Costs nothing · Montreal, Canada
12 Free Things to Do in Montreal
The best budget in travel is zero. These Montreal spots have verified free entry.
Only places with a confirmed free-entry policy make this list. Ranked by traveler review volume. Updated monthly.
Old Montreal
LandmarkOld 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.
Read our full guide →Chinatown
NeighborhoodMontreal'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.
Read our full guide →Place des Arts
Park & naturePlace des Arts is Montreal's largest cultural complex, located in the Westmount area (though actually in the Quartier des Spectacles).
Read our full guide →Place Jacques-Cartier
LandmarkPlace Jacques-Cartier is a vibrant, pedestrian-only square in the heart of Old Montreal, sloping gently from Rue Notre-Dame to the Old Port.
Read our full guide →St. Patrick's Basilica
Religious siteSt. Patrick's Basilica stands as a serene oasis amid Montreal's bustling downtown.
Read our full guide →Crescent Street
LandmarkCrescent 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.
Read our full guide →St. Louis Square (Carre St-Louis)
Park & natureSt. Louis Square is a serene green space nestled in the vibrant Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie district of Montreal.
Read our full guide →L'original Art Gallery
MuseumL'original Art Gallery is a vibrant art space located at 163 Rue Saint-Paul Ouest in the heart of Old Montreal, Quebec.
Read our full guide →Champ-de-Mars
Park & natureChamp-de-Mars is a spacious urban park located in the heart of Old Montreal, just behind City Hall.
Read our full guide →Nelson's Column
LandmarkNelson's Column is a prominent monument located in Place Jacques Cartier, a lively square in Montreal's Old Port district.
Read our full guide →SSense
MarketSSense is a high-fashion boutique located in a historic building on St. Sulpice Street in Old Montreal.
Read our full guide →Trapezium
MarketTrapezium 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.
Read our full guide →
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
A few museums are free only on set days — check opening info before you go.
Entry is free, but transport, snacks and lockers in Montreal still add up.
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.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.