I didn't realize how much I missed speaking French until this trip, and it brought back so many memories of living in Paris, especially when we were exploring Old Montreal. I must admit, we weren't prepared for how cold it was - it was -8°C, which for Montrealers is probably tame, but for us, it felt painfully cold. The cold was much drier and more biting than here in Vancouver, and it quite literally did chill me to the bones, but I guess the climate is all part of the experience and at least I know what to expect for next time!

So, if you're planning to spend 24 hours in Montreal and you're wondering where to play, what to eat and where to stay, here's an overview of some of my recommended activities and eateries & things you shouldn't miss during your trip.

Top Things To Do In Montreal

There are so many great things to do in Montreal, whether you're a foodie, you want to get stuck into the arts and culture, or you just want to explore a new city. But if you're only visiting Montreal for 24 hours, you have to be picky with your time, so here are some of the top things to do if you're looking to experience the best of what the city has to offer.

Explore Old Montreal

Even if you don't have a lot of time to spare, make sure you squeeze in a stroll around Old Montreal. I felt like i'd been transported back to Paris and the cobbled streets, heritage buildings, and cute cafés made me feel so nostalgic. Old Montreal offers a beautiful taste of Europe and it's such a contrast to the rest of the city. Here you'll find a number of quaint shops, art galleries, rustic cafes and upmarket restaurants, and the whole area is so pretty. Places Jacques-Cartier is also a very picturesque spot with cute cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops, historic buildings, as well as the City Hall.

Go Shopping

If you're looking for a rainy-day activity, Montreal's shopping malls, boutiques, and underground stores should keep you occupied. Aside from The Bay and the Eaton Centre, there are also stores along Sainte-Catherine (between De La Montagne and Saint-Denis), La Maison Ogilvy on Sainte-Catherine which is known for its high-end designers, Mont-Royal Avenue which is a great area for thrift stores and unique finds, and Saint-Laurent Street is home to a number of Quebec designers and smaller-name brands. Click here for some more info on Montreal's shopping areas. 

Head to Mont-Royal

Rising up 233 metres above the city, Mont-Royal is a great place to see Montreal from a whole new perspective. We didn't get time to come up here but I've heard it's such a lovely spot and that the views are fantastic especially on a clear day.

Eat!

It's safe to say that eating is definitely one of the top things to do in Montreal! There are amazing food places on every corner, and a trip to this Quebec city isn't complete without a taste of their signature dishes - bagels, poutine, and Montreal smoked meat are all a must. The foodie scene is booming and you won't be stuck for places to eat, drink, dessert, or fill up on caffeine. I didn't have one bad cup of coffee while there (and we had a LOT as it was so damn cold) and since Montreal is so wonderful and diverse, this has also given rise to cuisine from around the world.

Get Cultural

Montreal has been named as the "Cultural Capital of Canada" and for good reason. It's a melting pot of different ethnicities which has created a very distinctive culture, far from what you find in other Canadian cities. It has such a unique arts and culture scene, and has a number of great galleries, museums, churches & cathedrals, and theatres. Notre-Dame Basilica is a must-visit, and it's actually Montreal's oldest church. It was being renovated when we were there so we didn't get chance to go inside, but the exterior is absolutely gorgeous and every evening a light show is put on to illuminate the church and recount how Montreal became the city it is today. Although they're not usually my cup of tea, there is also a Hop-on-Hop-off tour that allows you to easily make your way around the city's key attractions. 

Visit The Old Port

The Old Port is a great place to stroll and it's beautiful in both summer and winter. In winter, the river is completely frozen over and the city puts on cool wintery events, as well as a huge outdoor skating rink. In summer, the port is apparently a great spot to drink, eat, sunbathe, paddleboard and cycle. You'll also find cruises and excursions and you can enjoy a gourmet meal on the water as you take in the city by night.

How To Get Around Montreal

You don't need a car to get around Montreal, especially with Uber and the Metro system. The city is pretty walkable and you'll definitely want to explore neighbourhoods like Old Montreal on foot. The Underground Pedestrian Network is also pretty cool too - it's a 30-km network of underground walkways that feature shops and malls, cafes, restaurants, attractions, and Metro stations, meaning that when it's unbelievably hot or cold you don't have to brave the outdoors. The Metro is also well connected and runs up until around 1am each night. It costs around $38 to get to the city from the Airport via cab (excluding tip), or an Uber costs a little less.

Recommended Eats

Montreal has a top notch foodie scene and eating is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in the city. We managed to cram in quite a few eateries during our 24-hour stay, and I didn't realize how diverse Montreal is when it comes to food. The coffee was consistently amazing, the food was the perfect blend of rich & comforting, and each place had a distinctive charm which I loved. This isn't a comprehensive list of the best places to eat/drink/dessert in Montreal, but here are a few places that we managed to squeeze in and loved. 

Where To Stay

We stayed at the gorgeous Renaissance Montreal which is right in the heart of Downtown Montreal. The style is eclectic and contemporary, yet ever so luxurious at the same time, and the hotel delivers big-chain amenities (it's owned by the Marriott) but with a boutique design and personal service. Most of the artwork and furniture is created by local designers too, which was a really nice touch.

The rooms are unique, the staff are so friendly and helpful and the amenities are fantastic. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, features a beautiful rooftop terrace, gym, plunge pool, and a very swanky bar/lounge. The lobby is designed as a chill out area with big sofas, the coolest swings, and an in-house DJ who plays most evenings. The rooms are spacious, equipped with a huge bathroom and very impressive shower, and the location is so central with easy access to everything and within walking distance to the shops, local attractions, and the Metro.

Although our trip was short but sweet, we had such a great time and we definitely managed to cram a lot of food into just 1 day. Montreal offers such a refreshing cultural and culinary experience, and it made me so nostalgic with its beautifully European vibe.

The people were super friendly, Old Montreal is simply stunning, and the city is so different than other places in Canada. I can't wait to go back and experience the city properly, but if you're spending 24 hours in Montreal, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 🙂

If you've got any questions or comments, drop me a comment below, and don't forget to check out my vlog from the trip!