Visiting Montreal in winter is far more exciting than you might think! Sure, the weather can be chilly, but with the right gear (see our complete guide Packing List for Quebec in Winter: What to Bring) and this 2-day winter itinerary in Montreal, you’ll know what to do in the snow-covered city to embrace the season.
This 2-day itinerary covers the best winter experiences in Montreal. It includes exploring the Underground City, skating on outdoor rinks, dining in heated igloo restaurants, and seeing the dazzling lights of Quartier des Spectacles!
Day 1: Settle in and Start Exploring Montreal in Winter
For a comfortable and inclusive trip, choose a hotel downtown or in the Old Port area. By staying near most attractions and Montreal’s Underground network, you can navigate the city without braving the cold for too long.
Insider Tip: book a Guided Tour of the Underground City on your first day to learn how locals move around in winter. You’ll easily get from point A to B while staying warm!
Cozy Lunch
After settling in, warm up with a comforting lunch. Here are 2 of my top dining spots to kick off your trip:
Old Montreal: Olive & Gourmando
A must-visit café known for its cozy atmosphere and gourmet comfort food. Olive & Gourmando’s menu is perfect for brunch or lunch. They serve fresh, homemade dishes: warm paninis, hearty soups, and delicious pastries.
Downtown Montreal: Lola Rosa
Lola Rosa- Place-Des-Arts is a beloved plant-based restaurant offering vegan and gluten-free comfort food. Their savoury dishes, from curries to poutines, are warm and comforting.
Scenic Walks Around Montreal
Once you have fuelled up, start exploring the streets of Montreal. Take a relaxing walk through Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal’s cultural heart. Depending on your visit dates, here are some annual winter events that light up the city.
Montreal Christmas Market
Le Grand Marché de Noël is a festive market featuring local artisans, gourmet treats, and holiday entertainment. Make sure to check out the schedule for Noël dans le Parc. An outdoor festival showcasing live music and cozy gathering setups in Montreal’s parks(From the end of November through December).
Luminothérapie
Lumino is an immersive light and sound exhibition that brightens up the winter nights
(From December to March).
Light Festival
Montréal en Lumière is a celebration of light, art, and gastronomy with outdoor shows and culinary experiences (a 10-day festival held from late February to early March).
Igloo Dining Experience
End the night with a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Enjoy dinner in a heated dome at Les Dômes Refuges du Bivouac. This cozy spot offers gourmet food and stunning winter views. Make sure you try this unforgettable meal in an igloo-like dome!
Day 2: What to Do for a Snow Adventure in Montreal
Ready to embrace the snow? Montreal has many options for thrilling winter adventures for all skill levels.
Outdoor Snow Activities in Montreal for Everyone
Here are the best ways to make the most of your second day in the city.
Fat Biking – A Fun Ride Through Snowy Trails
Explore Montreal’s winter wonderland on an electric fat bike designed for snowy trails. Book a guided bike tour for the full experience during your 2-day winter itinerary in Montreal:
- Electric Fat Tire Bike Ride on Mount Royal: enjoy stunning views while biking through Montreal’s iconic park. Then check out the best hiking near Montreal.
- Fatbike Rental at Canal-de-Lachine: cruise along the frozen canal for a peaceful winter ride.
Ice Skating – A Montreal Winter Tradition
Montrealers adore skating, and you’ll find charming outdoor rinks in every neighbourhood. Most rinks offer skate rentals, making it easy to join in the fun.
Insider Tip: read our guide to the Best Skating Rinks in Montreal to find your perfect spot.
Snow Tubing – Family Fun on the Slopes
Glide down Mont-Royal’s snow tubing slides. Perfect for families and anyone looking for a thrilling ride!
Snowshoeing in Montreal – Peaceful Exploration
Strap on a pair of snowshoes and explore Montreal’s beautiful parks and trails covered in fresh snow.
Parc Jean-Drapeau provides on-site snowshoe rentals, making it easy for beginners and visitors to jump right into the adventure.
Other available equipment rentals:
- Skates
- Cross-Country Skis
- Snowshoes
- Fatbikes
La TOHU, located in Frédéric-Back Park offers an eco-friendly winter experienceas well. Other available equipment rentals:
- Cross-Country Skis (classic style)
- Snowshoes
- Snow scooters
For the Ultimate Thrill-Seekers
If you’re craving more excitement during your 2-day itinerary in Montreal this winter, venture just outside the city for an unforgettable excursion:
- Book a Skiing or Snowboarding Day Trip and hit the slopes. Enjoy well-groomed runs and scenic views with this day of skiing or snowboarding near Montreal.
