Montréal — More Highlights
Montréal has much more to offer than Old Town and bagels:
Mont Royal
The 233-meter-high Mont Royal (from which the city takes its name) is Montréal's green lung. The park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (the creator of Central Park), offers the best view over the city from the Belvédère Kondiaronk. In winter: sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. In summer: the legendary Tam-Tams (every Sunday from noon, hundreds of people drum at the foot of Mont Royal — a spontaneous, peaceful, multicultural festival).
Jean-Talon Market
Montréal's largest open-air market — more authentic and less touristy than Marché Atwater. Québecois farmers sell maple syrup directly from the farm, fresh strawberries from Île d'Orléans, over 20 types of cheese from the region, and fresh herbs. In autumn: apples and cider. Try Pied de Vent — a cheese from the Magdalen Islands that rivals any French Camembert.
Festival City
Montréal has the highest festival density in North America:
- Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (June/July) — the largest jazz festival in the world. 500+ concerts, over 300 of which are free on outdoor stages. 2 million visitors.
- Just for Laughs / Juste pour rire (July) — the largest comedy festival in the world. English and French shows.
- Osheaga (August) — music festival on Île Sainte-Hélène with international headliners.
- Igloofest (January/February) — electronic music outdoors at -20°C. As crazy as it sounds. And so good.
💡 Tipp
Montréal's Underground City (RÉSO) is the largest underground pedestrian network in the world: 33 km of tunnels connect metro stations, shopping centers, hotels, and offices. In winter, you can spend the whole day in the city without having to surface into the cold once.
