Montreal in a Weekend: What to Eat, See & Do in Canada’s Coolest City

If you’re thinking of a weekend in the “Paris of North America,” we have a ton of recommendations for things to do in Montreal and create the perfect getaway. From cathedrals and cafes to the big Formula 1 racing event that takes place every Summer, here’s a dream weekend itinerary for 2-3 days in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

But before, we start, we recommend purchasing an eSIM for Canada before you travel there so you can stay connected during your time there and also so you can avoid expensive roaming fees. Below we have outlined tips on purchasing an eSIM for Montreal (and Canada in general) and also recommended the best eSIM plans for your time there.

If you’re thinking of travelling to Montreal for the big F1 event, or just a weekend jaunt of sightseeing, you’re going to need reliable mobile device coverage to keep you connected. You don’t want to spend all weekend searching for WiFi hot spots and asking French-only speaking baristas about passwords. Not to mention risking roaming fees and punishing yourself with an expensive bill from your mobile provider.

Get reliable fast local network connection and avoid expensive data roaming fees with an eSIM from Sim Local. Purchase your Canada eSIM plan online and activate it before you even pick up your luggage at arrivals in Montreal’s Trudeau Airport. Below are the the best eSIM plans for Canada for you to choose from.

Unlimited eSIM

Canada

Smartroam

Duration

7 Days

Plan

Data

 

Price

$36.50

Buy Now

Top Seller

Unlimited eSIM

Canada

Smartroam

Duration

15 Days

Plan

Data

 

Price

$49.25

Buy Now

Top Seller

Montreal is a very walkable city and public transit is easy to navigate. If you’re staying in the downtown area, get your weekend started by walking to one of the many cafés on St. Denis street or Old Montreal for a morning croissant and espresso. This can be your entry point for getting into a European mind-frame.

From there, take the Metro subway to the McGill station where you can start your afternoon on sightseeing journey to Mount Royal. Situated at the centre of the city, this “mini mountain” is a fairly easy hike up paths that deliver a spectacular skyline city view and a rich history lesson of the area. There’s even a lake (Lac aux Castors) up there with paddleboats for rent.

After freshening up back at the hotel or AirBnB, make your way to the Plateau for an evening of incredible food that caters to both casual and upscale foodies. Check out places like le Majestique Montreal or La Fabrique, and soak in the vibrant nighttime city buzz.

Now that you have orientated yourself a little, make your way up St. Laurent for a stop at Bagel, Etc., a famously funky breakfast institution that was frequented by legendary local singer vocalist Leonard Cohen. Try the Eggs Benedict, as it is commonly listed as one of the best in the city.

If you’re interested in F1 racing, Montreal is the place to be for the weekend of June 13-15, 2025. Grab some tickets for Day 2 at the Gilles Villeneuve Race Track on Parc Jean-Drapeau and spend a thrilling afternoon watching the some of fastest vehicles in the world compete in the Grand Prix.

After a day of hearing engines revving and tires squealing across the tracks, you might need a chill evening. The Saint-Henri neighbourhood is known as one of Montreal’s coolest zones, with some calling it the “Brooklyn of Montreal.” There, you’ll find a cluster of hip restaurants and bars, including Arthurs Nosh Bar and Terrasse Saint-Ambroise. Don’t miss the curious pink house propped on an abandoned grain silo only a few minutes away by foot.

If you’re staying a third day, make sure you get a full dose of Montreal’s incomparable culture and history. Besides the plethora of public art, multiple symphonies and summer festivals, you can take in a Cirque du Soleil or visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Art. For a Quebec historical experience, visit the UNESCO-designated Chateau Ramezay to learn more about the region’s 500-year history.  

An absolute must for anyone visiting this historic city is to spend time in Old Montreal near the Port. For North Americans, this is like travelling to Europe without the expensive plane ticket. Here you’ll see narrow, cobblestone streets lined with cafés, restaurants, and boutiques. Performers will be juggling in the square while francophone buskers strum their guitars. It’s a beautiful afternoon or evening and the area is almost 400 years old!

Within walking distance of Old Montreal is perhaps the most famous building in the city, Notre-Dame Basilica. Built in 1829, its neo-Gothic architecture dazzles thousands of visitors each year and is considered one of Quebec’s most important religious monuments.

As mentioned earlier, Mount Royal is more of a hill than a mountain, but it’s still an iconic centrepiece to the city. If you’re looking for panoramic views, easy hiking trails, paddleboats, and historic exhibits, a walk up to the “peak” of Mount Royal is a must.

One of the singular distinct culinary inventions of Quebec is a gooey, cheesy concoction called poutine. It’s made from French fries smothered in gravy and topped with cheese curds. It’s not hard to find this calorie-rich delight, but some of the more famous spots to procure poutine are La Banquise and Patati Patata friterie de luxe.  

Montrealers are very proud of their bagels and have a nation-wide reputation for some of the best circular dough outside of New York. Montreal bagels are a different beast – imagine more dense and with a bigger hole in the middle. For a truly authentic bagel experience, visit St-Viateur bagels in the Plateau.

Smoked meat sandwiches are another Montreal signature dish mostly thanks to one deli, in particular. Schwartz’s Deli on St. Laurent is the epicentre for thick, stacked smoked meat sandwiches that bring in crowds from all over the world. They say the key to Montreal smoked meat is abundance of peppercorn and other savoury flavourings.  

Much like its Parisian cousin, Montreal is a city that loves its cafés. Whether you’re strolling through Old Montreal or up and down St. Denis, you will have ample opportunity to find a charming café with incredible people watching. Some cafes of note include the famous Café Olimpico on R. Saint Vincent or Crew Collective & Café, which is housed in beautiful cathedral-like architecture.

Besides the charming European cafés, Old Port is where to eat in Montreal for dining and drinking with an incredible aerial view. Often known as “terrasses,” you can choose from such hot spots as Terrasse Perche, Terrace Nelligan or Terrasse Sur L’Auberge for lunch or dinner while gazing at the St. Lawrence River.

After spending time in Old Montreal, which is arguable the city’s premier tourist attraction, you might need to get off the beaten path during your weekend getaway. Montreal has a vibrant community of artists, and across the city you can find art spaces that cater to the adventurous. For example, check out the “Underground City” that starts at Place des Arts downtown. This free pedestrian pathway runs under downtown Montreal and contain hundreds of public art exhibits from local artists.

The Montreal Grand Prix 2025 is the perfect destination for a revved-up weekend of F1 racing. It takes place June 13 to 15, 2025 at the Gilles Villeneuve Race Track, which is situated within Parc Jean-Drapeau, a charming artificial island in the St. Lawrence River that was originally created for the 1967 World's Fair.

The Montreal F1 2025 race promises to be three days of high-octane competition, thrills, and world-class parties. You can purchase single day tickets or passes for the whole weekend. Bring your ear plugs because these hot rods can get loud.

Whether you're coming to Montreal for the culture, the cuisine, or the high-speed excitement of the Montreal Grand Prix, this city has something unforgettable waiting around every corner. But no matter how packed your itinerary is, don’t let poor mobile coverage or sky-high roaming charges slow you down. Stay connected from touchdown to takeoff with a Canada eSIM from Sim Local. It’s the easiest way to get data access instantly - no SIM swapping, no hunting for WiFi, just smooth, reliable network coverage wherever your Montreal adventure takes you. Grab your Canada eSIM before you go, and make your weekend in the “Paris of North America” as connected and carefree as possible.