Montreal City Guide (Canada, 2026)

Backpacking in Montreal
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Montreal is the one big North American city where you can get by on French alone, and in many neighborhoods you will hear it more than English. It sits on an island in the St. Lawrence River, in the province of Quebec in eastern Canada. I once stood at a Mile End counter at 7 a.m., breathing in malt and woodsmoke from the oven, and bit into a still-warm sesame bagel that cost about US$1.50. The crust cracked, the inside was chewy and faintly sweet, and I ate it walking. That is the right pace here. Old Montreal is lovely at dusk but thick with tour groups and overpriced terraces, so give it an hour and spend your real time in the Plateau, Mile End and the markets. Montreal suits food-minded, night-owl travelers who like walking and live music, and it suits no one who wants wilderness. Carry a few dollars in coins for buses, and keep your phone charged for transit apps.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Canada Travel Guide.

Best time to go: March - November
Population: 1.8 million [statcan.gc.ca]
Daily cost: US$95 [mtl.org]

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 city in CanadaWhat sets this place apart

Montreal works as a backpacking stop because it packs more going-out and eating per block than any other city in Canada, and you can cover most of it without a ticket for transit. Hostels cluster in Old Montreal, downtown and the Plateau, so a bed puts you within walking distance of cafés, bars and corner bakeries. Bars can pour until 3 AM, which makes late nights easy to stretch, and in summer the free outdoor stages of the Jazz Festival and a long calendar of street parties keep the budget under control. Food is the other draw: bagels, smoked meat, poutine and the bring-your-own-wine dinners in the Plateau and Mile End are the real reason many people stay an extra night. Onward travel is simple too, with trains and buses fanning out toward Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto and the US border. … read more 👉

Montreal works as a backpacking stop because it packs more going-out and eating per block than any other city in Canada, and you can cover most of it without a ticket for transit. Hostels cluster in Old Montreal, downtown and the Plateau, so a bed puts you within walking distance of cafés, bars and corner bakeries. Bars can pour until 3 AM, which makes late nights easy to stretch, and in summer the free outdoor stages of the Jazz Festival and a long calendar of street parties keep the budget under control. Food is the other draw: bagels, smoked meat, poutine and the bring-your-own-wine dinners in the Plateau and Mile End are the real reason many people stay an extra night. Onward travel is simple too, with trains and buses fanning out toward Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto and the US border. Plan three or four days. Less than that and you only skim the food; much more and the city starts to repeat itself unless you add day trips.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

Notre-Dame Basilica: The deep blue vaulted ceiling, dotted with gold stars, and the carved wooden pulpit make this the sight everyone searches for. Go at opening time to beat tour groups. Entry runs about US$10 to 13 and a visit takes 45 minutes to an hour. An evening light show costs extra.
Mount Royal Park: The green hill that gave the city its name, laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted. Climb the wooded trails to the Kondiaronk Belvedere for the skyline view over the downtown towers. Free, 2 to 3 hours, best late afternoon. Sunday summer afternoons bring drummers at the Tam-Tams near the Sir George-Étienne Cartier monument.
Pointe-à-Callière Museum: Montreal’s archaeology and history museum, built over the actual remains of the first settlement, with walkable underground ruins and an old sewer.

… read more 👉

Notre-Dame Basilica: The deep blue vaulted ceiling, dotted with gold stars, and the carved wooden pulpit make this the sight everyone searches for. Go at opening time to beat tour groups. Entry runs about US$10 to 13 and a visit takes 45 minutes to an hour. An evening light show costs extra.
Mount Royal Park: The green hill that gave the city its name, laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted. Climb the wooded trails to the Kondiaronk Belvedere for the skyline view over the downtown towers. Free, 2 to 3 hours, best late afternoon. Sunday summer afternoons bring drummers at the Tam-Tams near the Sir George-Étienne Cartier monument.
Pointe-à-Callière Museum: Montreal’s archaeology and history museum, built over the actual remains of the first settlement, with walkable underground ruins and an old sewer. Tickets are about US$18 to 22 and it takes 1.5 to 2 hours. It is the best rainy-day choice.
Jean-Talon Market: A working market in Little Italy with stalls of Quebec cheese, maple products, berries and cut flowers. Go on a weekday morning for space and the best samples. Free to enter, plan 1 to 1.5 hours and eat as you go.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory: The huge domed basilica on the slope of Mount Royal, among Canada’s largest churches. Pilgrims climb the outdoor staircase on their knees. Free entry, 1 to 1.5 hours, and the rooftop views are worth the effort. A small museum charges a few dollars.
Saint-Laurent Boulevard murals: The Main, the old dividing line between French and English Montreal, now has large-scale street art covering whole building sides, especially around the Plateau and Mile End. Free, 1 to 2 hours on foot, best in daylight.
Schwartz’s Deli: The famous smoked-meat counter on Saint-Laurent, open since 1928. Order the medium sandwich with a pickle and cherry soda. Around US$10 to 14, 30 to 45 minutes, and expect a line at lunch.

