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Montreal City Guide

Hi there, my name is Aly and I work on the Camp Canada Placement Team! After spending four summers at a camp north of Montreal, it’s safe to say Montreal is my favourite Canadian city (no offence Toronto!). Whether you’re in Montreal for a weekend or find yourself there for longer, there are plenty of opportunities for adventure (and eating!).

Author: Aly
04 Jun 16:00

From its eclectic food scene to its old European vibes, it can be tricky to know where to start. That’s why I’ve put together a Montreal City Guide to help you make the most of your time in Montreal and share my recommendations of my favourite things to do in the city.

The only place to stay in Montreal

Whether you’re a Camp Canada participant, or just someone passing through Montreal, the M Montreal is by far the best hostel you can stay in. It’s no surprise it was voted #1 Best Hostel in Canada and Worldwide by Hostelworld for numerous years running.

The rooms are spacious, clean and modern and the facilities are top class. Be sure to check out the rooftop terrace and jacuzzis!

Fancy some food?

Brunch

After a long flight and jet lag, there’s no better place for a brunch-style feast than Allô! Mon Coco, only a 10 minute walk from the hostel. If you miss the hostel breakfast or want a mega lunch, Allô! Mon Coco won’t let you down!

Poutine

You can’t go to the birthplace of poutine without giving it a try. While the combination of fries, gravy and cheese curds sounds peculiar, this Québécois delicacy should not be missed! We recommend La Banquise, which is open 24 hours, or Orange Julep, which is a bit further from M Montreal but well worth the trip!

Bagels

I couldn’t talk about Montreal food without an honorary mention for my all time love, Montreal bagels. You won’t find anything like them anywhere else in the world! St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel compete for the best bagel title, and can be found in their own stores or stocked by many local restaurants and cafés.

What makes Montreal bagels so unique? They are boiled in water with honey, which makes the bagels much sweeter than New York bagels.

Take in the city views from Mount Royal

The view from Mount Royal is the best place to start your Montreal trip. If you’re feeling jet lagged, or brave enough to get up really early, try and catch the sunrise from atop Mount-Royal. Seeing the morning light slowly make its way over the skyscrapers is such a beautiful thing.

Make sure to snap a group shot with your new Camp Canada camp-mates!

Embrace the European vibes of Old Montreal

As you would assume, Old Montreal is the oldest part of Montreal. There are loads of quaint shops and restaurants, with a cute European feel.

I couldn’t have put together a better guide to Old Montreal myself, check out this guide from To Europe and Beyond!

Forgot something? Here’s where you can pick it up!

Travelling can be stressful, especially when you have so much to pack. One thing to remember is that anything you forget can be picked up when you arrive in Canada.

My top tip would be to ditch the toiletries, and pick them up when you arrive - trust me on this one. Save that suitcase space and weight for warm clothes in the evening time! If you haven’t already, check out our Camp Canada packing list.

Luckily, the M Montreal hostel (where you’ll be staying!) is surrounded by pharmacies, a supermarket and a Dollarama, all within a five minute walk.

Planning on staying in Montreal a bit longer? MTL Blog will provide you with plenty of inspiration on what to do during your stay in Montreal!

Aly

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