A positive impact stay in Montréal
Hotel Leisure activities Nature, fauna and flora Gastronomy Bars and pubs Coffee and sweets Restaurants
Is Montréal a city dedicated to sustainable development practices? Absolutely! Discover our recommendations and great spots for a positive impact stay.
To enjoy the best the city has to offer during your stay, please don't think of yourself as a tourist, but as one of us. Whether you're here for a few days, a few weeks or a few years, we're counting on you to enjoy Montréal in a spirit of respect, responsibility and celebration!
Where to stay
You made it to Montréal! Now choose from accommodations that combine comfort with eco-friendly practices, all hand-picked by Tourisme Montréal. In the downtown core, both the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth and Le Germain Montréal are outstanding establishments with strong environmental practices, much like Hôtel Saint-Sulpice in the Old Port. Near the airport in the West Island, Ruby Foo’s is also committed to eco-friendly practices. Another option includes the ITHQ Hotel, located just steps away from the Entertainment District (known locally as the Quartier des Spectacles). Alternatively, the Alt Hotel in trendy, industrial Griffintown has EV charging stations in its parking area.
Where to eat
For the good of the planet, many cafés, bars, and restaurants have chosen to take action by committing concretely to reducing waste.
Restaurants embracing a zero-waste approach
Among them, Café des Habitudes, located in La Petite-Patrie, stands out for its décor made up of 95% second-hand furniture and objects. The establishment strives every day to move towards zero waste. Another example is La Cale Zéro Déchet on Plaza St-Hubert, a bar that makes everything it can on-site—from its tasty vegan dishes to its decorations. Here, everything is thoughtfully designed and used with care to minimize waste production as much as possible. To learn more about Montréal spots moving towards zero waste to improve your habits, click here.
For plant-based foodies
Your taste buds will find their happy place at LOV, Aux Vivres, Café Dei Campi, Pâtisserie Zébulon, Lola Rosa, Bloom Sushi, Umami Ramen & Izakaya, and Archway.
For seasonal, local cuisine
Try the fresh and creative cuisine made with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients at Candide, Chez Victoire, Le Mousso, Toqué!, Renoir, Le St-Urbain or the ITHQ restaurant. If you fancy some fish and chips, head to Brit & Chips, where the catch is sourced from more sustainable fisheries. For a hearty sandwich paired with homemade lemonade, head to Café Santropol, a true garden of Eden. Finally, Café Jardin serves a variety of vegan and vegetarian options in Verdun. Take the opportunity to stroll through this quintessential Montréal neighbourhood.
Where to rest, relax and rejuvenate
Let your tension float away at Bota Bota, a river spa anchored on the St. Lawrence River. The facility uses geothermal-type energy to heat and cool its indoor spaces and thermal baths. The energy is extracted directly from the St. Lawrence River, which means it's renewable. Beyond the technical aspects, the spa uses Babor vegan products made with natural and organic ingredients sourced from the Alps. Added bonus: the spa's unique location offers terrific views of Montréal's cityscape. We love it!
Where to camp near Montréal
Want to balance your urban vacation with a few days of camping? Huttopia offers a hassle-free ready-to-camp option just a few kilometres from downtown Montréal. To get there, hop the metro, bus and river ferry to Grosbois Island in the Îles-de-Boucherville provincial park. There are 25 cozy tents for rent on site. Visitors should bring their own sleeping bag and pillow. For more information, go to sepaq.com.
Where to surf, kayak and more
Surfing, SUP, SUP-yoga, kayaking: whatever sport you choose, you'll quickly discover that the St. Lawrence River offers everything from serene spots to adrenaline-inducing areas! KSF calls itself "a family that's expanding around the St. Lawrence." Their team is passionate about adventure, nature and water and will provide you with unforgettable experiences accredited by Aventure Écotourisme Québec, members of the 1% for the Planet movement, and committed to the Leave No Trace Canada movement. Grab a board and paddle!
Embark on a cruise
Curious to know more about the history of the 150-year-old Lachine canal? Hop aboard the Petit Navire, an electric propulsion boat. Enjoy a 45-minute to two-hour historic ride where you can sip a drink and chat with fellow passengers.
Get out and get moving!
Just minutes away from downtown by metro is where you’ll find Parc Jean-Drapeau, which, along with Mount Royal, serves as the city’s lung. Explore its network of artwork-lined trails, two museums, and expansive beach. Drop by the Biosphère, an iconic Montréal building that dates back to the Expo 67 World’s Fair, where you can learn about the importance of a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle through scientific exhibitions and demonstrations.
Witness thriving urban agriculture firsthand on the green roof atop the Palais des congrès or at the world’s first urban rooftop greenhouses by Lufa Farms.
Explore the nature programs from UrbaNature that include, among other activities, custom nature walks through the falaise Saint-Jacques and other local city parks.
