Taking just 48 hours in a city is always never enough time, though often that is all our schedules can afford us. This past month, in Montréal that’s all I had time for on ground. I wanted to make the most of my time and was sure that I would see the majority of the main sites and not miss the local places I heard everyone talk about.
What was a pretty well-rounded trip to this incredibly, diverse city, I managed to hit almost every spot on my must-see list. It was a balanced two days of good food, sights, and experiences that are unique to Montréal.
So here’s how to spend 48 hours in Montréal…
Day 1
9 am
Breakfast at Tommy Cafê, grab a coffee and pastry in a charming space.
10 am
Explore a few of the exhibits on show at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts.
11:30 am
Be in wonder by modern art at the Musée d’art Contemporain de Montréal.
1 pm
Take a late lunch at Toqué! which is right by the Musée d’art Contemporain de Montréal in a fun space, serving up French-inspired dishes.
2 pm
Make the walk to Old Montreal with a stop at the incredible library called Centre des Archives nationales du Quebec on the way to visit the iconic shops and cafes in the historic district.
3:30 pm
An afternoon coffee is always a good idea, try a cappuccino from Flyjin.
4:00 pm
Head to the famous Basilique Notre-Dame to tour around (closes at 4:30).
6:00 pm
Rooftop drinks at Hôtel Nelligan to watch the sunset.
7:30 pm
Dinner at Le Serpent, where playful, rustic dishes meet an incredible interior.
Day 2
9:00 am
Start the day with breakfast at Olive et Gourmando.
10:30 am
Take a bike tour with Fitz & Follwell on the Hoods & Hidden Gem Tour where you’ll discover the area of Plateau Mont-Royal.
3:30 pm
Make the climb to Parc Mont Royal for one of the most beautiful views in the city
6:00 pm
Explore the Quays of the Old Port
7:30 pm
Dinner at Bouillon Bilk for elevated, modern, french-inspired cuisine
PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
