Montréal is an island city where French meets North American energy. Founded in 1642, it grew from a fur-trading post into a creative capital known for festivals, design, and food. Cobblestones and cutting-edge culture sit side by side—18th-century stone warehouses house latte bars, galleries, and tasting counters.

Fun fact: Montréal has a subterranean city of passageways and shops downtown, plus one of the world’s largest botanical gardens. It’s also famously bilingual: you’ll hear Bonjour and Hi everywhere. Winters are magical (and cold), summers are festival-packed, and fall brings fiery maples on Mount Royal.

Practical notes: The STM métro/bus is fast and safe; plan for a rechargeable OPUS card or 24-hour/3-day passes. Bagels are a civic obsession, poutine is a rite of passage, and neighborhoods—Plateau, Mile End, Saint-Henri, Little Italy—reward slow wandering and good appetites.

Montréal

Montréal rewards curiosity. Old Montréal’s narrow lanes lead to the St. Lawrence River, while the Plateau and Mile End bring murals, café culture, and independent boutiques. Parc du Mont-Royal offers the city’s best lookout; the Olympic district gathers the Biodôme, Botanical Garden, and Planetarium in one green sweep.

Food lovers are spoiled: hot-smoked meat at Schwartz’s, old-school French at L’Express, Syrian feasts at Damas, natural-wine treasures at Vin Mon Lapin, and the eternal bagel rivalry—St-Viateur vs. Fairmount. Breweries (Dieu du Ciel!, Messorem), cocktail hideaways (Atwater Cocktail Club, The Cloakroom), and markets (Jean-Talon, Atwater) fill the days and nights.

Where to stay: For river views and cobblestones, pick Old Montréal. For café-and-boutique living, choose the Plateau/Mile End. For canalside calm with great food, try Saint-Henri/Griffintown. Browse stays on VRBO in Montréal or compare hotels on Hotels.com Montréal.

Getting in: Fly into YUL (Montréal–Trudeau). Typical nonstops: NYC ~1.5h, Chicago ~2h, Miami ~3.5h, L.A. ~5.5h, Paris ~7h. Search fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). From the airport, a fixed-fare taxi gets you downtown in ~25 minutes; the 747 bus runs 24/7 and is included with STM passes.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Port Stroll, and a Cozy First Bite

Morning: Travel day. If you’re flying, aim for a midday arrival at YUL. Browse flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com for the best routes.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel or apartment near Old Montréal or the Plateau for easy exploring. Shake off jet lag with a riverside walk along the Vieux-Port boardwalk and the historic Place Jacques-Cartier, dotted with artists and street music in warm months.

Evening: Dinner at Olive et Gourmando (early) for market-fresh salads and the beloved cubano sandwich; or book Garde Manger for seafood-driven plates in a stone-walled room. Nightcap at the vaulted Crew Collective & Café, housed in a 1920s bank—espresso by day, elegant ambiance all night.

Day 2: Old Montréal’s Icons, Stories, and Stone

Morning: Join a small-group amble through the district’s lanes, courtyards, and river views with the excellent Old Montreal Small-Group Walking Tour | Max 10 | by MTL Detours (2 hours). You’ll cover Place d’Armes, hidden alleys, and cornerstone stories that bring the 17th–19th centuries to life.

Afternoon: Visit the stunning Notre-Dame Basilica—blue-gold interiors and woodcarving masterworks. If available, book the after-dark AURA light experience. Then head to Pointe-à-Callière (archaeology museum) to see Montréal literally from the ground up via preserved foundations.

Evening: Dine at L’Express on Saint-Denis for archetypal Parisian bistro fare (steak frites, bone marrow, cornichons), or at Le Filet for polished seafood with Japanese accents. For cocktails, slip into The Cloakroom (reservations recommended), where tailor-shop minimalism meets precise, bespoke drinks.