We invite you to discover the temporary and community spaces developed by the many local organizations that promote community engagement. We also highly recommend the Village au Pied-du-Courant, a special venue for live music, DJ sets, local cuisine, and festive events for all ages.
Where to rent a bike and enjoy a ride
With over 1000 km of bike paths, bike rental shops, and guided tours available across the city (Ma Bicyclette, Fitz & Follwell, Ça roule Montréal, BIXI and Spade & Palacio), as well as tons of stops to eat and drink en route, cycling is hugely popular here. Pro tip: pack a picnic lunch with fresh produce from the Jean-Talon, Atwater, or Maisonneuve markets and then cycle to La Fontaine, Jeanne-Mance, Laurier or Jarry Park. It's a great way to explore different Montréal boroughs. The blog ICI x AROUND has also put together an itinerary of Montréal's "green alleys." Everyone loves a quick escape into a green corridor!
Public transportation—offered through the STM bus and metro system—is another choice way to get around the city.
The best way to explore Mount Royal
You can't visit Montréal without seeing Mount Royal, our local "mountain." The park, which acts as the city's lungs, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect behind New York City's Central Park. It's located right in the centre of the city and can be explored on foot, by bicycle, on cross-country skis or on snowshoes. All year round, Les Amis de la montagne, a non-profit that helps protect Mount Royal, offers a host of activities and hikes for all types of nature lovers.
Where to see sustainable arts and culture
Montréal’s cultural scene cannot be ignored! Espace pour la vie is Canada's largest nature and science museum complex. It includes the Biodôme, the Biosphère, the Insectarium, the Jardin botanique (Botanical Garden) and the Planétarium, five exceptional institutions that combine science with emotion to influence your perspective of the natural world and educate visitors of all ages. What will you learn?
The TOHU Pavilion is a venue for shows, experimentation and convergence between culture, environment and community projects. It's also an outstanding example of LEED GOLD-certified Canadian architecture. The facility includes a round circus-arts performance hall—the first of its kind in North America—as well as access to the Saint-Michel environmental complex. A little further north, lose yourself in the valleys and meadows uniquely punctuated with white spheres in parc Frédéric-Back, a new green space dedicated to the environment, culture, leisure and sports. Don't miss it!
Finally, the Maison du développement durable was the very first building in Québec to earn LEED® Platinum NC certification. It offers guided tours, meetings and discussions on sustainable development.
Where to buy local products
You’ll find independent ethical fashion boutiques in every neighbourhood. One of our favourites in Verdun, Harricana par Mariouche is world-renowned for its clothing and objects made from recycled furs, cashmeres and silks. The boutique also offers workshops for making pom-poms, braided scarves from recycled furs and custom hats. Let your creativity run wild!
Head over to BKIND, a cozy pink-hued boutique on St Lawrence Street in the Mile End, which specializes in Quebec-made, environmentally friendly natural and vegan beauty products. The Plaza St-Hubert is home to Belle et Rebelle and Arloca, two boutiques that offer a diverse selection of products, accessories, jewellery, and designer labels by local creators.
The DDD boutique in Petite-Patrie will inspire you with its selection of products that are both stylish and responsible. Next, pick up an adorable, timeless LBD by Betina Lou, a Matt & Nat backpack or handbag made from recycled plastic bottles, or a unique Québec creation from Unicorn boutique. Give in to the fragrance of Dot & Lil’s retro-style handmade soaps, and savour some urban honey produced locally by Alvéole.
Finally, for unique finds, sustainable shopping, or the simple thrill of the hunt, Montréal's second-hand boutiques brim with treasures to uncover.
Little things can go a long way
In addition to promoting the local economy through all the possibilities listed above, adopt a slow tourism approach during your stay by staying several nights in the same neighbourhood to discover its energy, habits and merchants. Always carry a kit with reusable utensils and containers to encourage less waste. Choose cafés that offer the reusable La Tasse mug, supporting more responsible consumption. You'll maximize your impact on a healthier planet!
Learn more about part of your carbon footprint in Montréal
You can estimate a portion of the carbon footprint of your stay in Montréal and offset it with a donation if you wish.
Original article in French by Laure Juilliard, adapted into English by Ayesha Lobo.
Laure Juilliard
Originally from Paris, Laure Juilliard made Montréal her home over 15 years ago and has never looked back. Won over by her new city's unique energy, cultural vibrancy and gastronomic effervescence, she loves exploring all the coolest spots. A writer and blogger specialising in lifestyle, culture, travel and gastronomy, she has lent her pen to Tourisme Montréal for more than 10 years, in addition to magazines such as ELLE Québec and Clin d'œil, as well as a variety of well-known companies and agencies. Always on the lookout for innovative concepts and the best addresses wherever she is in the world, she is also always planning her next trip.