Montreal Solo Travel Guide
Set on an island, Montreal is a vibrant city in the province of Quebec. The city offers plenty of culture, an excellent culinary scene, and thriving nightlife. Montreal also has a bit of European flair, with parts of the city showcasing cobblestone streets and historic charm.
From relaxing at the lovely parks, to tasting the delicious local foods, to exploring the magnetizing streets of Old Montreal, there’s so much to do for women traveling alone. Keep reading below for our Montreal solo travel guide.
Solo Travel in Montreal – Top Things to Do
Montreal is one of my favorite Canadian cities to visit. It has quite a laid-back atmosphere where you can picnic at the park, or leisurely meander along the river in the Old Port. Here are some of the top activities to do on a solo trip to Montreal.
Mount Royal Park
This massive green space is located right in the city and is easy to reach from downtown Montreal. At Mount Royal Park, you’ll find scenic lookout points, trails, and a serene lake. Don’t miss the Belvédère Kondiaronk terrace which showcases striking views of the city. It’s even better at sunset! Climb up the various staircases which lead to the massive terrace with panoramic views.
In the warmer months, stop by the George-Étienne Cartier Monument on Sundays for the Tam-Tams. This lively outdoor party exudes a bohemian vibe with drumming circles and dancing.
Old Montreal
Old Montreal is the highlight of the city. Lined with cobblestone streets, this neighborhood is brimming with boutiques, cafes and galleries. Enjoy a walk through the charming small streets, with the main street being Rue Saint-Paul. You’ll come across places of interest such as Bonsecours Market, Notre Dame Basilica and the Old Port.
On a small-group walking tour of Old Montreal, navigate the highlights of this historic area and learn about the city’s culture.
Notre Dame Basilica
Located in the heart of the Old Montreal district, this notable landmark has an impressive interior with intricate design and vibrant stained glass windows. Admire the Gothic Revival architecture of the basilica, which was built between 1824 and 1829.
There’s also separate tickets for AURA, which is an immersive light performance in the evening. During this experience, the interior of the basilica is lit up, visitors take a seat in the pew and enjoy a 25-minute sound and light show.
Jean Talon Market
At this open-air market, you’ll find vendors selling an assortment of items such as baked goods, fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses. Browse through the walkways which are lined with stalls displaying delectable items.
This is an excellent stop for solo travelers looking to browse specialty items or do some food shopping. If you want some local insight into the market, check out the Jean-Talon Market Hidden Gems Guided Food Tour. The market is also convenient to get to, as it’s a short walk from the Jean Talon metro station.
Barbie Expo
This free exhibition is home to an incredible collection of Barbie dolls. Discover more than 500 Barbies with outfits from famous designers, along with rare dolls and celebrity dolls. Browse the vast selection and see dolls that date from the 1960’s up to the present day. Admire the Barbie dolls’ classic wardrobe as well as glamorous outfits by designers such as Christian Dior and Vera Wang. The Barbie Expo is housed on the second floor of the Les Cours Mont-Royal shopping mall.
Old Port
Adjacent to Old Montreal, the Old Port runs parallel to the St Lawrence River. Enjoy a nice walk on the 1.5 mile stretch along the river, or revel in the awesome view during a ride on the giant observation wheel. The Old Port is also great for people-watching; sit on a lounge chair at Clock Tower beach, have a snack on a bench or a meal on a bistro terrace. Montreal has an excellent network of bike lanes and paths. If you’re looking for something more active, there are guided bike tours that go through the Old Port.
Solo Dining in Montreal – What to Eat in Montreal
Montreal-Style Bagels
Montreal-style bagels differ from the traditional bagel that most of us are thinking of. They are thinner and sweeter, with a larger hole in the center. They are hand-rolled, poached in honey water and cooked in a wood-fire oven. Montreal-style bagels are absolutely worth trying, specifically at St. Viateur-Bagels.
St. Viateur Bagels is the longest-running bagel shop in the city and is the go-to spot for locals and visitors. While I’m a fan of the New York-style bagel, I love the slightly sweet taste and chewy texture of the Montreal-style bagel.
