Montréal for women travelling solo

The city
Westmount Conservatory and Greenhouses

Tourisme Montréal

Looking for a getaway with a BFF called YOU? Look no further. Montréal is friendly, full of surprises and safe, which means it’s ideal for women travelling solo. And travelling alone doesn’t mean a week of room service, no sirree—get out there and enjoy all this metropolis has to offer. Here are a few ideas on how to make the most of your trip built for one.

René Lussier Farm - Jean-Talon Market

Where to eat

Montréal has something for foodies of all budgets, interests and tastes. And SO MANY spots that are ideal for inconspicuous solo dining, whether that’s gastronomic food courts, casual lunch spots, gourmet dinner stops, tasty morsels of history, the city’s most prized eateries or our curated list of restaurants that make eating alone both comfortable and memorable. Between meals, make sure you wander one of our public markets, like the Jean-Talon MarketMaisonneuve Market or Atwater Market. You can chat with local producers, pick up things for the hotel and snack away on your yummy finds onsite.

Boutique Bonjour Montréal

Where to shop

If there’s one thing Montrealers love it’s a good boutique. You can find standalone shops with unique items in every neighbourhood. So explore! Go downtown for chock-a-block shops both above ground and below, including tons of major labels. On the Plateau, get a feel for our many independent boutiques as well as Québec chains. In Old Montréal you’ll find local fashion as well as incredible homewares, while in Mile End, you can unleash your inner deal finder in excellent vintage stores or get your hands on some of the city’s trendiest looks. For beautiful, original and locally-made souvenirs of the city, be sure to pop by the Boutique Bonjour Montréal at Place Jacques-Cartier before you leave.

Woman walking her dog in La Fontaine Park

Where to commune with nature

If you’re craving greenery and fresh air, go for a walk on the city’s pride and joy: Mount Royal. You can while away an hour or the entire day soaking up its impressive flora and fauna in easy-to walk trails covering 10 square kilometres. The cityscape is also dotted with plenty of other parks that are perfect for relaxing, reading or picnicking, including Parc MaisonneuveParc La FontaineParc Jarry and Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Village au Pied-du-Courant

Where to go out

Montréal has got it going on any time of year. In the warmer months, it’s all about sunshine, fun and free public events, including free programming related to all the festivals. Follow your feet to Quartier des spectacles and discover new artists at Francos de Montréal and the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, for starters. Piknic Électronik in Parc Jean-Drapeau and the Tam-tams du mont Royal are also unique Montréal summertime gatherings. In the colder months, festivals like MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE and Igloofest draw crowds with incredible music and food, while culture rules all night at Nuit Blanche. For more, find a whole slew of winter activities in this curated list of things to do solo.

ATTRACTIONS AT LOW PRICES

Make the most of summer and save big with the Passeport MTL city pass. Discover 5 Montréal attractions for one low price and get discounts on many more! Find out more here.

Birra Bar à Bières maison

Where to chill

One famous thing about Montréal is what locals call “5 à 7”, otherwise known as happy hour. 5 à 7s are everywhere, in most bars and pubs starting at 5 pm, as well as in some art galleries, restaurants and cafés. They’re an excellent way to make new friends, if you simply sidle up to the bar (an ideal spot when travelling solo) and start chatting. Brasserie HarricanaBirra - Bar à Bières maisonThe Burgundy Lion and BENELUX brewpub are among the many venues to keep on your radar.

Mural Festival 2022  - Mural Paix et justice by Shepard Fairey

Where to meet people

Itching for some company? There are lots of ways to meet Montrealers in easy breezy atmosphere, including taking a cooking or dance class that lets you immerse yourself in an authentic Montréal experience while mingling with locals. If you want to watch the pros at work and meet new people, why not go on a guided tour? Discover Little ItalyOld Montréal and the Mile End with a guide or go on a thematic food tour. Go local with a Spade & Palacio tour, which gives you the inside scoop on the city.

Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau

Where to chill

Silence is golden and spas get that, which means they are sublime spaces if you’re looking to just peace out. Among the detour-worthy are Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau, which is housed in a former ferryboat, and the architecturally-acclaimed Scandinave Spa Vieux-Montréal, located in a historic greystone building in Old Montréal. Different atmospheres, but great go-tos for some solo R&R. Montréal has many more spas for you to enjoy on your solo trip.

Subway - Le Village

How to get around

Public transit, hands down, is the best way to get around Montréal for longer distances. The bus and metro networks are reliable, secure and affordable (don’t you just love that?).

BIXI, Montréal's bike-share system, makes visiting Montréal's points of interest hassle-free. You can borrow a bike from one station and return it to any other station in the network.

Hôtel Place d'Armes - Terrasse Place d'Armes

Where to stay

If you feel like meeting other like-minded travelers, youth hostels could just be your thing—some offer private rooms, which still give you access to common areas that are perfect for socializing. Among the many to check out is the Auberge de jeunesse HI Montréal in the heart of downtown. If you’re more of a hotel person, go luxe with the Hôtel William GrayLe Place d’Armes Hôtel & Suites or Hôtel Nelligan. If you’re on a budget, the Hôtel de l’ITHQ is an excellent choice: the four-star teaching hotel is operated by students and features two restaurants facing the magnificent Carré Saint-Louis. 

So, whether you’re zipping in for a 24-hour stay or stretching it out to a weekend or more, you’ll have a plethora of picks to discover on your solo escapade in Montréal. And who knows? You might just meet a few new mates.