Costs nothing · Montreal, Canada

11 Free Things to Do in Montreal

Every place here has verified free entry. Your Montreal day can cost exactly nothing.

Only places with a confirmed free-entry policy make this list. Ranked by traveler review volume. Updated monthly.

  1. Old Montreal

    Landmark

    Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) is the city's historic core, cobblestone streets, 17th- and 18th-century stone buildings, and a riverside old port that together feel closer to Europe than North America.

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  2. Chinatown

    Neighborhood

    Montreal's Chinatown is a small but bustling enclave located in the Ville-Marie district, centered around Rue de la Gauchetière and extending to nearby streets.

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  3. Place Jacques-Cartier

    Landmark

    Place Jacques-Cartier is a vibrant, pedestrian-only square in the heart of Old Montreal, sloping gently from Rue Notre-Dame to the Old Port.

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  4. St. Patrick's Basilica

    Religious site

    St. Patrick's Basilica stands as a serene oasis amid Montreal's bustling downtown.

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  5. Crescent Street

    Landmark

    Crescent Street is a picturesque landmark in the Beaconsfield area of Montreal, Quebec. This historic street is lined with well-preserved 19th-century buildings that now house boutique shops, cozy cafes, and fine dining restaurants.

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  6. St. Louis Square (Carre St-Louis)

    Park & nature

    St. Louis Square is a serene green space nestled in the vibrant Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie district of Montreal.

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  7. L'original Art Gallery

    Museum

    L'original Art Gallery is a vibrant art space located at 163 Rue Saint-Paul Ouest in the heart of Old Montreal, Quebec.

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  8. Champ-de-Mars

    Park & nature

    Champ-de-Mars is a spacious urban park located in the heart of Old Montreal, just behind City Hall.

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  9. Nelson's Column

    Landmark

    Nelson's Column is a prominent monument located in Place Jacques Cartier, a lively square in Montreal's Old Port district.

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  10. SSense

    Market

    SSense is a high-fashion boutique located in a historic building on St. Sulpice Street in Old Montreal.

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  11. Trapezium

    Market

    Trapezium is a bustling market located at 6956 Saint-Denis in Montreal's Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie district. This vibrant space brings together local vendors offering fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, baked goods, and international street food.

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How we pick these

Every place here is genuinely free to enter. We filter the 36 Montreal places we track down to those with no admission charge, then rank them by traveler reviews. Updated monthly.

Good to know

Always vs sometimes free

A few museums are free only on set days — check opening info before you go.

Budget the extras

Entry is free, but transport, snacks and lockers in Montreal still add up.

Go early

Free attractions draw crowds; mornings are usually the calmest.

Common questions

What can you do for free in Montreal?+

This list ranks the best no-cost things to do in Montreal, from parks and viewpoints to museums with free entry.

Are there free museums in Montreal?+

Some museums are free all the time and others on specific days. The verified-free ones are included above.

Is Montreal expensive to visit?+

You can see a lot of Montreal on a tight budget by leaning on the free attractions here and eating where locals do.

Worth paying for? Best things to do in Montreal · hidden gems · build a budget itinerary

Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.