Montreal also makes a good base for day trips to the Laurentians for hiking and lake swimming, the Eastern Townships for wineries and rolling farmland, and Quebec City or Ottawa for a change of pace. If you only have one morning, start at Notre-Dame Basilica, then walk up to Mount Royal for the view.

Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsWhere things are and how it's laid out

Montreal rewards wandering on foot, and these areas sit close enough that you can string several together in a day.

Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal): Cobblestones, stone warehouses and the clop of tourist carriages by the river. Worth a morning for Notre-Dame Basilica and the waterfront, but skip the pricey patio dinners. Fully walkable, and crowded at midday in summer.
Plateau Mont-Royal: Spiral iron staircases, painted murals and the smell of bagels and espresso drifting from Saint-Laurent and Mont-Royal Avenue. This is where you should spend the most time. Cafés by day, loud bars after dark, easy on foot.
Mile End: Wood-fired bagel shops, record stores and warehouse-turned-studios. Quieter than the Plateau, with a creative crowd. Walkable, and worth it for food alone.
Downtown: Glass towers, shopping

… read more 👉

Montreal rewards wandering on foot, and these areas sit close enough that you can string several together in a day.

Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal): Cobblestones, stone warehouses and the clop of tourist carriages by the river. Worth a morning for Notre-Dame Basilica and the waterfront, but skip the pricey patio dinners. Fully walkable, and crowded at midday in summer.
Plateau Mont-Royal: Spiral iron staircases, painted murals and the smell of bagels and espresso drifting from Saint-Laurent and Mont-Royal Avenue. This is where you should spend the most time. Cafés by day, loud bars after dark, easy on foot.
Mile End: Wood-fired bagel shops, record stores and warehouse-turned-studios. Quieter than the Plateau, with a creative crowd. Walkable, and worth it for food alone.
Downtown: Glass towers, shopping malls and the underground city (RÉSO), a warm lifeline in January. Useful for transit, not for atmosphere. Pass through it rather than lingering.
The Village (Le Village): Pink-ball canopies over Sainte-Catherine Street in summer, pedestrianized and loud with terraces and late-night bars. Good for nightlife, flat and walkable.
Mount Royal and Parc Jean-Drapeau: Forest paths, joggers and a city view from the lookout. Mount Royal is a must-do on a clear day; the island park suits summer festivals and needs the metro.

⌛️ 1 dayWhat you can realistically do in a day

The day works best entirely on foot, with the metro covering the one long hop and a pause for a sit-down lunch before the legs give out.

8:00 AM, St-Viateur Bagel, Mile End: Start with a bagel from the wood-fired oven and eat it on the sidewalk. The shop is in a leafy residential district, and the walk east and south takes you toward the hill.

9:15 AM, Mount Royal Park: Climb the stairs and trails to the Kondiaronk Belvedere. Morning light on the downtown towers is the best of the day and crowds are thin. Take your time on the way down.

12:00 PM, Schwartz’s Deli, Saint-Laurent: Walk downhill for a smoked-meat sandwich. The counter is cramped and loud, which is half of the appeal. Afterward, stroll south along the street to see the murals on the building walls and the shops around Chinatown.

2:30 … read more 👉

The day works best entirely on foot, with the metro covering the one long hop and a pause for a sit-down lunch before the legs give out.

8:00 AM, St-Viateur Bagel, Mile End: Start with a bagel from the wood-fired oven and eat it on the sidewalk. The shop is in a leafy residential district, and the walk east and south takes you toward the hill.

9:15 AM, Mount Royal Park: Climb the stairs and trails to the Kondiaronk Belvedere. Morning light on the downtown towers is the best of the day and crowds are thin. Take your time on the way down.

12:00 PM, Schwartz’s Deli, Saint-Laurent: Walk downhill for a smoked-meat sandwich. The counter is cramped and loud, which is half of the appeal. Afterward, stroll south along the street to see the murals on the building walls and the shops around Chinatown.

