Canada is the second largest and one of the most developed countries in the world. Besides the development found in this country, its sights also draw a lot of attention from tourists. And Montreal is one of the top destinations with the most searches for tours and vacations, - especially in winter.
As the interest in tourism in the city is always so great and many people want to visit Canada, we have separated the main tourist attractions that you should not leave out of your travel itinerary. Continue with us and check it out now!
Check out the top 11 sights of Montreal!
Montreal is an overdeveloped hub, and has all the elements of a tourist city. No wonder it is always very popular with people from all over the world. It is important to know that Canada is one of the coldest countries. So if you love winter, you will definitely enjoy Montreal, which is entirely covered in ice.
It is the ideal season for those who dream of seeing the snow and practicing - or at least trying - winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. But if you are not a fan of the cold, it is better to buy tickets for the Canadian summer, when the city is busier and with a more pleasant climate.
One of the most important steps to get to know the country: the visa! We have a post to help you in this process and learn the step by step process to get your visa to visit Canada.
1. Old Montreal
Founded in 1642, the city has history to tell. The Vieux-Montréal neighbourhood, also known as Old Montreal, is a favorite for those who love history, architecture, and beauty.
As you walk through the streets of the neighborhood you will come across beautiful buildings, mansions, and an atmosphere that makes it very special. Today these buildings are no longer residential, but government and commercial buildings.
Another nice place to visit is the public market, opened in 1847, which has great stores for shopping, bars, and restaurants to enjoy.
2. Notre Dame Cathedral
Built in 1824 at Rue Saint Paul Ouest the Cathedral of Notre Dame impresses with its neo-Gothic architecture and style, full of stained glass windows, doors, windows, and towers, - being considered one of the main tourist attractions of the city and of the entire country, known worldwide.
The basilica was built over 300 years ago and has an architecture rich in details. Inside, it is possible to see a large religious collection.
3. Place d'Armes
In front of the church, in the square, is the statue of the founder of the city, Paul de Chomedey. It is a very big and pleasant square to visit, considered one of the main and best known squares in the city. You can pass by or enjoy it and the buildings around it.
4. Jacques Cartier Square
Continuing with the squares of Montreal, this is another option for you to know and include in your itinerary. The square is named after a French explorer. It is one of the city's historical landmarks, with more than 150 years of history.
5. Vieux-Port - Old Port
Still in the historic portion of Montreal, the old Vieux-Port is a must-see. This is another classic spot, where the St. Lawrence River flows, with a beautiful Ferris wheel for tourists to observe the area.
From there, you can witness a really amazing sunset, in fact, it is one of the most beautiful in the world. When you are in the Vieux-Port take the opportunity to have a snack in one of the many cafes that exist.
6. Montreal Olympic Park
Montreal's Olympic Park has become a tourist attraction since the 1976 Olympic Games. After the competitions, the complex became an attraction for the city, with very nice places to visit, such as the Montreal Tower and the Olympic Stadium. The Tower is the steepest and tallest in the world.
But that's not all! You can visit the planetarium, the beautiful botanical garden, and the Biodôme, a fantastic attraction that reproduces ecosystems from various parts of the world.
7. Mont-Royal Park
The Mont-Royal Park is another excellent option for those who enjoy the outdoors. It is a beautiful park with huge lawns and a lake to enjoy.
What draws attention there is the Kondiaronk Belvedere, which offers a panoramic view of the city. Arriving at the top of the hill, there is a big house with a fireplace, which works as a kind of museum, with a place to shelter, to be cozy, and to use the bathroom. All this for free.
There is also the Chalet du Mont Royal , a stone building with a place for lunch or a snack. Park Mont-Royal should definitely be on your itinerary!
8. Jean-Drapeau Park
Situated on two islands in the St. Lawrence River, the Jean-Drapeau Park has unique attractions.
The main one is the Biosphere museum, which leaves everyone super enchanted with its large globe-shaped monument.
Another option is the La Ronde amusement park. It is pure fun! The Casino de Montreal is for gamblers and lucky people. There is also the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit, where the F1 race takes place.
In the summer you can play outdoor sports and enjoy the beach area. In addition, large music festivals take place in the park every year.
9. Biosphere Museum
If you like museums, this one is worth a visit! It is dedicated to the theme of the biosphere, with subjects related to nature. Its architecture is the most eye-catching - a transparent acrylic bubble. Because of this, this image is one of Canada's main calling cards.
10. Montreal Botanical Garden
Following the theme of nature, the botanical garden cannot be missing from your list. Do you know that place that has something new every time you look?
The garden has more than 750,000 m², 10 greenhouses, 20 gardens, and more than 22,000 plant species! What is most striking about it are the sculptures made from shrubs, making the landscape even more unique!
11. Underworld
As we have seen, Montreal is a very cold city most of the year. With this in mind, they have built parts of the city underground, where people can get around and walk around for shopping, walking, and sightseeing in comfort.
In all, there are more than 30 km of tunnels under the city, interconnecting buildings, stores, malls, and commercial centers, also interconnected with the subway.
Is it worth renting a car in Montreal?
Going to Montreal and doing everything on foot can be very tiring, and you will not have enough time to see so many places. Therefore, renting a car is the best option. You will have more freedom, mobility, and will optimize your time. Besides, Canada is famous for having the best roads, so it will not be difficult to drive there.
Ah! And if you intend to go shopping, a car will make even more difference! Here at Happy Tours you can rent cars from the best car rental companies and pick them up with great practicality. Check out the options available in Montreal make your reservation and pay only at the time of pickup!
There is no shortage of places to visit in Montreal, and besides these sights to see, the city also has great restaurants and bars.
I hope you enjoyed this content and to continue planning your travel itineraries, - keep following the blog of Happy Tours. Until next time.
