The Complete 3 Day Itinerary for Montréal: Where to Go, Eat and Explore

Planning a trip and wondering how to make the most of a 3 day itinerary for Montréal?

You’re not alone!

I also felt overwhelmed with the long lists of things to do when I first visited. After a few visits to Montréal, I think I can share some things worth seeing to help you plan for your trip!

In this post, I’ll share different activities and experiences to fill your Montréal itinerary from morning to night so you always know where to go and when.

From local favorite spots to must-see sites, you’ll have a clear, no-stress plan that will help you enjoy Montréal with tips from someone who’s been there multiple times.

Let’s dive in!

The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for Montreal: Where to Go, Eat, and Explore

Day 1 – Explore Old Montreal + Waterfront (Old Port)

🌅 Morning

Start the day in Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal) with coffee and a croissant from Crew Collective & Cafe, a gorgeous building once a bank and now a beautiful coffee shop. Then, take some time to explore the beautiful European charm of the Old Town.

One of the best ways to explore the historic district’s history, architecture, and different areas is to book a walking tour of Old Montréal.

Walking tours are a great way to explore the beauty of the city’s old architecture dating back to the 18th century. Without fail, a walking tour is always on my itineraries, no matter where I go!

Plus, you gain insight from a local, so you can ask for extra tips and recommendations!

✅ BOOK your walking tour of Old Montréal here

☀️ Afternoon

Keep exploring Old Montréal at your own pace, and pop into a few local boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Check out the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, with its impressive Neo-Gothic exterior architecture and its equally beautiful (if not even more) interior. It’s one of the most beautiful churches I’ve seen. 

✅ BOOK your tickets to the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal

After having a bite for lunch in Old Town, grab a Beaver Tail, a local sweet treat made of fried dough shaped like a beaver tail (you might want to share with someone else because they’re pretty big!) with various toppings of your choice.

From there, head to the La Grande Roue de Montréal, the famous Ferris wheel in Old Montréal, and hop on to get beautiful panoramic views of the skyline and the St. Lawrence River, especially near sunset hours.

🌃 Evening

Wrap up the days activities with dinner in Old Town, then finish the night exploring the town at night with a fun ghost tour in Old Montréal, to learn more about the local curses set upon the arrival of the French, the local legends, and deaths that happened in the same gorgeous streets you explored during the day.

✅ BOOK your spot for the Old Montréal Ghost Tour

>> Read More: 21 Helpful Things to Know Before Going to Montréal, Canada

Day 2 – Explore the Local Neighborhoods + Try local Montréal-style bagels

🌅 Morning

Start your second day with Montréal-style bagels at the famous St-Viateur or Fairmont Bagel.

Did you know that Montréal-style bagels were a thing? They are boiled in honey-infused water, which gives them a slightly sweet flavor, with a slightly dense interior and crispy exterior – it’s really good! I try to have one every time I visit.

Pro tip: Get to St-Viateur early because they usually have a line, especially if you visit in the summer. Also, you may need to bring cash to pay.

Next, meet up with your group for a fun Bike Tour of Montréal’s neighborhoods to explore the city’s unique districts, including La Plateau, Mile End, and much more. Explore the murals, see the city’s diversity, and discover what modern Montréal is really like.

I’ve done this bike tour, and we had a picnic lunch included, which was so refreshing after biking around the city. I felt like we really got to see a lot of the city!

✅ BOOK your spot on a Bike Tour of Montréal’s Neighborhoods

☀️ Afternoon

Check out more of the local scene and explore Jean-Talon Market, where you can grab some lunch and explore some local products, from cheese to local maple syrup and flavored honey.

You can also sample some while you’re shopping around! Exploring on your own is great, but if you’re interested in the foodie side of Montréal, a food tour of Jean-Talon Market and Little Italy would be a great bonus idea!

Head to Mont Royal Park, either walking over or taking the city’s metro, and get one of the city’s best views, hands down!

You’ll have to climb a few stairs, but I promise the views are worth it! At the top, there is a pavilion with gardens and expansive views of the entire city you have to see.

🌃 Evening

Explore Little Italy or Rue-Saint-Denis for a chill night of shopping and dining locally. Check out the Théâtre de Nouve Monde or Usine C.

Pro Tip: Don’t know what to expect on your trip to Montréal? Check out my tips to plan the best trip to Montéal for the first time!

Some great restaurants to check out in Little Italy:

• Impasto – authentic Italian dishes made with local French Canadian ingredients.
• Corneli – wood-fired pizzas are the main star, but they also have classic favorite Italian dishes.

Some great restaurants to check out on Rue-Saint-Dennis:

• Le Molière – a great pre-show dinner place serving French brasserie-style food.
• L’Express – French bistro-style setting and food that is very popular among locals.

Day 3 – Exploring the Olympic Stadium and/or The Botanical Garden

🌅 Morning

Head to the historic Olympic Stadium to tour the grounds where the 1976 Olympics were once held! Tours are included in admission.

Exploring the stadium is a cool experience, especially if you love interesting architecture and sports-related history.

If you prefer a different activity, you can also check out the Montréal Botanical Gardens, especially if you’re visiting in the spring, summer, or fall to see the gorgeous gardens and fields of flowers.

☀️ Afternoon

Check out the Museum of Fine Arts, one of Canada’s most impressive art museums, where you can see everything from classical masterpieces to modern exhibits and installations.

Afterwards, grab lunch near Golden Square Mile and spend the rest of your time exploring the area with it’s beautiful Victorian-style buildings and local charm.

If you want to shop, check out Montréal’s most popular shopping street, Rue-Sainte-Catherine.

Some great lunch spots in Golden Square Mile:

• Henri Brasserie Française – classic French food, from steak and frites to quiche and much more. Plus, the interiors are stunning.
• LE CENTRAL – Don’t know what you want? Visit LE CENTRAL, one of Montréal’s most diverse food courts offering different types of cuisines under one roof, representing the international community living in the city.

🌃 Evening

Finalize the night with dinner in the Mile End neighborhood! There are tons of great places to eat at Mile End, including:

• Buvette Chez Simone – for light bites, wine, and small plates.
• La Banquise – For some poutine, head to the famous La Banquise for poutine with all sorts of toppings to choose from!

Want to know what to eat when you’re in Montréal? Download my FREE guide “Must-Try Foods to Eat in Montréal.”

Ready to discover Montréal?

I hope this 3 day itinerary for Montréal helped you plan for your upcoming trip!

If you have any questions, please feel free to share them below, and I’ll try my best to answer them.

Do you have extra days in Montréal? Explore north and head to the European Québec City!

There are a few day trips from Montréal to Québec City for a quick city break, so you can explore more of French Canada while you’re already there.

To more travel moments like this,