Montreal: The City of a Hundred Belltowers
Montreal, Canada’s second-largest city, is one of the world’s most prominent and beautiful cities. Consistently ranked among the world’s most liveable cities, Montreal is a major tourist centre in North America and also one of the most important financial and cultural hubs of Canada. The city also has a very colourful history, and owing to the multitude of churches dotting the cityscape, is also known as “the city of a hundred belltowers”. A vibrant and colourful city with a likable mixture of modern and colonial architecture, Montreal is also within the vicinity of sites of great historical significance. The city’s fine infrastructure and friendly residents are perhaps the most inviting of the many Montreal tourist attractions.
Places to visit in Montreal
Montreal is home to a large number of significant and noteworthy buildings and structures, the beauty of which is only enhanced by the city’s legendary penchant for life. Montreal is a beautiful city and is home to some of the best architecture in North America.
Some of the more prominent Montreal tourist sights include:
- Vieux Montréal
- Le Plateau
- Downtown
- Vieux-Port
- Place Jacques-Cartier
- Place d'Armes
- Marché Bonsecours
- Basilique Notre-Dame
- Marguerite-Bourgeoys Museum
- Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
- Pointe à Callière
- George-Étienne Cartier
- Montréal Science Centre
- Centre d'histoire de Montréal
- Bank of Montréal Museum
- Château Ramezay Museum
- Chinatown
- Gay Village
- Latin Quarter
- Golden Square Mile
- Mount Royal
- Chalet du Mont-Royal
- Saint Helen's Island
- Île Notre-Dame
- Mary
- Queen of the World Cathedral
- Notre-Dame Basilica
- St. Patrick’s Basilica
- Saint Joseph’s Oratory
- Université de Montréal
- Place Ville Marie
- Olympic Stadium
- Expo Grounds
- Windsor Station
Montreal- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
Montreal is very safe for tourists; nevertheless, it is advisable that certain rather necessary precautions be taken including avoiding certain areas after dark, keeping valuables out of sight, etc. Montreal is beautiful and the city’s eclectic mix of historical buildings and modern architecture is simply seen to be believed. Besides having some of the best avenues, walkways and buildings in the world, Montreal also boasts a very vibrant and very good nightlife. The city is home to a multitude of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, bars, discos, etc.
Montreal is also home to some of the best malls and resorts in the country. Though French is the majority language, English is well understood by many. The local currency is Canadian dollars (CAD). The local cuisine draws influences from a variety of cuisines and has its own unique and distinct flavour. What’s more, it is freely available at very affordable prices. Montreal has a large number of eateries catering to all types of cuisines and suited to all types of budgets; it is also home to some of the country’s best and most prolific restaurants.
Best time to visit Montreal
The best time to visit Montreal is from June to September.
Best way to reach Montreal
- By Air: Montreal is one of the region’s most important travel hubs, and is connected to most major destinations in the world via regular flights.
- By Rail: Montreal is one of the most important railway stations in the Canadian rail network, and forms the terminating or origin point for many inter-city trains. For intra-city transport, there is an extensive metro and suburban rail system.
- By Road: Montreal is well connected to all national and regional destinations and popular attractions. Further, Montreal is also one of the major centres of Canada’s road transport system and as such offers comfortable transport options for almost all of the nearby Canada attractions. The city is the hub of intra-country bus travel in Canada. The road network within the city is rather good but prone to congestion. The intra-city bus network is also very convenient.
Accommodation
Montreal is very attractive and wide enough to cater to all budgets and needs. Montreal is home of some of the finest hotels in the continent. Further, many local and international tour operators offer Montreal vacation package tours. These tours cover most of the Montreal tourist destinations, but do not carry the element of risk and adventure that going solo does. One might even miss out on the many hidden attractions and surprises Montreal may hold.