This plan gives you and your wife time to enjoy Montréal at a relaxed pace, with each day grouped around one area to keep getting around easy. It mixes historic sights, food, neighbourhood wandering, green space and a few special evenings.
Budget
About C$2,000–3,200 per person for 10 days, excluding accommodation and flights; includes meals, listed admission estimates, local transit and occasional taxi rides.
Best time to visit
Late May to June and September to early October offer pleasant walking weather and lively outdoor dining. July and August bring major festivals but are busier; winter is atmospheric, though cold and snowy.
Old Montréal and the Old Port
Settle in with the city’s historic heart, riverside views and an easy first evening close together.
Morning
Walk and Rue Saint-Paul
Start among Old Montréal’s handsome stone buildings and cobbled streets. The walk between and Rue Saint-Paul takes about 5 minutes.
FreeMorning
Visit
Take in the dramatic interior and its blue-and-gold details; allow around an hour. It is about a 3-minute walk from .
About C$16Afternoon
Lunch at
Enjoy a popular café lunch before continuing through the historic district. It is about a 10-minute walk from the basilica.
About C$25–40Afternoon
Explore the Old Port
Stroll the waterfront and choose a riverside bench for a breather. It is about a 7-minute walk from the café.
FreeEvening
Dinner at
Make your first night a special one with creative Québécois seafood and seasonal dishes. It is about a 15-minute walk from the Old Port.
About C$90–150
Old Montréal museums and waterfront
Stay in the historic district for thoughtful museum time, a relaxed meal and a second look at the riverfront.
Morning
Explore Pointe-à-Callière
Discover Montréal’s archaeological history through exhibits built around the city’s original settlement. Allow two to three hours.
About C$26Afternoon
Lunch at
Stop for brunch-style plates and a comfortable break. It is about a 10-minute walk from Pointe-à-Callière.
About C$25–40Afternoon
Browse the
See how the city’s neighbourhoods and communities have changed over time. It is about a 7-minute walk from .
About C$10Evening
Sunset by the Clock Tower
Walk the waterfront promenade and enjoy the evening light over the river. The Clock Tower is about a 15-minute walk from the museum.
FreeEvening
Dinner at
Finish with French bistro fare and live music on some nights. It is about a 15-minute walk from the Clock Tower.
About C$50–80
Downtown art and shopping
Pair major art collections with the downtown shopping streets, all within a compact central area.
Morning
Visit the
Explore Canadian and international art at one of the city’s standout museums. Plan for two to three hours.
About C$24Afternoon
Lunch on Rue Sainte-Catherine
Choose a casual lunch around the downtown shopping district. Walk about 10 minutes from the museum to the Eaton Centre area.
About C$20–35Afternoon
Browse the Underground City
Explore Montréal’s connected indoor passages and shops, especially handy in cold or rainy weather. It is connected to .
FreeEvening
Dinner in the Golden Square Mile
Enjoy a polished dinner in the historic downtown district. Walk about 15 minutes from .
About C$100–180
Plateau and Mile End
Spend the day among colourful streets, independent shops and Montréal’s much-loved bagel traditions.
Morning
Walk
Take a gentle lap around the ponds and shaded paths before the neighbourhood gets busy. From the park’s main entrance, walk about 15 minutes toward Avenue du Mont-Royal.
FreeMorning
Coffee and a pastry at Café Olimpico
Pause at this long-running Montréal café for an espresso and a neighbourhood feel. It is about a 15-minute walk from .
About C$5–15Afternoon
Try a Montréal bagel at
Pick up a warm sesame bagel and see the bakery’s wood-fired operation. It is about a 7-minute walk from Café Olimpico.
About C$3–10Afternoon
Browse Mile End boutiques and murals
Wander Rue Saint-Viateur and for independent shops and street art. Start just outside and allow 10–20 minutes between browsing stops.
About VariesEvening
Dinner at
Enjoy a classic French bistro meal in a warm, lively setting. Take a taxi or rideshare for about 10–15 minutes from Mile End.
About C$60–100
Little Italy and Jean-Talon Market
Taste your way through a lively market and Little Italy, with short walks between food stops.
Morning
Shop and snack at
Browse Québec produce, cheeses, pastries and prepared foods; arrive hungry and take your time. Allow at least two hours.
About C$10–30Afternoon
Lunch at
Share a classic pizza in Little Italy. It is about a 10-minute walk from .
About C$25–45Afternoon
Relax at
Take a quiet stroll or rest by the water after lunch. It is about a 15-minute walk from the restaurant.
FreeEvening
Dinner at
Return to Little Italy for a memorable Italian meal made with seasonal ingredients. Walk about 15 minutes from .
