Free to cheap activities I loved around Montreal as a newbie to the city.

Compared to other major cities I’ve visited, I found Montreal surprisingly affordable even during the busy season. It’s one of those places that makes it easy to travel on a budget because there is such a variety of cheap to free things available. 

After spending the better part of a summer living in the city, I took advantage of all the best budget-friendly activities. Now, I’m here to share my favorite low-cost things to do around Montreal that I enjoyed as a newbie to the area. 

Hike up to Mount Royal’s Kondiaronk Belvedere viewpoint

💰 Cost: Free 

When I arrive in a new place, my fingers automatically start typing “best viewpoints in X” into Google. This reaction was natural when I arrived in Montreal. It didn’t take long to find the mutually agreed best vantage point of the city: Kondiaronk Belvedere in Mount Royal Park. 

I wasn’t quite prepared for how intense the hike up to this view would be. It took 45 minutes straight up steep stairs the whole journey and I was definitely glad to be wearing a good pair of sneakers. I did this hike twice and both times, the path was fairly crowded with other visitors, so don’t expect a solitary hike.

The outlook over Montreal is 100% worth the trek, though. You can catch glimpses of the St. Lawrence River and the skyscrapers of Downtown Montreal from the top. This area was very busy during the summer, though, and I had to wait a couple minutes to get a solid viewing spot. 

It was such a lovely place to people-watch and get a bird’s eye view over Montreal without spending a dime. I was also delighted to find a cafe at the top because lemonade tastes the best after a hike!

While it is a bit touristy, I enjoyed the hike up to Kondiaronk Belvedere and I would absolutely do it again on my next trip to Montreal. 

👉 Pro Tip: If you have a car, it’s possible to park at a closer lot and then the hike is a mere 5 to 10 minutes up to Kondiaronk Belvedere. 

Go vintage shopping at Marche Floh, Friperie, and Club 77

💰 Cost: Free to browse, cheap to buy

Thrift shops are a dream for budget travelers who still love to shop. I’ve been thrifting everywhere from NYC to Japan and yet Montreal’s vintage clothing scene still managed to blow me away. 

I found it fun to simply rummage through all the offerings even if I wasn’t purchasing anything. 

If I did find a hidden gem that I needed to have, it was still affordable. For instance, I found an adorable black mini dress from Club 777 for just $15 and it quickly became one of my summer staples. 

A few of my favorite places to thrift in Montreal are Club 777 and Marche Floh. They have a huge selection of eclectic styles and types of clothes (for both men and women!). I’m a sucker for a store with lots of dress options and both of them had so many that I was struggling to narrow down my choices. 

Friperie Vintage, Le Ninety, and Kapara Vintage all had stylish pieces as well and a huge assortment of different items. You’ll easily stumble upon other shops while you’re walking around Montreal neighborhoods like Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile End.  

My best friend visited me in Montreal for 2 days, and she was even impressed by the thrift scene.

Visit ‘The Ring’ in Downtown Montreal

💰 Cost: Free

The Ring is an enormous art installation that stands 90 feet tall right smack dab in the middle of Downtown Montreal. It is designed to appear suspended between two buildings.

Even though it’s a fairly recognizable symbol of the city and an impressive sight, it’s completely free. 

I actually wandered past The Ring accidentally without even knowing about it beforehand. Of course, I was baffled by turning a corner to see this towering ring above everyone’s heads. I think this is a great spot for travel photos in the heart of Montreal. 

Browse for local goods at Atwater Market

💰 Cost: Free to browse, reasonable to buy

I believe that markets provide a peak into a city’s personality. For instance, Boqueria Market taught me about Barcelona and the bustling Mercato Centrale taught me about Florence. The marketplace that gave me an intro to Montreal was Atwater Market. 

Atwater is a specialty market in the Saint Henri neighborhood that carries produce, sweets, and more from local vendors. 

While some of the products are pricey, lots of them are accessible on a budget. For instance, I got myself a tangy mango habanero hot sauce for less than $10. Alternatively, it’s just fun to wander the stores. 

Visiting during the summer was especially pleasant for me because I got to experience the flower market. I even ended up purchasing a flower pot for my apartment, which cost less than $5. I’d say that still qualifies as budget-friendly territory. 

Explore Saint Laurent Blvd street murals

💰 Cost: Free

Every June, Montreal holds a mural painting festival for a little over a week. During this time, the city’s artists get to work crafting unique pieces on building facades and it turns the city into a free, walkable museum. 

The Mural Festival takes place along Saint Laurent Boulevard, so this is a good place to start if you’re on the hunt for street art around Montreal. 

As an avid lover of graffiti, I was thoroughly delighted by the endless urban art around every corner of Montreal. I especially loved this large portrait of a woman outside the entrance of Chinatown and the masked person that’s photographed above. 

Many of the pieces I stumbled upon across Montreal seemed to have a deeper message if you took the time to look, too. For instance, I passed one that was actually telling the story about the plight of indigenous women in Canada. 

No matter the season, you’re sure to come across some intricate, powerful pieces of street art in this city. Stop to admire them!

Eat out in Chinatown

💰 Cost: Under $20 

Chinatown is a tiny district located between Downtown and the Latin Quarter. It’s a small yet mighty place that I ended up returning to once every couple of weeks because it has some of the best budget food spots in Montreal. 

During my time in the city, I developed a craving to try dragon’s beard candy after watching one too many TikTok videos. I finally got to try it in Montreal’s Chinatown for just $4.50 at a shop aptly named “Dragon Beard Candy.” 

I also developed an addiction to Sammi and Soupe Dumplings, which cost less than $15 for a full meal’s worth of mouth-watering pork dumplings. It’s possible to organize a full-blown food tour through Chinatown for an extremely reasonable cost. 

Walk by the water in Old Port 

💰 Cost: Free

Want to know the cheapest travel activity that you can do anywhere in the world? Walking. One of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Montreal to go for a free stroll is Old Port. 

It’s right on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, which provides a really gorgeous ambiance, particularly during the warmer times of the year. 

There are lots of child-friendly activities around the area, such as the La Grande Roue Ferris wheel, paddle boats, and even an adventure park. It’s a fun and affordable place for all visitors, but it’s an especially great spot if you’re on a family vacation. 

I really enjoyed exploring the Old Port area without spending anything, either. There is such a lively atmosphere with so many green spaces and key Montreal sights that I didn’t feel the need to constantly purchase something. 

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Thanks for reading! One of the things I loved most about Montreal was that you don’t need a massive budget to have a fantastic time in the city. There is a wealth of accessible and affordable things to do and these are just a few ideas to get you started. 

Montreal has earned a special place in my heart, but there are lots of other charming, budget-friendly destinations to explore across Canada. Happy traveling!