- Or try a Canadian Forest Guided Tour by Snowmobile and explore the vast Canadian wilderness and experience the thrill of winter speed.
Looking for a cheap flight to Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair I use regularly. Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Montreal and surrounding cities with Busbud.
Foodie Itinerary for a Winter Trip to Montreal
Warm up during lunchtime at one of Montreal’s famous restaurants.
Or take your taste buds on a journey with the Old Montreal Food and Drink Tour. This guided tour explores Montreal’s famous bagels and other local treats. It all starts in a café located in a beautiful historic bank building.
Explore Montreal’s Old Port Covered in Snow
Put your winter gear back on again and dive into history with a 2-hour Winter Walking Tour of Old Montreal. Wander cobblestone streets lined with charming shops and historic buildings dusted with snow.
Or, if you feel like exploring on your own, use our guide Walking Tour: Old Montreal Self-Guided Itinerary: a Step Back in Time.
Relax and Indulge
Unwind after a day of exploration at a luxurious spa. Experience ultimate relaxation at Nordic Spa Thermal Experience. You deserve to indulge yourself after all those winter sports and all that walking.
Montreal’s Vibrant Nightlife
No winter trip to Montreal is complete without experiencing its dynamic nightlife. Warm up your final evening with a historical food tour with multiple tastings, blending Montreal’s rich history with its diverse culinary scene.
If you’re a craft beer enthusiast, the Old Port Craft Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour offers a perfect opportunity to sip on locally brewed beers while learning about the city’s vibrant brewing culture.
For those craving a lively night out, join the Guided Pub Crawl of Montreal’s Skyline Bars, where you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views and expertly crafted cocktails at some of the city’s most popular rooftop spots.
Whether you’re indulging in local flavours or dancing the night away, Montreal’s nightlife guarantees an unforgettable end to your winter adventure.
Embrace the Winter Magic of Montreal in 2 days
Montreal in winter is a vibrant mix of bright lights, thrilling snow adventures, and cozy culture.
Use this 2-day winter itinerary to help you find the best of what to do in snow-covered Montreal. The city has it all: snow sports, scenic walks, spa visits, and nightlife. There are a multitude of ways to enjoy winter’s magic.
Plan your winter holiday today and discover why this city shines under a blanket of snow!
Want to read more about the city? Check out our articles on Montreal where we cover the food scene, attractions, hotels, and getting around.
- Best Things to Do in Montreal in Winter
- Best Things to Do in Montreal in January
- Best Things to Do in Montreal in February
- Best Things to do in Montreal in March
- Dog Sledding in Montreal and Around: Where to Go?
- Where to Skate in Montreal
- A Night at Le Germain Montreal: Staying and Eating Right Downtown
- Le Boulevardier Restaurant – Where to Eat in Downtown Montreal
Here are some other amazing tours in Montreal you may want to book!
- Try your hand at a bagel making workshop, an iconic Montreal institution!
- Vélo Festif MTL partying with friends (or new acquaintances) and biking collide.
- Combine bike and spa for sore joints with Fitz Tours.
- Spade & Palacio lead activities like Beyond the Bike Lanes, Beyond the Market, Beyond the Basilica, Mural Tours, and Beyond the Village.
- Secret Montreal offers hidden history tours of the Montreal red light district around what we now call the Quartier des Spectacles.
- Watch a Montreal Canadiens Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Bell Centre.
- Take a History Walking Tour of Old Montreal with Guidatour.
- Quartier des Spectacles offers a free walking tour around the Place des Festivals in the summer.
- Urban Marmotte and his owner Michel take you around the city for a Montreal by Night tour!
- Discover the RESO: Montreal’s Underground City + Downtown Tour.
- If you’re into architecture and quirky living spaces, Habitat 67 tours are for you!
- Indulge in some of the best bites in the city with Secret Food Tours.
- In the Shadow of the Mountain: Montreal Jewish History Walking Tour.
- The Montreal Street Art & Mural Tour with Fitz Montreal.
- Montreal’s Sin City Era & Golden Age Walking Tour by MTL Detours.
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