Last updated on December 16th, 2024 at 09:21 pm
So, you want to spend 4 days in Montreal?
European charm in North America is a rarity, but not in Montreal. For travelers looking for a creative city with a French flair, then the Paris of the North is the place for you. 4 days in Montreal is the ideal amount of time to enjoy strolls along the cobblestone streets of the Old Town or restaurant hopping in the quirky neighborhood of Plateau Mont-Royal.
Looking for what you need on the go? Take a look at the suggestions below!
🏨 Maison Sainte Therese – Old Town
🏨 Hotel Uville – Old Port
🍴 Montreal Food Walking Tour
How to Get There
An easy drive from any of the New England states, spending 4 days in Montreal is relatively straight forward if you plan to bring your can with you. From Boston the drive is 5 hours and New York will be a little under 7 hours. The roads are easy to navigate, but if you’re looking to visit in the winter, keep an eye on the weather and road conditions as it gets snowy.
Air Canada also offers direct routes from many U.S. cities (which is also pretty affordable depending on your starting location and time of travel). Be sure to bring your passport for the border crossings- many people forget you’re entering a different country!
Where to Stay in Montreal for 4 Days
If you’re only in Montreal for 4 days, you’ll want to make the most of your trip by staying in neighborhoods that are close to all the action. If it’s your first time, I’d personally recommend staying in the Old Port district if you want European charm that’s walkable to other areas.
The Quartier des Spectacles is the city’s cultural hub with a slew of year-round festivals and events (including the Grand Marche de Noel Christmas Market). Downtown is a busy area for shoppers, students, and all the good eats of ChinaTown.
The Old Port of Montreal (Vieux-Port de Montréal) is home to the city’s historic Old Town- think European-inspired streets and narrow streets. The charming neighborhood of Plateau Mont-Royal is the furthest of the four areas, but is lined with busy bars, diverse restaurants, colorful townhouses, and definitely worth a stay.
Maison Sainte Therese Hotel
Stroll along a side street in the Old Town and you’ll find the small building of Maison Sainte Therese. A well-known library in the 1800’s turned charming boutique hotel in the heart of the Old Town, Maison Sainte Therese maintains the charm and character of the building’s history through exposed original stone and brick, while blending modern amenities to make every stay seamless.Â
The best part? You’re steps from restaurants, museums, and bars (including the quaint bar Bisou Bisou on the lower of the building. Scandi-minimalist interiors and exposed brick add a certain je ne sais quoi to the space, while pops of color in the artwork and furnishings provide an element of warmth and comfort.
More of an Apart-Hotel concept, the check-in/check-out process is all virtual but staff are available 24/7 by text/phone if needed. Fresh croissants are delivered to the hotel each morning for guests to enjoy the tastes of Montreal, while the rooftop is accessible by key and provides excellent views of the city no matter the season!
Uville Hotel Montreal
Wedged between the bustling Old Town streets and Port area, Uville Hotel is located along Youville Park. The hotel is within walking distance to everything, and even has a cozy cafe area serving their infamous Chocolat Chaud recipes and nibbles. Breakfast is complimentary and delivered to rooms each morning, too. Â
Part museum-part hotel, Uville tells the story of the events of the 60s and 70s that helped shape Montreal. Photos and films from the National Film Board of Canada line the walls from the 1st to 4th floor- making for an interesting stay. To match Uville’s unique interiors, rooms offer a slice of the past through artwork, short stories, selected films, and turntable vinyls.
Day One: Venturing Through the Old Town
The cobblestone streets of the Old Town are just begging to be explored. In the winter months, storefronts are beautifully adorned with hanging garlands and decorations- something reminiscent of a Hallmark movie. Thursdays-Saturdays can get pretty busy when lines begin and music pulsates from the bars, but Sundays are relatively quiet if you want some downtime to explore.
At most place, prices reflect the popularity of the Old Town, but it’s still well worth visiting and finding the off-the-beaten path local spots with drink specials. Some of my favorites during my 4 day stay were in this area- so much so that we found ourselves returning night after night.
Where to Eat/Drink in the Old Town/Port
Bisou Bisou: Cocktail and wine bar
Cold Room: Underground speakeasy
El Pequeno: One of the smallest bars in Canada
L’infâme Tittle Tattle: Cocktail bar with martini specials
Wolf & Workman: English gastropub
Stash Cafe: Traditional Polish restaurant
Pincette Bar Ă Homard: Chic seafood restaurant
Bisou Bisou: Walk down a flight of stairs to find the soft-lighting and warm atmosphere of Bar Bisou Bisou (on the lower level of Maison Sainte Therese Hotel). A cocktail & apéritif bar in the heart of Old Montréal, Bisou Bisou is known for low ABV cocktails, sherry, and vermouth (but don’t skip out on their impressive wine selection!) They also have a small selection of nibbles. I’d recommend the cheese/charcuterie board.
