🗓️ Day 1: The Historic Core & The Mountain

Focus: 17th-century European charm, sacred architecture, and sweeping skylines.

Morning: The Historic Heart (Old Montréal & Old Port)

• Sunrise at Rue Saint-Paul & Place d’Armes: Capture the 17th-century charm and the light hitting the Notre-Dame Basilica facade before the crowds arrive.

  • Hidden Gem: Look for Cours Le Royer for quiet, ivy-covered cobblestone shots.

• Notre-Dame Basilica (8:00 AM): Experience the world-famous blue-lit altar and stained glass.

  • Photo Tip: Pro-style shots are best from the rear balcony.

• Old Port Boardwalk: Stroll toward the Clock Tower Pier for wide-angle riverfront views and reflections of the historic silos.

  • Photo Tip: Use the white Clock Tower as a focal point against the St. Lawrence River.

Midday: Iconic Lunch & Grand Architecture

• Lunch Options: Grab a high-end sandwich at Olive et Gourmando or visit Crew Collective & Café (a former Royal Bank) to see the soaring golden ceilings.

• Mount Royal Park: Walk (30 mins) or Uber (10 mins) to the Kondiaronk Belvedere for the classic panoramic skyline view. Explore the wood-carved interior of the Mount Royal Chalet nearby.

• Saint Joseph’s Oratory: Visit Canada’s largest domed church.

  • Photo Tip: Stand at the foot of the massive staircase with a wide-angle lens to capture the scale of the copper dome.

Evening: Golden Hour & French Classics

• Sunset: Walk the pedestrian lane of the Jacques Cartier Bridge for a full skyline silhouette.

• Blue Hour: Return to Old Montréal as the vintage lanterns flicker on. The wet cobblestones near the Basilica offer a romantic, glowing landscape.

• Dinner at L’Express: A classic French bistro on Rue Saint-Denis with a timeless checkered-floor aesthetic.

🗓️ Day 2: The Creative Plateau & Mile End

Focus: Vibrant street art, iconic spiral staircases, and "cool-hunter" culture.

Morning: Residential Magic & Murals

• The Plateau’s "Gingerbread" Houses: Start at Square Saint-Louis and wander Rue Drolet and Avenue Laval.

  • Photo Tip: Capture the iconic outdoor iron spiral staircases, a signature of local architecture.

• Street Art Walk: Start at Saint-Laurent & Prince-Arthur and walk north to view massive graffiti murals from the Mural Festival.

Midday: The Bagel & Smoked Meat Run

• Lunch: Visit the world-famous Schwartz’s Deli (capture the neon sign) or grab fresh bagels from St-Viateur or Fairmount Bagel.

  • Photo Tip: Get a close-up of bagels being tossed in honey water and wood-fired ovens.

• Coffee Break: Stop at Café Olimpico in Mile End for a legendary Montréal-style espresso.

Afternoon: Mile End Detours

• Dragon Flowers: Photograph the white birdcages covering this florist on Bernard St.

• Green Alleys (Ruelles Vertes): Explore the hidden residential alleys behind the main streets for candid neighborhood shots.

• Snack: Grab a cone at Ripples Ice Cream and relax in Parc Jeanne-Mance.

Evening: Modern Lights & Industrial Grit

• Sunset at Farine Five Roses: Head toward the Lachine Canal to see the iconic red neon sign light up at dusk.

• Quartier des Spectacles: Explore Place des Arts for interactive light installations and video projections on building facades.

• Dinner at Damas: High-end Syrian cuisine with an interior that feels like an Arabian palace.

🗓️ Day 3: Modern Icons & Hidden Markets

Focus: Geometric architecture, local markets, and waterfront reflections.

Morning: Expo 67 & Brutalism

• Habitat 67: Visit the world-renowned "stack of cubes."

  • Photo Tip: Capture the structure from the riverside for the most dramatic perspective.

• The Biosphere: The giant geodesic dome on Île Sainte-Hélène.

  • Photo Tip: Shoot through the steel lattice toward the city skyline.

Midday: Little Italy & Little Burgundy

• Jean-Talon Market: Explore the vibrant, symmetrical displays of seasonal produce and flowers.

• World Trade Centre (Centre de Commerce Mondial): Visit the indoor atrium.

  • Photo Tip: Use the reflection pool featuring a piece of the Berlin Wall for one of the city's best indoor shots.

Afternoon: Canal Side

• Lachine Canal: Walk the path between Atwater Market and Griffintown, enjoying the industrial-turned-modern landscape.

Evening: The Grand Finale

• La Grande Roue (The Ferris Wheel): Ride at sunset for a bird’s-eye view of the city lights.

• Clock Tower Beach: Watch the light fade over the St. Lawrence River.

• Dinner at Le Serpent: Industrial-chic decor in the Darling Foundry building, specializing in modern Italian/Québécois fusion.

Montréal Dining Reference:

Restaurant: Style: Why Go?

L’Express: French, BistroTimeless vibes on Rue Saint-Denis.

Damas: Syrian, Stunning decor and world-class flavors.

Le Serpent:Modern, Industrial-chic aesthetic in Griffintown.

Toqué: High-End, The pinnacle of Québécois fine dining.

Le Passé Composé: Brunch, Famous for the city's best Eggs Benedict.