Montreal is known worldwide for its world-class art galleries, but it’s also home to dozens of other attractions that are less well-known by tourists.

From boutique shops selling unique gifts and antiques to historic landmarks and beautiful parks and gardens, there’s something for everyone in this amazing city.

Whether you’re planning a vacation to Montreal or you just want to discover new things to do here, these 25+ best sights in Montreal are a great place to start.

The Top 10 Attractions in Montreal

Notre-Dame Basilica

Address: 110 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1T1, Canada

Phone: 514-842-2925

The two massive towers of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal can’t be missed from the Old Port neighborhood of Montreal. Those doors will blow your mind if you’re amazed by what you see outside.

Many tourists are awed by the stunning stained-glass windows and religious art in this first Canadian Gothic Revival church, which was completed in 1829.

It’s as if you’ve stepped back in time when you enter the Basilica. Prime Minister Pierre-Elliott Trudeau and famous Canadian ice hockey hero Maurice Richard had their burials here, as did Pope John Paul II.

This includes a 20-minute guided tour that introduces visitors to the history, architecture and art of Notre Dame Basilica.

It’s also possible to participate in mass or take a longer tour to see the sacrificial altar, the gallery, and the church’s baptismal font.

Old Montreal

Old Montreal is well titled since it is the city’s oldest district and features the spot where Montreal was founded in 1642.

Despite this, the people who congregate in Old Montreal conjure up images of enthusiasm and a youthful energy. The numerous businesses and eateries in the area are often crowded.

A large number of people flock to this region both during the day to enjoy the Old Port’s lovely waterfront (and its numerous contemporary eateries) and in the evening to partake in both of these activities.

And it’s not just in the summer that this occurs.

Igloofest, an outdoor electronic music event, attracts tens of thousands of attendees each year in late January. You won’t want to miss OId Montreal, a unique blend of the old and the new.

Mount Royal

One of Montreal’s most prominent mountains, Mount Royal, is located right in the middle of the city and is surrounded by a park of the same name.

Mount Royal Park was created by Frederick Law Olmstead, who constructed New York’s Central Park, and the two sites serve a similar function: providing an outdoor place in the city where people may gather, hang out, spend time outside, play sports, and much more.

Ascend to the observation deck at the summit, where you’ll find a panoramic view of Montreal’s skyline and a large crucifix.

Or, visit on a Sunday for one of Mount Royal’s biggest draws: tam-tams. Tam-tams are weekly gatherings (weather-permitting) of drummers, dancers, sellers, and just about anybody else. It’s a giant outdoor party and you’re invited.

St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal

Address: 3800 Queen Mary Rd, Montreal, Quebec H3V 1H6, Canada

Phone:  514-733-8211

Driving through Montreal, you may catch a glimpse of this enormous, circular green roof out in the distance.

In addition to being the biggest church in Canada, St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is a famous tourist attraction for residents and visitors alike.

The Oratory basilica’s massive dome, at 97 meters high, is the world’s second-highest structure, only surpassed by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Before going inside, climb the lengthy rows of stairs and take in the stunning views of the city.

You may take a tour and see the modest original chapel, the Basilica and the gardens, and the museum, which offers religious and artistic exhibitions, as well as a gift shop.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Address: 1380 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1J5, Canada

Phone: 514-285-2000

Beret and waxed mustache required. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has approximately 41,000 artworks on display.

The museum, which opened in 1860, is Canada’s most popular art museum, drawing more than one million visitors each year.

Traditional fine arts, music, cinema, fashion, and design all have a presence within its walls, making it an art museum in the truest meaning of the word.

You may stumble onto an old glass vase, a Rembrandt picture, and a piece of contemporary furniture in a few hours of exploring.

Every year, new traveling exhibitions are added to the collection, so no two visits are the same.

Sainte Catherine Street

Shoppers flock to Sainte Catherine Street (Rue Ste.-Catherine locally) in Montreal, the city’s commercial district. High-end designers, chain stores, boutiques, and souvenirs are all available on this boulevard.

From east to west, Sainte Catherine Street runs through the heart of Montreal’s downtown area. There are so many varied experiences to be had that you could stroll for hours and never get bored.

The Boulevard, which is easily accessible by bus or metro, is lined with restaurants, pubs, and cafés (subway).

