As the largest city of Quebec Province, Montreal is one of the fascinating cities to visit in Canada. Its modern architecture comprises of outstanding shopping malls, hotels, subways, modern skyscrapers, and conveniences, making it look incredibly beautiful.
Montreal is the heart of Canada’s French Heritage as it is one of the most popular French-speaking cities in the world. Its French-inspired nightlife, cuisines, and buildings make it resemble France in the middle ages. However, some residents also speak English.
If you’re planning for a trip to Montreal, it’s essential to understand what to expect. That’s why we’ve come up with this travel guide to help you plan an enjoyable trip to the city.
What You Need to Know About Montreal
When planning for a trip to Montreal, you need to know more about the city’s attractions, culture, weather and climate, shopping malls, hotels, and local transportation. Besides, it would help if you also had an idea of the amount of money you’ll incur for every expense.
Montreal’s Attractions
This culture-rich city has a plethora of attractions that will make your visit more enjoyable. Here are some of the must-visit places in Montreal.
- Montreal Botanical Garden: This 75-hectare garden has massive greenhouses with a variety of plants from different parts of the world. It’s also a National Historic Site in Canada and one of the best botanical gardens in the world.
- Mount Royal Park: Designed by the designer of New York’s Central Park, Mount Royal Park is one of the best places to hike. It has lots of trails, activities, and fantastic views. The park offers a lot of fun both in the winter and summer.
- Old Montreal: It’s one of the oldest parts of Montreal City. With an impressive ancient architecture dating back to the 17th century, Old Montreal is one of the best places to experience the city’s history. However, the city has new developments.
- Jean-Talon Market: This is the largest market in Montreal, filled with hundreds of stalls, shops, and grocers. This open-air market is the best place to buy fresh foods like vegetables, fruits, and meat. Most sellers here are farmers.
- Au Sommet Place Ville Marie: If you want to view the city from above, you can use this building. Its observation deck provides a spectacular view of the Mont-Royal Mountain, Downtown Montreal, Olympic Stadium, and St. Lawrence River.
- Underground City: Within Downtown Montreal, there are many underground food courts, shopping malls, and boutiques. You can use the passageways that connect several metro stations to escape the cold weather during winters.
Besides the attractions mentioned, there are many other beautiful places where you can experience Montreal’s beauty. They include the Montreal Museum of Fine arts, Montreal Casino, St. Joseph Oratory, and the Old Port.
Montreal’s Weather and Climate
Generally, Montreal residents experience warm summers and cold and snowy winters. During winters, you will see many large snowstorms that result in massive snows. You should carry warm clothes when visiting Toronto during winter.
Montreal’s Shopping Places
The city has some of the best places to shop at affordable prices. Such places include:
- Saint-Denis St & Saint-Laurent Blvd: Has several shops and stands
- Ste-Catherine St: Has many bars, restaurants, and departmental stores
- Underground City: Has many shopping malls
- Sherbrooke St: Full of art galleries, designer boutiques, and antique stores
Montreal’s Festivals
Each year, Montreal hosts several events and festivals that can make your visit enjoyable. Some of them include the Montreal International Jazz Festival held in June/July and the Just for Laughs Montréal Comedy Festival held every summer.
Montreal’s Local Transportation
Montreal has a well-established local transport system that makes moving around the city easier. You can access various attraction sites by cars, buses, or trains. To save on costs, you can use public buses or trains instead of renting a car, which can be costly.
Final Words
As you plan your trip to Montreal, you should prepare an effective budget that will cover all travel expenses, including food, local transportation, and accommodation. If you are a foreigner, you need to buy the Canadian currency to pay for these services. You can find the best currency exchange rates at KnightsbridgeFX Montreal.