Cold Room: When you walk across from Bisou Bisou and see a steel door with a line, you know you’ve found the Cold Room speakeasy. A Montreal staple, the bar offers a unique and unforgettable experience for cocktail enthusiasts. Simply ring the doorbell, wait, and follow a member of staff down to the subterranean depths of the Cold Room.
El Pequeno: A Cuban-inspired cocktail bar in the heart of Old Montreal, El Pequeno is designed around the golden age of tourism in Havana, Cuba. As one of the smallest bars in Canada, the space is intimate, cozy, and only seats around 10 people (if that).
L’infâme Tittle Tattle: Don’t be fooled by the pink exteriors of Tittle Tattle Bar. A cozy and moody interior awaits all cocktail lovers, with martini specials weekly. Co-owned by Loyd Von Rose from Drink Master (Netflix), the menu features a selection of flamboyant recipes you won’t find anywhere else.
Wolf and Workman: An English gastropub originally built in the 1830’s, Wolf & Workman has all the comforts of a traditional British haunt. Sit at the cozy bar and grab a pint or two or relax in the beautiful courtyard. If you want an authentic dish, try the full English breakfast with all the works.
Stash Cafe: A traditional restaurant with a delicious menu representative of the Polish kitchen, Stash Cafe has become a staple in Montreal for more than 50 years. The long wooden tables, red lampshades, and dim lighting make for a warm environment for all. Don’t miss out on their music nights. Na zdrowie!
Pincette Bar à Homard: Wooden furnishings and lobster traps across the ceiling at Pincette, you’ll be transported to a luxury seafood shack along Rue Saint-Paul. While there are food options for every palette, the seafood choices really do stand out. Begin with a few oysters, and then sample the tuna tartar, snow crab arancini, and seared scallops.
Day Two: Museum Hopping and Sightseeing
Assuming day one is to get acquainted with the city and relax a little after your travel day, on day two you’ll want to visit some museums and see some sites. With only 4 days in Montreal, you’ll want to pick and choose where to go! Below are the places I visited and recommend:
- Notre-Dame Basilica
- Château Ramezay
- Museum of Illusions
- Marché Bonsecours
If you want to save the museums to tack onto another day, then I’d suggest taking a day trip to the picturesque city of Quebec. By train it’s around 3 hours or so, but if you want everything organized and a tour guide along the way, then I’d book one of the below!
Day Three: The Artsy Neighborhood of Plateau Mont-Royal
Google maps says it takes 50 minutes to walk from the Old Town to Plateau Mont-Royal, but when there’s so much to see along the way, time flies by- and with only 4 days in Montreal, you can’t miss it! You’ll leave the towering buildings of the main city to find streets lined with colorful townhouses, parks, and winding staircases. The laid back neighborhood is known for its variety of restaurants, bars, and galleries.
Where to Eat/Drink in Plateau Mont-Royal
Bar Vivar: Spanish Tapas
Pit Caribou: Local Brewery
Pub L’Île Noire: Whiskey Bar
Ma Poule Mouillée: Portuguese Poutine
Bar Vivar: The welcoming atmosphere of Bar Vivar is evident the moment you enter. With a specific concept in mind, Georges Greiche and Patrick Oakes have created something that’s both accessible and cozy to all. The menu reflects traditional dishes that are designed to share, including the signature tortilla dish (which is only $6 for a slice!) Sat on the corner of Duluth Street with windows all around, the small restaurant is intimate and reminiscent of Spain’s quaint tapas bars.
Pit Caribou Brewery: The original location founded in the picturesque fishing village of L’Anse-à -Beaufils, Pit Caribou opened its doors back in 2007 and quickly became a well-known enterprise. The Plateau Mont-Royal location offers a variety of beers on tap, including flights where you can sample a few different flavors. During the week they host events for visitors and locals to gather- it’s a great spot to meet people.
Ma Poule Mouillée: One of Montreal’s most popular Portuguese chicken rotisseries (and made extra famous thanks to the popular Netflix show, Feeding Phil), Ma Poule is best known for their Portuguese take on poutine. Think fries, gravy, cheese curds, chorizo, and chicken- it’s just as good as it sounds!
Pub L’Île Noire: The dark interiors and comfortable bar of L’Île Noire welcome spirit and beer lovers alike. With more than 500 whiskeys, over 250 gins, 18 different beers on tap, and a selection of wines- there’s a little something for everyone!Â
Day Four: Downtown Exploration
It’s your last day in Montreal on your 4 day trip! If you’re visiting in the winter months, be sure to head to the Grand Marche de Noel in the heart of the Downtown area and then visit the Esplanade Tranquille ice rink. After all the festive fun the warmth of Nyk’s bar is waiting when you need a pint and a few light nibbles.
Explore the winding depths of the Underground City and then stroll over to Saint Catherine’s Street for shopping pandemonium. Inside the Eaton Mall, Time Out Market is worth the visit for a late lunch or early dinner (the pasta at Il Miglio is a winner!) Wanting to continue the food sampling? Simply walking through ChinaTown is a tour in and of itself. Visit local eateries before heading back to your hotel for the evening.
