A city of history, culture, and vibrant atmosphere!
When visiting Montreal, here are some things to do and see:
1. Explore Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal): Wander through its cobblestone streets, admire the historic architecture, visit the Notre-Dame Basilica, and enjoy the charming atmosphere.
2. Visit Mount Royal: Climb to the top of this iconic mountain in the heart of the city for panoramic views. Explore the beautiful park and have a picnic or take a leisurely walk.
3. Discover the Underground City (RÉSO): Explore the vast underground network of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, especially during winter when it provides a warm escape from the cold.
4. Stroll along Saint-Laurent Boulevard: This vibrant street is lined with trendy shops, cafes, and restaurants. Experience Montreal’s diverse cultural scene and nightlife.
5. Explore the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood: Known for its colourful houses, hip cafes, and boutiques. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and visit the iconic La Fontaine Park.
6. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts): Explore its extensive collection of art, ranging from classic to contemporary works.
7. Experience the Jean-Talon Market: Discover the vibrant and bustling market offering a wide range of fresh produce, local products, and delicious food stalls.
8. Enjoy the Montreal Botanical Garden: Explore the beautiful gardens, including the Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden, as well as the stunning greenhouse complex.
9. Attend festivals: Montreal is renowned for its lively festivals, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, and the Montreal Fireworks Competition.
10. Indulge in the local cuisine: Sample Montreal’s famous culinary delights like poutine (fries topped with cheese curds and gravy), bagels, smoked meat sandwiches, and maple syrup treats.
These are just a few highlights, and Montreal has much more to offer depending on your interests. Enjoy the city’s unique blend of history, culture, and vibrant atmosphere!
What currency will I need?
The Canadian dollar (CAD) is the official currency of Canada. The Canadian dollar is divided into 100 cents. Banknotes are available in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Coins are available in denominations of 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime), 25 cents (quarter), $1 (loonie), and $2 (toonie).
The Canadian dollar is the official currency of Canada and is accepted nationwide. It may not be accepted in other countries unless exchanged. Canadian banknotes have advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting, including raised ink, holograms, and unique patterns.
Should I use travel cash or a card?
According to Mintel, 90% of British travellers take some travel cash with them. It’s perfect for tips, taxis, street-side vendors and locations which do not have card machines (or where they are not working). It’s easy to budget with, and share with other members of your party. It’s also not prone to technical faults, does not require internet access, and you won’t be charged to use it.
Having a debit card is also a great idea as backup – just make sure you know what fees the card issuer charges to make payments in the foreign currency (better still, find one that makes no charges at all). Bigger purchases should be made on a travel-friendly UK-issued credit card to get that additional Section 75 protection (see https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit-and-purchases/how-youre-protected-when-you-pay-by-card). Make sure when paying by card that you ALWAYS pay in the foreign currency – do not let the card processor do the conversion to GBP as you will always get a worse rate. That applies even if the foreign currency is already loaded onto a prepaid multi-currency card – the card issuer will decide whether to settle from your foreign currency wallet or not.
Where can I buy currency?
You will typically get a better deal buying your travel cash here in the UK before you travel. Look for the highest possible foreign currency exchange rate to indicate the best deal. For example, a rate of CA$1.6507 is better than CA$1.5990 when buying Canadian Dollar (CAD). Airports tend to offer the worst rates – especially if you have not pre-ordered – and you may find a bureau de change on your High Street, in a supermarket or department store, in many travel agents, and at major transport hubs.
You can also buy Canadian Dollar from Travel Money Club for next business day despatch to home via fully insured Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm. Unlike the competition, we don’t hide fees and charges in our exchange rates – you just pay a fair and transparent handling fee based on how much you are exchanging. Get an instant quote now at https://yourtmc.link/quote-cad.
