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Montréal was my first destination in Canada, and in the middle of winter.
Although I had expected huge amounts of snow, everything turned out differently in the end! More about the largest city in the province of Québec: tips and sights in Montreal!
Somehow I had imagined huge masses of snow in Montreal and Canada in December. Trudging through the snow at minus 20 degrees. Well, yes. While I landed in Tehran in the middle of winter, in Montreal the last snow had just melted due to a small heat wave. So no Canadian Winter Wonderland for me. It’s a shame really, as it would have made Christmas shopping in Montreal even more atmospheric. But the mild winter weather had one good thing: I was able to explore the sights of Montreal in peace and quiet and without the freezing cold.
Nevertheless, Montreal is the perfect shopping city, even or especially in winter. Most of the malls can be reached underground and almost the entire city center has a labyrinthine underground system. Montreal is like an underground city. Subway stations, office buildings, shopping centers – everything is connected by tunnels. It’s very practical when it gets really cold outside: you can walk through the entire city without having to set foot on the street once. It’s a bit surreal how life underground feels like a parallel world.
Hey, I’m Tatiana and I’m the blogger behind The Happy Jetlagger. Since 2014, I’ve been sharing my personal travel stories on this blog. I don’t have a big team behind me, so I’m pretty much a one-person show: I’ve researched and tested all recommendations myself!
In addition to underground shopping, there are also a few other beautiful sights in Montreal – here are a few tips, unsorted and without any claim to completeness, but tried out for yourself! :)
Somehow it’s the French heritage: cafés and restaurants on every corner, one cozier than the next. Like the Bar A Beurre or the Café de Mercanti in the old town of Montreal, for example. Good coffee and lots of sweet treats, such as the filled butter balls in all colors and flavors.
Café de Mercanti
350 Notre Dame Est.
Old Port Montreal, QC H2Y1C7
Website
Right next door:
Bar A Beurre
Website
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Looking for a few souvenirs? You can find them in the Marché Bonsecours, a covered market hall. There are lots of small craft stores with unusual Montreal and Canadian souvenirs. Not cheap, but nice. I brought myself an Indian dream catcher.
At the old port of Montreal(Vieux-Port de Montréal), at the end of the Quai d’horloge, there is a tiny little city beach with a rustic harbor atmosphere. It was deserted, of course, but definitely bookmarked for sunnier days. (Should I be lucky enough to return in a few months’ time). And if the weather doesn’t play ball: There’s another great spa in the Vieux-Port, the Bota Bota – I would have loved to try it out, but the pick-up was calling again. Next time.
Montreal is known for its many churches. Among them are some really outstandingly beautiful ones such as the St. Joseph’s Oratory on Mont Royal. Or the Basilica Notre-Dame de Montréal (see photos). Also worth seeing for non-churchgoers.
I stayed at the Delta Hotel by Marriott* I stayed overnight. Very good, but also very dignified. But the location was perfect for exploring the city! If you don’t want to invest quite so much, there’s the nearby Zero 1*, a little cheaper, but more modern and just as comfortable.
