Top 24 Famous Tourist Attractions in Montreal, Quebec
Last Updated on 4th September 2025 by admin
As an attractive city in the Canadian province of Quebec, Montreal overwhelms every guest with its peculiar mixture of European beauty and North American energy. With historical monuments that echo stories of the past and pristine natural breaks that provide a whiff of fresh air, Montreal has a wide variety of attractions that appeal to every type of traveler. Montreal offers a plethora of famous tourist attractions that captivate visitors from around the globe. Join us as we embark on a journey through Montreal’s top sights, here’s a curated list of the top 24 tourist attractions in Montreal for your adventure:
1) Old Montreal
Travel back in time and explore the pavement alleys of Old Montreal or Vieux-Port de Montréal. Old Montreal has been part of the history and the European charm of the city, sitting along the St. Lawrence River. This historic area is surrounded by cobblestone streets that take visitors through hundreds-of-years-old structures, lovely cafes, and adorable shops.
It is among the most favorite tourist attractions in Montreal, here you can enjoy a nice walk down Rue Saint-Paul, where art galleries and artisanal shops greet exploration. You can afford to skip Place Jacques-Cartier, a busy square with dance and theater performers, and both indoor and outdoor cafes. Lose yourself in the historical atmosphere and absorb the magic of this magical district.
2) Notre-Dame Basilica
One of the most popular attractions in Montreal is the beautiful neo-Gothic architecture of Notre-Dame Basilica along with multiple interior details. However, come to this masterpiece in architecture and marvel at the large vaulted ceilings, elaborate wood sculptures and the colorful stained glass windows. The city of Montreal boasts a rich and rich heritage of culture highlighted by this fabulous site with its remarkable Gothic Revival architectural design and spectacular stained-glass windows fans go wild.
It is the oldest cathedral in Montreal built between 1824 and 1829. Enter and be swept into the realm of pomposity, the sunlight penetrates the colorful scenery and shines upon the details in the vivid colors so intricate and impressive that you feel your breath taken away. Guided tours provide an account of the history and importance of the basilica, and evening light shows provide an impressive show of color and sound across the area.
3) Mount Royal Park
Mount royal park (French: Parc du Mont-Royal) is a huge urban park in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is one of the most famous green spaces in Montreal, and was created in 1876 by Frederick Law Olmsted. Mount Royal Park in Montreal was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect of New York’s Central Park(it is one of the famous landmarks in New York).
Visitors enjoy hiking, jogging, cycling, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, and ice skating depending on the season. Nowadays, Mount Royal Park is no longer a green patch but a living breathing representation of Montreal. Be it adventure, rest or cultural, this great park has always provided a bit to everyone and that is why this park has remained a must visit destination to anyone touring the city.
4) Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
When you are strolling down Sherbrooke Street in Montreal, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is hard to ignore. It is locally referred to as the MMFA and is not only the most popular museum in the city, but it is also the oldest museum in Canada, established in 1860. Families love it because of the interactive workshops and creative activities for kids, which makes it much more than a “quiet museum visit.”
It is one of the most visited attractions in Montreal, what makes it so special is the variety inside. You can stroll through collections of ancient and European masterpieces, and then round a corner to discover the provocative contemporary art or the touching works of Quebec and Indigenous artists. The museum collection is enormous-more than 45,000 pieces-so you will always see something that will catch your eye, regardless of your taste.
5) Jean-Talon Market
Want to experience the flavor of Montreal outside of the restaurants, go directly to Jean-Talon Market. This vibrant market is located at the center of Little Italy and has existed since 1933, making it one of the largest open air markets in North America. It is not only a shopping center, but the place where people live here and those who visit can meet and taste fresh items, tasty street food, and the atmosphere that makes you feel like you were at home.
During the summer, the stands are crowded with colorful fruits, vegetables and flowers and the air is filled with the aroma of fresh baked bread, roasted coffee and food cooked by the roadside vendors. You will have Quebec cheeses, maple products, homemade jam and seasonal specialties that are the perfect souvenirs or irresistible snacks you will end up eating immediately.
6) Montreal Botanical Garden
The Montreal Botanical Garden is a green paradise of 190 acres that allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature at any time of the year. In 2008, it was declared a National Historic Site of Canada because it is believed to be one of the most significant botanical gardens worldwide based on the level of collections and facilities. Tour thematic gardens including the serene Japanese Garden, the fragrant Rose Garden and exotic Chinese Garden.