Day 3: Mount Royal Vistas and Mile End Bites

Morning: Coffee at Café Myriade (Metcalfe) or Dispatch (Saint-Laurent), then hike or shuttle to the Mount Royal Chalet for a classic skyline panorama. Ramble the wooded paths designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, then descend toward the Plateau’s murals and stoop-lined streets.

Afternoon: Eat your way through Mile End on the guided Montreal Mile End Authentic Food Tour with 7 Delicacies Tastings—expect the bagel showdown (St-Viateur vs. Fairmount), local charcuterie, and sweets, with neighborhood history threaded throughout.

Evening: Beer lovers: head to Dieu du Ciel! for Péché Mortel (coffee stout) and rotating taps; or try Isle de Garde’s terrace. Dinner options nearby include Lawrence (modern nose-to-tail), Bar St-Denis (market-driven, lively), or Vin Mon Lapin (natural wine and seasonal plates; book early).

Day 4: Montréal in One Sweep (Guided, All Day)

See the city’s greatest hits in a single, efficient day on The Full-Day small-group comprehensive tour of Montreal. You’ll cover upscale avenues, Mount Royal lookouts, St. Joseph’s Oratory, and neighborhood contrasts, with tastings of local specialties (yes, bagels and maple). Ideal early in the trip to orient yourself and pick favorites for return visits.

Day 5: Olympic Park, Biodôme, and Botanical Wonder

Morning: Grab a sesame bagel with smoked salmon at St-Viateur (Fairmount is a worthy detour) and head east. Start at the Biodôme to wander through five recreated ecosystems—subpolar penguins to lush Laurentian forest—under one sweeping roof.

Afternoon: Cross to the Montréal Botanical Garden, one of the world’s finest. Don’t miss the Chinese Garden pavilions and the First Nations Garden; in summer, butterflies and lanterns delight. If time allows, add the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium for immersive astronomy shows.

Evening: Dinner on Saint-Laurent: Damas (rich Syrian cuisine—mezze, pomegranate-lamb kebabs) or Pumpui (Thai curries) for a casual alternative. Catch a performance at Place des Arts or a set at Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill for intimate, old-school swing.

Day 6: Lachine Canal Cycling, Atwater Market, and Saint-Henri Sips

Morning: Coffee at September Surf or Café Saint-Henri, then rent BIXI bikes (Apr–Nov; day passes are affordable) for the flat Lachine Canal path. Pause at Atwater Market for Québec cheeses (Le 1608, Hercule), strawberries in season, and fresh oysters at La Boîte aux Huîtres.

Afternoon: Browse Saint-Henri’s vintage shops and galleries. Lunch at Satay Brothers (Singaporean street food—laksa, satay) or Arthurs Nosh Bar (Jewish comfort: latkes, schnitzel). If you love pastry, detour to Boulangerie Automne for viennoiseries.

Evening: Book Elena for wood-fired sourdough pizza and natural-leaning wines; or Tuck Shop for creative Québécois plates with market produce. Nightcap at Atwater Cocktail Club, a moody back-alley gem with balanced, technique-driven drinks.

Day 7: Museums, Downtown Architecture, and Rooftop Views

Morning: Montréal Museum of Fine Arts anchors a refined morning—Canadian landscapes, design, and international exhibitions. Coffee at Café Olimpico (downtown location) for a classic Italian espresso bar vibe.

Afternoon: Explore the McCord Stewart Museum for Indigenous art and city history. Stroll the Golden Square Mile’s 19th-century mansions before riding up to Au Sommet PVM (Place Ville Marie) for a 360° city view (clear days are best).

Evening: Dine at Park in Westmount for pristine sushi and wagyu, or at Île Flottante for a seasonal tasting menu. If skies are clear, ride La Grande Roue (giant observation wheel) in the Old Port for glittering night vistas over the St. Lawrence.

