Downtown Montreal Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Downtown Montreal showing a square or plaza, outdoor art and art
Downtown Montreal
Downtown Montreal
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts featuring interior views, art and a statue or sculpture
Downtown Montreal

From great shopping to lively concerts, there’s always something entertaining to do in Montreal’s bustling Downtown area.

This part of the city is a hub of activity and entertainment, with a constant buzz circulating around the many concert halls, shopping districts and urban spaces. Downtown is also home to the largest underground complex in the city – and, in fact, the world – Underground City.

Downtown is notable for its towering glass skyscrapers, but it also has its fair share of culture, including more than 30 beautiful concert halls and great museums, making it an ideal spot to visit on your first day in Montreal. Get to know the city through its unique shopping, elegant architecture and local art.

The Underground City is definitely a huge attraction in this area, despite being hidden away underneath the surface. Perfect for late-night shopping, this huge complex, including 33 kilometres of walkways, is as much an exciting tourist experience as it is a great place to shop. The famous Promenades Cathédrale, which was originally built to help support the sinking cathedral above it, and is the basis for the mall, is a must-see.

For some fresh air, head back to the surface to explore Saint Catherine Street, a promenade full of boutique shops and great cafes. For a bite to eat, Crescent Street is ideally located and presents a nice range of dining options. Then head west to the Golden Square Mile, home to exquisite old Victorian mansions and one of the country’s elite universities – McGill University.

Art and culture is an important part of Montreal’s heritage, particularly in Downtown, so make sure you visit the city’s largest museum, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Displaying a fine collection of international art, it also showcases art from Montreal and around the country.

Downtown is easily accessible and covers quite a large expanse of land, so plan to spend a full day or more exploring the area. Arrive by metro and alight at one of the stops on De Maisonneuve Boulevard, where you can continue on foot to Saint Catherine Street. There are a few areas where paid parking is available for those arriving by car.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Downtown Montreal Hotel Deals

Hotel Bonaventure Montreal

Hotel Bonaventure Montreal

4 out of 5
900 rue De La Gauchetiere West, Montreal, QC
The price is NZ$375 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$375
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Montreal. Enjoy free WiFi, hot springs on site, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,468 reviews)
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Reviewed on 17 Jul. 2025

Hotel Bonaventure Montreal
Best Western Plus Montreal Downtown-Hotel Europa

Best Western Plus Montreal Downtown-Hotel Europa

3.5 out of 5
1240 Drummond Street, Montreal, QC
The price is NZ$232 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$232
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Montreal. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,046 reviews)
"Great location and clean room."

Reviewed on 16 Jul. 2025

Best Western Plus Montreal Downtown-Hotel Europa
Hotel Le Cantlie Suites

Hotel Le Cantlie Suites

3.5 out of 5
1110, Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC
The price is NZ$289 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$289
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified aparthotel in Montreal. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,377 reviews)
"Nice hotel and great location"

Reviewed on 16 Jul. 2025

Hotel Le Cantlie Suites
Hotel Chrome Montreal

Hotel Chrome Montreal

3 out of 5
215 Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, Montreal, QC
The price is NZ$141 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$141
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Montreal. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
6.8/10 (3,125 reviews)
"Nice and clean Reception was very kind and attentive"

Reviewed on 15 Jul. 2025

Hotel Chrome Montreal
Hotel Monville

Hotel Monville

4 out of 5
Montreal
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$344 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
NZ$344
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury aparthotel in Montreal. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,566 reviews)
"Very hot room; A/C would not go lower than 20C and it was 92 outside so hard to get comfortable to sleep… we called the front desk and we were told they couldn’t lower it. Was also charged a double amount for deposit but they told me to monitor it and see if it would drop so hopefully it will…"

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

Hotel Monville
Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel

Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel

4 out of 5
1201 Boulevard Rene-Levesque West, Montreal, QC
The price is NZ$358 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
NZ$358
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Montreal. Enjoy a 24-hour health club, valet parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,615 reviews)
"Did not have 2queen beds Rates were high"

Reviewed on 17 Jul. 2025

Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Montreal

Latin Quarter which includes street scenes, a city and signage

Quartier des Spectacles

4/5(9 area reviews)

Cosy cafes, live music and vibrant jazz clubs are just a few top things to explore in Quartier des Spectacles. A visit to Complexe Desjardins or Place des Arts might round out your trip, and you can jump aboard the metro at Place des Arts Station or Saint Laurent Station to get around town.

Quartier des Spectacles
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts showing interior views and art

Golden Square Mile

Visitors to Golden Square Mile love its popular shops, and you can check out Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and The Underground City. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Peel Station.

Golden Square Mile
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International District

If you're spending time in International District, check out sights like World Trade Center Montreal or The Underground City and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Square Victoria Station or Place d'Armes Station.

International District
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Chinatown

4/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Chinatown, you might enjoy attractions like The Underground City and Saint Laurent Boulevard. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Place d'Armes Station to see more of the city.

Chinatown
Notre Dame Basilica which includes religious aspects, a church or cathedral and interior views

Old Montreal

4.5/5(27 area reviews)

A bustling port renowned art and top sights from Old Port of Montreal to Montreal Science Centre – discover Old Montreal, a destination also famous for its historic sites.

Old Montreal
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Griffintown

While you're in Griffintown, take in top sights like Saint-Paul Street and jump on the metro at Griffintown-Bernard-Landry Station to see more of the city.

Griffintown


Downtown Montreal Travel Guide

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