These are the greatest things to do in Montreal in winter, from ice skating in the ancient harbor to relaxing on a spa boat and exploring the city through its food. Check it out right now!
Why should you visit Montreal in winter?
Winter in Montreal is a truly magical time to visit. Winter festivals, snow and ice activities, street markets, and illuminations bring the city to life. Wrap up warm and enjoy the cold weather!
The best things to do in Montreal in winter
On Mount Royal, Have Some Snow Fun!
Mount Royal (the mountain that gave the city its name) is the place to be if you enjoy the great outdoors! It’s really close to the city center, so just take a bus up to the top of the mountain and have some fun in the snow.
Winter had descended in full force on Montreal the day before we arrived. 30-40cm of snow fell in just 24 hours, making it one of the city’s largest snowfalls in years. It meant we were spending our time in the greatest winter wonderland, which was exactly what we needed for a day at Mount Royal.
One of the top winter activities in Montreal? Tubing in the snow! Grab a rubber ring, make your way to the top of Mount Royal’s slope, and fly down, gaining great speed along the way. You won’t stop yelling, smiling, and climbing to the top to do it all over again.
Visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame
A visit to the city’s magnificent cathedral is one of the top activities in Montreal in the winter, summer, or whenever you visit! The outside is fairly simple, so walking inside and seeing the amazing painted roof, elaborate architecture, and gorgeous embellishments is quite astonishing. It truly is breathtaking. There is a cost to enter the cathedral, but this includes a complimentary tour that will inform you about its history and design.
Related post Top 10 Famous Sacred Churches In Montreal You Should Visit Once
Bota Bota Spa Day Relaxation
Bota Bota is an old boat that has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind spa experience. It’s docked near Old Montreal on the St. Lawrence River. The lake around it was completely frozen during our visit, with several inches of snow heaped on top. It wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon!
The spa is famous for its water circuit, which encourages you to switch from warm (sauna/steam room) to cold (plunge pools) experiences before relaxing somewhere comfy. This procedure improves circulation and revitalizes your body.
Bota Bota offers a variety of therapies, as well as a small restaurant on board if you wish to spend the entire day onboard. While you might think Bota Bota is a great spot to visit all year, there’s something extra special about curling up in a sauna and gazing out at the snowy landscapes around you.
Ride the Ferris Wheel in Montreal winter
The tour on the wheel takes around 20 minutes and is located in the ancient port district, overlooking one of the city’s winter ice rinks. Because Montreal is rather flat, it’s an excellent method to see the entire city as well as significant attractions such as Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal Biosphere, and Mount Royal’s top.
This has to be one of the most popular winter pastimes in Montreal. While you can ice skate on Mount Royal (as mentioned above), I recommend paying a visit to the Natrel Skating Rink in Old Montreal near the Ferris wheel.
The scenery is stunning, and in addition to the main rink, there’s a course that loops around, taking you beneath a bridge and closer to Old Montreal. It was even more beautiful at sunset, with a rosy sky around the city.
Discover Montreal’s Surrounding Areas
Montreal, like many great cities, feels like a giant city built up of little towns and villages, each with its own distinct identity. There’s hipster Mile End, up-and-coming Saint-Henri, trendy The Plateau, gourmet destination Little Burgundy, and mural-covered Saint-Laurent Boulevard.
View Some World-Class Art
One of the top winter activities in Montreal? Why not warm up in one of the city’s best galleries? As you can tell, this is a very artistic city, therefore don’t miss a visit to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. It is the city’s largest museum, with five pavilions displaying paintings, sculptures, furniture, and fashion.
Enjoy Montreal En Lumiere’s Displays (Montreal Lights Festival)
You’re in for a treat if you visit Montreal in February! This is the weekend of the city’s famous winter lights festival. With over 500,000 visitors, it is officially one of the world’s largest winter events!
Not only are there gorgeous illuminations around the Quartier Des Spectacles, but there is also a festive village with a variety of entertaining events. Enjoy ice performances, musical acts, gastronomic experiences, parties, and more! In the winter, it’s a terrific place to take the whole family.
Last year’s celebration featured a 300-meter-long musical skating route! Without a doubt, the next one will be much bigger and better!
Do you know Why is Montréal en Lumière Most Prominent Winter Light Festival in Canada?
