Start at Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal when it opens—typically around 9 a.m. on Sundays, though hours and service access can vary. Allow about an hour for the richly detailed Gothic Revival interior; admission is usually around C$16–20, and modest dress is appreciated. From the basilica, walk east through the cobbled streets of Old Montreal—the short stroll to Marché Bonsecours takes roughly 10 minutes. Browse its historic galleries, design shops, and local craft stores for about 45 minutes; Sunday hours are generally late morning through early evening, so arriving around 10:30 or 11 is comfortable.
Walk a few minutes west to Olive et Gourmando for lunch, ideally before the midday rush. The café is popular for pressed sandwiches, pastries, and excellent coffee; budget about C$20–35 per person, and expect a line or limited seating at peak lunchtime. Afterward, continue to Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex, about a 10-minute walk away. Give yourself two hours to explore the archaeological remains beneath the city, multimedia exhibits, and the museum’s absorbing account of Montreal’s beginnings; admission is commonly around C$30, with Sunday hours usually extending into the late afternoon. Comfortable shoes are worthwhile, as the underground sections involve uneven surfaces and stairs.
Finish with an unhurried walk through the Old Port of Montreal, heading east along the waterfront toward the Clock Tower. Allow about an hour, longer if you stop for views across the river or a drink from a seasonal terrace. The port is especially pleasant in the late afternoon, when the stone streets begin to cool and the area takes on a relaxed Sunday atmosphere. Most of the day is easily done on foot; if you arrive by car, avoid trying to park directly on the busiest Old Montreal streets and use one of the paid garages just outside the core.
Begin at McGill University campus, arriving around 9:00 a.m. for a quiet wander through the historic lower campus and the streets of the Golden Square Mile. Enter from Sherbrooke Street, then explore the paths around Roddick Gates, Arts Building, and Redpath Museum; the grounds are free, though indoor access may be limited in summer. Give yourself about an hour, then walk roughly 10 minutes west along Sherbrooke Street to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Plan two hours for its Canadian, Indigenous, European, and international collections. The museum generally opens at 10 a.m. and admission is commonly about C$30–35 for adults, with hours and pricing worth checking before you go.
From the museum, take the Orange Line from Guy-Concordia toward Montmorency, changing at Berri-UQAM for the Blue Line to Mile End—allow about 25–30 minutes—or use a taxi if you prefer a simpler connection. Stop at Café Olimpico for a traditional Montréal espresso, ideally at the counter; budget C$5–15, and allow half an hour for the lively, unfussy break. Return downtown by metro, then spend an hour exploring the Underground City, entering near McGill or Peel station and following the connected passages toward Place Ville Marie and Complexe Desjardins. It is less atmospheric than street-level Montréal, but useful in bad weather; most shops are open roughly 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on weekdays, while passage access can vary by building.
Finish at L’Avenue for dinner, where the creative Québec-influenced brunch-style plates are generous and deliberately playful. Aim for an early reservation or arrive before the busiest dinner period; budget approximately C$35–60 per person before drinks and tip. The restaurant is in the Plateau Mont-Royal, so from the Underground City it is easiest to take the Orange Line from Place-des-Arts or Berri-UQAM toward Montmorency, then walk the final few blocks—allow about 25 minutes in total. Keep the rest of the evening loose: the surrounding streets are ideal for an unhurried stroll after dinner, especially around Saint-Denis Street and Mount Royal Avenue.
Start at Jean-Talon Market around 9:00 a.m., when the stalls are lively but not yet crowded. Spend about 90 minutes browsing Québec berries, heirloom tomatoes, local cheeses, pastries, and ready-to-eat specialties; pick up something small for later, since the market is ideal for grazing rather than a formal breakfast. It is generally open from early morning, with Sunday hours commonly beginning around 7 a.m.; individual vendors vary, and a practical budget is C$10–25. From Jean-Talon Market, walk through Little Italy toward La Fontaine Park—about 25 minutes—or take the metro from Jean-Talon to Sherbrooke, followed by a roughly 15-minute walk. Allow an hour in the park for the ponds, shaded paths, and benches around the central lake; there is no admission charge, and this is a good point to slow down rather than try to cover every trail.
Continue by metro or bus toward Schwartz’s Deli in Mile End for lunch. From Sherbrooke station, the simplest route is the green line to Berri-UQAM, then the orange line to Mont-Royal, followed by a short walk; from La Fontaine Park, a taxi or rideshare is quicker, usually 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Expect a queue at peak lunchtime, though it often moves steadily. Order the classic smoked-meat sandwich—medium-fat is the traditional choice—along with a pickle and fries if you are hungry; budget C$20–35 per person, and plan on about 45 minutes. Afterward, spend roughly 90 minutes wandering north along Saint Laurent Boulevard, dipping into independent shops and looking for the colorful murals and storefronts between Mont-Royal Avenue and Fairmount Street. The boulevard is best enjoyed casually, and many smaller businesses open around 10 or 11 a.m. and close earlier than the restaurants.
Finish at Mount Royal Park, heading west from Saint Laurent Boulevard by bus or rideshare; allow 15–25 minutes, as traffic and the steep approach can slow the trip. Walk uphill through the park to the Kondiaronk Belvedere, allowing about two hours including pauses—the final climb is worthwhile, especially in the late-afternoon light over downtown and the river. The park is free and open around the clock, but bring water and comfortable shoes; the paths can be busy, and the route from the boulevard is more strenuous than it looks on a map. If you still have energy afterward, descend toward Peel Street or Côte-des-Neiges for an easy dinner, rather than adding another major sight.
Start with the Lachine Canal around 8:30–9:00 a.m., entering near Atwater Street and walking west along the water toward Rue des Irlandais or the Marché des Éclusiers area. The flat path is ideal for a final gentle stroll or a rented BIXI bike ride; allow about 90 minutes, with the canal’s old industrial buildings, boats, and skyline views providing a much calmer farewell than downtown. Bring water, and check BIXI availability in advance if cycling—bike rentals are generally easiest earlier in the day. From the canal path, walk or cycle a few minutes north to Atwater Market; allow roughly 10–15 minutes on foot from the Atwater Street entrance.
At Atwater Market, spend about an hour browsing Québec cheeses, charcuterie, berries, pastries, and prepared foods for the journey. Most market vendors are open from the morning, though individual hours vary; Sunday opening is commonly around 9 a.m. and some stalls close in the late afternoon. If you are driving, the surrounding Saint-Henri area has paid street parking and nearby lots, but the market is also directly served by Lionel-Groulx metro station. This is a good place to buy a few edible souvenirs without committing to anything fragile or refrigerated for too long.
For your final Montréal meal, head to Joe Beef in Little Burgundy, only about 10 minutes by car or taxi from Atwater Market. A table is essential—reservations are highly recommended, and the restaurant’s schedule can vary, particularly on Sundays and Mondays—so confirm the lunch or early-afternoon seating when booking. Plan on about 90 minutes and roughly C$75–125 per person before drinks and tip; expect rich, inventive Québécois cooking and a menu that changes with market availability. Afterward, collect your luggage and allow approximately 30–45 minutes by car to Montréal–Trudeau International Airport in normal traffic, though weekday congestion on Autoroute 20 can make the trip longer. Leave central Montréal about three hours before an international departure or two hours before a domestic flight, adding extra time if you need to return a rental car.