Start at Place Jacques-Cartier, a lively square in the heart of Old Montreal. We recommend picking up a coffee or gelato from one of the nearby cafés before wandering around the pedestrian streets, where you will find a number of vintage stores and souvenir shops.

When you’re in need of a break, head back to the main square for a bite to eat in one of the traditional Quebec restaurants, before taking the short walk to Notre-Dame Basilica, a Neo-Gothic structure steeped in history. It’s also worth visiting the nearby Château Ramezay, an old home that offers an insight into the history of the island, from pre-colonisation to present-day Montreal.

Afterwards, stroll to the Old Port for a scenic waterfront walk. The Montreal Science Centre is located here, as well as an open-air exhibition centred around the port’s historical development.

In the evening, we recommend exploring the city’s vast culinary scene. BAROCCO is a popular restaurant, as are Tuck Shop, Café Parvis and Manu Cornuto. Liverpool House is also a renowned hangout, not least because Obama and Trudeau reportedly shared a plate of lobster here.

Mile End shows the very best of Montreal’s old and new: traditional Italian eateries next to vintage pop-ups and ancient buildings housing trendy record stores. We recommend grabbing a selection of goods for an afternoon picnic: bagels from Fairmount or St-Viateur, some local deli produce from Lester’s or Drogheria Fine, Quebec cheeses at Brebis Fromagerie de Quartier, or perhaps a sandwich and soda from Wilensky’s Light Lunch.

From here, you can walk to Mount Royal Park, which offers breathtaking views from its Summit Circle Look Out. It takes a couple of hours to walk through the park, so we also recommend getting the 11 Metro from Du Mont-Royal / Saint-Urbain to Ridgewood and taking the 15-minute walk to the summit.

After the day’s excursions, enjoy a relaxed dinner in one of Montreal’s neighbourhood restaurants. La Buvette Chez Simone offers a range of light bites accompanied with a large wine list while Knuckles acts as an intersection between the classic greasy spoon and modern European flavours.

Spend your final day exploring the city’s museums, such as the McCord Stewart Museum, which offers an insight into Canada’s history and indigenous culture, or the Museum of Fine Arts.

You can then head to Downtown Montreal for some last-minute shopping or to St Helen’s Island to explore the Biosphere, a museum dedicated to environmental conservation. Located in the middle of the St Lawrence River and easily accessible via Metro, this small island is the perfect spot for some final holiday snaps.

Finish up with dinner in a quintessential Canadian eatery such as Chez Claudette, or Au Pied du Cochon for traditional Canadian cuisine in a more formal setting. We recommend combining your Montreal adventures with a stay at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel Montreal or Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. 

Of course, you can explore all of our luxury hotels at ASMALLWORLD Collection, where you will receive VIP benefits such as a room upgrade, hotel credit and more at no extra cost.