Both the Montreal Forum and the Place-des-Arts, the former home of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team, are situated on Sainte- Catherine’s.

Make plans to visit during peak season so you can have a drink and a meal outside on the sidewalks of the city.

The Underground City

Following your exploration of one of Toronto’s most bustling commercial corridors, you’re ready to uncover what lies beneath. “Underground city” is a common term used to describe Montreal.

More formally known as the RÉSO, the subterranean network connects major retail malls, metro stations, as well as a variety of other structures with a total length of about 32 kilometers.

In addition to more than 2,000 shops and 17 museums, the network also includes an ice hockey rink, a movie theater, nightclubs and a slew of other dining and entertainment options.

Join the 500,000 people that pass through the subterranean city every day, whether you’re looking for a place to hide from the cold, shop, or just explore.

Place des Festivals

Address: 1499 Jeanne Mance St, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Phone: 514-879-0009

The Quartier des spectacles, or entertainment quarter, is located in the center of downtown Montreal. The Place des Festivals serves as the district’s focal point.

A large outdoor public area, The Place was created specifically to accommodate major events and large people, and it certainly lives up to its original intent. T

he Just for Laughs comedy festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and a slew of other groups use the site year-round to conduct free performances and concerts.

An interactive fountain with 235 water jets, four massive light towers, and two glass-encased restaurants are all located inside the area.

The Place des Festivals is a must-see no matter when you visit Montreal.

Space for Life

Address: 4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, Quebec H1X 2B2,

Phone: 514-868-3000

The Biodôme, the Botanical Garden, the Insectarium, and the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium make up Montreal’s Space for Life (Espace Pour La Vie).

To put it another way, the space is all about bringing us closer to nature and our role in the cosmos.

There are more than 22,000 different kinds of flowers, plants, and animals to see and smell in one day, including penguins, lynx, and a 360-degree display of the Northern Lights.

However, you may want to set out a few days for this. Many things to see and do.

Pointe-à-Callière Museum

Address: 350 Place Royale, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 3Y5, Canada

Phone: 514-872-9150

Isn’t it wonderful that a museum dedicated to archaeology and history is located on the site where Montreal was founded?

To mark Montreal’s 350th anniversary, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum was established in 1992, and currently serves as a time capsule of the city’s past.

You may learn about the history of the city’s First Nations peoples, the British and French settlers, and how Montreal grew to be the city it is today via the use of multimedia and cutting-edge technology.

Buildings and graveyards dating back hundreds of years?

Are there remains from the early settlers of the area still lying around? Are there regular Canadian-themed exhibitions on the road? Yes, this museum is a haven for history buffs.

Parc du Mont-Royal

Address: 1260 Chemin Remembrance

Phone: 514-843-8240

Parc du Mont-Royal, a beautiful, verdant area, is used for a variety of outdoor activities.

Enjoy the scenic vistas as you jog, picnic, ride a horse or bicycle or throw a Frisbee around this park’s lush grass and tree-lined paths. Skating, tobogganing, and cross-country skiing are all popular winter activities.

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal

Address: 1380 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest

Located in aesthetically stunning structures, the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts is a welcoming haven for art lovers.

A visit to this museum should be a must for art enthusiasts, as it houses an incredible collection of paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, furniture and prints.

Although Rembrandt, Picasso, and Monet are all big names from Europe, the museum is most known for its collection of Canadian art.

There are landscapes by the Group of Seven, pieces by Prudence Heward and Paul Kane, and abstracts by Martha Townsend and Jean-Paul Riopelle among the exhibit’s highlights.

The French fashion designer Thierry Mugler was recently included in one of the museum’s temporary displays, which was particularly noteworthy.

Artifacts from the Inuit and indigenous communities, as well as ornamental items like Japanese incense boxes and Victorian chests, may also be found in the collection.

Basilique Notre-Dame

Address: 110 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest

Phone: 846-842-2925

There is no better place to see the Gothic Revival splendor of Montréal than Notre-Dame Basilica, the city’s most well-known monument. It is an architectural wonder of the 19th century.

Oratoire St-Joseph

Address: 3800 Chemin Queen-Mary

Phone: 514-733-8211

While situated above Mont-slopes, Royal’s Oratoire St. Joseph offers breathtaking views over the Côte-des-Neiges and northwest Montréal.

