Montreal Travel Facts

Language: French is the official language of Québec, but you'll find people who speak English as well.

Time Zones: Montréal switches to Eastern Daylight Time (summer time zone) on the first Sunday of April and returns to Eastern Standard Time (winter time zone) on the last Sunday of October.

Weather and Seasons: The weather in Montréal varies greatly with the four seasons, so visitors are encouraged to check the forecast before packing.

Currency: Canadian currency is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. It's easy to exchange foreign currency in Montréal. You can cash traveller's cheques at banks and exchange offices. Banking and credit cards are also welcome.

Montreal Honeymoon

Making Montreal Memories: The world's second-largest French-speaking city leaves lasting impressions.

It's hard to leave Montréal without lasting memories. The city's assortment of offbeat and traditional, old and new, foreign and familiar, contribute to a packed calendar of events and welcome surprises around every corner. Visitors can explore the vast Underground city, an 18-mile network that connects malls, food halls, movie theaters, hotels, subway stations and office complexes. Montréal is a city-lover's city, with plenty of diversions to please even the most well-traveled urbanite.

It's easy to get around Montréal either by foot or via the clean, convenient metro. Most visitors began their sightseeing in Old Montreal, with its cobblestone streets, historic architecture and charming boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Visitors can take a 90-minute guided walking tour of the area from May to October, or pick up a self-walking tour guide, sold at the Old Montreal tourist information bureau.

The prime attraction in Old Montreal is Notre-Dame Basilica. This spectacular Gothic-Revival-style cathedral was built from 1824 to 1829. A particularly interesting way to see the basilica is to attend the sound and light show, presented Tuesdays through Saturdays. Horse-drawn carriage rides are a popular nighttime diversion in Old Montreal. The carriages leave from the perimeter of Place d'Armes on Notre-Dame Street and last 30 or 60 minutes.

Visitors who wish to stay in Old Montreal can choose from an abundance of options. The area has witnessed a boom in the past few years of trendy yet luxurious boutique hotels. Standouts include Le Saint-Sulpice directly behind the basilica, where many of the 108 spacious suites have a fireplace and private terrace; Hotel Le Saint James, a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World and the only Mobil four-star lodging in Quebec; Hotel Gault with 30 distinctively decorated loft-style rooms; and Hotel Nelligan on the main shopping drag of Rue St-Paul. There's also the 124-suite Marriott SpringHill Suites Old Montreal with an indoor pool and whirlpool.

Pubs, bistros, bars and restaurants line Old Montreal's cobblestone streets, presenting a host of options for sightseers. Many bistros offering simple fare and open-air terraces can be found on Place Jacques-Cartier, including La Grande Terrasse, with a great view of the square and a menu that includes salads, pizzas and burgers. For more upscale fare dine at Chez L'Epicier. This trendy eatery emphasizes local cuisine and is known for its 2,000 plus-bottle wine cellar.