Neighbourhood guide
Where to Stay in Old Montréal
Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal) is the oldest part of the city, sitting between downtown and the St. Lawrence River. Its stone buildings, cobbled streets, restaurants and the Old Port waterfront make it one of the most popular places for visitors to stay.
The neighbourhood
The district runs roughly from rue McGill in the west to rue Berri in the east, and from rue Saint-Antoine down to the river. Place d’Armes, the square in front of Notre-Dame Basilica, is at its centre. Rue Saint-Paul and rue de la Commune are lined with shops, galleries and cafés, and the Old Port runs along the water.
Landmarks within walking distance
- Notre-Dame Basilica, on Place d’Armes
- The Old Port (Vieux-Port) waterfront and promenade
- Place Jacques-Cartier and Montréal City Hall
- Bonsecours Market and Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
- Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s archaeology and history museum
- Rue Saint-Paul, Montréal’s oldest street
- Chinatown and the Palais des congrès convention centre
Getting there
From Montréal-Trudeau airport (YUL): the drive takes around 20–40 minutes depending on traffic, by taxi or rideshare. The STM 747 bus runs 24/7 between the airport and downtown; from downtown, the metro or a short taxi ride brings you to Old Montréal.
From Gare Centrale (VIA Rail and Amtrak): the station is just west of Old Montréal. It’s a short taxi ride, or take the orange line metro from Bonaventure station to Place-d’Armes station.
By metro: Place-d’Armes and Square-Victoria–OACI (orange line) and Champ-de-Mars (orange line) serve Old Montréal.
Parking
Street parking in Old Montréal is limited and metered, so most visitors use indoor public lots. If you stay with Urban Stays at 511 Place d’Armes, there’s no on-site parking, but there’s a public lot across the street at 500 Place d’Armes and another on rue de l’Hôpital, a few minutes’ walk away. Rates are set by the lot operators.
Seasonal highlights
Winter: the Old Port hosts outdoor activities such as a skating rink by the water, and the city’s winter festivals bring lights and events to the area.
Summer: the Old Port waterfront is busy with terraces, cycling and river activities, and the summer fireworks competition at La Ronde can be seen from the waterfront on show nights.
Event dates change every year, so check the official Old Port and Tourisme Montréal websites before you travel.
Staying with Urban Stays
Urban Stays has luxury 2- and 3-bedroom apartments at 511 Place d’Armes, facing Notre-Dame Basilica. Check-in is from 4:00 PM and check-out by 11:00 AM; prices are shown before taxes. Hotel Permit CITQ #319139.
See our Old Port Montréal apartments or contact us at info@urbanstays.ca / 514-577-3545.