Montreal Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

The heart of French Canada, Montreal is one of the best cities to visit in Canada. Located in the province of Quebec, Montreal is famed for its unique delicacies such as poutine, array of annual festivals, and vibrant nightlife. As Canada's second city, you won't be short of things to do during your visit to Montreal. 

Modern-day Montreal became a major city as a result of the region's fur trade. The first instance of the city being referred to as Montreal dates back to 1705. Primarily a French settlement, Montreal has also been under the control of American and British forces over the centuries. 

Today, Montreal is a center for culture in Canada, with a cosmopolitan population that makes it unlike anywhere else in the world. Book a spot at a Montreal luggage storage service, and get ready to start exploring The City of Saints.

9 Best Ways to Experience Montréal in 2024

Combining European flair with some of the best nightlife Canada has to offer, Montréal isn’t a city where you’re likely to get bored. But if you’re pressed for time or want to dive deeper and discover more of this vibrant city, a local tour company can help. Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Montréal and consider one or more of the tours listed below. They’ll give you a deeper understanding of what makes the city so special and help you create some unforgettable vacation memories.

Best tour for foodies — Montreal Food Tours

Combining French, Canadian,  Caribbean, and other cuisines, Montréal’s food scene is one of the best in North America. That’s reflected in the fact that this company offers 14 different food tours. If you like to experience the best food a city has to offer, this company should be your first call. Wander through the Old Town and try traditional Québecois delicacies, or visit the public market and meet the farmers and traders who create the local produce. You’ll get a much deeper understanding of Montréal’s food culture. Contact them at info@vdmglobal.com or 15149336674.

Best bike tour — Montreal On Wheels / Ca Roule Montreal

Exploring Montréal by bike is a great way to see more of the city than you otherwise would. Montréal On Wheels lets you choose from a regular bike or an electrically powered e-bike, making it easy to get around. It’s a great option for families, since they offer child-friendly tours. Alternatively, they also offer food and wine tours with tasting stops included. Contact them at  info@caroulemontreal.com or 15148660633.

Best car tour — Throwback Tours

If you want a more elegant and leisurely way to see the city, this company’s hard to beat. Throwback Tours offer the experience of a lifetime by taking you through the city in a convertible Cadillac to see some of the top attractions. They can also help you find the best bars and nightlife the city has to offer. You can even customize your tour to focus on what you like to do. Reach out to them at Emerson@ThrowbackTours.com or 15148168599.

Best way to capture your vacation — Montreal Private Photo Tours

Forget blurry selfies and murky nighttime shots. If you want to capture the true essence of Montréal, this is the company to call. They offer tours that fall into eight different categories, such as history, food, or fashion. And since these tools are private, your guide will be able to not only take you to the best and most photogenic locations in the city, look also provide guidance on how to capture the very best shots. You’ll need to call to arrange a private tour, and you can reach them at espressofilms@sympatico.ca or 15149925822.

Best beer tour — City Brew Tours

With its strong French influence, Montréal is often seen as a wine city. But in fact, the city has a thriving craft beer scene which you can celebrate on this lively tour. Taste up to 12 different styles of beer and enjoy a good meal with drink pairings at one of the city’s top restaurants. It’s a great way to enjoy food and drink as unique as this exciting city. Contact them at Montreal@citybrewtours.com or 14388004419.

Best art tour — Montréal Art Walks

Art lovers will find plenty to do in Montréal. This tour company is one of the best ways to explore Montréal’s spectacular art scene. They offer five different tours that are limited to groups of six people, so you can really immerse yourself in what you’re seeing. Visit galleries and see the work of local artists, then meet the artists themselves to learn more about Montréal’s art scene. Contact them at artwalksmontreal@gmail.com or 33769825842.

Best ghost tour — Haunted Montreal

Montréal is an old city that has seen its share of conflict and disaster over the centuries. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, a ghost tour is a great way to learn more about the murky side of the history of the town. Tours are offered in English and French, and private tours are available. Plus, you’ll be able to choose from seven different categories or even take a virtual ghost tour on your vacation to the city. Contact Haunted Montréal at info@hauntedmontreal.com or 15145530871.

