Montreal, a city located on the St. Lawrence River, combines a strong French charm with a modern urban atmosphere. As Canada’s second largest city, Montreal is not only famous for its rich history, culture and cuisine, but also for its charming natural scenery and unique urban style. Montreal can provide a rich and diverse tourism experience, whether it is the bustling downtown or the natural attractions in the suburbs.
1. Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal)
Location, opening hours and recommended time to visit
The Old Town of Montreal is one of the most historic and charming areas in the city. The streets of the Old Town are paved with cobblestones, and the streets are lined with ancient buildings with a strong French style. There are many historical sites and museums worth seeing, such as the famous Notre Dame Basilica, the Old Port (Vieux-Port) and numerous cafes and restaurants.
In terms of opening hours, since this is an open attraction, most blocks and public spaces are open all day. However, many museums and shops have different opening hours, usually from 10 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday, and are quieter on Sundays, when some places may be closed.
The recommended time for a visit is half a day to a full day, depending on the specific attractions that tourists want to visit. Each street in the old town has a different charm, and you can take a slow stroll to experience the history and culture of Montreal.
Transportation routes and costs
From downtown Montreal, visitors can walk to the old town, which takes about 10-15 minutes. If you are staying in a hotel in the city, walking is the most convenient and free way to visit. You can also choose to take the blue line of the subway, get off at “Place d’Armes” or “Champ-de-Mars” station, and walk to the old town.
There is no entrance fee for the old town itself, but if you want to visit museums or enter places such as churches, you may need to pay an additional fee. The ticket cost is about 10 to 20 Canadian dollars.
Booking platform
Since this is a public historical area, no special reservation is required. Some museums and attractions may use platforms such as OpenTable, Viator or GetYourGuide to provide reservation services, especially for guided tours.
2. Montreal Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique de Montréal)
Location, opening hours and recommended time to visit
The Montreal Botanical Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world, with more than 22,000 species of plants. The botanical garden is divided into several themed areas, including the Chinese Garden, the Japanese Garden, and thousands of species of flowers and trees. It is not only a place for plant lovers, but also a great place for families and couples to enjoy nature.
The botanical garden is usually open from 9 am to 6 pm in spring and autumn, and the opening hours are extended to 9 pm in summer. In winter, the opening hours of the botanical garden may be shortened, so visitors are advised to check the specific opening hours in advance.
The recommended time to visit is about 3-4 hours, especially if you want to slowly appreciate the various plants and flowers.
Transportation routes and costs
The botanical garden is located in the east of Montreal and is very convenient for transportation. You can choose to take the Green Line from the city center, get off at the “Pie-IX” station, and walk to the Botanical Garden. Taking a taxi or bus is also a very convenient option.
The ticket cost is about 20 Canadian dollars per person, and the cost may increase if you want to visit specific exhibitions or activities.
Booking platform
Tourists can book the guided tour of the Botanical Garden in advance through platforms such as Viator or GetYourGuide. Some platforms also offer joint ticket packages that can be combined with other attractions.
3. Saint Joseph’s Oratory (Basilique Saint-Joseph)
Location, opening hours and recommended visit time
Saint Joseph’s Oratory is one of the most representative religious buildings in Montreal and one of the largest domed churches in the world. The church is located on the slopes of Mount Royal in Montreal. The exterior is magnificent and the interior is beautifully decorated and full of religious atmosphere. Visitors can not only visit the interior of the church, but also climb to the top of the church to overlook the magnificent view of the entire Montreal city.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory is usually open every day from 8 am to 6 pm. As it is a religious place, the church maintains a quiet atmosphere, suitable for meditation and contemplation.
The recommended time for the tour is 1-2 hours, which is enough to visit the interior and exterior of the church.
Transportation route and cost
From the city, you can take the Orange Line of the subway, get off at the “Charlevoix” station, and then take a bus or walk to the church. Taxis are also very convenient and the journey takes about 15 minutes.
It is free to visit the church itself, but if you want to visit the church’s underground museum or climb the dome of the church, you need to pay a ticket, which costs about 10 Canadian dollars.
Booking platform
You don’t need to make an appointment in advance to visit St. Joseph’s Oratory, but you can book a guided tour of the church through platforms such as Viator or GetYourGuide to help you understand its historical and cultural background more deeply.
4. Old Port of Montreal (Vieux-Port de Montréal)
Location, opening hours and recommended time to visit
The Old Port of Montreal is the historical heart of the city, unfolding along the coastline of the St. Lawrence River, full of historical atmosphere and modern activity venues. Visitors can enjoy water activities, visit historical museums, experience traditional Ferris wheels, and even walk along the riverside trails to feel the fresh air.
The opening hours of the Old Port are usually not fixed, and different activities are arranged during the day and at night. In summer, it is the most lively tourist destination with a wealth of entertainment activities.
It is recommended to visit for half a day, especially for tourists to stroll here and enjoy different cultural activities and food.
Transportation routes and costs
The Old Port is located in the center of Montreal and is very convenient for transportation. It can be walked from the city center, which takes about 10 minutes. Alternatively, take the Green Line of the subway, get off at the “Champ-de-Mars” station, and walk to the Old Port.
The Old Port itself is open, and no tickets are required for visiting, but you need to pay fees when participating in water activities, Ferris wheels and other entertainment projects, which cost about 15 to 30 Canadian dollars.
Booking platform
Tourists can book the Old Port’s cruise, Ferris wheel tickets and other entertainment projects in advance through platforms such as GetYourGuide and Viator. You can also choose to join a guided tour of the Old Port to learn about the history and culture here.
5. Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
Location, opening hours and recommended visiting time
Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the most important religious buildings in Montreal, with a magnificent Gothic architectural style. The interior of the church is magnificent, and the gorgeous stained glass windows and towering vaults are breathtaking. During the peak tourist season every year, thousands of tourists come here to experience the solemnity and beauty of this church.
Notre-Dame Basilica is open every day, usually from 8 am to 6 pm, and sometimes there are special masses and concerts in the evening.
The recommended visiting time is about 1 hour, which is enough to appreciate the interior art and architectural aesthetics of the church.
Transportation route and cost
Notre-Dame Basilica is located in the center of Montreal and is very convenient for transportation. Visitors can take the Orange Line of the subway, get off at the “Place-d’Armes” station, and walk to the church.
The cost of visiting the church is usually 5 Canadian dollars, and the cost may increase if you participate in special guided activities or night performances.
Booking platform
Tourists can book guided tours of the church or attend night concerts through platforms such as GetYourGuide and Viator.
Montreal is not only a city full of history and culture, but its surrounding natural landscape is also breathtaking. From historical sites in the city to natural wonders in the suburbs, each attraction offers visitors a different experience and feeling. Whether strolling in the old town or immersing yourself in the embrace of nature in the botanical garden, every attraction in Montreal can make people feel the strong historical atmosphere and close contact with nature.
For tourists who like to explore nature, the mountains, rivers and parks around Montreal will be an ideal place. The Old Port on the St. Lawrence River and Mount Saint-Joseph in the suburbs provide a perfect environment for people to relax. For history fans and culture enthusiasts, attractions such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Botanical Garden show the city’s deep cultural heritage.
By booking tours or guided tours in advance, tourists can not only save the trouble of queuing, but also have a deeper understanding of the unique charm of the city and fully experience the scenery and culture of Montreal.