In addition to paying homage to mid-century modern architecture, the imposing basilica also serves as a little shrine to the local saint Brother André, who is reputed to have healed countless people.

In 1960, this Renaissance-style shrine to St. Joseph was finished and has a commanding view of the Mont-northern Royal’s slope. It is possible to see the oratory’s dome from just about anywhere in town.

Jardin Botanique

Address: 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est

Phone: 514-872-1400

After London’s Kew Gardens and Berlin’s Botanischer Garten, Montréal’s Jardin Botanique is the world’s third-largest botanical garden.

There are more than 20 themed gardens in the 75-hectare botanical garden, which has developed since its establishment in 1931 to contain tens of thousands of species of meticulously cultivated floral plants.

In the summer, the rose beds are a sight to behold. Cacti, banana trees, and more than 1,500 varieties of orchids are housed in climate-controlled greenhouses. Highlights of the garden may be found here.

Place d’Armes

The Basilique Notre-Dame, the oldest bank in Old Montreal, and the first skyscraper in the city are all located in this open space.

As religious settlers and indigenous tribes fought for control of what would become Montreal, violent conflicts took place in this square’s name.

The Monument Maisonneuve, erected in honor of Paul de Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve, sits in the city’s heart.

Pointe-à-Callière Cité d’archéologie et d’histoire de Montréal

Address: 350 Pl Royale

Phone: 514-872-9150

This museum, one of the most interesting in the city, takes tourists on a trip through time, starting with the earliest days of Montréal and ending in the present.

An 18-minute multimedia exhibition about Montréal’s founding and the advent of the indigenous people is a good place to begin for visitors.

After that, explore the city’s old sewage and river systems, as well as the foundations of its initial buildings and public square, in the archaeological crypt.

Visitors may hear what life was like in the 17th and 18th centuries from historical figures on video displays in interactive exhibitions.

Old Port

The Old Port of Montréal has been transformed into a 2.5-kilometer park and amusement zone, accented by four big quais, that runs parallel to the majestic St. Lawrence River (quays).

Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’ll find plenty of places to stroll, cycle, or skate. A variety of vessels, including passenger ferries, fast jet boats, and luxury yachts, leave from a number of piers.

An outdoor ice-skating rink is a great place to show off your skating skills in the winter.

The magnificent white Tour de l’Horloge (Clock Tower) at the northern end of Quai de l’Horloge is one of the area’s most notable historical landmarks.

One of the city’s most prominent landmarks, it was built in 1922 to commemorate sailors who lost their lives in World War I.

Canal de Lachine

Address: Rue Charles-Biddle

A 14-kilometer-long bike and pedestrian trail, complete with picnic places and outdoor spaces, is a great blend of urban infrastructure and green civic planning.

More than a dozen pleasure and tourism boats have made their way down the canal since 2002, when it was restored to traffic.

The canal near Atwater market is lined with old warehouses that have been turned into expensive residences. The Lachine Canal was first constructed in 1825 as a method of avoiding the Lachine Rapids on the St. Lawrence River.

Marché Jean-Talon

Address: 7075 Ave Casgrain

Phone: 514-937-7754

One of Montreal’s largest and most diversified covered markets, Little Italy’s pride and joy. Many chefs purchase their supplies for their recipes here or at the surrounding specialty food shops.

Fruit, vegetables, flowers and baked products fill three long covered sections, which are surrounded by delis and cafe-restaurants with little outside seating areas.

Under large tents, the market remains open throughout the year, even during the coldest months. You can get sandwiches, crepes, tacos, ice cream, fresh juices, and good coffee if you’re hungry between meals.

Take advantage of Le Marché des Saveurs du Quebec, one of the few big stores in the city and dedicated to Quebec specialties such as wine and cider, fresh cheeses, smoked meat and many more delicious treats.

Rue St-Denis

There are several hat and clothing boutiques, fashionable record stores, and patio cafés on Rue St-Denis in Montreal’s francophone retail district.

In the summer, people from both sides of the street congregate in the welcoming bistros and pubs.

