Montreal is Canada’s second-largest city and the capital of the province of Quebec in Montreal, which is generally referred to as the world’s second-largest French-speaking metropolis. French Canadians make up the majority of the population.
On the western half of Montreal Island, there are more English-speaking people, whereas, on the eastern side, there are significantly more French speakers.
Complete Guide On Neighborhoods In Montreal
Neighborhoods in Montréal are like members of a large family. Each of them has its own preferences, personality, characteristics. You should spend time getting to know them and appreciating their individuality.
King George Park, Sunnyside Avenue, Lexington Avenue are some of the richest Montreal neighbourhoods, and some cheap rate Montreal neighbourhoods are Pointe-Calumet, Sainte-Catherine, and Charlemagne. Some of the safest Montreal neighbourhoods include Outremont, Mile-end, and West Mount.
Here we have some of the city’s best neighborhoods in Montreal for natives as well as key spots for visitors to stay in Montreal.
1. Plateau Mont-Royal
Plateau Mont-Royal is one of Montreal’s bustling and coolest neighborhoods, which is just waiting to be found by travellers looking for something else than the conventional views of Old Montreal.
Plateau Mont-Royal streets are surrounded by amazing restaurants, bars, and boutique shops. As a result, it is a lively, dynamic, and welcoming neighborhood. Plateau also has Park Lafontaine, which is quite lovely.
Every day, people can be found picnicking, barbecuing, and playing instruments under the shade of the trees on the Plateau Mont-Royal.
2. Old Montreal
Old Montreal is one of the oldest neighborhoods. Its French name is Vieux Montréal and is also known as a historic district. Old Montreal has some beautiful architecture.
Old Montreal, which stretches for many blocks along the Saint Lawrence River’s shoreline, is home to historical sites going back to the 17th century that highlight the city’s aboriginal and colonial origins.
The Old Port of Montreal and Pointe-à-Callière Museum are located on Rue de la Commune, which is well-used by both Montrealers and tourists. The road follows the ancient Saint Lawrence River shoreline.
You will find multiple things to see and do in this cobblestone quarter, including marketplaces, historical landmarks, museums, and architectural wonders. It is the best place for young professionals, students and families
Place d’Armes
The Place d’Armes is the city’s second-oldest public site and is located in the heart of Old Montreal. The Old Bank of Montreal is situated on the north side of Place d’Armes, while the New York Life Building and Art Deco buildings like Aldred Building are on the western side.
Today it is a renowned tourist destination where visitors can see talented street musicians’ performances while admiring some of Montreal’s old buildings.
Saint-Denis Street
Saint-Denis Street in Montreal, Quebec city, is an important north-south road. Its French name is Rue st Denis. Saint-Denis Street in Montreal is a busy thoroughfare that runs through the Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood and the Latin Quarter region. It stretches from Saint Paul Street in Old Montreal to the north end of the island’s Riviere des Prairies bank.
This place offers diverse cultural activities, from art galleries to bookstores to performance spaces like the Theatre du Rideau Vert and the Centre du Theatre d’Aujord’ hui. We can also have French food from Mont royal avenue. Walk down lovely St-Paul Street, one of Montreal’s most coveted stretches of cobblestones. It’s one of Montreal’s second-oldest streets, with the first cobblestone streets dating from 1672, and it served as the city’s primary roadway for many years. Another attraction, Grand Notre Dame Cathedral, is one of the popular spots in Catherine Street.
3. Côte-Des-Neiges
This Montreal neighborhood is becoming one of Montreal’s most vibrant and diversified communities. Saint Joseph’s Oratory, one of the city’s gems, is located in Côte-des-Neiges, a sprawling neighborhood on the western slope of Mount Royal.
Some must-visit places include the historic Snowdon Deli, one of the island’s oldest smoking meat sandwich vendors, a vast minor Catholic shrine, a key pilgrimage site, and Gibeau Orange Julep.
Part of what attracts students and freshly arrived immigrants is the accommodation and the Université de Montréal campus.
4. Mile-Ex
Mile-Ex is a Montréal neighborhood located west of Little Italy and north of Mile End. Between Jean-Talon and the railroad tracks, Mile-Ex extends from Parc Avenue to Clark Street.
