Fall 2025: Discover Montréal solo this autumn!

Whether you’ve arrived by air, land or sea, Montréal is a city best discovered by foot, atop two wheels or on public transport. Fill up your Instagram with postcard-pretty nature shots on a reinvigorating autumn walk through some of the city’s favourite parks and forested areas. Cyclists will love the city’s bucket list bike rides that take riders through some of Montréal’s most memorable neighbourhoods and along the banks of the picturesque St. Lawrence River and Lachine Canal. And the city’s easily navigated public transport system also offers some unforgettably picturesque routes if you’d rather sit back and let someone else do the driving!

Montréal’s guided walking and biking tour options are a perfect way to get the lay of the land before heading out on some solo exploration. And a great place to start is where it all began—historic Old Montréal. Home to more than just the city’s most iconic historic sites, you’ll also find some of the most cutting-edge galleries and restaurants along the quartier’s cobblestone streets.

CULTURAL MUST-SEES:

• The PHI's cutting-edge virtual reality and contemporary art expositions at their two locations are exactly the type of immersive activity best experienced solo
• The Pointe-à-Callière archaeology and history museum rests at the exact spot where Jeanne Mance and Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve founded the city in 1642
• Witness and reflect on Québec’s Indigenous history through its art at Images Boréales Inuit art gallery, Heritage Gallery and Galerie Le Chariot
• Take in Moment Factory’s jaw-dropping AURA Experience that brings the interior of the Notre-Dame Basilica to life
• Stand in awe in front of epic-sized installations in a converted foundry at Fonderie Darling
• See it all from up on high from the Grande Roue de Montréal ferris wheel or the epic Port of Montréal Tower

Long a cultural hot-spot, Downtown Montréal (and it’s Golden Square Mile and Quartier des Spectacles neighbourhoods) are home to some of Canada’s best museums and shopping. And amid the skyscrapers and buzzing commuters, there’s postcard-pretty green spots like Dorchester Square and Place du Canada perfect for a picnic break or a bit of people-watching.

LET’S SHOP!:

• Roam between the major flagship stores and unique boutiques along Sainte-Catherine Street
• Treat yourself at the city’s major shopping centres Complexe Desjardins, Centre Eaton, Place Montréal Trust, Les Cours Mont-Royal, Place Ville-Marie, Centre Alexis Nihon and, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy—and the underground city links them all together in case of rain 

DOWNTOWN CHOW DOWN:

• Join the local style set for sushi at Ryú
• Enjoy top-tier Parisian fare at Brasserie Le Pois Penché
• Classic ramen—in both Tonkontsu and vegan broth—served up quick at Tsukuyomi Ramen Bishop
• Bask in the flavours of Vietnam street food with a unique local twist at Le Red Tiger
• Explore Montréal’s haut cuisine scene to-go at the Time Out Market
• Discover some of the city’s coolest food artists at Le Central—Manger Montréal
• Try a local favourite in Chinatown —one of our top tips is the old school Dobe and Andy

While they exist side-by-side geographically, Outremont, the Plateau and Mile End are each uniquely distinct with their own original flavours. Home to some of Montréal’s cafés, shops and restaurants préféré (or favourites), these are the ideal neighbourhoods to fully immerse yourself in local living, and the brightly coloured building sides of the area (thanks in large part to the annual MURAL Festival) are Instagram-ready.

• You’ll want to get bagels from both Fairmount Bagel Bakery and St-Viateur Bagel, proof positive that Montréal bagels are the best bagels
• Experience Café Le Nigriz’s reimagining of Japanese onigiri (with a Hōjicha latte on the side)
• The Lawrence, Larrys and Boucherie Lawrence trifecta offer great eats and neighbourhood flair
• Graduating students of the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec show off their training at the Restaurant de l’ITHQ
• Spoil yourself with an unforgettable night of dining at Au pied de Cochon
• Consider it a cheat day with a visit to Pâtisserie Mélilot
• The $5 gnocchi at Drogheria Fine makes you look like an in-the-know local
• Try the iconic sandwiches at Schwartz’s (Montréal smoked meat) and Wilensky (salami and baloney) and take some photos for the folks back home
• Grab a pizza at Toni or a falafel at Yoni
• Grab a well-deserved pastry dessert at Boulangerie Guillaume

Put simply, Little Italy and Villeray is where Montréalers come to eat. Influenced by the city’s Italian community, there’s a mouthwatering variety of restaurants and food shops that will leave you wishing for an extra inch of room in your belt.

