48 hours in Montreal
Two days is enough to fall for this city. Here is how to spend them.
Day 1, morning
Mile End + Plateau
Start in Mile End with a bagel straight from the oven. Walk south along Saint-Laurent to the Plateau, stopping for coffee at one of the neighbourhood's third-wave roasters. The colourful row houses and murals along Saint-Denis are worth the wander.
Day 1, afternoon
Mount Royal + museums
Hike up Mount Royal to the Kondiaronk Belvedere for the city view. Come back down toward the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on Sherbrooke. If you prefer something smaller, the MAC or the McCord are both within walking distance.
Day 1, evening
Old Montreal
Head to Old Montreal for dinner. If the budget allows, fine dining here is world-class. Otherwise, the terrasses along the waterfront are perfect for a drink. End the night at one of the city's cocktail bars nearby.
Day 2, morning
Brunch + Saint-Henri
Montreal does brunch better than most cities. Pick one of our spots and settle in. Then walk the Lachine Canal path into Saint-Henri, a former industrial neighbourhood that has become one of the city's best dining districts.
Day 2, afternoon
Jean-Talon Market + Little Italy
Take the metro to Little Italy and explore Jean-Talon Market. Grab espresso, browse the cheese shops, and pick up some local produce. This is where Montrealers actually shop. Pair it with pizza or ice cream nearby.
Day 2, evening
Plateau + late night
Dinner on the Plateau. Try ramen, tacos, or whatever catches your eye on Saint-Laurent. Follow it with craft beer or a wine bar. Montreal stays up late. If you are hungry after midnight, the late-night spots are waiting.
Frequently asked questions
Is 48 hours enough to see Montreal?
For the essentials, yes. In two days you can walk Old Montreal, eat your way through the Plateau, climb Mount Royal for the view, try a proper bagel and a proper smoked meat, and still have time for a real dinner and a late walk on Saint-Laurent. You will leave wanting to come back, which is the right way to leave a city.
What should I absolutely not miss in a weekend?
One meal you will remember, one Montreal bagel fresh from the oven, one view from Mount Royal, and one walk along Saint-Laurent after dark. Everything else on a 48-hour trip is a bonus.
Should I stay downtown or in the Plateau for a weekend?
Downtown is easier logistically. The Plateau is more memorable. If you are debating, pick the Plateau. Everything downtown is fifteen minutes by metro or thirty on foot, so you are not sacrificing access.
Can I do Montreal without a car?
Yes. The metro reaches everywhere a first-time visitor wants to go, parking downtown is expensive and frustrating, and BIXI bikes cover the gaps between metro stops. Rent a car only if you are doing day trips to Mont-Tremblant or the Eastern Townships.
What is a realistic budget for a Montreal weekend?
Hotels run $150 to $300 a night for a decent downtown or Plateau room. Plan on $60 to $100 per person per day for meals at our picks. Metro day passes are about $12. A two-day trip for two people sits around $800 to $1200 before activities, more if you book fine dining or a Nordic spa.
What should I eat first in Montreal?
A Montreal bagel, hot from the oven. St-Viateur or Fairmount in Mile End, whichever has the shorter line. Then smoked meat at Schwartz's on Saint-Laurent. Then poutine after dark. That is the Montreal food trilogy and you can do all three in a day.
Is Montreal good for a couple's weekend?
Excellent. Old Montreal has the cobblestones, terrasses, and atmosphere. The Plateau has the restaurants and independent shops. Cocktail bars and wine bars across the city are designed for lingering. Nordic spas in winter are a perfect couples activity. The city is built for two.