About C$70–120
Mount Royal and Mile End
Enjoy Montréal’s signature mountain views, then unwind with a meal and a gentle neighbourhood evening.
Morning
Hike to the Mount Royal lookout
Follow the paths to Kondiaronk Belvedere for a rewarding city panorama. Allow 45–75 minutes to reach the lookout from the main access area, depending on your route.
FreeAfternoon
Visit
Rest beside the water and enjoy the park’s open space after your hike. It is about a 20-minute walk from Kondiaronk Belvedere.
FreeAfternoon
Lunch at
Take a taxi or rideshare for about 10–15 minutes from to this Montréal diner institution.
About C$20–35Evening
Dinner at
Make room for an elegant Syrian feast with beautifully presented dishes. It is about a 10-minute taxi or rideshare from Beauty's.
About C$90–150
Griffintown and the Lachine Canal
Follow the canal’s calm paths and explore Griffintown’s converted industrial spaces and food scene.
Morning
Walk the Lachine Canal
Take a relaxed walk or rent bikes along the water and old industrial buildings. Allow 10–20 minutes on foot to reach the canal path from central Griffintown.
FreeAfternoon
Visit
See contemporary exhibitions in a striking former shipbuilding complex. It is about a 15-minute walk from the canal path.
About C$20Afternoon
Lunch at
Settle in for a leisurely Italian-inspired lunch in Griffintown. It is about a 10-minute walk from .
About C$35–60Evening
Dinner at
Enjoy an intimate Italian dinner that makes for a lovely date night. It is about a 10-minute walk from .
About C$90–150
Olympic Park and Hochelaga
Spend the day among Montréal’s bold Olympic architecture and botanical gardens, then stay nearby for dinner.
Morning
Tour the area
See the distinctive tower and stadium complex; check ahead for tours and event access. Allow around two hours for the area and any tour.
About C$25–40Afternoon
Explore the
Wander themed gardens and greenhouses at one of the city’s most peaceful attractions. It is about a 10-minute walk from .
About C$23Afternoon
Visit the Biodome
Walk through recreated ecosystems and spot animals from several habitats. It is about a 10-minute walk from the botanical garden.
About C$23Evening
Dinner at
Head to nearby Hochelaga for a creative seasonal menu. Take a taxi or rideshare for about 10–15 minutes from the Biodome.
About C$80–130
Little Burgundy and Saint-Henri
Explore a food-loving southwest stretch of the city, with market browsing and a relaxed canal-side finish.
Morning
Browse
Pick up coffee, fruit or a picnic treat while exploring this handsome indoor-outdoor market. Allow 1–2 hours.
About C$10–30Afternoon
Walk the canal in Saint-Henri
Follow the water west and enjoy the old industrial scenery and leafy paths. It is about a 10-minute walk from the market to the canal.
FreeAfternoon
Lunch at
Try a generous Jewish-Montréal-inspired brunch or lunch. It is about a 15-minute walk from the canal path.
About C$25–45Evening
Dinner at
Celebrate your final full night with a lively, popular neighbourhood meal; reservations are a good idea. It is about a 10-minute walk from .
About C$90–150
Quartier des Spectacles and downtown
Close the trip with a cultural centre stroll, a final Montréal meal and an evening show if the calendar lines up.
Morning
Explore
Walk through Montréal’s performing-arts complex and check out any public exhibitions or seasonal programming.
FreeAfternoon
Lunch at
Enjoy a refined, inventive meal in a relaxed downtown setting. Walk about 10 minutes from .
About C$50–90Afternoon
Stroll
Take in the public art and festival grounds, especially lively during event season. It is about a 10-minute walk from .
FreeEvening
Catch a performance at
Return for a concert, dance or theatre performance that suits your dates. It is about a 5-minute walk from .
About C$40–150Evening
Have a farewell drink at
Toast the trip with a rooftop view over Old Montréal; take a taxi or rideshare for about 10 minutes from .
About C$20–40
Good to know
Getting around
Use the Métro and buses for longer hops, and walk within each day’s neighbourhood. Fares and transit passes change, so check the current STM options before travelling.
Reservations
Book popular dinner spots such as , , and well ahead, especially for Friday and Saturday.
Seasonal planning
Check opening days and hours for markets, museums and gardens before you go. Outdoor terraces, festival programming and some attractions vary by season.
Language and service
French is the main local language, but visitors can usually get by in English. A friendly bonjour when entering a shop or restaurant is appreciated.
Walking comfort
Bring comfortable shoes for cobblestones, park paths and long museum days; a light rain layer is useful in any season.