Montreal - Highlights
From the top of Mont Royal, Montreal is a vast sprawl but most of the places to visit are clustered near the centre, on two neighbouring islands, and near the Olympic Stadium.
On the site of the old Expo 67 grounds sit two legacy buildings. The pavilions, which still have a futuristic air over 40 years after they were built, now house the Casino de Montréal. In Old Montreal, founded in 1642, a carriage ride is the most evocative way of learning about the city's historical heart. Central to this is the sculpted wood and gold-leafed interior of Notre Dame Basilica.
Most museums charge an admission fee, but the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, with its excellent Canadian, modern and classic collections, is free. Many museums open late Wed-Fri over the summer. Consider buying a Montreal Museums Pass. It gets you into 33 museums over three days and includes public transport.
