Updated July 2026
I travel to Montreal at least once a year, usually a few times. Like most visitors, and even as a Canadian, I get the “it’s like going to Europe” feeling. Montreal has culture galore. There’s lots to see and do in Montreal. It is consistently rated as one of the world’s most livable cities.
Quebecers are a passionate people. A kiss on the cheek is a real kiss on the cheek (not a brushing of cheeks). A conversation can become a spirited debate in a heartbeat. Montreal reflects this passion and is a truly vibrant city.
A couple of travel tips if you are heading to Montreal:
For shopping and dining, get onto St. Catherine Street. That’s where the action is. Several department stores, chain stores, take-out food, restaurants and more. Montreal is famous for its deli restaurants. The best are: Reuben’s, Dunn’s and Schwartz’s. Smoked meat is the sandwich. The second food specialty is Poutine– french fries with brown gravy and fresh cheese curds. Although Poutine can be found across Canada in varying styles, the best is found in the birthplace of Poutine- Montreal. If you’ve had a drink too many the night before, it tastes really, really good! Bon Appetit!
Montreal Practical Logistics:
- Best Time to Visit: It’s hard to beat summer in Montreal (winter- not so much). Montreal has the increasingly popular Bixi rental bikes and lots of bike paths. And more restaurant patios than you can imagine. They also have more Festivals than you can imagine. Choose wisely for an extra good time.
- Getting Around: The STM (metro system) makes it easy to navigate the city. And so does Uber and regular Taxis.
- Must-Visit Areas: You can’t go wrong with one or all: Old Montreal (Historic), Plateau (Artistic/Bohemian), and Mile End (Culinary/Bagels).
Montreal Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is Montreal English-friendly for tourists? French is the dominant language. Contrary to popular belief, the province of Quebec and Montreal, are not bilingual. They are largely uni-lingual (French). Signs must be in French. I always try to start a conversation in French but I’m pegged as English the moment I start speaking. A Montrealer will normally move the conversation to English (assuming they speak English).
- How many days do I need in Montreal? A weekend in Montreal is great; a long weekend (3 days) is better; 5 days would be ideal.
- What is the best neighborhood to stay in for cultural immersion? Old Montreal has to be the first choice to dive right in to Montreal culture. But you will get cultural immersion in other areas too.
Hard to go wrong and hard to not have a great time in Montreal!
Author Bio
Mark Crone is the traveller and storyteller behind Mark’s Travel Journal, where he shares practical tips, destination guides, and real experiences from his adventures around the world. Based in Canada, he aims to help others travel smarter and discover meaningful moments on the road. Explore more of Mark’s work:
More Canada – Complete Canada Travel Guide
Agree with you in that Montreal definitely gives off a European feeling. It’s been a long time since I was there. I’m trying to remember the great Polish restaurant that I was at. Itt’ll come to me someday. 🙂 Look forward to checking out the great scenery there and in the rest of Quebec down the road.