Some of the places that make Mile-Ex one of the best neighborhoods in Montréal are Bar Alexandraplatz; one of Mile Ex’s most iconic industrial structures is like a backyard party you can attend without an open invite Manitoba; a Canadian hotel, and Restaurant Mile-Ex, a trendsetting bistro. The neighborhood received its name from the restaurant. It offers both a cafe and a record store, is warm and inviting.
5. Rosemont- La Petite-Patrie
Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie stretches the limits of the
environment living with its abundance of fish aquaculture, hydroponics, and green rooftops. The area is known for its communal spirit and sustainable and environmental values, with over 100 green laneways and public gardens. Family picnic spots like Park Maisonneuve and Park Étienne Desmarteaux offers water theme park for little ones, skating,and soccer.It is the best place for those who are looking for cheap accommodation.
6. Outremont
Outremont is one of Montréal’s most desirable neighborhoods. This central district, which is primarily residential, is located on the northern slope of Mount Royal, with an urban forest covering a third of the territory.
Outremont is absolutely distinctive, with its beautiful village feel just minutes away from the lively neighborhood of Mile End and Plateau Mont-Royal.
The vistas are stunning in every direction. The streets are well-kept, the parks are beautifully planted, the schools are excellent, and the companies are well-supported and thus thriving.
Laurier Avenue Ouest is lined with elegant fashion boutiques, while Avenue Bernard is lined with cafes and elegant, laid-back eateries. Some must-visit parks are Outremont Park, Saint-Viateur Park and Beaubien park. It is one of the safest Montreal neighbourhood.
7. Saint Henri
Saint-Henri is one of the popular neighbourhoods in Montreal. Saint Henri is located in the South-West borough and is bordered to the south by the Little Burgundy and Griffintown areas and the Lachine Canal.
Atwater Market is a famous market that opened in 1933. It is situated in the Saint-Henri neighborhood. Many butchers and the Première Moisson bakery and café can be seen inside the Atwater market. There are many farmers’ stalls selling both local and international products and two cheese shops, a wine shop, and a fish shop on the outdoor market.
Saint Henri offers a lot of restaurants and cafes near to the apartments. It has always attracted young professionals.
8. Mile End
One of the happening and coolest neighborhoods is Mile End. Mile end neighborhood offers Italian-style cafes, fashion boutiques, bagels and theatres. Mile End has been known for its artistic scene since the 1980s, with filmmakers, musicians, artists, and writers, such as Bran Van, Arcade Fire, Grimes, and Sean Michaels.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Mile End was significantly gentrified, and rents have continued to rise as the Laurier West strip has become more upmarket. Because of the rent increases, several small companies have closed, particularly on Bernard Street and Saint Viateur Avenue.
Citizens have been protesting the rent prices increases, such as in March 2021, when hundreds of people went up at an old bookstore on Saint Viateur Avenue with their favourite books to defend the community’s cornerstone, which was on the verge of closing. As a result of these causes, most of Mile End’s artist population and poorer people have relocated to Park Extension and other nearby neighborhoods, further away from Downtown Montreal.
Mile End is home to art galleries, fashion boutiques, designers’ studios, and cafés, all of which have contributed to Mile End’s inclusion on multiple lists highlighting the world’s most hip and unique neighborhoods. Visitors can have everything within walking distance.
9. Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
It is one of the safest Montreal neighbourhood . It is located in Montreal’s West End of the downtown area and consists of Loyola to the west and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce to the east.
It is a perfect example of Multiculturalism in Canada which provides significant social and intellectual variety. Families looking for the ideal balance of location and money are drawn to the area by spacious housing, open areas, and reputable schools.
The Pointe-à-Callière Museum and the Old Port of Montreal are located on Rue de la Commune (English: De la Commune Street), which both Montrealers and tourists use. The road follows the ancient Saint Lawrence River shoreline. It has many independent coffee shops and restaurants.
10. Milton Park
Milton Park is one of the oldest and most distinctive neighborhoods. Located just outside of the Downtown District, Milton Park was formerly known as a thriving community. It is located near McGill University; therefore, numerous students and residents live here.
The street is filled with Victorian model houses, and trees are lined, which increases its beauty. Cozy eateries, cafes, bars along busy streets like Park Avenue and Sherbrooke Street are found here. Cinéma du Parc, a modest underground mall, screens indie films and conducts film festival screenings.