2:30 PM, Notre-Dame Basilica: Cross into Old Montreal and step inside for the blue ceiling. Afternoon sun through the stained glass colors the pews.

4:00 PM, Pointe-à-Callière Museum: Spend an hour or two walking through the archaeological ruins beneath the old city.

6:00 PM, Rue Saint-Amable: Most visitors stay on Place Jacques-Cartier, but this narrow lane just beside it holds artists’ stalls in summer, usually with quiet space to browse. Finish along the Old Port promenade at the river for the evening light, then choose a terrace for dinner away from the main square.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

Summer, June to August, is the easiest time for backpacking in Montreal, with highs around 25 to 27°C (77 to 81°F) and festivals nearly every weekend.

Summer (June to August): Long evenings, packed terraces, jazz and comedy festivals, and the highest hostel prices. Humidity can make 30°C (86°F) days sticky.
Fall (September to October): Highs of 10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F), red maples on Mount Royal and thinner crowds. Prices drop after Labor Day.
Winter (December to March): Highs of -10 to 0°C (14 to 32°F), with snow, skating and the Nuit Blanche and Igloofest events. Daylight is short and the cold bites, but beds are cheapest.
Spring (April to May): Slushy and unpredictable, 5 to 15°C (41 to 59°F), with few tourists and low prices.

Book summer dorms a month ahead, especially around festival weekends.

source: climatestotravel.comJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The Plateau Mont-Royal and the area around Downtown and the Quartier Latin are the best bets for a budget bed in Montreal.
The Plateau has the strongest backpacker scene, with hostels and guesthouses along tree-lined streets, and dorm beds usually run about US$30 to 55 in summer. It is safe at night, lively with bars and late dinners, and Saint-Laurent can be noisy on weekends. Request a room away from the street if you want sleep. The Mont-Royal and Sherbrooke metro stations are a short walk, and buses run the length of the avenue.
The Quartier Latin and the downtown edge near Berri-UQAM station … read more 👉

The Plateau Mont-Royal and the area around Downtown and the Quartier Latin are the best bets for a budget bed in Montreal.
The Plateau has the strongest backpacker scene, with hostels and guesthouses along tree-lined streets, and dorm beds usually run about US$30 to 55 in summer. It is safe at night, lively with bars and late dinners, and Saint-Laurent can be noisy on weekends. Request a room away from the street if you want sleep. The Mont-Royal and Sherbrooke metro stations are a short walk, and buses run the length of the avenue.
The Quartier Latin and the downtown edge near Berri-UQAM station are the second option. This is the main transit hub, with three metro lines meeting, plus the intercity bus terminal and the airport shuttle connection. Beds here are plentiful and often a little cheaper. The streets around Saint-Denis and Sainte-Catherine are busy late and can feel gritty near the station, but they are well lit and used by students and nightlife crowds. Choose this area if you arrive late or leave early by bus.
Book ahead from June to August, and during the Grand Prix and jazz festival weekends, when prices rise sharply.

Best hostels in Montreal

Best quality hotels in Canada

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

Montreal is easiest on foot combined with the metro, which covers the areas you will visit and runs from about 5:30 am until roughly 1 am. Most central neighborhoods are flat and compact, and traffic is slow, with permanent roadworks and orange cones. Public transport is reliable, though winter snow can slow buses.

Walking: Free and the best way to feel the city. Old Montreal, the Plateau and Mile End are all pleasant on foot, with smells of coffee and baking everywhere. In winter, the underground city downtown keeps you warm.
Metro: Four lines with rubber-tired trains that hum and squeal around curves. A single ticket costs about US$2.70, and a day pass about US$8.50. A three-day pass is about US$14, good value if you plan several rides daily. Buy an OPUS card or pass at stations.
Buses: Cover

… read more 👉

Montreal is easiest on foot combined with the metro, which covers the areas you will visit and runs from about 5:30 am until roughly 1 am. Most central neighborhoods are flat and compact, and traffic is slow, with permanent roadworks and orange cones. Public transport is reliable, though winter snow can slow buses.

