Montreal is the biggest city in Québec, Canada, packed with attractions from beautiful landscapes to excellent cultural venues. This might be a modern city filled with thriving dining, nightlife and shopping scenes, but it also offers a fascinating glimpse into Canada’s past - with French and European influences visible in many of its buildings and neighbourhoods.
From the elegant architecture of Old Montreal to its lively Downtown area, with a student district, great street food, and much more, take a tour of some of the top attractions and activities on offer in this dynamic city.
Old Town: Place Jacques Cartier
The historic area of Old Montreal is the perfect spot to start your journey. Begun as a French settlement in the 17th century, you can still see European sophistication oozing from the buildings that line its cobbled streets.
Old Montreal lies on the banks of the St Lawrence River. There are plenty of parking lots where you can leave your car – try Berri Street, St Francois Xavier Street or Cité Internationale - and continue on foot to Place Jacques Cartier, a public square that’s been at the heart of life in this city for hundreds of years.
Surrounded by elegant stone buildings dating back to the 1800s and lined with cafes and restaurants, Place Jacques Cartier is built on a slope with magnificent views of the river. Its most famous sights include Montreal’s City Hall, as well as a monument dedicated to Admiral Nelson that has stood at the site since 1810.
The square is lively all year round but comes into its own in the summer, when the outdoor dining areas fill up with visitors and an array of street performers, artists and craft vendors. In the winter, Place Jacques Cartier hosts a Christmas market making it the ideal spot for an evening stroll.
Notre-Dame Basilica
Once you’ve explored the square, it’s time to visit the most famous church in Montreal. The spectacular Notre-Dame Basilica is famed for its magnificent interior including deep blue ceilings decorated with 24-carat gold stars and an immense bronze altarpiece created by Quebec sculptor and painter Charles Daudelin.
Other highlights include the intricate stained glass windows, depicting scenes from the religious history of the city, and the beautiful Sacred Heart Chapel with its impressive collection of paintings and sculptures.
You can take a guided tour to discover more about the fascinating background of this iconic building.
Rue Saint-Paul
Not far from the Basilica is Rue Saint-Paul, the oldest street in the city, dating back to 1672.
With its Old Europe atmosphere, you can unwind while shopping at the boutique stores and browsing in the art galleries. Plus, there’s an array of cafes and restaurants where you can stop for a bite to eat after all your sightseeing.
Not far away on Place d’Youville is the Montreal History Centre, housed in a former fire station. It boasts three floors of permanent and temporary exhibits, where you can learn all about the people and landmark events that have shaped this city from the 1600s to the present.
Downtown: Rue Sainte-Catherine
Once you’ve sampled the delights of the Old Town, step into the new by heading to Downtown Montreal. The main commercial artery is Rue Sainte-Catherine, running 11km from east to west through the city.
The Downtown section is around 2km long and hosts shopping malls, hotels, restaurants and cinemas - alongside major department stores near Saint Laurent Boulevard, which divides the east side of the street from the west.
This part of the city hosts events and festivals all year round, including its enormous sidewalk sale every July, when merchants and artisans sell their wares outdoors. Witness everything from acrobats to dancers and street performers, all complemented with great food and music.
As you’d expect from the main commercial area of the city, there are plenty of places to park nearby, including the open-air lot at 4050 Saint-Catharine Street West and an indoor garage at 4039 Tupper Street.
Golden Square Mile
Just a short walk from Sainte-Catherine Street, discover the stunning buildings of the Golden Square Mile.
The Victorian mansions in this part of the city reflect the fact that it was the seat of Montreal’s wealth at the turn of the 20th century. Many famous families lived here – including the McGills, a merchant family after whom McGill University is named.
There are parking lots on McGill College Avenue and Rue University, while on-street metered parking is also available.
Quartier des Spectacles
Just off Sainte-Catherine street lies the district known as Quartier des Spectacles, the cultural heart of the city.
The Place des Arts complex resides here, boasting six venues where you can enjoy everything from theater and musicals to opera and ballet all year round.
Nearby is the Musée d’art contemporain - a must for art lovers. It boasts a huge collection of works by artists from Québec and beyond.
Plateau Mont-Royal: Mile End
Located slightly north of Downtown is one of the city’s trendiest areas - Plateau Mont-Royal.
Tree-lined streets, colourful murals and an outstanding gastronomy scene make this a thriving area.
Head for the Mile End neighbourhood to sample chic restaurants - with vegetarian and vegan options galore - plus famous institutions such as the Kem Coba artisan ice cream shop. Mile End is also home to some of the best poutine and roast meat sandwiches to be found anywhere in the city.
In fact, the food scene here is so popular you can even take a dedicated tour of some of its best venues.
Parc la Fontaine
Plateau Mont-Royal may have some great places to eat, but it’s not all about the food in this part of the city. At its heart lies the beautiful Parc la Fontaine, a peaceful green landscape providing an escape from the busy city.
If you’re visiting during the summer, enjoy a picnic or catch a live performance at its outdoor Théâtre du Verdure. During the winter you can grab your skates and glide across the frozen pond – or even try cross-country skiing on its snowy paths.
Parking lots are located on Rue Sherbrooke and Rue Plessis, just a short distance from the park.
The park is also just a short drive from the Montreal Space for Life, made up of the city’s Botanical Garden, a planetarium, insectarium and, of course, the famous Biodome. The garden boasts indoor greenhouses that are open all year round, while you’ll also be able to enjoy seasonal displays such as the roses, lilies and a Japanese garden.
No matter what you’ve got planned for your visit, car rental in Montreal is the perfect way to explore in comfort and style. We’ve got collection points located across the city, including Downtown and Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, so it couldn’t be easier to collect your car whenever it’s convenient during your stay.