Montréal is one of the most popular travel destinations in Canada. It’s the second largest city in Canada (second to Toronto), and it’s the largest city in the Canadian province of Québec.
While the official language in Québec is French, the vast majority of people in Montréal speak English, so you don’t have to worry about any communication issues.
The best time to visit Montréal is in the summer, when you can enjoy gorgeous weather and take advantage of the many summertime festivals.
Wondering what are the best things to do in Montréal in the summer? I’ve got all of the best activities right here for you.
Lace up your shoes, and let’s go!
Best things to do in Montréal in the summer
See the panoramic views from Mount Royal Park
The mountain of Mount Royal dominates the landscape of Montréal, and is how the city got its name.
One of the best things to do on a summer day is to visit Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal, in French).
If you’re coming from downtown Montréal, you’ll be climbing a series of staircases to ascend to the plateau. Be on the lookout for local fitness enthusiasts who jog up and down the stairs at a fast clip.
Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Montréal and the St. Lawrence River from the Kondiaronk Belvedere. Catch your breath while you enjoy the city views.
There is a series of trails criss-crossing the lush green park. Wind your way through the park to Beaver Lake. This is a popular summertime spot where you can rent a rowboat or enjoy a picnic.
Enjoy the freshest summer produce at a farmers’ market
Summertime is the best time to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables at their most delicious, from fragrant ripe strawberries to succulent, juicy peaches. You’ll definitely want to visit Montréal’s farmers’ markets for the best local produce!
The best market in Montréal is the Jean-Talon market, in the Little Italy neighborhood. This Montréal icon has been open since 1933 and is one of the largest open-air markets in North America!
Peruse the wares of over 150 local producers selling the freshest produce and flowers, as well as specialty shops featuring cheeses, spices and uniquely Québec products.
Don’t miss out on the market’s delectable baked goods! After all, Montréal carries a lot of French influence, and who doesn’t love a decadent French pastry?
There are plenty of other farmers’ markets in Montréal for your shopping pleasure. Marché Atwater is a specialty market in the Southwest borough of Montréal, the Maisonneuve Market is located in a historic building in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, and the Lachine Market is Montréal’s oldest public market.
Savor the flavors of Montréal on a food tour
There are many delicious foods associated with Montréal and Québec that you will definitely want to sample while you’re visiting Montréal!
Poutine is one of the most iconic dishes to try in Québec. Its popularity has expanded so that you can find poutine all across Canada, whether you’re visiting Victoria, Toronto or Montréal. It has become the national dish of Canada.
Poutine consists of a bed of French fries topped with cheese curds, with gravy liberally ladled on top. This is the basic recipe, although you will find many variations on this dish.
Another famous food in Montréal is the Montréal-style bagel. One of the main differences is that a Montréal-style bagel is poached in honey water before baking, lending the bagel a unique sweetness.
Montréal is a diverse multicultural city, and its cuisine reflects these influences.
Enjoy savory Portuguese chicken, where the chicken is marinated and then grilled rotisserie-style and served with a spicy sauce. Or explore the flavors of Montréal’s Chinatown with Hong Kong-style dim sum.
Summertime is a great time to take a Montréal food tour! On these walking food tours you’ll savor these unique flavors while exploring the city.
See the historic buildings in Old Montréal
Old Montréal, or Vieux Montréal, is the historic heart of the city, and the most scenic area of Montréal. A lovely summer day is the perfect time to explore the quaint cobblestone streets of Old Montréal!
Rue Saint-Paul is one of the oldest streets in Vieux Montréal, and is also one of the most picturesque. Admire the historic architecture, peruse the local shops, and enjoy a meal or a snack at one of the many eateries.
One of the must-see attractions in Old Montréal is the Notre-Dame Basilica. This impressive church dates from 1824. The magnificent stained-glass windows cast mesmerizing colors throughout the church on a sunny day.
Or visit the basilica in the evening for the AURA experience, a multisensory immersive experience highlighting its incredible art and architectural details.
Marvel at the classic architecture of Montréal’s City Hall (Hôtel de Ville) then stroll down Place Jacques Cartier towards the Old Port of Montréal. In the summertime, Place Jacques Cartier becomes a pedestrian area with street performers and outdoor seating at the many cafés flanking the square.
Explore the Old Port of Montréal
There’s always something going on in the Old Port of Montréal in the summer!
You’ll find an amazing array of activities for everyone to enjoy, whether you want to get your heart racing by taking a zipline over Bonsecours Island, or prefer to seek out the perfect souvenir.
The Old Port is home to many of Montréal’s summertime festivals, including Le Grand PoutineFest, held every year in July.