Twisting foot paths, appreciate colorful floral displays, ponds, and architectural features, making it one of the most famous tourist attractions in Montreal. There are seasonal events, guided tours and educational programs which can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. You should take a break so that you can breathe the fresh air, reconnect with nature and the beauty of the botanical world refresh your spirit.
7) St. Joseph’s Oratory
Located on the mount top at the Westmouth Summit of Mount Royal, the St. Josephs Oratory is not only the church but is also an icon of Montreal. The Oratory with its giant dome (one of the largest dome ever built in the world) is a place when architecture, history and spirituality meet in a very impressive way that can be truly called awe-inspiring. It makes a vivid impression, be it that you come there intending to fulfill some religious obligation or just to appreciate its beauty.
The Oratory has incredibly scenic views of Montreal with beautiful landscaped gardens and terraces outside of the building. The steps leading to the front entrance seem to be a little adventure in itself and when you get to the top, the view of the city and the St. Lawrence River is marvelous. Weddings and other special events take place in the Oratory. School visits and other group outings are also popular when people visit it.
8) Plateau Mont-Royal
Plateau Mont-Royal is the place where you should go to feel the creative and vibrant side of Montreal. The Plateau can be characterized as the heartbeat of the city with its colorful murals, adorable streets, and bohemian atmosphere. As you walk along its streets, you will see its traditional Montreal row houses that have the trademark spiral staircases, unusual cafes as well as storefront stores that make it look incredibly local and quite lived in.
Food lovers will find heaven in the Plateau. There is a sweet little brunch cafe and upscale bistro, there is colorful food market. The Boulevard is commonly called The Main, and In Quebec, it is filled with restaurants and delis originating from all over the world, along with bakeries where you can taste traditional poutine as well as bagels and handcrafted treats. During the hot days, terraces also overflow to the sidewalks, then it is ideal to people-watch drinking a coffee.
9) Lachine Canal National Historic Site
The Lachine Canal National Historic Site is one of the places that must be visited in Montreal in case you love history, nature, and outdoor adventure in a single place. It is an artificial 14.5 kilometers-long canal, initially built during the early nineteenth century and served to industrialize the city bypassing the Lachine Rapids. It has nowadays turned into a pleasant and popular destination where people go to the city to walk, ride a bicycle, go on a raft, or just enjoy being on the water.
The canals provide ideal trails to be biked or walked along, providing stunning scenery of the ancient locks, old warehouses, and greenspace. During summer you might find kayaks and paddleboards floating on the calm waters and in winter you will find the trails turn into a quiet cross country ski or walking path. There are numerous parks within the vicinity where you can have a picnic and even some small cafes and restaurants offering you coffee or a snack on the way home.
10) Montreal Olympic Park
Montreal Olympic park (Parc olympique) is a large sporting complex, designed to host the 1976 Summer Olympics. It is a busy tourist destination and a sports hub, cultural and green space today. Here you can tour the famous Olympic Stadium and the Montreal tower, which is the tallest inclined tower of the world. The park continues to remind Montreal of its aspirations and architectural brilliance decades after it was built.
It is like going back in time to past eras in order to visit the Olympic Park. The Olympic Stadium alone is impressive and imposing, but you can go on guided tours to hear about the games, the sportsmen, and what it was like to construct such an unusual construction. The surrounding green areas are ideal to picnic, walk, or take part in events and concerts, especially in summer, and seasonal activities such as ice skating and festive displays in winter.
11) Montreal Ferris wheel
The Montreal Ferris Wheel (Grande Roue de Montréal) is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Montreal, it is the perfect place to get one of the best views of the entire city. It is 60 meters high which makes it the tallest observation wheel in Canada, and provides a bird-eye view of Old Montreal, the St. Lawrence River, and even distant Mount Royal. You can ride it during the day, at sunset, or when the city lights are twinkling at night, the ride is magical each time.
Gondolas are completely enclosed and climatic controlled, and hence you can enjoy the ride regardless of the season in a comfortable manner. During a sunny day, the sights are spread over many miles and in winter, it is absolutely amazing to perceive the snowy rooftops and the frozen river when you are on top of it. It does not matter whether it is your first time in Montreal or your 10th, the top floor views never lose their charm.
