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 berth in Vieux Port (Old Port), at the centre of Vieux Montreal (Old Montreal). They tie up at Iberville Passenger Terminal, within walking distance (2km) of the restaurants, bars, boutiques and historic sites of Vieux Montreal.
By the pier are several attractions, including a science centre, an IMAX theatre and a clock tower that can be climbed for sweeping city views.
Travel from the airport by shuttle service or taxi (35$).
Take a printable map with you.
Montreal combines much of Paris's Gallic appeal—French language, excellent restaurants, historic buildings, animated streets and pavement cafés—with a character many visitors consider more casual and friendly than its European counterpart. International and truly multicultural, it is a memorable North American city in its own right.
The Museum Quarter forms the heart of the city's cultural life and spreads outward from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Its historical and architectural richness carries into the nearby streets, giving the district an atmosphere visitors remember. Crescent, de la Montagne and Sherbrooke Streets sit at the centre of its lively commercial scene, where designer fashion and décor boutiques, international stores, art galleries, jewellers and refined dining are all part of the appeal.
Getting around
Montreal is an easy city to explore on foot.
There is a full range of rentals, sales and repairs for tandems, kid's trailers, roller blades, electric bikes and scooters.
Public transport is an excellent way to travel around Montréal. The large blue signs with white arrows point towards the underground métro, one of the world's safest systems. Fast and well connected, the métro serves downtown and major visitor sights, and links with Montréal's frequent buses and train service.
Take a jet-boat trip on the St. Lawrence River.
Montreal hop-on/hop-off tours are also available.
Food and shopping
Sainte-Catherine Street crosses nearly the whole city from east to west, and its side streets pair restaurants of every nationality with international-brand boutiques, major department stores, intimate café terraces, lively nightclubs and bars. The Place Ville Marie esplanade, where the underground network began, gives a spectacular outlook over McGill College Avenue and Mount Royal. Montreal's underground city has passageways lined with over 1,000 stores, offering a useful alternative in bad weather.
Money
The local currency is the Canadian dollar.
ATMs are found in many supermarkets, malls, airports and similar places, and most connect to international networks such as Cirrus, Plus, Star and Maestro. Major credit cards can also be used to withdraw cash, but this is usually costlier because a service fee applies and interest starts immediately.
Staying connected
Montreal is intensely French in character, at times more so than cities in France, and internet and WiFi facilities are widely available.