Montreal Vacations

A day’s wander might take you to the 18th-century facades of the old city, or cycling to the lovely Canal de Lachine. Take in the glittering shops and restaurants of downtown, or settle into the inviting terraced cafes of Plateau Mont-Royal. The architectural sweep of the city takes in a wealth of heritage, including the breathtaking Basilique Notre-Dame, the 20th-century Stade Olympique and Habitat 67.

Discover Old MontrealOld Montreal manages to be both vibrant, artistic and trendy whilst reflecting the city's rich patrimonial heritage. Many centuries-old heritage buildings have been transformed into luxurious loft apartments, while the area's cobblestone streets are lined with a multitude of art galleries, restaurants and chic boutiques. Furthermore, the site of the first colony is now also home to the Cité du multimedia, a hotspot for hip young business and advertising professionals.

Outdoor ActivitiesAs an island city, Montreal is a fabulous outdoor destination with 500 kilometers of trails, abundant green spaces and water lapping along the shore. The city also has an extensive network of cycling paths that make it the envy of many a metropolis. With a burgeoning bike rental system available to those who want to peddle for the day, it's not surprising that Montréal was ranked as the 5th best bike city in North America by Outside Magazine in 2012.

Montreal by NightExperiencing Montreal by night is when you’ll really get to see what the city is all about – contagious and inclusive joie-de-vivre! The nightlife here is as varied as it is engaging, and always adapts to the seasons: summer is all about outdoor festivals and patios, while winter features crowd-pleasing performances and shows. Hosting some 108 festivals throughout the year, it’s pretty safe to say that no matter the language or the interest, Montréal has something for everyone.

Explore the neighborhoodsMontreal is composed of 19 large boroughs that are further subdivided into neighborhoods. The borough with the most neighborhoods is Ville-Marie, which includes downtown, the historical district of Old Montreal, Chinatown, the Gay Village, the Latin Quarter, the recently gentrified Quartier International and Cité Multimédia as well as the Quartier des Spectacles.

Arts & CultureCulture in a myriad of forms runs rampant across Montreal. This isn't surprising considering that the city’s Entertainment District alone is a 1 square-kilometer hotbed of bustling cultural and entertainment action. La Vitrine culturelle - a central box office for tickets, information and promotions on all the city’s events - makes it easy to get in on the action.