Montreal's highest point and most recognisable landmark is the cross-crowned Mont Royal (Mount Royal), a landscaped park with several kilometres of jogging and skiing tracks and lookout points offering dramatic views of the city and the St Lawrence River.

On its southern slope, the high-rises and modern shopping malls of downtown Montreal are interspersed with older buildings, interesting museums and notable churches. Underlying this is the Underground City, an ever-growing complex of underground pedestrian passageways connecting the métro, major hotels, shopping malls, offices and restaurants.

The first destination for most visitors is Old Montreal, with its spectacular collection of historic buildings, inviting public spaces and the riverside promenades of the adjacent Old Port.

The islands opposite were the site for the Expo 67 World Fair and still offer abundant recreational opportunities under the name Parc Jean-Drapeau. The city's other main attractions are the complex of buildings left over from the 1976 Olympics and the nearby Botanical Garden.

What really makes Montreal unique, though, are its neighbourhoods. The Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile End are urban villages surrounding boulevard St-Laurent ('the Main'), and it was the first place immigrants stopped when arriving in Montreal. The Jewish, East European and Portuguese residents have been joined or displaced by students, artists and, most recently, yuppies. But the place has an undeniable energy.

Further north, Little Italy's cafes and restaurants surround the Jean-Talon Market. Chinatown lies at the south end of boulevard St-Laurent, adjacent to Downtown and Old Montreal.

In 2006 Montreal became the third city in the world (after Buenos Aires and Berlin) to be designated a city of design by UNESCO, and possibly the best place to experience contemporary urban design and architecture in Montreal is the impressive new Quartier international, which links the downtown business core to the Old Montréal/Old Port area.

Note that many attractions that are normally closed Mondays are open on holiday Mondays.

Tourist Information

Centre Infotouriste
1255 rue Peel (near rue Ste-Catherine West)
Tel: (514) 873 2015 or 1 877 266 5687/BONJOUR.
Website: www.bonjourquebec.com
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800 (early Sep-mid Jun); daily 0830-1930 (mid Jun-early Sep).

The Centre Infotouriste provides information on the whole of the province (including Montreal), and shares its location with bureaux de change, tour operators and car hire and travel agencies. Their Sweet Deal offers free nights of accommodation at many popular hotels. The offer is seasonally adjusted and indefinite; information is available on their website.

Tourist Information Centre of Old Montreal (Tourisme Montréal)
174 rue Notre-Dame East (corner of place Jacques-Cartier)
Website: www.tourism-montreal.org
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (Apr-early Jun and early Sep-Oct); daily 0900-1900 (early Jun-early Sep); Wed-Sun 0900-1700 (Nov-Mar).

Passes

The Montreal Museums Pass allows visitors free admission to 32 museums and attractions in the city for three consecutive days. These are available with or without public transport from both tourist offices and participating museums.

© 2006 Columbus Travel Publishing Ltd. Disclaimer

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