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Canada · Québec

Montreal and Québec City travel guide

French-speaking cities, bagels and a walled old town

Château Frontenac in Old Québec. Photo: Xavier Fournier-Blais, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

6h 45mflight from London
YULnearest main airport
22° in Julwarmest month
-11° in Jancoolest month

Montreal is a stylish, French-speaking city with a cobbled old port, festivals all summer and famous bagels and smoked meat.

Québec City, three hours away, is the only walled city north of Mexico, with the Château Frontenac towering over its old town. It's magical in winter for the carnival.

Good forCity breaksFoodFestivalsHistory

What Montreal is known for

  • Old Québec

    A walled UNESCO city.

  • Bagels and poutine

    Montreal favourites.

  • Festivals

    Jazz and comedy in summer.

  • Winter Carnival

    Ice palaces and parades.

Top things to do in Montreal and Québec City

  1. 1

    Old Montreal

    Cobbled streets and Notre-Dame Basilica.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Mount Royal

    Views over the city.

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  3. 3

    Old Québec

    The walls and Château Frontenac.

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  4. 4

    Montmorency Falls

    Higher than Niagara.

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See all tours and tickets in Montreal

Where to stay in Montreal and Québec City

Find a hotel in Montreal

Best time to visit Montreal and Québec City

Best value: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. June to September for festivals; February for the Winter Carnival.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
-11.2 C-11°J-9.6 C-10°F-3.3 C-3°M5.4 C5°A13.2 C13°M18.5 C18°J21.7 C22°J21.1 C21°A16.8 C17°S8.8 C9°O1.4 C1°N-6.6 C-7°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Montreal and Québec City, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 6h 45m from London to YUL, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Montreal has a good metro. Trains link the two cities in about 3 hours.

Airport transfer to Montreal

Find flights to Montreal (YUL)

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Good to know

  • A few words of French are appreciated.
  • Try poutine, smoked meat and maple taffy.
  • Winters are very cold: pack properly.
Canada guidesVisasWhen to goFlight times

Montreal and Québec City FAQ

Montreal or Québec City?

Montreal for food and nightlife, Québec for history.

Do they speak English?

Yes, especially in Montreal.

More places in Canada

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