Montreal in 2 Days: everything you need to know

A 48-hour getaway in Montreal is an exciting opportunity to explore a city full of life and energy that will make you believe that a part of Europe is in North America. From walking the charming cobblestone streets of Old Montreal todining in the French-inspired restaurants scattered throughout the city, to participating 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 stores of St-Catherine Street. The capital of Canadian culture awaits you with a list of incredible things to see and do, and in this article I leave you with a complete itinerary and all the information you need to make the most of your 2-day trip in 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 different ways such as by metro, tour bus, scooter or renting a bike, which is one of the favorite options for locals.

Immerse yourself in the past and present of the cultural offerings of the city with this tour of 7 outstanding stops. It will be 5.9 kilometers 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 charming cafés on the square 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 down 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 that will catch your eye. I recommend you to enter the Museum of Fine Arts, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 - 17:00 hours and admission costs approximately 17 €.

With your ticket you can enjoy its continuous program of temporary exhibitions, especially on Wednesdays, when the schedule is extended until 21:00 hours to appreciate such special events; in addition, you will witness more than 40,000 works distributed in four luxury pavilions. The MBAM is the largest museum in Montreal, a cultural reference not to be missed in your 2-day itinerary.

The Pointe-à-Callière Museum

Afterwards, stroll through the Old Port, admire the historic architecture of the buildings and let yourself be infected by 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 exhibits that showcase the history of Montreal from the first indigenous settlements to the present day.

Besides being among the things to do in Montreal with kids for its variety of multimedia and interactive activities, it also has a spectacular building worthy of being portrayed, undoubtedly one of the best museums in Montreal. Schedule your visit to the Pointe-à-Callière between Tuesday and Friday between 10:00 am - 5:00 pm or Saturday and Sunday between 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. The entrance fee is 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 with impressive stained glass windows, ornate wood carvings and has 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 audiovisual show AURA is already 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 moving through the Old Port of Montreal on your bike, scooter, on foot or by your chosen transportation to get to the Montreal Science Centre, at the 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 field hockey lessons for beginners.

I invite you to take a look at the building's café because, although the recommended time is 70 minutes, clearly that was written by someone who does not 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. The entrance fee is 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 temple 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 Bon Secours**". This neo-gothic style chapel is known to be one of the oldest churches in the city which, crowned by a large Madonna, has been blessing the city since the 18th century.

If you are interested in exploring the accompanying museum and climbing to the roof, you will have to buy a ticket. The cost is approximately 12 € and allows you to enjoy unbeatable views of the old port from its viewpoint. 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 Montreal, they are very close.

Quartier des Spectacles

Next, stroll through the bohemian Place Jacques-Cartier, a neighborhood 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, a building you can visit with a guided tour from Monday to Friday.

Next, you move on to Montreal's lively Quartier des Spectacles, where the atmosphere is festive all year round. There you will find 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 among the things to do in July in Montreal.

In this area the regular question among friends is "What do we have for today?" because there is 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 multicolored houses will capture your attention, but more interesting is the call of food and cheap beer among its 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, around you will find places with jazz bands, blues or electronic music. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, you can opt for a cozy 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 travel.

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 tour of the day is circular, 15 kilometers that you can see on this map. The ideal is to do it by subway or bus as the Montreal Hop on Hop off, the distances are wide, and hiking the 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 store that dominates the bagelmarket since 1957. Once you open its door, smell the aroma and taste its products, you will understand everything. Accompany your bagel with a steaming coffee and a freshly squeezed orange juice.

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

The park has a wide gravel path that leads to the top of the hill where the **city'**s iconic cross stands. In this park there are many monuments and overlooks 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. In addition, you can visit the Mont-Royal chalet, a historic building that offers information on the history and flora of the park.

Saint Joseph Oratory

As you descend Mont-Royal you can have lunch at Restaurant Ermitage, the specialists in European food in town. After your after-dinner meal, if you are interested in exploring history and culture, a visit to St. Joseph's Oratory is worth considering.

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 far away. Instead, it is better to go back down and approach it on foot or by bicycle.

The entrance to the church is free, however, to learn 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 at Mont Royal Park, it's time to immerse yourself in the artistic and bohemian atmosphere of Le Plateau. Here you'll find a combination of street art, art galleries, vintage bookstores, second-hand clothing stores, and a lively food scene, which is why Le Plateau is among the most Instagrammable places in Montreal.

Among the most visited corners is St-Louis Square, a charming street with vibrant Victorian houses that are the subject of many postcards, especially between December and March, when the snow provides a dreamy space. So, make a note of your visit among the things 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 neighborhood boasting impressive street art. In the morning you had already tried one of St Viateur's bagels, and now that you are saying goodbye to Montreal, I invite you to stop by Fairmount bagels, another of Montreal's most famous bagel stores.

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