How many days · Montreal · Canada
How many days do you need in Montreal?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Brandon Moore ( Raskuly ), CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Montreal, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers Old Montreal and the Old Port, Mount Royal, food stops in the Plateau and Mile End and one museum. A fourth day adds the Biodôme and Botanical Garden or the Lachine Canal; a week leaves time for Quebec City or the Laurentians.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 4
- Daylight
- 8.7 h (Dec) to 15.7 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, Mount Royal Park and Montreal Museum of Fine Arts |
| 2 days | Rushed | Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Saint Joseph's Oratory and Old Port |
| 3 days | Good | Pointe-à-Callière, Jean-Talon Market and Lachine Canal |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Quebec City |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Quebec City and Mont-Tremblant |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Montreal add up to roughly 22–29 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Old Montreal (Half a day), Lachine Canal (2–4 hours) and Mount Royal Park (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Old Montreal | Half a day | Old Montreal |
| Notre-Dame Basilica | 1 hour | Old Montreal |
| Mount Royal Park | 2–3 hours | Mount Royal |
| Montreal Museum of Fine Arts | 2–3 hours | Downtown |
| Saint Joseph's Oratory | 1.5 hours | Côte-des-Neiges |
| Old Port | 2–3 hours | Old Montreal |
| Pointe-à-Callière | 2 hours | Old Montreal |
| Jean-Talon Market | 1.5 hours | Little Italy |
| Lachine Canal | 2–4 hours | Saint-Henri |
| Montreal Botanical Garden | 2–3 hours | Olympic Park |
| Montreal Biodôme | 1.5–2 hours | Olympic Park |
| Underground City (RÉSO) | 1 hour | Downtown |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Montreal Biodôme |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Quebec City and Mont-Tremblant |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 8.7 hours of daylight) than in June (about 15.7 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Montreal with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec City | About 233 km | 3 days |
| Boston | About 403 km | 4 days |
| Toronto | About 504 km | 4 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Montreal?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Three days covers Old Montreal and the Old Port, Mount Royal, food stops in the Plateau and Mile End and one museum. A fourth day adds the Biodôme and Botanical Garden or the Lachine Canal; a week leaves time for Quebec City or the Laurentians.
+Is a week too long in Montreal?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Quebec City and Mont-Tremblant.