Montreal in 2 Days: everything you need to know

A 48-hour getaway in Montreal is an exciting opportunity to explore a lively and energetic city that will make you believe a part of Europe is in North America. From walking the charming cobblestone streets of Old Montrealto dining in the French-inspired restaurants scattered throughout the city, to taking part in its famous festivals, here are the best things to do in Montreal in 2 days.

Don't miss the magnificent murals of St-Laurent, the charming houses and cafes of Le Plateau Mont Royal and the bustling shops of St-Catherine Street. Canada's cultural capital awaits you with a list of incredible things to see and do, and in this article you'll find a full itinerary and all the information you need to make the most of your 2-day trip to Montreal.

Your adventure begins in **Montreal'**s charming Old Port, a historic area full of charm and beauty. This is one of the best tours in Montreal. The tour can be done in a variety of ways such as by metro, tour bus, scooter or by renting a bike, which is a favourite with locals.

Immerse yourself in the past and present of the city's cultural offerings with this 7-stop highlights tour. It will be 5.9 kilometres that you can find on this map.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Start your day near the Guy Concordia metro station, make your way to Place Norman Bethune for breakfast at one of the square's charming cafés and soak up the multicultural atmosphere of the area. Try a freshly baked croissant, delicious Italian-style sandwiches like MONO' s Godfather Hero or an authentic Persian breakfast accompanied by the potent Persian Fog at Café Aunja, and start your day with energy!

Then, grab your bike, scooter or start walking and stroll along the Avenue des Musées, where you'll find the Salle Bourgie concert hall building, the Musée du Cinema, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Sculpture Garden and many other cultural buildings to catch your eye. I recommend entering the Museum of Fine Arts, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 - 17:00 hours and costs approximately 17 €.

With your ticket you can enjoy its continuous programme of temporary exhibitions, especially on Wednesdays, when the opening hours are extended to 21:00 hours for these special events, and witness the more than 40,000 works of art spread over four luxurious pavilions. The MBAM is Montreal's largest museum, a cultural must-see on your 2-day itinerary.

The Pointe-à-Callière Museum

Afterwards, stroll through the Old Port, admire the historic architecture of the buildings and soak up the unique atmosphere of this place. Visit the Montreal Museum of History and Archaeology, which will take you on a journey through time. Explore the permanent and temporary exhibitions that showcase the history of Montreal from the first indigenous settlements to the present day.

As well as being among the top things to do in Montreal with kids for its variety of multimedia and interactive activities, it also boasts a spectacular building worthy of a portrait, undoubtedly one of the best museums in Montreal. Schedule your visit to the Pointe-à-Callière between Tuesdays and Fridays between 10:00 - 17:00 hours or Saturdays and Sundays between 11:00 - 17:00 hours. Admission costs approximately €18.

Notre-Dame de Montréal Basilica

Another unmissable stop is the Notre-Dame Basilica, a jewel founded by architect James O'Donnell in 1824. This Gothic-style basilica is covered in stunning stained-glass windows, ornate wood carvings and features 2 bell towers that were added two decades later by architect John Ostell.

The Basilica of Notre Dame is a temple that combines the charm of the past with modernity. Its AURA audiovisual show is now a classic and you can enjoy all that this place has to offer every day of the week between 09:00 - 16:00 hours for an approximate cost of 8.5 €.

Montreal Science Centre

We continue on through Montreal's Old Port on your bike, scooter, on foot or by your choice of transport to get to the Montreal Science Centre on King-Edward Quay. This is one of the most popular attractions for kids, and not so kids, who are interested in science and technology.

Explore the interactive exhibits and have fun while learning about various scientific topics, from physics to biology. Don't miss the 3D dinosaurs, the IMAX TELUS Theatre, a space to enjoy giant screen projections, and the quick hockey lessons for beginners.

I invite you to take a look at the café in the building because, although the recommended time is 70 minutes, clearly that was written by someone who doesn't travel with children. The truth is that it easily takes a couple of hours out of your itinerary.

You can schedule your visit to the Montreal Science Centre from Monday to Friday between 09:00 - 16:00 hours and on Saturdays and Sundays between 10:00 - 17:00 hours. Admission costs approximately €25.

Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel

Before entering the church, I invite you to make a technical stop for lunch right next to the church at La Maison Pierre du Calvet, a house dating from 1725, the oldest in the city, which houses a hotel and Auberge-Restaurant. Best of all, you can visit the restaurant and church, as well as most of the day's destinations, aboard the Montreal sightseeing bus.

After lunch, continuing along the cobblestone streets of Rue Saint-Paul, the next destination on this tour of Montreal is Notre Dame de Bon Secours. Admission is free! Its name could be translated as**"Our Lady of Good Help**". This neo-gothic style chapel is known to be one of the oldest churches in the city and, crowned by a large Madonna, has been blessing the city since the 18th century.