Poutine
Originating from Quebec in the 1950’s, poutine is a classic dish consisting of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. It’s a very common item that people love to try when visiting Montreal or Quebec. There’s no shortage of places where you can find poutine in the city, however some of the best spots to taste this savory dish are La Banquise and Restaurant Chez Claudette.
Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich
Montreal-style smoked meat is another popular item that solo visitors might want to taste. It’s essentially a deli meat, consisting of seasoned beef brisket that is cured, then smoked, then steamed. The most famous place to give this delicacy a try is Schwartz’s Deli. Schwartz’s Deli is sort of a tourist attraction on its own and can often be quite busy. It also has a longstanding reputation, being in operation for over 90 years.
French Pastries
French pastries are another food item worth sampling on a solo getaway to Montreal. Stop by the Kouign Amann Bakery located on the Mont-Royal Avenue shopping street. This patisserie is home to an assortment of French baked goods, including croissants, tarts and quiches. The bakery is named after the Kouign Amann, a sweet French pastry with flaky buttery layers. As bakeries are open early, it’s an excellent place for solo travelers to grab a tasty treat before or during sightseeing.
Best Places to Stay in Montreal
Downtown
The most convenient area for solo female travelers to stay is right in downtown Montreal. This bustling district ensures you are close to sightseeing attractions and evening activities. With a large selection of hotels to choose from in this area, there’s different options for various budgets. If you’re staying downtown, it truly is the city center, and walking distance to Old Montreal, Mount Royal Park, and Gare Centrale (train station).
Old Montreal + Old Port
Old Montreal is a wonderful area to stay in when traveling by yourself. There are a variety of boutique hotels in the neighborhood. From here, you can simply explore Old Montreal at all hours of the day. You can also easily walk to the Old Port district which is adjacent to Old Montreal. Old Montreal is quite lovely to walk around in the evening, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes available.
Le Plateau Mont-Royal
The Plateau area is located just outside downtown. It’s a laid-back neighborhood that can be categorized as creative and trendy. It’s a wonderful area to walk around, and has lots of cafes and bistros. In Plateau, you can easily access the amazing food and shops on Mont-Royal Avenue, as well as the trails and green space at La Fontaine Park. Plateau is an excellent neighborhood for solo women looking for more of a residential area, but with all the amenities.
How to Get Around Montreal as a Solo Traveler
Metro + Public Transit
For single travelers staying downtown or in Old Montreal, you’ll be able to walk to many places. Otherwise, Montreal has an excellent underground metro system that’s reliable and easy to use. There are four different metro lines with stops that operate between downtown and various other neighborhoods.
There are a variety of ticket options for the metro, including single (1-trip) tickets, 24-hour pass, and 3-day pass. If you’re planning to use the metro quite a bit, then the 24-hour or 3-day pass might make the most sense. Bus schedules and fares can be found on the STM (Société de transport de Montréal) website.
Sightseeing Bus Tour
Given all the sights that Montreal has to offer, a sightseeing bus tour is an efficient way to see the city’s top landmarks. With live commentary, the bus takes you along various places including Montreal Olympic Park, Montreal’s Chinatown, and Saint Joseph’s Oratory.
The bus tour is also an ideal option if your visit to Montreal is short. It also brings you to attractions that might be a little more inconvenient to get to yourself. As you ride in the bus, you can also see the bustling streets, lively plazas and atmosphere of the city.
Underground City
Several buildings in Montreal’s downtown core are connected through a pedestrian network called the Underground City. This is a series of pathways that go through shopping centers and commercial complexes such as the Cours Mont-Royal, Montreal Eaton Center and Gare Centrale train station.
Initially it can be a little challenging figuring out which direction to go in, however there are signs that guide the way which I found helpful. The paths are a unique way to get around and especially useful on a rainy or cold day.
Airport Bus
If you’re arriving by plane from the YUL Montreal-Trudeau Airport, to get downtown, you can take a taxi or get on the Line 747 bus which is a bus route that runs between the YUL Montreal-Trudeau Airport and the Berri-UQAM metro station downtown.
Read More for Solo Travelers:
Popular Reads
