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Image by Wissam Hajj from Pixabay

Montréal is well known for being the meeting place of old and new. Regularly referred to as Canada’s cultural capital, Montréal is rich in both historic treasures, and in contemporary prizes, like contemporary art, cutting-edge restaurants, and architecture. Old Montréal looks and feels quite different to the contemporary neighbourhoods of Montréal — not only the bit that’s called Old Montréal, all of the older parts of town. These French-feeling neighbourhoods have their own colours and flavours, just as the more recently built neighbourhoods do. So it’s pretty important to consider which part of town you want to stay in. No point booking into Beaux-Arts and French bistros, if you’re here for design museums and groundbreaking theatre! 

Our Neighbourhood Guide to Montréal

Map from ScribbleMaps

Old Montréal

Image by Aurore Duwez from Pixabay

Old Montréal is the historic heart of the city, the oldest part, and the most European because of it. The architecture and cobbled streets around the port are particularly charming, as are the streets around the impressive cathedral and the Bonsecours Market, which is the home of cutting-edge design now. For some visitors, just walking around this neighbourhood will be a highlight of their trip, but if want to delve deeper, then plan a visit to the Centre d’Histoire de Montréal, the Pointe-à-Callière, or the Chateau Ramezay — all museums dedicated to the area’s history. Old Montréal is also rich in art galleries, culinary treasures, and shopping opportunities — especially high-end ones! Eat and drink your way around cafes, patisseries and restaurants. Amongst Old Montréal’s many attractions is the Grand Roue de Montréal ferris wheel, which is a fantastic way to get your bearings on the city, especially the Old Port area. If you’d rather walk, scale the 192 steps of the old Port Clock Tower, a replica of London’s Elizabeth Tower, and another fantastic place to enjoy the view. It’s also worth paying to see the cathedral’s light show at night, and visiting the World Trade Centre, where they have a piece of the Berlin Wall.

Downtown Montréal

Image by Beenerm from Pixabay

Downtown Montréal has all the skyscrapers you would expect from the gleaming centre of a big city, but they’re set along graceful, tree-lined boulevards, so it’s very Paris-meets-New York. The shopping is Paris-meets-New York too; the longest shopping boulevard is Sainte-Catherine Street, which is lined with boutiques, both big-name and local brands, and mall entryways. The malls are largely underground, allowing you to keep shopping even in the dead of a Canadian winter. If you want to see Montréal from the opposite vantage point (above), visit the Place Ville Marie observation deck. As well as looking exciting, Downtown Montréal has a lot going on. There are the obvious things, like the half a dozen or so excellent museums, and some fantastically good restaurants and bars. Plus you'll find sports venues, like Bell Centre, and a number of impressive religious buildings and monuments. But Downtown Montréal also has elegant squares and pedestrianised streets, and a wealth of arts and music venues. Accommodation-wise you're spoilt for choice here. There truly is a hotel for everyone, whatever the taste or budget.

Plateau Mont-Royal

Image by Mariam from Pixabay

Plateau Mont-Royal is a neighbourhood and also a larger borough. The ‘Plateau’ bit is specifically the bit on the slopes of Mont Royal, overlooking the city of Montréal, and populated with colourful terraced houses. This is an arty neighbourhood, known for its visual arts, but also music and theatrical arts. It’s also known for being very French, very green, and very foodie. Expect exterior spiral staircases, bookstores, cafes, delis, and families. The main local park is Mount Royal Park, but there are also several smaller parks, green squares and plazas, and lots of mature trees, lending a graceful feel to the streets. Come the evening, things shift from green and peaceful, to playfully colourful, especially on the main street of Boulevard St. Laurent, which is lined with cafes, bars, restaurants, and music venues. Prince Arthur Street is a pedestrianised neighbouring street much more about the dining, rather than clubbing, but the atmosphere is still warm and hearty — expect street performers, and BYO terraces. There’s a good range of accommodation here, our favourite options being converted townhouses. This is a good choice if you want to live like a local.

Chinatown

Luis Ascenso

Montréal’s Chinatown is just behind Old Montréal and the ports. It’s a neighbourhood that does what it says on the tin to a certain extent, with numerous Chinese restaurants, markets, shops, and even the Montréal Chinese Hospital. However, it’s not just Chinese food and products here; you can find treasures that originated in all parts of Asia. Montréal’s Chinatown has four paifang gates, in the north, south, east and west, so the area is clearly marked out. Expect signage in multiple languages, and a colourful atmosphere both day and night. During festival times the atmosphere is especially exuberant. Montréal’s Chinatown is more commercial than residential these days, but there are still some great accommodation options.

Little Italy

By Andre Carrotflower - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Little Italy is another obvious neighbourhood for food lovers to gravitate towards. The Jean-Talon Market is a huge draw, but Little Italy is also a fantastic neighbourhood for a deli, cafe or restaurant, and, despite the area's changing demographic, there are still a number of excellent Italian supermarkets. Some of the most charming accommodations in Little Italy have been converted from the traditional Montréal duplex homes on the streets surrounding the food market; these buildings, with their typical spiral staircases and stone facades, are a classic Montréal landmark. Architecture buffs may appreciate the Art Deco buildings around the market too. And the Church of Madonna Della Difesa is certainly worth finding. Little Italy has bustling high streets, but still relatively sleepy residential streets branching off. Its location is ideal for sightseeing, you’re just north of Mile End, with access to three Metro Stations: Jean-Talon, De Castelnau and Beaubien.