What to do in Montréal

Discover what to do in Montreal! Popular around the world for its incomparable quality of life and modernity, Montreal is one of Quebec's best known cities. In order to continue to develop, the city has had to innovate and remain attractive. To do this, Montreal has decided to focus on both summer and winter tourism. So discover the tons of activities to do in Montreal!

It all started with the discovery of Mount Royal by Jacques Cartier in 1535. The French explorer set out on behalf of King François d'Angoulême to take possession of the unexplored territories of North America. A few decades later, it was born "Ville-Marie", designating the city around Mount Royal, and finally changed its name to Montreal in 1665. Almost 100 years later, in 1759, the English claimed the region of Quebec and declared the city English... It remained so until 1867 when Canada declared its independence.

Montreal's growth began to accelerate during the industrial era. One thing led to another and it became the economic capital of Canada, making it one of the largest cities in North America with over 1.6 million inhabitants.

Located in the northeast corner of North America, Montreal is crossed by the St. Louis and Ottawa rivers. Divided into 19 boroughs and 15 cities, Montreal and its suburbs are based on two islands around Mount Royal.

A cosmopolitan cradle, Montreal is a city with a distinctive international culture. Since the 1960s, the Quebec city has experienced several waves of immigration from the four corners of the world and in 2011, there are more than 120 different communities in the Canadian metropolis. Today, Montreal's culture is based on solidarity, openness, respect and transparency. Strong values that make the former French colony one of the most modern and popular cities in America!

Now that you know everything about Montreal, it's time to know: what to do in Montreal? The answer is: plenty of activities, for everyone, that will make your life unforgettable!

Known for its abundant snow, Montreal is a top destination in winter. To make the most of the season, discover all the activities available in the area! Get on a sled and let the dogs or horses guide you through the fir and maple forests around Montreal. If you'd rather take on more speed on the snow, opt for a snowmobile or 4x4 ride and glide through the region's remote trails. Once out of the forests, discover the frozen white water rivers during a unique canyoning on ice! In the same theme, discover ice climbing on frozen waterfalls or cross the St. Lawrence River in an ice canoe, unusual activities directly in Montreal!

What would winter be like in Canada without being able to ski, different mountains around the economic capital of Quebec offer you to take your skis, your snowboard or even floats to go down the slopes at full speed and live crazy sensations! Even the most daring will find themselves with snowkite initiations, a mix between kitesurfing and skiing! Want to get some height? Take a hot air balloon ride over Montreal and enjoy the magnificent scenery before your eyes. Back in the city, discover the famous urban zip line stretched over the port and Bonsecours Island, then head to the skating rink for an introduction to ice hockey, the local national sport!

After a big day full of activity and excitement, enjoy a SPA, to recuperate and prepare for the next day. So many things to do that you'll have to come back several times... And that's just for the winter! Because Montreal is not just a winter destination! Once the snow melts, new activities are created for your pleasure!

From spring to autumn, Montreal offers a whole new range of activities. First, enjoy the rivers and the St. Lawrence River during kayaking, wakeboarding, paddling, jet skiing, boating or even rabaska, a large canoe used during the exploration of North America by the French. To keep with the theme of water activities, leave the city to discover Quebec's canyons and whitewater rivers on a sensational rafting trip, a stunning canyoning trip or on a hydrospeed, also known as a water luge.

In the surrounding mountains, discover rock climbing on an introductory course or hang on to a lifeline on a via ferrata on the nearby mountainside. Take to the skies in a helicopter to discover Montreal from the air or get out of the city, get a paraglider and take to the skies for an incredible view of Montreal and its surroundings! Back on earth, come and discover what's going on in the city centre by visiting the Montreal Ecomuseum Zoo, or try your hand at baseball, a very popular sport on the other side of the Atlantic. Also present in winter, the zip line that crosses the port awaits you and even offers a new activity: the quick jump! Derived from bungee jumping, you are placed on a trap door that opens and lets you fall from a height of almost 25 metres! Before you finish your trip, try an unusual sport that is becoming increasingly popular in Montreal, Dodge Bow. Fighting in the same style as paintball but with bows, a great family or friendly activity that will delight everyone!

And yes, the list is long! Now you can no longer wonder what to do in Montreal because there are dozens of activities waiting for you! So go to Quebec, to enjoy the city and leave with a lot of memories!

Montréal Tourisme