Montreal's iconic mountain park with panoramic views and the adjacent Plateau neighborhood with vibrant cafes.

About Mont-Royal & Plateau

The Plateau Mont-Royal is Montreal's most characteristically bohemian neighborhood, famous for its colorful row houses with distinctive exterior staircases, independent bookshops, vintage clothing stores, and some of the city's best restaurants. Boulevard Saint-Laurent (The Main) divides the historically English west from the French east, and its stretch through the Plateau buzzes with bars, music venues, and ethnic restaurants from Portuguese to Ethiopian.

Mont-Royal itself—the 233-meter volcanic hill that gives the city its name—rises above the neighborhood, offering the Belvedere lookout with panoramic views of downtown, the St. Lawrence River, and the Monteregian Hills. The park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (who also designed Central Park), is beloved for cross-country skiing in winter, tam-tams drum circles in summer, and year-round dog walking. Avenue du Mont-Royal is the neighborhood's main commercial strip, embodying Montreal's laid-back, creative spirit.

Nearby Landmarks

Mont-Royal Belvedere Saint-Laurent Boulevard Parc La Fontaine Avenue Mont-Royal

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost CA\$41 flat rate (~\$30)
Time 25-35 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost CA\$25-\$35 (~\$18-\$26)
Time 25-35 minutes

Outside arrivals

Train (REM + Orange Line)

Cost CA\$11 (~\$8)
Time 40-50 minutes
Frequency REM every 5-10 min, Metro every 3-5 min

Step-by-Step Directions

Take REM to Gare Centrale, transfer to Orange Line northbound to Mont-Royal station. Walk up to the mountain.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi CA\$41 flat rate (~\$30) 25-35 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare CA\$25-\$35 (~\$18-\$26) 25-35 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train CA\$11 (~\$8) 40-50 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

The metro runs until approximately 1 AM (1:30 AM weekends). The 747 airport bus runs 24 hours to Berri-UQAM. Night buses serve the Plateau along major routes. Taxis and Uber are readily available in this lively neighborhood at all hours.

Luggage Tips

The Plateau involves walking on residential sidewalks and up gentle slopes toward the mountain. Drop luggage at your accommodation before exploring. Metro stations on the Orange Line have escalators but limited elevator access.

Accessibility

Metro stations Mont-Royal and Sherbrooke have escalators but may lack elevators (check STM accessibility updates). The Plateau's sidewalks are generally flat and well-maintained. Mont-Royal Park paths are paved but hilly. The Belvedere lookout is wheelchair accessible via the Camillien-Houde road.