Place des Arts

Address: 175 Rue Ste-Catherine Ouest

Phone: 514-842-2112

At the heart of Montréal’s creative and cultural life is its performing arts center.

Opéra de Montréal and the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, situated in the Maison Symphonique’s 2100-seat acoustically outstanding symphony hall, call Place des Arts home.

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal also takes place here. Quartier des Spectacles landmark, the complex includes a fountain and swimming pool as well as an underground tunnel linking it to the nearby Complexe Desjardins.

The six halls include the 3000-seat Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, where the Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and the Opéra de Montréal perform.

Varieties, dance performances, and circus arts are staged at the 1500-seat Théâtre Maisonneuve, while smaller acts are held at the Cinquième Salle, including cabaret, experimental theater, and intimate concerts.

Parc La Fontaine

It is the third-largest municipal park in Montreal, after Parc du Mont-Royal and Parc Maisonneuve, with a total area of 34 hectares.

A haven for urbanites in the warmer months, green La Fontaine is a popular destination for those looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. You may also stop by Espace La Fontaine, a chalet, for a snack or a drink.

Even without the fountains, the vista down the steep banks from Ave du Parc La Fontaine is magnificent.

Paddleboat rentals are available in the summer and ice skating is available in the winter. On July nights, the outdoor Théâtre de Verdure attracts a laid-back crowd.

Habitat 67

Address: 2600 Ave Pierre Dupuy

Phone: 514-866-5971

Cité-du-Havre, a man-made peninsula, was built to guard the port from ice and dangerous currents.

For Expo 67 in 1967, Moshe Safdie built futuristic cube-like residences resembling a tiny zoom-in on salt from a distance, at the tender age of 23.

Old Montréal and Île Ste-Hélène are linked by the Pont de la Concorde, which spans this spit of land.

Online booking is available for English-speaking guided tours. A typical workday can begin at 10 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Toward the southern end of the Old Port, you may see Habitat 67, notably along Rue du Port.

Marché Atwater

Address: 138 Ave Atwater

Phone: 514-937-7754

If you’re looking for a great selection of fresh fruit from local farmers, as well as good wines and breads from local bakeries, this market is a must-visit in Montreal’s Canal de Lachine neighborhood.

There is year-round operation of the market’s speciality stores and a seasonal opening of the outdoor food booths in between March and October.

It’s all located in a brick hall built in 1933, complete with a clock tower, and there’s live music almost every night. The canalside grasses are ideal for a picnic.

Belvédère Kondiaronk lookout

Address: 1196 Voie Camillien-Houde, Mont-Royal

Phone: 514-872-3911

The Chalet du Mont-semicircular Royal’s vantage point provides superb views of the city. The Biosphère at Parc Jean-Drapeau may even be seen to the left.

The overlook is a short walk (700m) from the bus stop at Remembrance/Chemin du Chalet, stop number 11 on the bus route 11. Straight uphill from Avenue de Pins Ouest to Rue Peel, a 10-15-minute walk is also feasible.

There is a lot of wind up there, so you’ll want to bring a sweater or jacket.

Musée McCord

Address: 690 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest

Phone: 514-861-6701

The McCord Museum of Canadian History houses thousands of artifacts and documents illustrating Canada’s social, cultural, and archaeological history from the 18th century to the present day.

With a small-but-excellent First Nations permanent collection displaying Indigenous dress and artifacts in a cramped but welcoming gallery.

Avenue du Mont-Royal

On Ave du Mont-Royal, vintage five-and-dime stores coexist with a slew of hip cafés and stylish businesses. This area’s nightlife now matches that of Boulevard St-Laurent, with pubs and clubs ranging from tame to wild.

Fashionable clothing may be found in a variety of settings, including cozy boutiques, retro thrift shops, and ultra-modern designers’ outlets.

Biodôme

Address: 4777 Ave du Pierre-De Coubertin

Phone: 514-868-3000

All of the above may be done in this fascinating exhibit without ever leaving the building: rainforest, Antarctic islands, rolling forests, aquatic life in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, or bare Atlantic coastline.

Thousands of animal and plant species live in the five ecosystems; if you follow the self-guided circuit, you’ll see them all.

To prepare for the sudden changes in temperature, wear many layers of clothing. Strollers are available for free, and the exhibitions are designed to be accessible to little children.

