What to Do on a Layover in Montreal

If you’ve just got a few hours but you’re hankering to get a glimpse of Montreal, make your way to the city’s most popular neighborhood for visitors: the Old Port. This area is the most historic district of Montreal, with cobblestoned streets lined with buildings that date back into the 1700s. Even with a brief layover, a quick excursion to the Old Port is a great way to get a glimpse into Montreal’s long history and French colonial roots, unusual for North American cities.

With a taxi, the Old Port is about 20 minutes from the airport.

Vieux-Port de Montreal, 333 Rue de la Commune O, Montreal, QC, Canada

Old Montreal, a neighborhood that hosts many of the city’s private art galleries & shops | © Daniel Kuhn / Flickr

With a little more time, you could opt to head to the city center and then make your way to Mont-Royal, the big scenic park that rises above the city and offers great panoramic views. Culture Trip recommends taking the meandering walk up the mountain during the warmer months (from June to October) to get a sense of the local terrain and to mingle with locals as they jog, hike, or bike up the “mountain” that comprises Montreal’s most popular park.

Once you reach the main belvedere at the top, you can take in the lovely view of the city’s downtown area, reaching out toward the St. Lawrence River and beyond. To expedite the trip to the top, which could take about 45 minutes on foot, you could hop onto a BIXI from the city’s bike rental system instead. The park is around 35 minutes by car from YUL.

Heading to the top of Mont-Royal is an excellent option if you want to get a bit of a workout after your long flight. If you’re there on a Sunday, you might also be able to watch the Tam-Tams, an informal, free weekly festival that gathers around the park’s George-Étienne Cartier Monument during the summer. Grab a snack from one of the wandering vendors and join drum players, vendors, dancers, and visitors as they lounge around in the grass, picnicking and relaxing.

Mont-Royal, Montreal, Canada

Fall colors in Montreal | © Artur Staszewski / Flickr

With a longer layover, you can combine an exploration of the Old Port with the Mont-Royal nature walk. If possible, take a BIXI to shorten the travel time between the two areas—or a taxi. With an extra couple of hours, you can also get a better sense of the city’s best eats afterward. From Mont-Royal, you could take the half-hour walk over to Boulevard Saint-Laurent, one of Montreal’s well-known arteries for restaurants, bars, cafés, and boutiques. Culture Trip’s top recommendation is Schwartz’s Deli, where you might have to wait in line to try one of their famed smoked-meat sandwiches. Schwartz’s has been around since 1928, and it remains one of Montreal’s most iconic foodie experiences. From Schwartz’s, take a taxi back to the airport. If the traffic’s in your favor, it should take just under half an hour.

Schwartz’s Deli, 3895 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC, Canada, +1 514 842 4813

A smoked meat sandwich from the iconic Schwartz’s in Montreal | © chensiyuan / WikiCommons