Best Mile End food tour — Local Montreal Food Tours

Montréal’s famous Mile End is known as the city’s art district. However, it’s also the best place in the city to explore the local delis and bagel shops for which the city is also justifiably famous. Local Montréal Food Tours will take you to Mile End and explain the history of why this part of the city became so well known for its cuisine. And of course, you’ll get to try some of the best deli food in the city. If you’ve never had an authentic Montréal smoked meat sandwich, this company will soon fix that. Contact them at info@localmontrealtours.com or 15146131259.

A weekend in Montreal

As one of Canada's largest cities, Montreal provides a wide variety of activities for a weekend away. From cultural wonders to family-friendly excursions, Montreal is among the best places to visit in North America. Swing by a Montreal luggage locker and head to some of these world-class attractions. 

• The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is among the most beautiful buildings in Montreal. Its Gothic Revival architecture echoes the construction of its Parisian sibling. The basilica is complete with stained-glass windows depicting scenes from Montreal's religious history. 
• Sample the local delicacy, poutine, at one of the best restaurants in Montreal. This decadent dish consisting of fries smothered in gravy and topped with cheese curds is best enjoyed at La Banquise, Backstrap BBQ, or Ma Poule Mouillée.
• Plan a family day out at La Ronde. Operated by Six Flags, La Ronde is the second-largest theme park in Canada and features dozens of rollercoasters and thrilling rides that'll get your adrenaline pumping.

Montreal lockers

While Montreal is pretty pedestrian-friendly, you'll undoubtedly get tired of dragging your bags around this sweeping city. Bounce offers the best places to store your luggage in Montreal, with facilities conveniently placed at local businesses. Just check on the Bounce app and pick a service that suits your needs, and you'll be free to explore Montreal without having to worry about your suitcases. 

Off the beaten path in Montreal

The Canadian countryside is sublime and is well worth exploring during your trip to Montreal. If you're looking to get off the beaten path, you'll find plenty of parks and green spaces in and around the city. Consider storing your bags at a Montreal bag storage spot so that you can make the best of your outdoor adventure. 

• Climb to the top of Mount Royal. Standing at around 760 feet tall, this hill provides some of the best views of the Montreal skyline. The Mount Royal Park covers nearly 500 acres of lush wilderness and is ideal for a number of activities, including hiking, bird watching, and skiing. 
• Get in touch with nature at the Îles-de-Boucherville National Park. Consisting of 5 small islands, the Îles-de-Boucherville National Park is ideal for a riverside stroll along the St Lawrence River or a picnic with your family. 
• Bois-de-Liesse Nature Park is one of the many large nature parks within touching distance of downtown Montreal and covers around 390 acres along the peaceful Bertrand Brook.

What to do alone in Montreal

As well as being great for families, Montreal is also the perfect vacation destination for solo travelers. Whether in town on business or on a Canadian cross-country road trip, consider paying a visit to some of these attractions.

• The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is ideal for solo travelers looking to kill some time. The museum holds a permanent collection of over 45,000 objects and is the oldest museum in Canada. Art on display at the museum includes works by Matisse, Renoir, and Cezanne.
• Discover different natural environments at the Montreal Biodome. A huge natural attraction at Montreal's Olympic Park, the Biodome contains recreations of four environments from across the Americas.
• Spend the day shopping at Vieux-Port de Montréal. The Old Port is one of the most popular areas for tourists in Montreal and is home to chic boutiques and dozens of cafes. 

The best souvenirs in Montreal

You'll find plenty of potential souvenirs unique to Montreal, which are worth picking up on your travels. One of the best is maple syrup. Montreal produces more maple syrup than anywhere else globally and makes for the perfect memento for any pancake lover. Other great souvenirs for foodies include Montreal's famed bagels and some local cheese. If you'd prefer something more traditional, consider picking up a replica art nouveau sign from the Montreal metro, a piece of local artwork, or handmade crafts from the indigenous First Nations.