Montreal
Canada · Country profile
Montreal is Canada’s second city and its French heart, an island metropolis where the old stone of the historic quarter, the grand park of Mount Royal and the bustle of a bilingual, festival-loving population sit together. The Old Port, the Notre-Dame Basilica and the city’s cobbled lanes anchor the classic picture, while the Plateau, Mile End and the Little Italy neighbourhoods carry the cafés, bagels and nightlife. It is a festival city — jazz, cinema, comedy and the world’s largest fireworks competition light up the summer calendar — and a food city, from poutine and smoked meat to a serious fine-dining scene. Warm, stylish and unmistakably both French and Canadian, Montreal is a compact, walkable, endlessly sociable place.
About Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. The city's documented population is around 1,825,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD) and English and French are spoken; the dialling code is +1. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Montréal–Trudeau International Airport.
Old Stone, Festivals and the Bilingual Island Rhythm
Montreal is a compact, walkable island city with a strong French Canadian identity, and its personality splits between the old historic centre, the neighbourhood villages of the plateau and the grand park of Mount Royal. It is a festival town — in summer the whole city turns into a stage for jazz, comedy and fireworks — and a food town, with the poutine, the bagels and the smoked-meat stacks holding their status as institutions. The bilingual rhythm means a polite "bonjour" at every counter, and the pace is relaxed and social. Winters are cold but bright; summers are warm, long and full of the terrace season. It rewards walking, eating and a little French patience.
Festival Seasons, Cold Nights and Booking the Big Feasts
The summer is the golden festival season, but the rooms and the tables fill fast — book the big shows and the famous restaurants ahead. Winter is serious but beautiful, and the underground city of the metro links a huge part of the centre without stepping outside. The subway is clean, fast and cheap, and a pass makes the city effortless. French is the official first language, but English is warm and widely spoken — a "merci" at the counter goes a long way. Tipping follows the North American rules. The old port, the plateau bagel shops and the view from the Mount Royal lookout are the unmissable classics, and the food of the Olympic city needs little argument.
The Metro, the Plateau and the Mount Royal View
The metro is the backbone of Montreal, and a day pass covers the whole city — the stations themselves are a gallery of mid-century art. The Mount Royal lookout is the classic view, and the park above it is the city’s great green escape. The poutine is sacred and the bagels are the real deal; the smoked-meat names on the boulevard Saint-Laurent are institutions. The festival calendar is enormous — book the jazz and comedy in July and let the streets show you the rest. The city’s many neighbourhoods each have a character; the Plateau and Mile End reward a slow wander. It is safe, friendly and bicultural in a way that makes it feel like two cities in one.
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- Country
- Canada
- Population
- 1,825,000
- Coordinates
- 45.4706, -73.7408
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Languages
- English, French
- Calling code
- +1
- Country code
- CA
Entry requirements for Canada
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Canada for tourism.
Getting to Montreal
Airports we list for Montreal:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Canada
Other cities we cover in Canada:
Frequently asked questions
Is Montreal the capital of Canada?
No — the capital of Canada is Ottawa.
What currency do I need in Montreal?
The local currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Languages spoken in Canada include English and French.
What is the dialling code for Canada?
The international dialling code for Canada is +1.
Which airport should I fly into for Montreal?
Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is the airport we list for Montreal.
How far is Montreal from the nearest airport?
Montreal is about 507 km from Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Canada?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Australia (e-visa), France (e-visa), Germany (e-visa), India (visa required) and Italy (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Montreal? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.