Day 8: Quebec City Day Trip—UNESCO Streets and a Mighty Waterfall

Trade island life for fortifications and postcard alleys on the From Montreal: Quebec City One Day Trip with Hotel Pickup. Typically 12 hours door to door, it includes time at Montmorency Falls—30 meters taller than Niagara—and a guided wander through Old Québec’s Upper and Lower Towns, battlefields, and the famed Château Frontenac silhouette. Expect 2.5–3 hours each way by coach; bring comfy shoes for cobblestones and an appetite for sugar pie.

Day 9: Parc Jean-Drapeau, Biosphere, and Little Burgundy Flavours

Morning: Metro to Parc Jean-Drapeau on Saint Helen’s Island. Visit the geodesic Biosphere for striking architecture and environmental exhibits; in summer, stroll gardens and artworks along the river, and in winter enjoy crisp island views.

Afternoon: Picnic or café lunch on-site, then loop past the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Formula 1 track (you can walk or cycle sections off-season). Return via Old Port ferries in summer or métro year-round.

Evening: Book Joe Beef or Liverpool House on Notre-Dame Ouest for Montréal’s most storied bistro comfort (lobster spaghetti, aged steaks, thoughtful vegetables). For wine-first dining, try Vin Papillon next door. Casual option: Burgundy Lion for elevated pub fare and a whisky list that goes deep.

Day 10: Markets, Spa, and Farewell

Morning: Brunch at Butterblume (seasonal, bright plates) or Bagel Etc. (old-school diner vibe). Swing by Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy for last bites—cupped gelato at Havre aux Glaces, pepperettes, maple syrup to take home.

Afternoon: Unwind at Bota Bota, the riverfront spa on a moored ferry in the Old Port—saunas, river views, and a calm send-off. Pick up any final souvenirs from local makers on Saint-Laurent or Saint-Paul Street before your afternoon departure.

Evening: Departure day. If you have time, one last espresso at Café Olimpico or a stroll along the quays to say au revoir to the skyline.

Optional Evening Add-On (Any Night): Montréal by Night

If your schedule is flexible, consider a night drive and skyline spin later in the trip. You’ll watch lights ignite along the river, ride the wheel in the Old Port, and cross illuminated bridges—perfect photos, no daytime crowds.

Food & Drink Shortlist (save for later)

• Bagels: St-Viateur, Fairmount
• Classics: Schwartz’s (smoked meat), L’Express (bistro), Joe Beef/Liverpool House (bistronomy)
• Modern gems: Vin Mon Lapin, Elena, Le Filet, Bar St-Denis, Tuck Shop, Damas
• Cafés: Olive et Gourmando, Crew Collective & Café, Café Olimpico, Dispatch, Myriade
• Markets: Jean-Talon (Little Italy), Atwater (Saint-Henri)
• Breweries: Dieu du Ciel!, Isle de Garde, Messorem

Practical Tips

• Transit: STM passes (24-hour, weekend, 3-day) are great value; the métro is easy to navigate. Winter sidewalks are well-cleared; pack warm boots and layers.
• Taxis/Uber: Readily available; neighborhoods are closer than they look. Parking can be tight in Plateau/Mile End—consider car-free days.
• Biking: BIXI city bikes (Apr–Nov) make canal and neighborhood hops a breeze; helmets recommended.

Optional Montreal Experiences to Swap In

If you’d like more guided discovery, consider these:

• Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours — A delicious way to pair landmarks with bites and sips.
• Museum of Illusions Montreal - 70+ Illusions to Explore — Playful, quick, and great for families or a rainy hour.

Booking reminders: For flights, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. For stays, check VRBO and Hotels.com. Reserve popular restaurants (Vin Mon Lapin, Damas, Joe Beef) and tours a couple of weeks out, especially in summer and during festivals.

Summary: Over 10 days, you’ll read Montréal through its streets, markets, and plates—Old Port heritage, Mount Royal panoramas, Mile End cafés, Olympic Park museums, and a storybook Quebec City day trip. You’ll leave with bagel loyalties, a handful of favorite terraces, and a plan to return for the next season.