If you're interested in exploring the accompanying museum and climbing to the roof, you'll need to buy a ticket. It costs around €12 and allows you to enjoy unbeatable views of the old port from its vantage point. On the way out you can stroll through the famous Bon Secours Market, browse its galleries, cafes and crafts and even stroll along the Grande Roue de Montréal- they're all within walking distance.

Quartier des Spectacles

Next, stroll through the bohemian Place Jacques-Cartier, a neighbourhood teeming with street artists. And as you cross Rue Notre Dame and Rue Saint-Antoine you'll find the Hôtel de Ville, the seat of Montreal City Hall, which you can visit with a guided tour Monday to Friday.

Next, move on to Montreal's lively Quartier des Spectacles, where the atmosphere is festive all year round. This is where the Montreal Jazz Festival, the largest of its kind in the world, the Beer Festival, the International Film Festival and even the famous Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, the must-do activity in Montreal in July, all take place.

In this area the regular question among friends is "What's on tap for today?" because there's always something to discover.

The Latin Quarter

Finally, walk a few blocks to the lively Latin Quarter, the quintessential student area of the Quartier des spectacles. Here the colourful little houses will catch your eye, but more interesting is the call of the cheap food and beer among the cafes, restaurants and terraces. This is the place with the best things to do in Montreal at night.

After dinner, you can enjoy live music, all around you will find venues with jazz, blues or electronic bands. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, you can opt for a cosy bar where you can sip craft cocktails and chat with the locals or do your craft beer tasting. The Latin Quarter is the perfect place to end your first day of your trip.

On your second day I invite you to explore other fascinating areas of Montreal: Mont-Royal Park and Le Plateau. These places will offer you a combination of nature, panoramic views and an artistic and bohemian atmosphere.

The day's tour is a 15-kilometrecircular tour, which you can see on this map. The ideal is to do it by metro or bus like the Montreal Hop on Hop off, the distances are long, and the hike up Mont-Royal takes its toll. On the other hand, using the shuttle will give you time to visit other points of interest.

Mont-Royal Park

Start the day by visiting Mont Royal, Montreal's most important park. Here I invite you to have breakfast at St-Viateur Bagel & Cafe Mont Royal, the shop that hasdominated the bagelmarket since 1957. Once you open the door, smell the aroma and taste the products, you'll understand everything. Accompany your bagel with a steaming coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Then the climb up Mont-Royal begins. You can choose to walk up or take a bus to the viewpoint. Once at the top, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Montreal. Enjoy the park designed in 1874 by architect Frederick Law Olmstead. Stroll along the paths and take memorable photos in this oasis.

The park has a wide gravel path leading to the top of the hill where the **city'**s iconic cross stands. There are many monuments and overlooks in the park such as the Camilien-Houde Belvedere that offer an unobstructed view of the city skyline, the St. Lawrence River and the Adirondack Mountains to the south. You can also visit the Mont-Royal chalet, a historic building that offers information on the history and flora of the park.

Saint Joseph's Oratory

On your way down from Mont-Royal you can have lunch at Restaurant Ermitage, the specialists in European food in town. After your lunch break, if you're interested in exploring the history and culture, it's worth considering a visit to St. Joseph's Oratory.

Located at the other end of Mont Royal since 1904, this impressive basilica is the largest church in Canada and boasts one of the largest domes in the world as well as 4 beautiful outdoor gardens that are a haven in the spring. It is advisable not to walk there from the chalet at Mount Royal, as it is quite a distance. Instead, it is better to go back down and approach it on foot or by bicycle.

Admission to the church is free, however, to find out more about the oratory, there are guided tours every day from June to August between 13:30 and 15:00 for approximately 4 €.

Le Plateau

After enjoying the nature and panoramic views in the Parc Mont Royal, it's time to immerse yourself in the artistic and bohemian atmosphere of Le Plateau. Here you'll find a mix of street art, art galleries, vintage bookstores, second-hand clothing shops, and a lively food scene, which is why Le Plateau is among **Montreal'**s most Instagrammable spots.

Among the most visited spots is St-Louis Square, a charming street with vibrant Victorian houses that are the subject of many a postcard, especially between December and March, when the snow provides a dreamy space. So, make a note of what to do in Montreal in winter.

Say goodbye to Montreal at Mile End

Mile End is located on the northwest side of Plateau Mont Royal, a vibrant and trendy neighbourhood boasting impressive street art. You've already sampled one of St Viateur's bagels in the morning, and now that you're saying goodbye to Montreal, I invite you to stop by Fairmount bagels, another of Montreal's most famous bagel shops.

Other places of interest to visit include Église Saint Enfant-Jésus du Mile-End, one of Montreal's most notable churches; shop on Saint-Laurent Boulevard or try the tapas at Chez Victoire to say goodbye to Montreal in style.