Enjoy a walk along the water’s edge and look out over the Saint Lawrence River, see the iconic Clock Tower at the entrance to the harbor, or spend an afternoon at the Montréal Science Center.
For incredible views of the city, take a ride on La Grande Roue de Montréal, the largest observation wheel in Canada!
Enjoy a day at the beach
Yes, that’s right – there are beaches in Montréal. It is an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, after all!
There are a few beaches to enjoy in Montréal as well as water-based activities.
You’ll find a stylish little beach right next to the Clock Tower in the Old Port, called Plage de l’Horloge. Dotted with blue umbrellas and blue and white Adirondack chairs, this is a great place to relax and watch the boats entering the harbor, or to watch fireworks! (Note since it is on the harbor, you can’t swim here.)
Just across the river in Parc Jean-Drapeau you’ll find Jean-Doré Beach. This beach is on Lac de l’Île Notre Dame and you can cool off in the waters of the lake or have fun renting a pedal boat, a kayak, or a canoe.
You can also rent paddle boats in the Vieux Port, or boost the adrenaline factor and rent a jet ski! For a leisurely sightseeing option, take a boat tour and see the city’s amazing architecture from the river.
Visit the Montréal Botanical Garden
One of the best things to do in Montréal in the summer is to visit the Montréal Botanical Garden. With 75 hectares of gardens, this is certainly one of the most beautiful places in Montréal.
The Montréal Botanical Garden is located just north of the Olympic Stadium, and you can get a good look at the stadium’s unique architecture while you’re stopping to smell the roses.
The garden has something for everyone to enjoy, from the rose garden to the arboretum, from the butterflies in the Insectarium, to the Chinese garden complete with pagodas and bonsai. Be sure to take time to see the gorgeous plants in the exhibition greenhouses, with plants native to climates ranging from desert to tropical.
In the summer (generally late June through late August), outdoor concerts are held in the Montréal Botanical Garden on Sundays. Best of all, the concerts are free with your ticket to the garden!
See a circus performance
Did you know that Montréal is the place where Cirque du Soleil originated? This world-famous imaginative circus is headquartered in Montréal, and there are actually many schools in Montréal which train the next generation of circus performers.
You can experience the thrill of a Cirque du Soleil performance during your visit to Montréal, or take in a captivating show at other Montréal circuses such as Cirque Éloize or the TOHU Circus Arts City.
If you’re a fan of the high-flying acrobatics and bright costumes of the circus, you won’t want to miss Montréal Complètement Cirque, the international festival of the circus arts! This festival is held annually in Montréal in July.
Enjoy Montréal’s arts scene
As you explore Montréal, you can’t help but notice all the amazing art around the city. Great men and women are honored with statues, ranging from Queen Victoria to a monument to Admiral Horatio Nelson (which is the oldest monument in Montréal, and the oldest war monument in Canda).
There are many fantastic murals throughout the city, and seeking out these murals is a fun way to spend a pleasant summer day in Montréal. There are some amazing murals in Chinatown, Gay Village, and of course the immense Leonard Cohen Crescent Street mural, which honors the legendary Montréal singer and songwriter.
If it’s a rainy day, perhaps you’d prefer to explore Montréal’s arts without getting drenched. A visit to one of Montréal’s great museums is the perfect solution!
The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts features Québec and Canadian arts in addition to international contemporary art. Its collection is spread across multiple pavilions in different buildings which are connected via underground passages.
Attend one of Montréal’s summertime festivals
Summertime is the best time to visit Montréal to enjoy one of its many festivals! There are so many wondrous events you can attend, with something for every interest.
Here are just a few of the unique festivals to attend in Montréal in the summer months:
– Just for Laughs Comedy Festival
– Le Grand PoutineFest
– Montréal Complètement Cirque (International Circus Festival)
– Fireworks Competition
– Les FrancoFolies de Montréal (Music festival with over 1000 French-speaking artists from around the world)
– Les Premiers Vendredis: On the first Fridays of the months, come hungry for the largest gathering of food trucks in Canada!
– Festival International Nuits d’Afrique
– Montréal International Jazz Festival
As you can see, there are many amazing things to do in Montréal in the summer. Enjoy the beauty, cuisine, culture and history of this incredible city at its finest! Bon voyage!
Author bio: Lisa Garrett
Although she works full-time in the semiconductor industry, Lisa fits in as much travel as possible throughout the year. Her travel blog, Waves and Cobblestones, is chock-full of city guides and destination tips to help you make the most of your vacation time. Lace up your shoes and let’s go!
