of rue Clark and rue de
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Not too many tourists venture north and east of Parc du Mont-Royal but the primarily residential neighborhoods of Côte-des-Neiges and the Town of Mount Royal
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The heart of Downtown—with department stores, boutiques, bars, restaurants, strip clubs, amusement arcades, theaters, cinemas, art galleries, bookstores, and even a few churches—runs from avenue
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The neighborhood of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is one of the best spots to go if you're craving green space, plus it has one of Montréal's best markets
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If you want to work up an appetite for lunch—or just get some exercise—rent a bike on rue de la Commune, in Old Montréal, and
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Hotels

Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
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Fodor's Choice

Quickly find Montreal Hotels and compare prices.

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Language

English, French

Nearby Airports

YUL

Electrical Outlets

110v/60 cycles; electrical plugs have two flat prongs (the same as in the U.S.).

Currency

Canadian dollar

Local Weather

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Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Language

English, French

Electrical Outlets

110v/60 cycles; electrical plugs have two flat prongs (the same as in the U.S.).

Currency

Canadian dollar

Nearby Airports

YUL

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

To avoid crowds and below-freezing temperatures, Montréal's short spring, which typically starts in late April or early May but doesn't end...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in Montreal with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

To avoid crowds and below-freezing temperatures, Montréal's short spring, which typically starts in late April or early May but doesn't end...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in Montreal with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

To avoid crowds and below-freezing temperatures, Montréal's short spring, which typically starts in late April or early May but doesn't end...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in Montreal with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

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Fodor's Montréal & Québec City
Whether you want to party at Jazz Fest, explore La Citadelle , or stroll the promenade in...

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