Making the most of Montreal
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships pull into the dock in the Vieux Port (Old Port), which is in the heart of Vieux Montreal (Old Montreal). Your ship will tie up at Iberville Passenger Terminal, which is within walking distance (2km) of restaurants, bars, boutiques and historical sites in Vieux Montreal.
Right at the pier you will find attractions which include a science center, an IMAX theater and a clock tower you can climb for great views of the city.
Use the Shuttle service from the airport or a taxi. (35$)
Printable map to take along.
Montreal has much of the Gallic charm associated with Paris-the French language, fine restaurants, historic buildings, lively streets and sidewalk cafes. But many visitors find it much more casual and friendly than its European counterpart. A truly multicultural city with an international population, Montreal is a place unto itself-one of the most memorable urban destinations in North America.
At the heart of the city's cultural life, the Museum Quarter radiates out from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum Quarter's historical and architectural richness, spilling over into surrounding streets, creates a special ambiance that leaves a lasting impression on visitors. Crescent, de la Montagne and Sherbrooke Streets are the hub of the district's vibrant business life. High-end, designer fashion and décor boutiques, international shops, art galleries, jewellers and exquisite fine dining never fail to win visitors over.
Getting around
Montreal is a very walkable city.
Full service of rentals, sales and repairs of tandems, kid's trailer, roller blades, electric bikes and scooters.
Public transport is a great way to get around Montréal. Notice those big blue signs with the white arrows? That's the way to the city's underground métro system–one of the safest in the world. The métro is fast and it links all of downtown and major tourist destinations, as well as connecting to Montréal's frequent bus service and the train.
Take a jet boat ride along the St. Lawrence River.
Hop on/hop off tours of Montreal.
Food and shopping
Along Sainte-Catherine Street-which traverses almost the entire city from east to west-and up and down the cross streets, restaurants of every nationality share sidewalk space with international name-brand boutiques, great department stores, intimate café-terrasses and very happening nightclubs and bars. A spectacular view of McGill College Avenue and Mount Royal comes into view from the Place Ville Marie esplanade, the birthplace of the underground network. Montreal's "underground city," where you'll find passageways lined with over 1,000 stores is a good alternative in case of bd weather.
Money
Canadian dollar
You will find ATMs in many grocery stores, malls, airports and so on, and most are linked to the international networks, the most common being Cirrus, Plus, Star and Maestro. You can also grab cash from an ATM if you use a major credit card although this method tends to be more expensive because, in addition to a service fee, you'll be charged interest immediately.
Staying connected
This is a very French city, sometimes more than any city in France. Plenty of internet and WiFi facilities around.