Walking: Free and the best way to feel the city. Old Montreal, the Plateau and Mile End are all pleasant on foot, with smells of coffee and baking everywhere. In winter, the underground city downtown keeps you warm.
Metro: Four lines with rubber-tired trains that hum and squeal around curves. A single ticket costs about US$2.70, and a day pass about US$8.50. A three-day pass is about US$14, good value if you plan several rides daily. Buy an OPUS card or pass at stations.
Buses: Cover what the metro misses. The same fare applies with transfers valid for 120 minutes. Night buses run after the metro closes. Slower than the metro in rush hour.
BIXI bikes: Public bike share, roughly April to November, at about US$1.50 to 3 to unlock plus per-minute fees for longer rides, or about US$7 for a day pass. Bike lanes are extensive and the Lachine Canal path is flat and lovely.
Airport shuttle: The 747 bus from the airport to downtown costs about US$8.50 and runs around the clock, taking 45 to 60 minutes. It is far cheaper than a taxi at roughly US$30 to 35 in a flat-fare ride.

Skip taxis for most trips. The metro is faster than road traffic, and a day pass pays for itself after three rides.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Montreal

Montreal costs about US$95 per day for a backpacker in high season, based on a dorm bed, cheap meals and public transport.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm (high season)	US$35 to 55	Summer and festival weekends push prices up; Plateau and Old Montreal cost the most.
Dorm (off-season)	US$25 to 40	Winter and early spring are cheapest, though holidays spike.
Meals	US$25 to 35	Bagels, market food, and a deli or ethnic dinner; sit-down meals run US$15 to 25.
Local transport	US$4 to 8	Single metro or bus fare is about US$2.70; most days you will take one to two rides.
City transport pass	US$8.50	One-day unlimited pass; a three-day pass is about US$14.
Basic activities and entry fees	US$5 to 15	Many parks, festivals and Mount Royal are free; museums cost US$12 to 25.
Miscellaneous	US$8 to 15	Pints, coffee, laundry

… read more 👉

Montreal costs about US$95 per day for a backpacker in high season, based on a dorm bed, cheap meals and public transport.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm (high season)	US$35 to 55	Summer and festival weekends push prices up; Plateau and Old Montreal cost the most.
Dorm (off-season)	US$25 to 40	Winter and early spring are cheapest, though holidays spike.
Meals	US$25 to 35	Bagels, market food, and a deli or ethnic dinner; sit-down meals run US$15 to 25.
Local transport	US$4 to 8	Single metro or bus fare is about US$2.70; most days you will take one to two rides.
City transport pass	US$8.50	One-day unlimited pass; a three-day pass is about US$14.
Basic activities and entry fees	US$5 to 15	Many parks, festivals and Mount Royal are free; museums cost US$12 to 25.
Miscellaneous	US$8 to 15	Pints, coffee, laundry and snacks. Prices are listed before tax, which adds about 15 percent, and a tip of 15 percent is expected.
Total Daily Budget	US$95	Based on high-season dorm (US$45), meals (US$28), transport pass (US$8.50), activities (US$5) and miscellaneous (US$8.50).

Buy groceries at Jean-Talon Market or a supermarket and bring wine to BYOB restaurants to cut your food and drink bill noticeably.

source: mtl.org

⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsBest day trips from Montreal

Montreal sits within easy reach of mountains, villages and farmland, but most trips need a car or a bus ticket, so plan around schedules.Mont-Tremblant: Laurentian peaks, a pedestrian village with colorful buildings and hiking or skiing depending on the season. Intercity buses take about 2 hours 30 minutes each way, with return tickets around US$55 to 90. Go in fall for color or winter for snow. First-timers often miss the last bus back, so check it before you head up the gondola.
Quebec City: A walled old town with steep streets, the Château Frontenac and Petit-Champlain. The bus or train takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, with return fares about US$55 to 110. It is a long day, so leave early and focus on the old town. Best from May to October, but the winter carnival is lively too.
👉 Explore Quebec … read more 👉

Montreal sits within easy reach of mountains, villages and farmland, but most trips need a car or a bus ticket, so plan around schedules.Mont-Tremblant: Laurentian peaks, a pedestrian village with colorful buildings and hiking or skiing depending on the season. Intercity buses take about 2 hours 30 minutes each way, with return tickets around US$55 to 90. Go in fall for color or winter for snow. First-timers often miss the last bus back, so check it before you head up the gondola.
Quebec City: A walled old town with steep streets, the Château Frontenac and Petit-Champlain. The bus or train takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, with return fares about US$55 to 110. It is a long day, so leave early and focus on the old town. Best from May to October, but the winter carnival is lively too.
👉 Explore Quebec CityEastern Townships (Magog and Lac Memphrémagog): Rolling farmland, vineyards and a long lake, about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours by bus to Magog. Return fares are roughly US$30 to 50. Summer is good for swimming and cycling, and fall for orchards. Services are limited, so check return times in advance.
Ottawa: Canada’s capital has museums, the Rideau Canal and the Parliament Hill complex. Buses take about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes, with return tickets about US$35 to 70. Many museums charge US$12 to 20. Come in summer or on a winter weekend for skating on the canal.
👉 Explore Ottawa