Try your hand at ice fishing in Montreal winter
There are numerous ice fishing spots in Quebec, but if this is your first time doing this iconic winter activity, I recommend booking a tour. Your guide will show you how to perfect your talent! Many people go to the Pêche Blanche Ice Fishing Village in Old Montreal. Perch and walleye are the most likely fish to be caught.
Experience The Aura At Notre-Dame
Did you know you can visit Notre-Dame Basilica at night for a uniquely immersive experience? Aura is a stunning experience that combines projections and lighting with orchestral music.
Moment Factory and Troublemakers, two Montreal creative agencies, created the concept. Aura is an immersive and gorgeous experience that is a must-see on any Montreal winter itinerary.
Visit the Montréal Fête des Neiges (Montreal Snow Festival)
The Montreal Snow Festival, which takes place in Jean Drapeau Park over many weekends in January and February, is one of the city’s best winter celebrations. It’s a great place for families, with tons of winter activities, including ice skating, tubing, snowshoeing, ice hockey, and cross-country skiing. There’s enough to keep you entertained for the entire day, with live events, music, food vendors, and more.
Test Yourself With An Escape Room
Indoor activities abound in Montreal, making it ideal for the city’s harsh winters. If you’ve never done one before, you should absolutely try one. It’s a difficult hour of code cracking, riddle solving, and observation exercises that should lead to your escape from the confined cell.
Observe the Santa Claus Parade in Montreal this winter
If you happen to be in Montreal in late November, you might see the famous Santa Claus Parade. For nearly 70 years, elaborate floats, marching bands, and performers have made their way through downtown Montreal. What was the most amazing moment of all? When children see Santa Claus on his sleigh!
Visit a Christmas Market in Montreal
Nothing like a warm cup of gluhwein while browsing attractive kiosks selling presents and sweets throughout the holiday season. During the winter season, there are various Christmas markets in Montreal, the most notable of which is Le Grand Marché de Noel de Montréal. This annual event takes place at Quartier des Shows and is a great spot to pick up some Christmas gifts.
An excellent alternative is the Village de Noel de Montréal in Atwater Market Square. As you go across the city, you’ll see several sites that have that classic Christmas market atmosphere!
Let’s Dance the Night Away At the World’s Coldest Music Festival, Igloofest
Igloofest is unlike any other music festival you’ve ever attended! It has a strong emphasis on electronic music, with recent lineups including Fatboy Slim, Diplo, Bonobo, and Claptone.
Every winter, it takes place at the Old Port of Montréal in January and February. Many partygoers use it as an excuse to dress up, with extravagant fur coats, neon ski clothing, and ice queen regalia being popular alternatives!
Post for you Christmas Market Montreal: A magical journey
Which month is the best time to visit Montreal for winter activities?
If you’re planning a winter vacation, December is an excellent time to visit Montreal. There are numerous Christmas markets across the city, as well as numerous stunning lights and illuminations to admire. There are also numerous places to purchase Christmas gifts.
While January is Montreal’s coldest month, with lows around -14°C / 7°F, it’s a perfect time to visit for a winter getaway. There are some really fun festivals every January, such as the Igloofest Music Festival and the Montreal Snow Festival.
How many days does it take to visit Montreal fully?
Three days in Montreal is a good amount of time. During that time, you can visit significant neighborhoods such as the Old Port, Saint-Henri, the trendy The Plateau, the gourmet center Little Burgundy, the hipster Mile End, and the mural-covered Saint-Laurent Boulevard. It will also provide you with an excellent introduction to Montreal’s gastronomic scene.
How do you get around Montreal without a car?
Because Montreal has great public transportation, getting around the city by bus or foot is preferable to driving. Just make sure you have warm, comfy winter walking boots (like these) or thermal insoles.
You’ll need lots of change, such as coins, for bus fare, or you can pre-purchase OPUS public transportation passes, which include one day of unlimited transit around Montreal for $10 CAD.
If you fly in, look for an automatic ticket dispenser in the airport’s international arrivals area. The 747 bus route travels 24/7 from the Montreal airport into the city center and provides unrestricted public transportation travel inside Montreal for one day.
In short, there are many great things to do in Montreal in winter. This city has genuinely evolved into a winter city throughout the years. It hosts a variety of exciting winter events and activities. It offers a novel approach to enjoying the chilly months! Make plans to go to Montreal this winter!
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