Saint Joseph's Oratory
Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The approach is uphill, so allow a few extra minutes. The view from the dome across the city is worth seeing before you head onward.
Morning · 2 hrDay 1
The mountain and the museum
Mount Royal
Hill in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The belvedere lookout faces downtown and gives the quickest sense of how the city is laid out; a good pause before the afternoon indoors.
Morning · 1 hr 15 min
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Art museum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The collection is spread across several pavilions joined by an underground passage. Choose one pavilion if you want to save time for the evening.
Afternoon · 2 hr
Montreal, arts interculturels
Cultural organization in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Evening · 2 hrStart at the Oratory before it fills, then take the park paths downhill toward the museum district.
Day 2
Museums and cathedrals
Redpath Museum
Museum of natural history in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
A small Victorian natural history museum on the McGill campus with limited opening hours, so it suits visitors who are flexible about the schedule.
Morning · 2 hr
McCord Stewart Museum
History museum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Montreal's social history lives here, including strong Indigenous collections; give this one the fuller of the two museum mornings.
Morning · 2 hr
Christ Church Cathedral
Anglican cathedral in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Afternoon · 45 min
Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral
Cathedral in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Evening · 45 minBoth museums sit on the McGill campus, a short walk apart, so the two morning visits flow into each other.
Day 3
Basilicas and the island
St. Patrick's Basilica, Montreal
Minor basilica.
Morning · 45 min
Notre-Dame Basilica
Catholic basilica in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Morning · 45 min.jpg?width=800)
Place Jacques-Cartier
Square in Montreal, Canada.
Afternoon · 45 min
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Public park in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
On the islands off the city centre, reached by metro. In July the park often hosts outdoor events, so arrive early to wander before the crowds gather.
Evening · 1 hr 15 minThe two basilicas are within walking distance of each other; save energy for the island park in the evening.
Good to know
Is Mount Royal worth seeing?
Yes, even briefly. The belvedere lookout over downtown is the fastest way to understand the city's layout, and it sits a short walk from Saint Joseph's Oratory.
Can you walk between the basilicas?
St. Patrick's and Notre-Dame are separate buildings in the central and old parts of town, within reach of each other on foot or by a short metro ride.
How do you get to Parc Jean-Drapeau?
The yellow metro line stops on the island and lets you out at the park entrance, which makes it the simplest way there from downtown.
Are the museums close together?
Redpath and McCord Stewart both sit on the McGill University campus, a few minutes' walk apart, which is why they share one morning.
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