11. Downtown Montreal
Downtown Montréal is a bustling neighborhoods. It is a hub for retailers, office employees, and McGill and Concordia students. Rue Sainte-Catherine is lined with chain stores and malls, while Crescent Street is noted for its crowded pubs. Sainte-Catherine Street is the city’s main commercial thoroughfare stretches to the city centre.
Other downtown shopping options include the Museum Quarter, a tiny section surrounding the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts featuring art galleries and large stores. On the night, tens of thousands of people flocked to downtown Montreal for a massive homecoming celebration for a local band and global success store Arcade Fire.
Wine and dine at Brasserie T for the ultimate French bistro foie gras. It is next to the festival hub Place des Festivals and the Musée D’art Contemporain.
Quartier des Spectacles
The Quartier des Spectacles is an entertainment district that is an arts and entertainment zone in Downtown Montreal’s eastern part, established as a hub for the city’s cultural festivals and events. Place Des Arts is situated at the centre of the entertainment district. From the apartment, there is only walking distance to some popular spots.
Place Ville-Marie lies above an underneath shopping mall that serves as the hub of the world’s largest underground city, Montreal. It has indoor access to stores, museums, restaurants, universities, offices, enterprises, bus terminals, metro stations, train stations, and tunnels that run throughout downtown. Saint Catherine Street, Canada’s busiest commercial boulevard, serves as the city’s primary axis.
12. The Gay village
The Gay Village is one of the popular neighborhoods, Quebec, Canada, divided between Saint Catherine Street East and Atateken Street. It is located in the Ville-Marie district. It is also known as the village.
Following the movement of many LGBT companies from other sections of the city, the neighborhood became increasingly appealing to the gay and lesbian population. Because of tremendous investment from all levels of government, the neighborhood has become increasingly gentrified.
13. Pointe-Saint-Charles
Pointe-Saint-Charles is a neighborhood in southwest Montreal lined with parks, notably the Lachine Canal National Historic Site, which offers picnic spaces, multi-use trails, and boating.
Pointe Saint-Charles, known as the birthplace of Canada’s industrialization, retains the spirit of 19th and 20th century Montreal. Its industries have long ago been turned into offices, apartments, and innovation hubs.
The Point was mostly populated by French-Canadians and Irish, and it is regarded as the hub of Irish Montreal. There is also museum like the Mansion Saint-Gabriel museum and the historic Montreal Irish Monument and as well as casual pubs, restaurants, and cafes.
14. Old Port Montreal
It is one of the best neighborhoods, located near to the Old Montréal. This place offers tourists and residents access to the Montreal Clock Tower, Montreal Science Centre and Theatre.
Food, sports, music events, open-air festivals are all held at the Port. La Grande Roue de Montréal, the port’s boardwalk, the Old Port Skating Rink, Mount Royal park, the MTL Zipline, and the SOS Labyrinth are just a few of the popular attractions.
The Port also hosts significant events such as Cirque du Soleil shows, Igloo fest, Canada Day celebrations, and New Year’s celebrations, all of which occur along the river’s banks.
15. Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is one of the best neighborhoods, Canada, on the island’s east end. This place is known for its attractive streetscapes, abundant green spaces, and community vibe. It is south of the city’s Olympic Stadium.
It’s a bustling urban village with a welcoming small-town atmosphere. Hochelaga-Maisonneuve once was a booming industrial municipality and now a predominantly French-speaking working-class neighborhood, provides an honest look into Montréal’s francophone heritage.
16. West Island
The West Island is the westernmost section of Montreal’s island. It is primarily a residential neighborhood. It is the best place for those looking for low-rent apartments and a good place for family living and students.
The Macdonald campus of McGill University is located in the charming village of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. In Montreal’s West Island, Pointe-Claire is a major borough. It’s on Lake Saint Louis, on the island’s coast. The natural park Bois-de-Liesse is a must-visit place on West Island.
Closing Thoughts
It may take some time to decide where to live in Montreal, so don’t make a long-term commitment until you’ve visited more of the city. There is an organization called Tourisme Montreal, which helps visitors find the best tourist place and neighborhoods in Montreal.
We have outlined which Montreal neighbourhoods would be the best fit for newcomers. Some other neighborhoods include Griffin town, Verdun, Saint Leonard, Anjou, Villeray and many more. You can choose where to live according to your preference.
Last Updated on by Sanjana