About Montreal
Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest in Canada, and the eighth-largest in North America. Founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, or "City of Mary", it now takes its name from Mount Royal, the triple-peaked mountain around which the early settlement was built. The city is centred on the Island of Montreal and several much smaller, peripheral islands, the largest of which is Île Bizard. It lies 196 kilometres (122 mi) east of the national capital, Ottawa, and 258 kilometres (160 mi) southwest of the provincial capital, Quebec City.
Cheap flights to Montreal
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $816 from Manchester, travelling 7 Nov – 22 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LON London to Montreal13 Feb – 18 Feb · YMQ from$1,016
- MAN Manchester to Montreal7 Nov – 22 Nov · YMQ from$816
- GLA Glasgow to Montreal12 Dec – 26 Dec · YMQ from$1,530
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to MontrealPlaces to visit in Montreal
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Old Montreal
Historic · 2 mi from centreThe historic district near the waterfront features cobblestone streets, stone buildings, galleries and restaurants, and leads to the Old Port along the St. Lawrence River.
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Notre-Dame Basilica
Religious · 1 mi from centreThis Gothic Revival basilica in Old Montreal is renowned for its intricately carved and painted blue interior, which is worth seeing even for non-religious visitors.
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Mount Royal
ParkThe mountain park that gave the city its name offers walking trails, Beaver Lake and lookouts such as the Kondiaronk Belvedere with panoramic views over downtown and the river.
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Saint Joseph's Oratory
Religious · 2 mi from centreA massive domed basilica on the slope of Mount Royal, reached by a long staircase, with a museum, gardens and broad views over the city from its terrace.
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Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
MuseumSpread across several connected pavilions on Sherbrooke Street, the museum covers Canadian, Quebec and international art, from old masters to contemporary works and decorative design, and easily fills half a day.
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Jean-Talon Market
MarketA large open-air market in Little Italy with produce, cheese, maple products and food stalls, giving a taste of Quebec's culinary scene and seasonal harvests.
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Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
Neighborhood · 1 mi from centreA colorful neighborhood of row houses with distinctive outdoor staircases, along with cafes, boutiques and bagel bakeries, perfect for wandering and soaking up local Montreal life.
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Montreal Botanical Garden
Park · 4 mi from centreA large garden with dozens of themed areas, including Chinese and Japanese gardens, extensive exhibition greenhouses and an insectarium, located across the street from the Olympic Stadium in the east of the city.
Things to do in Montreal by type
20 tours, tickets and experiences across 6 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 5 experiences Montreal with a Local - Private Half-Day Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 4 experiences Montreal Guided Evening River Cruise -
Gastronomy & nightlife 3 experiences Enjoy a delicious brunch aboard a scenic river cruise -
Shows, sports and special events 2 experiences Formula 1: Canadian Grand Prix 2026 - Ticket -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 2 experiences La Grande Roue de Montréal: Ferris Wheel Entry Ticket -
Art & culture 2 experiences Discover The History of Medicine as well as The History of Montreal
- 3-6 hours 4
- 1-3 hours 3
- Flexible 1
- Youth 1
- Families 1
- Senior 1
- Couples 1
- Private 1
- Small group 1
Top experiences in Montreal
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 20 available.
Montreal with a Local - Private Half-Day Tour
From $80 per adult
Air France Lounge operated by Plaza Premium - International Departures
From $61 per adult
Secret Food Tour Montreal: Mile End Flavors and Hidden Gems
From $58 per adult
Secret Food Tours Montreal: Jean-Talon Market and Little Italy Tastings
From $51 per adult
La Grande Roue de Montréal: Ferris Wheel Entry Ticket
From $22 per adult
Musée Imaginarium Montreal: Entry Ticket
From $26 per adult
Discover The History of Medicine as well as The History of Montreal
From $9 per adult
Where to stay in Montreal
Popular hotels in Montreal, out of 326 properties you can book.
Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile
From $188 per night
Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel
From $136 per night
Lelux Hotel & Empire Suites
From $65 per night
Hyatt Place Montreal - Downtown
From $165 per night
Travelodge by Wyndham Montreal Centre
From $111 per night
Holiday Inn Montreal Centreville Downtown
From $122 per night
Montreal Marriott Chateau Champlain
From $252 per night
Hotel Bonaventure Montreal
From $208 per night
AC Hotel by Marriott Old Montreal
From $170 per night
Hotel Manoir Sherbrooke
From $142 per night
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
From $224 per night
Westin Montreal
From $142 per night
Best time to visit Montreal
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Montreal is September, when average daytime highs are around 70°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Montreal weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 49° 33° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 54° 41° 2%
- Fri 23 Oct 48° 36° 2%
- Sat 24 Oct 51° 36° 1%
- Sun 25 Oct 55° 39° 3%
- Mon 26 Oct 55° 48° 5%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.41
- Languages
- English, French
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/TorontoUTC−4
- Capital
- Ottawa
Upcoming public holidays in Canada
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Montreal
These are the airports closest to central Montreal. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- YUL Montréal–Trudeau International Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
- YHU Montreal Metropolitan Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
- YMX Montréal–Mirabel International Airport24 mi (38 km) from the city centre
Getting around Montreal
Montreal has historically been divided into east and west by boulevard Saint-Laurent, with the west side traditionally being Anglophone and the east side traditionally being Francophone. Numbered addresses on streets that cross Saint-Laurent start there and increase in either direction; most addresses are given as "rue ____ Ouest" (west) or "rue ____ Est" (east). Many streets are named after Catholic saints and figures from local history, both well-known and obscure.
Fares
The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (Metropolitan Regional Transportation Authority or ARTM) sets the fares for all public transit in the greater Montreal area. This includes the fares for all Metro, REM, Exo and bus journeys. The ARTM divides the greater Montreal area into zones, designated A, B, C and D. Zone A covers Montreal. Zones B-D cover areas outside of Montreal.
By Metro
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By REM
Réseau express métropolitain (REM), ☏ +1 833-736-4636. (updated Nov 2025)
Montreal travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Montreal?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Montreal is September, when average daytime highs are around 70°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Montreal?
July is usually the warmest month in Montreal, with average highs of 79°F (26°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 10°F (-12°C). The wettest month is typically August, with about 132 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Montreal?
Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (13 km) from the centre of Montreal. Other nearby airports include Montreal Metropolitan Airport (YHU, 8 mi) and Montréal–Mirabel International Airport (YMX, 24 mi).
How much are flights to Montreal?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Montreal in the last 30 days was $816 from Manchester, travelling 7 Nov – 22 Nov. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $816.
What currency is used in Montreal?
Montreal uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.41.
What time zone is Montreal in?
Montreal uses the America/Toronto time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Montreal?
Montreal has historically been divided into east and west by boulevard Saint-Laurent, with the west side traditionally being Anglophone and the east side traditionally being Francophone.
What are the best places to visit in Montreal?
Top sights in Montreal include Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, Mount Royal and Saint Joseph's Oratory. The historic district near the waterfront features cobblestone streets, stone buildings, galleries and restaurants, and leads to the Old Port along the St. Lawrence River.
What are the top things to do in Montreal?
Popular experiences you can book in Montreal include Montreal with a Local - Private Half-Day Tour, Air France Lounge operated by Plaza Premium - International Departures and Secret Food Tour Montreal: Mile End Flavors and Hidden Gems. Destina Holidays offers 20 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Montreal?
The most popular types of experiences in Montreal are city tours (5), cruise & water tours (4), gastronomy & nightlife (3) and shows, sports and special events (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Montreal?
Popular areas for hotels in Montreal include Downtown and Dorval. Well-reviewed options include Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile and Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel.
How many hotels can I book in Montreal?
Destina Holidays currently lists 326 properties in and around Montreal, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
