10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Montreal

Verdun is often described as one of the coolest areas in Montreal. It’s a lively area with a variety of craft breweries and avant-garde restaurants, and locals enjoy a vibrant nightlife. There’s an abundance of green space here too, and with the fantastic urban beach on the east side of this district, it’s hard to believe you’re in one of Canada’s largest cities.

Locals here love to keep active, and you’ll find lots of walking and biking trails in the parks. When hockey season is over, people head to Nuns’ Island for a summer of golf. If you fancy a pampering session after all your exercise, there’s also an upscale spa resort on Nuns’ Island which is highly rated.

Mile End is an artsy area in the northwest corner of the city. It’s a fantastic, multicultural district and a wonderful spot for foodies. Here you can choose from Italian coffee shops, Japanese noodle bars, English tea rooms, Greek restaurants, and arguably the best bagels in Montreal. It’s a colourful area with lots of painted walls and buildings, and you can take some amazing photos of the street art.

The shopping here attracts both locals and visitors alike. There’s an excellent choice of independent boutiques, bookshops, and vintage shops clustered together, but if you’re looking for more upscale shopping, you’ll want to head to Laurier Avenue for high-end fashion boutiques and trendy cocktail bars.

Plateau Mont-Royal is a vibrant area that is known for its art. You’ll see colourful townhouses dotted along the tree-lined streets and striking frescos rejuvenating walls and old buildings. The MURAL Festival takes place here every year in June when street artists bring this area to life, and it’s extremely popular with locals and visitors alike.

For an original way to explore this area, you can take a guided tour by bike, where you’ll see hidden paths full of colour and original designs. You’ll also get an insight into the rich culture of this area, including the musical heritage of Leonard Cohen, as well as discovering the beautiful trails in the many parks here.

Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie is a residential area in northern Montreal. At the southern end, you’ll find Little Italy with its delicious bakeries, cafes, and pizzerias. If you love strolling through large farmers’ markets, head to Jean Talon Market, which is immensely popular. Here you’ll find everything from fresh produce and exquisite flowers to artisanal maple syrup and baked goods. There are also regular workshops and culinary demonstrations.

At weekends, locals relax in the immense Maisonneuve Park. It’s one of the biggest green spaces in Montreal with a golf course, community garden, and large park area with picnic sites and bicycle trails. The highlight is the Montreal Botanical Garden, which is a peaceful, floral delight, worlds away from the bustling city.

Old Montreal is a blend of historic buildings and cobbled streets with modern restaurants and dazzling attractions. You can choose to stay in a top hotel or a quaint B&B here. Contrast is everywhere. In the centre, the majestic Notre Dame Basilica is a must-see church with its striking gilt and blue interior.

Family fun here includes a trip on the Grande Roue – the dizzyingly high Ferris wheel that offers panoramic views over Montreal and the St. Lawrence River. Nearby, you can also take a zipline for more incredible views. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, why not visit the Montreal Science Centre? It’s great fun for kids with interesting, interactive exhibits.

The Village has lots of charming B&Bs in beautiful, old houses, making it one of the best places to stay in Montreal. This diverse, inclusive area is just north of Old Montreal. It has a fantastic, upbeat vibe, and is home to a large LGBTQ+ community and over 250 shops, restaurants, and bars. During the day, you can stroll through original antique shops and speciality boutiques, before heading to the busy bars and clubs in the evening.

If you head here in summer, the high street, rue Sainte-Catherine, becomes a pedestrian-only zone. Pink decorations brighten the area and there’s a festival atmosphere. On Friday afternoons, the party begins for the weekend with live music and artists performing on the streets.

Saint-Henri lies in southern Montreal. If you love architecture and exploring the history behind beautiful buildings, this is the place for you. Once a working-class district with a strong industrial presence, it’s now a lively area full of impressive conversions. You’ll see upmarket condos and university buildings which used to be factories and have retained some original features. You’ll love the 1930s Art Deco fire station too.

This area is also a great spot for foodies. Locals come here for the wide variety of cafes and restaurants, most of which are dotted along rue Notre Dame. Your choices here include Vietnamese, Mexican, Asian, and vegan restaurants; bars and grills; and many fast-food chains.

Côtes-Des-Neiges is one of the most densely populated areas in Montreal. It’s a busy, multicultural, and multilingual area with a lovely, energetic vibe. Visitors come here for one of the city’s most iconic landmarks – Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal. This majestic domed basilica towers high over the area and you’ll get some spectacular views from here.

The church itself is beautiful and free to enter. It holds many surprises inside and out, including a votive chapel with over 10,000 candles, as well as peaceful, landscaped gardens with stunning sculptures. The music concerts here are highly rated and very popular and, for a unique experience, you can even stay overnight in the Pavillon Jean XXIII at the Basilica.

Villeray is a charming area in the northwest corner of the city. It’s a popular residential area for families due to the abundance of green spaces in the area. Villeray Park is always busy, and you’ll see locals walking, biking, jogging, and picnicking here, with the occasional outdoor yoga class or boot camp session too.

There are lots of trendy cafes in this area and locals love to sit out on the terraces and observe their surroundings. Popular spots are on Rue Villeray and Rue de Castelnau, and you’ll also find some exquisite and original boutiques on these streets. You can shop for unique jewellery, clothing, artisanal goods, and even astronomy accessories in this beautiful area.

Mile-Ex is a small area that is ideal for exploring on foot, as it’s full of one-way streets and dead ends. It’s sandwiched between Mile End and Little Italy, and for years this area didn’t even have a name. It was just a tiny, industrial area. Then a trendy restaurant called Mile-Ex opened and the area finally had its title.

Nowadays, it’s home to several hip restaurants. You’ll find them nestled between former factories that are now art galleries or communal workspaces for young professionals, and you can enjoy African, Southern, Italian, Japanese, and other cuisines here. Locals come here to discover the latest restaurant, and you’ll enjoy strolling along the streets here trying to do the same.