Île Ste-Hélène

In the St. Lawrence River, a World’s Fair, a World War II prison camp, and a fort may still be seen on this island.

The island’s various attractions, including an amusement park in the north, a historic fort in the center, and World Fair gardens and a biosphere in the southeast, are easily accessible from the mainland via public transportation, car, bike, or foot.

La Citadelle

Address: 2125 Rue Saint-Marc, Montreal, QC H3H 2P1, Canada

The greatest military structure in North America is perched majestically above Quebec City’s Cap Diamant.

In 1750, the French began construction of the site on the St. Lawrence River, but the magnificent star-shaped battlement that can be seen today was built by the British between 1820 and 1850 to protect the city against a hypothetical American invasion in the nineteenth century.

During the summer months, the Royal 22nd Regiment of the Canadian Forces is housed in the fort, and daily military displays are put on for tourists to enjoy.

Parc Olympique

Parc Olympique, one of Montreal’s most notable attractions, but also one of the city’s most divisive.

Despite its $1.4 billion price tag, the stadium’s retractable roof was never completed in time for the 1976 Olympic Games and remained unusable until the 1980s.

However, tourists may easily spend a whole day or two in this quadrilateral’s numerous exhibitions, attractions, and activities. Tour Montreal’s funicular is the best way to get up to the summit.

Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

Address: 10018 Ave Royale, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec G0A 3C0, Canada

Phone: 418-827-3781

Founded in 1658 as a shrine to the patron saint of Quebec, the oldest pilgrimage destination in North America, the basilica was built in 1887.

The inside of the current church, which began construction in 1923 but was not finished until 1963, features lavish decorating, including spectacular window archways.

It is clear from the pyramids of crutches outside the medieval-style gate that the shrine of Sainte Anne de Beaupré is a place of pilgrimage for those who believe in her healing abilities.

Beautifully crafted religious monuments flank the lavish grounds, which include a Way of the Cross.

Ile d’Orléans

Ile d’Orleans, one of the first European colonies in the New World, is known as the cradle of French culture in North America because of its lush flora and tranquillity.

There are six parishes along a 30 kilometer island that have kept many French customs since Jacques Cartier came here in 1535, and approximately 600 historic structures are a protected architectural marvel.

Island food has evolved to be recognized as a “open-air market” because of its rich soil.

Musée Pointe-a-Callière

Address: 350 Place Royale, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 3Y5, Canada

Phone:  514-872-9150

Located near the junction of the St. Pierre and St. Lawrence rivers, this National Historic Site commemorates Montreal’s establishment at Place Royale.

Archeological crypt, refurbished Customs House, and trendy building built on top of ruins are all inside this stone and brushed steel monument.

Visitors may explore at their own speed with a self-guided tour, although tour guides are on hand to answer any questions they may have.

The guides in these escorts are skilled storytellers who bring the city’s past to alive. This is unquestionably a must-see site in Montreal!

Les Laurentides

Les Laurentides (the Laurentians), a two-hour drive north of Montreal, are best renowned for its stunning ski slopes and year-round family activities.

There are approximately 6,000 lakes and ponds in the area, which have been the site of Amerindian communities for more than 4,000 years, and the region has been a productive agricultural zone since the 19th century.

In the summer, visitors may take advantage of the various trails and old Francophone communities, while in the winter, they can enjoy the luxuries of modern ski resorts.

Musée de la Civilisation de Quebec

The Musée de la Civilisation de Quebec is one of the world’s few museums that consistently receives such high praise (MCQ).

Two of the exhibitions (one of which is a permanent fixture) cover a wide range of topics from history and culture to sports and science. I

t was designed by Moshe Safdie, the architect behind Ottawa’s National Gallery, and incorporates the Maison Chevalier, the Seminaire de Quebec, and the Place-Royale Interpretation Center to produce this vibrant look at local life in all its facets.

The MCQ was built by the same architect who designed Ottawa’s National Gallery.

Conclusion

Here are 25+ best sights in Montreal attractions you should definitely visit. This is by far the most comprehensive list of things to do in Montreal on this planet.

These are places you must visit, regardless of whether you’re visiting for a weekend or for a month. So go ahead and bookmark this page and keep coming back to it because new stuff gets added all the time!