MUST-EATS:

• No visit to the neighbourhood is complete without a visit to Jean-Talon Market
• A café and cookie shop that also offers cookie decorating workshops? Count us in at Café La Chouette!
• The Saint-Henri Micro-Torréfacteur coffee roaster and café should be on every coffee lover’s list
• The cannoli at Pasticceria Alati-Caserta is so good, you’ll think you’re in Italy
• You want pizza? Look no further than San Gennaro or neighbourhood mainstay Pizzeria Napoletana
• The fresh pastas and mouthwatering sauces (plus freshly made focaccia to boot) at Pastificio ETNA are to-die-for
• Save space for sweet treats at État de Choc and La Boulangerie Jarry

STOCK UP YOUR KITCHEN:

• There’s always something unique at Arloca, specializing in Québec design
• The mind boggles at the selection of utensils at Quincaillerie Dante

The neighbourhoods of Griffintown, Little Burgundy and Saint-Henri are intersected by the historic Lachine Canal, and also home to Montréal’s Antique District. The area is also home to many of Montréal’s groundbreaking new startups and tech firms, and local cafés are full of telecommuters and students. 

MUNCHIES: 

• Atwater Market is one of Montréal’s busiest markets, with an iconic clock tower and hanging lights
• Vin Papillon is an unpretentious wine bar with snacks, steaks and a curated wine list full of surprises
• One of the largest craft breweries in Montréal, the Brasseur de Montréal’s home brews go perfect with their menu of comfort meals and pub favourites
• Find fresh bagels made in-house filled with toppings from smoked salmon to sweet and savoury jams at Le Trou Bagel Shop
• Grab a snack at Le Marché Italien Le Richmond and enjoy on a patch of canal-side grass
• Enjoy one of the creative meal options at Foxy 

In recent years, the riverside Verdun neighbourhood has stepped up its game, with its Wellington Street named one of the coolest in the world. Founded in 1671, it’s one of Canada’s oldest settlements—but given its vibrant forward-looking scenes, you’d never know it.

TAKE IT EASY:

• Verdun Beach is a sandy oasis perfect for a bit of relaxing and watching the St. Lawrence river roll by
• The Strøm Nordic Spa on Nun’s Island is an ultimate in self care

SHOP AS LOCAL AS IT GETS:

• Created by Verdunners Samuel Leroux and Alexandre Desabrais, Solios Watches are made from sustainable elements and run on solar power to boot
• Founded in Verdun in 1918, Harricana by Mariouche has been recycling high fashion pieces into new creations for over a century—and their actions have saved an estimated 1,200,000 animals in the process
• Marilyne Baril’s Marigold fashion line is 100% Montréal-created and constructed
• An expertly-curated local bookstore Librairie Pulp Books & Café specializes in Montréal writers, featuring regularly scheduled in-store readings and book launches

Montréal’s working class and urban wilderness collide in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, where huge leafy expanses co-exist side by side with row housing and homey shopping streets. Solo explorers looking for a truly local experience will find it here, and friendly locals abound.

NATURE IN THE CITY:

• Get lost in the mammoth Parc Maisonneuve
• Plant lovers will flip for the Jardin botanique (Botanic Garden)
• Get up close and personal with some rare flora and fauna at the Biodôme, part of the iconic Montréal Olympic Park
• Hit the urban beach at Village au Pied-du-Courant

Situated in the waters of the St-Lawrence River, the Parc Jean-Drapeau's twin islands were created from the earth removed in the construction of Montréal’s Métro system. Built for Expo67 (including Habitat 67), these parklands are now home to the Formula 1 Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the La Ronde amusement park, the Casino de Montréal, myriad hiking trails and a bevy of local animals. A peaceful getaway from the city – not to mention a great spot for some last snaps of Montréal’s skyline – it’s a great end to a solo city excursion.