A Splendid 2-Day Itinerary to Montreal

  • Day 1: Explore Old Montreal and Mount Royal Park
    15 minutes (1.5 miles) from Downtown Montreal

    Begin your day exploring the charming cobblestone streets and historic buildings of Old Montreal. Learn about the city's rich history at Notre-Dame Basilica, then wander over to Bonsecours Market, an iconic building featuring local artisans and boutiques. For lunch, head over to Schwartz's Deli, a Montreal institution and try their famous smoked meat sandwich. In the afternoon, visit Mount Royal Park, a beautiful park known for its scenic overlooks and stunning views of the city. Hike, jog or bike your way up to the top for a breathtaking view.

  • Day 2: Visit the Museum of Fine Arts and the Botanical Gardens
    20 minutes (2.5 miles) from Mount Royal Park

    Start your day at the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses an impressive collection of art, ranging from ancient to contemporary. Afterward, head over to the beautiful Botanical Gardens, where you can wander through a variety of themed gardens and greenhouses, including a Chinese garden, Japanese garden, and a rose garden. Wrap up your day with a visit to Little Italy, where you can try some delicious Italian food and browse through the local shops.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Notre-Dame Basilica (1 hour, CA$8)
  • Bonsecours Market (45 minutes, free)
  • Schwartz's Deli (1 hour, CA$15)
  • Mount Royal Park (2-3 hours, free)
  • Museum of Fine Arts (2 hours, CA$15)
  • Botanical Gardens (2-3 hours, CA$20)
  • Little Italy (1-2 hours, price varies)
  • Total Estimated Costs: CA$58

Transportation

Getting around Montreal is easy using public transportation. The city's metro system is efficient and affordable, with a single fare costing CA$3.50. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also available, but they can be more expensive.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to Mont-Tremblant or Quebec City. Both destinations offer unique experiences that are worth the visit. If you have less time, consider focusing your itinerary around a specific neighborhood, such as Mile End or Plateau-Mont-Royal.

Airports

Montreal is served by the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), which is located about 20 kilometers from the city center. The airport is well connected to the city via public transportation, taxi, and ride-hailing services.

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