12) Saint-Louis Square
The Saint-Louis Square (also called Square Saint-Louis in French) is a lovely city square in the Plateau Mont-Royal borough of Montreal. It has a beautiful scenery, historical value and a lively ambiance. The Saint-Louis Square is a peaceful escape to the hectic city life. This beautiful square is surrounded by charming town buildings built during the Victorian period, only topped by a picturesque fountain in the center of the square.
Go on a slow walk around the square, enjoying the color of the row houses and colorful gardens, or bring along a picnic and sit on the grassy lawns under the shade of the maple trees. Saint-Louis Square is a local secret favorite of both locals and visitors due to its relaxed beauty and unchanging peaceful atmosphere. Saint-Louis Square is a comfortable place to visit and experience the beauty and history of Montreal.
13) Parc La Fontaine
To experience Montreal the way the locals do, you should spend some time at Parc La Fontaine. This large green area located in the Plateau Mont-Royal district is not as tourist as the Mount Royal Park but is equally popular. Large lawns, shaded trees, and meandering walks make it the ideal place to relax and have a picnic or just observe the tempo of everyday life in the city.
This park is named after the name of a politician, Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine, who lived in the 19th century, but today everything is about fun and belonging. During summer, people jog, bike, play frisbees or sit on blankets with friends. The two ponds are intertwined with a small waterfall that brings a sense of calm and the boat paddle is an enjoyable way to experience the water on a sunny day. During the warmer seasons open-air theater productions, concerts, and cultural festivals frequent the park and make it look more creative and alive.
14) Montréal Archaeology and History Complex
Montréal Archaeology and History Complex (Pointe-à-Callière Museum), is a museum located in Old Montreal. To anyone interested in the origin of Montreal, it is an interesting place to visit. The museum constructed literally on the ground where the city originated in 1642 brings you back through centuries of history. It is not just another museum with its collection of items and exhibits, you are in fact allowed to walk through archeological remnants, ancient sewer tunnels, and the very roots of the city.
Among the attractions here is the multimedia presentation which takes us back in time to its history, its early Indigenous beginnings and to the change into a modern city with high foot traffic. History becomes a relational experience instead of a remote one, and children surprisingly enjoy it as much as adults do. Global themes (including pirates and ancient civilizations) are also introduced through temporary exhibitions, so there is always something new to visit.
16) Montreal Science Centre
When you go visiting Montreal with your children, or when you are yourself a curious adult and want to explore the city, be sure to visit the Montreal science center in the old port. This is not just another museum where one goes to see exhibits but here all is to touch and feel and hence learning about science and technology is more like play than study.
The center is full of exhibits that touch on space, the human body, the environment and the latest technology. You have the opportunity to play around with gadgets, immerse yourself in the world of immersive experiences, and engage in all-age activities that will arouse curiosity. Among the attractions is the IMAX TELUS Theatre, which along with massive screens transports you on fantastic world tours-or even outer space.
17) Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art
The Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) is located in the very center of the Quartier des Spectacles, where creativity reigns. In case you are interested in the provocative, evocative and even shocking pieces of art you will find the home here. The first museum in Canada specifically dedicated to contemporary art, the MAC opened in 1964 and continues to challenge limits today.
The inside will be filled with a variety of paintings, sculptures, digital installations, video art, and performances that reflect the life and variety of the modern art world. The museum exhibits Quebec and Canadian artists alongside international ones, so the collection seems very local to Montreal and global to the rest of the world.
18) La Ronde
To get your dose of pure fun and adrenaline, you should visit the largest amusement park in Montreal La Ronde. On Île Sainte-Hélene, La Ronde is within minutes of downtown, and has served both locals and visitors since the Worlds Fair (expo 67) in 1967. It is now a member of the Six Flags family, and that means plenty of rides, roller coasters, and thrills at all ages.
There are over 40 rides and attractions at the park including family friendly carousals and Ferris wheels to high speed roller coaster which will make your heart beat up. Goliath is one of the largest attractions and one of the tallest and quickest coasters in Canada and it has great views of the city as you fall into its huge drops. Younger visitors have more gentle rides and even themed sections, which are specifically made so that kids of all ages can have a good day.