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Montreal’s defining bite is the Montreal-style bagel: smaller, denser and sweeter than New York’s, boiled in honey water and baked in a wood-fired oven. Buy one hot at a Mile End bakery, usually for about US$1 each, and eat it plain on the sidewalk. The other signature is smoked meat, peppery brisket piled high on rye with mustard, served at old delis for about US$12 to 18.
Then there is poutine, which Quebec claims, and here you can find versions with duck confit or foie gras for about US$8 to 15. Try tourtière, a spiced meat pie, in winter and maple syrup treats like tire sur la neige at sugar shacks in spring.
For budget eating, head to Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy for cheese, produce and cheap crepes, or Atwater Market for sandwiches. The Plateau has casual cafés and counters, and Chinatown … read more 👉

Montreal’s defining bite is the Montreal-style bagel: smaller, denser and sweeter than New York’s, boiled in honey water and baked in a wood-fired oven. Buy one hot at a Mile End bakery, usually for about US$1 each, and eat it plain on the sidewalk. The other signature is smoked meat, peppery brisket piled high on rye with mustard, served at old delis for about US$12 to 18.
Then there is poutine, which Quebec claims, and here you can find versions with duck confit or foie gras for about US$8 to 15. Try tourtière, a spiced meat pie, in winter and maple syrup treats like tire sur la neige at sugar shacks in spring.
For budget eating, head to Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy for cheese, produce and cheap crepes, or Atwater Market for sandwiches. The Plateau has casual cafés and counters, and Chinatown downtown has dumplings and pho for about US$8 to 12.
Many restaurants are BYOB (apportez votre vin), so you can bring a bottle from the SAQ or a depanneur (corner store) and skip the markup. Local craft beer from microbreweries is excellent, with pints around US$6 to 9, and bars often have cheaper happy-hour prices from 4 to 7 pm.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Montreal

Montreal is a safe city for backpackers, and violent crime against travelers is rare. Everyday annoyances are what catch people out. Pickpocketing and bag theft happen on crowded metro cars, in Old Montreal during festivals and around the Berri-UQAM area, so keep your phone in a front pocket and your bag zipped. Never leave a laptop or backpack visible in a parked car.
At night, the Plateau, Mile End, the Village and Old Montreal are comfortable for solo travelers, including women, with busy streets until late. The stretch of Sainte-Catherine near Berri-UQAM and Place Émilie-Gamelin has more panhandling and drug activity, so stay on main streets and keep walking. Most people ask for change and move on.
Scams are minor. Occasionally taxis take longer routes, so use ride apps or check the meter. … read more 👉

Montreal is a safe city for backpackers, and violent crime against travelers is rare. Everyday annoyances are what catch people out. Pickpocketing and bag theft happen on crowded metro cars, in Old Montreal during festivals and around the Berri-UQAM area, so keep your phone in a front pocket and your bag zipped. Never leave a laptop or backpack visible in a parked car.
At night, the Plateau, Mile End, the Village and Old Montreal are comfortable for solo travelers, including women, with busy streets until late. The stretch of Sainte-Catherine near Berri-UQAM and Place Émilie-Gamelin has more panhandling and drug activity, so stay on main streets and keep walking. Most people ask for change and move on.
Scams are minor. Occasionally taxis take longer routes, so use ride apps or check the meter. In winter, the real risk is ice. Wear boots with grip and dress for -20°C (-4°F) wind chill to avoid frostbite on long walks.

Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Three days is enough to see the main sights of Montreal, and four lets you add a day trip. Spend one day in Old Montreal and downtown, one on the Plateau, Mile End and Mount Royal, and a third at Jean-Talon Market and the Olympic Park. A day trip to Mont-Tremblant or the Eastern Townships takes 2 to 2.5 hours each way.

Montreal is safe for solo backpackers, including at night in the Plateau, Mile End, the Village and Old Montreal. The main risks are pickpocketing on the metro and in festival crowds, and some panhandling near Berri-UQAM. The metro runs until about 1 am, and night buses cover later hours, with ride apps as another option.

