Cheap things to do in Montreal
Noodles, bagels, markets and good bars: Montreal on a tight budget.
This is Montreal for people who eat well without spending much, walk a lot, and end the night at a proper local bar. The route moves from Old Montreal and Chinatown through the Olympic quarter and into Mile End and the Plateau, the neighbourhoods where the city actually lives. No tasting menus, no hotel spas: just the stuff worth the trip.
Day 1: Chinatown and the Old Port
Start slow over coffee near Chinatown, spend the morning in a colonial museum, eat Lan Zhou noodles for lunch, walk the St. Lawrence waterfront, then end the evening with dumplings and a pint at Knox.
- 9:30 AM
OSMO X MARUSAN Café-Terrasse
Relaxed terrace café, good local spot for a morning coffee before heading out.
Map - 10:15 AM
Château Ramezay
Historic museum in a colonial mansion, affordable entry and walkable from Chinatown.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 2:00 PM
Vieux-Port
Free waterfront park along the St. Lawrence, great for a post-lunch walk and people-watching.
Map - 7:30 PM
Sammi & Soupe Dumpling - (Chinatown)
Cheap and beloved Chinatown dumplings, excellent value dinner.
Map - 9:00 PM
Day 2: Olympic Quarter to Mile End
Walk the Olympic Stadium grounds, spend the morning in the botanical garden, grab a classic bagel at St-Viateur, then dinner at Kahwa Café and a drink at Bar Henrietta in Mile End.
- 9:30 AM
Stade olympique
Start the day with a stroll around the iconic Olympic Stadium, free to walk the grounds and soak in the landmark.
Map - 11:00 AM
Jardin botanique de Montréal
One of the world's great botanical gardens: Chinese and Japanese gardens and big greenhouses; paid entry.
Map - 12:30 PM
St-Viateur Bagel & Café Mont-Royal
Wood-fired Montreal bagels: a sesame bagel with cream cheese and lox at the Mont-Royal café.
Map - 7:30 PM
Kahwa Café
Plateau sandwich shop on Mont-Royal: merguez or falafel on turmeric and black cumin bread baked to order.
Map - 9:30 PM
Bar Henrietta
Mile End bar with Portuguese-style snacks and well-made cocktails, an easy last stop.
Map
Day 3: Jean-Talon Market and the Plateau
Browse the best market in the city, eat cheap Chinese in Little Italy, take a slow afternoon in Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier, and finish with poutine and pea soup at a classic Québécois diner.
- 9:30 AM
Café Olimpico
Mile End's Italian espresso bar, family-run since 1970: a cappuccino at the counter with the regulars.
Map - 10:30 AM
Marché Jean Talon
Marché Jean-Talon is the best free browse in the city, local produce, street food stalls, and great people-watching.
Map - 12:30 PM
J'ai Feng
Cheap, beloved Chinese spot in Little Italy, right near the market, high scores, honest price.
Map - 2:30 PM
Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier
Free neighbourhood park on the Plateau for a slow afternoon walk back toward Mile End.
Map - 7:30 PM
Restaurant Chez Claudette
Classic Québécois diner, poutine, pea soup, and old-school Plateau charm at diner prices.
Map
Where to stay
Auberge du Vieux Port
Budget-friendly, right on the Old Port waterfront and a short walk from Chinatown: Day 1 starts at your door.
Hôtel Place d’Armes
The cheapest hotel option on the list and well-placed for both Old Montreal and the metro lines you need for Days 2 and 3.
Make Montreal your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal: weeks ahead
- Biodôme de Montréal: a few days ahead
- Bota Bota spa-sur-l'eau: a few days ahead
- Bell Centre: weeks ahead
- Club de golf de l'Île de Montréal: a few days ahead
- Rafting Montréal: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Old Montreal square-front restaurants on Place Jacques-Cartier, where you pay for the square, not the cooking.
- La Grande Roue Ferris wheel, a fine view you get better and free from Kondiaronk and the Oratory.
- The Underground City as an attraction. Walk it for function, not a sightseeing morning.
- Chain or airport poutine. The real dish needs squeaky curds from a casse-croute, diner or poutinerie.
The full Montreal travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around