19) Biosphere Environment Museum
The Biosphere Environment Museum on Île Sainte-Helene in Parque Jean-Drapeau is one of the most prominent attractions in Montreal. The building itself is already an attraction to see before entering: a gigantic geodesic dome that was created by one of the most progressive architects, Buckminster Fuller, to be used during Expo 67. This future-focused, steel-and-acrylic construction remains ahead of its time and remains one of the most familiar silhouettes in the city.
Biosphere is internally concerned with sustainability and environmental issues. Interactive exhibits, immersive and thought provoking displays help the visitors to learn about climate change, biodiversity, water resources and renewable energy. The exhibits are informative and motivational in addressing the issue of life in the city and the efforts of people to learn more about the surrounding environment.
20) Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the brightest and colorful districts of the city that is located only a few steps away from Old Montreal and downtown. The traditional red gates and colorful streets that generations of Chinese, Vietnamese and other Asian communities used to shape its culture over a century characterize it.
Going through Chinatown is like entering a new world. Backing the streets are lantern-filled avenues, bakery stalls where fresh buns are air-dried, herbal stores, bubble tea shops, and crowded cafes and restaurants that offer dim sum and bowls of pho of every size. It is the type of an establishment you can spend time wandering without any plans or direction, following your nose to a snarling plate of dumplings or a bowl of noodles.
21) Parc Jean-Drapeau
Parc Jean-Drapeau is the most multifaceted outdoor recreation location in Montreal, spread across two islands at the St. Lawrence River. Only a few minutes outside the downtown, the park provides an ideal combination of nature, culture, and entertainment and makes it one of their favorite places to escape. It is known as the home of the Expo 67, and much of its infrastructure still recalls those times, including the famous Biosphere dome.
Nowadays, the Parc Jean-Drapeau is a vibrant place where the largest events and festivals of the city such as Osheaga and Piknic Electronik take place, attracting music lovers worldwide. It has some peaceful walking and bicycle paths, picnic areas along the water and even an out-of-door swimming pool during the summer months. During winter the park is turned into a snowy playground that provides cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding.
22) Montréal Underground City
The Montréal Underground City (RÉSO) is the ideal option when the weather outside is too cold or raining to explore the city and never leave it. The largest underground network in the world, Montreaux is a 33 kilometer long complex under downtown Montreal which links shopping malls, hotels, offices, museums, and metro stations. Originally created in the 1960s to offer protection from the harsh winter weather, but nowadays it become one of the most famous tourist attractions in Montreal
This place is like a city within a city. There are fashion shops and small coffeeshops and then there are bookstores and restaurants offering cuisines of all the countries in the world. It is a paradise of a shopper, however, even when you are not a shopper, the architecture, lighting, and intelligent design make the process of walking around a destination in itself.
23) Marché Atwater
To have a real feeling about Montreal, you must not skip Marché Atwater which is one of the most vibrant public markets in the city. This market was a center of fresh food and local culture since 1933, and is located in the southwest of the downtown area, near the Lachine Canal. When one strolls its crowded stalls, it is a sensual feast of bright colors, delicious aromas, and pleasant sellers willing to give out samples of what they offer.
Marché Atwater offers all the fresh fruits and vegetables as well as cheeses, meats, baked goods, and products made by artisans. Quebec delicacies such as maple syrup, smoked meats, and poutine ingredients can be found anywhere, and it is an ideal place to buy some special buttons-or just have a good snack there. What makes the market even more pleasant is the presence of lovely flower stands and specialty stores that contribute to the picturesque community-oriented environment.
24) Complexe Desjardins
Complexe Desjardins is not just a mall and business center in the city, it is a bustling crossroads that perfectly reflects the urban life of Montreal. Thanks to its spacious inside atrium, colorful ceiling, and modernity, they make it an easily approachable place where clients and guests meet and shop, have a meal, or just feel the vibe of the big city.
It has a mix of retail shops, restaurants, cafes and services inside, so that you can get a quick coffee, eat and even go shopping in the little boutique stores. As well as showing how culturally dynamic Montreal is, exhibitions, art installations and seasonal events are regular occurrences in the atrium that create an imaginative and moving feel to the area as well.
To wrap things up, the best tourist attractions in Montreal present an impressive color palette, ranging in amplitude between historic landmark sites, natural marvels, cultural establishments, and culinary pleasures. Visitors are bound to be fascinated by the elegance and grace of this bustling city whether they are wandering the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal, admiring the elegance of the grand Notre-Dame Basilica, or indulging themselves in the beauty of the Mount Royal park.
