Canada · 3-day itinerary
3 days in Montréal
Bagels, festivals and a European soul in North America. Here's a 3-day plan that clusters each day by neighbourhood, with real times, so you walk less and see more.
Day 1
Arrive & settle into Montréal
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Arrive in Montréal
Check in at your stay in Plateau Mont-Royal.
- 12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. · Plateau Mont-Royal · ~$14
Plateau and Mile End stroll
Murals, spiral staircases and bagel shops.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Smoked meat at Schwartz's
Day 2
Layers of history
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Wood-fired bagels from St-Viateur or Fairmount
7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. · Plateau Mont-Royal · ~$57
Boulevard Saint-Laurent nightlife
Cocktail bars and live music on The Main.
Day 3
Farewell, Montréal
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. · Little Italy · ~$28
Jean-Talon Market
Québec cheese, maple everything and seasonal produce.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Depart Montréal
Check out and head to the airport or station, allowing plenty of time.
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner · Poutine at La Banquise
Where to stay in Montréal
Shoestring
Quartier Latin
Budget hotels on the metro, close to Old Montréal.
Hotels in Quartier LatinComfort
Plateau Mont-Royal
Colourful staircases, cafés and the best food streets.
Hotels in Plateau Mont-RoyalLuxury
Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal)
Boutique hotels in stone buildings by the port.
Hotels in Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal)
What to eat in Montréal
Poutine
Fries, squeaky cheese curds and gravy, Quebec's gift to the world.
Montreal-style smoked meat
Spiced, smoked brisket piled on rye with mustard.
Montreal-style bagel
Wood-fired, honey-boiled and denser and sweeter than New York's.
Tourtière
Spiced meat pie, a holiday tradition.
Pouding chômeur
'Poor man's pudding': cake baked in maple or brown-sugar syrup.
Maple taffy
Hot syrup poured on snow and rolled on a stick, at sugar shacks in spring.
Where locals send visitors
Schwartz's $$
Smoked meat deli · Plateau · Best for lunch
Smoked meat since 1928; order it medium-fat with a cherry soda.
ReviewsSt-Viateur Bagel $
Bagel bakery · Mile End · Best for breakfast
Open 24 hours, hand-rolled and baked in a wood oven since 1957.
ReviewsFairmount Bagel $
Bagel bakery · Mile End · Best for breakfast
St-Viateur's friendly rival around the corner; try both.
ReviewsLa Banquise $
Poutine · Plateau · Best for dinner
Dozens of poutines, open 24 hours.
ReviewsJean-Talon Market $
Market · Little Italy · Best for lunch
One of North America's largest open-air markets.
ReviewsOlive et Gourmando $$
Café · Old Montreal · Best for breakfast
Sandwiches and pastries in Old Montreal.
Reviews
Heads-up: what to steer clear of
- Safety: In winter, sidewalks can be icy. Wear boots with grip, and watch for snow falling from roofs during thaws.
- Getting around: Road construction and detours are constant in summer, so allow extra time and use the Métro when you can.
- Local rules: Right turns on red are not allowed anywhere on the island of Montréal.
Giro's notes, reviewed October 2026. Things change, so check current advice before you go.
Good to know
- Summer is festival season (Jazz Fest, Just for Laughs, Francos).
- The underground RÉSO keeps you warm in winter.
- A little French ('bonjour') goes a long way.
Daily budget per person
| Shoestring | ~$147 |
| Comfort | ~$285 |
| Luxury | ~$662 |
A shared double room, meals and local transport. Flights and tickets not included.
Make this Montréal trip yours
Giro rebuilds this plan for your dates, your group and your budget. Swap stops, drag them between days, add your flights and hotel, and share it with everyone coming.
Plan this tripTimes and prices are estimates (prices in CAD at the latest ECB rate). Check opening hours before you go. Place descriptions and photos from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, credited on each photo. Giro may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.