Montreal is known for its Montreal-style bagels, smoked meat sandwiches and poutine, plus a bilingual French and English culture. It is also famous for festivals like the Montreal International Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs in summer. Landmarks include Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Montreal and Mount Royal, and it has an underground city that spans over 30 kilometers.

⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Canadian cities near Montreal

Explore more nearby:

Trois-Rivières—Stone old quarter, convent museum, paper-mill story, riverside cargo ships| 123 km away
Ottawa—Parliament lawn, canal skating, national museums, tulip basin| 167 km away
Quebec City—Walled old town, clifftop terrace, funicular lanes, Saint-Roch breweries| 233 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Montreal trips go wrong when people spend every meal in Old Montreal, where the setting is pretty and the food is average. Use it for a morning, then eat in the Plateau, Mile End or around Jean-Talon Market. I would book fewer sights and more meals, and carry a bottle for the bring-your-own restaurants. Winter limits what you can do outside.

✈️ When did I visit Canada?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Canada in 2016.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Canada, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.

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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpack

Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story

Canada🇨🇦 | citiesMontrealPlateau murals, smoked meat, Mile End bagels, mountain park | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Montreal
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 city in CanadaWhat sets this place apart

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

Things to do in Montreal

Women in Wine The Montréal Wine Bar Walking Tour

Curling Experience in Montreal

Montreal: 3-Hour Private Car Tour with Expert & Free Pick up

Indigenous-Led Tour: Colonial Secrets of Old Montreal

Pen Making With The Woodworker Himself

Private Guided Old Montréal and Downtown Walking Tour

Full Day Family Bike Rental

Leather belt making workshop

Old Montreal Walking Tour with @MontrealExpert

Private Jean-Talon Market & Little Italy Food Tour W/ 8 Tastings

🏘️ NeighborhoodsWhere things are and how it's laid out

⌛️ 1 dayWhat you can realistically do in a day

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutCanada Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Montreal

🚌 Day tripsBest day trips from Montreal

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Montreal

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Other Canadian cities near Montreal

We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Canada🇨🇦 | citiesMontrealPlateau murals, smoked meat, Mile End bagels, mountain park | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Montreal🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498917a5')

✨ Why go?Ranked #2 city in CanadaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498925e0')What sets this place apartaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498925e6')

💡 HighlightsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe4989363c')The experiences that define the visitaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe49893643')

Things to do in Montreal

Women in Wine The Montréal Wine Bar Walking Tour

Curling Experience in Montreal

Montreal: 3-Hour Private Car Tour with Expert & Free Pick up

Indigenous-Led Tour: Colonial Secrets of Old Montreal

Pen Making With The Woodworker Himself

Private Guided Old Montréal and Downtown Walking Tour

Full Day Family Bike Rental

Leather belt making workshop

Old Montreal Walking Tour with @MontrealExpert

Private Jean-Talon Market & Little Italy Food Tour W/ 8 Tastings

🏘️ NeighborhoodsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe49893ecb')Where things are and how it's laid outaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe49893ed0')

⌛️ 1 dayaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe49894b48')What you can realistically do in a dayaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe49894b4d')

🌤️ When to go?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe49894dde')Seasonal considerations and timingaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe49894de8')

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutCanada Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498960e3')How to pick the right areaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498960e8')

🚌 Getting aroundaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498968db')Transportation options and practical tipsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498968df')

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe49897372')Travel costs and budget guide for MontrealaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe49897377')

🚌 Day tripsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498a9a47')Best day trips from MontrealaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498a9a4e')

🍲 FoodaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498aa128')Local Flavors for BackpackersaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498aa12d')

🛡️ SafetyaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498aa7a9')Safety Tips and Common Scams in MontrealaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498aa7ad')

FAQaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498aa850')Common questions from travelersaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498aa855')

Other Canadian cities near MontrealaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498ace19')

We 💚 feedbackaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498acfe3')What to keep in mindaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498acfe7')

👋 Meet the founderaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498ad043')Who’s Behind Take Your Backpack?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adbe498ad047')

Backpacking in Montreal
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 city in CanadaWhat sets this place apart

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

🏘️ NeighborhoodsWhere things are and how it's laid out

⌛️ 1 dayWhat you can realistically do in a day

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Montreal

🚌 Day tripsBest day trips from Montreal

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Montreal

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Other Canadian cities near Montreal

We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?