Montreal Hidden Gems Guide: Secret Neighborhoods, Local Favorites, Scenic Walks & Authentic Experiences Beyond the Tourist Trail. (Montreal Travel Collection)

Montreal has a second city hiding behind the one in the guidebooks. This is the guide to it.

Most visitors see eight blocks of Old Montreal and believe they have understood a city of nearly two million people. Montreal Hidden Gems Guide takes you past the postcard: into the painted alleys of the Plateau, the second-floor cafés of Villeray, the courtyard gardens locked behind eighteenth-century stone walls, the riverside beach reachable by metro, and the lookouts locals keep to themselves.

Written by a longtime Montreal walker for travellers who would rather spend an afternoon in one neighbourhood than tick off six monuments, this is the third volume in the Montreal Travel Collection and the one returning visitors ask for.

Inside you'll discover:

Secret streets, hidden courtyards and quiet parks most visitors never find, with exact starting corners and walking times Scenic lookouts for sunrise and sunset beyond the crowded mountain terrace Underground Montreal how to use the 30 km RESO network, plus the metro's remarkable commissioned art Hidden cafés, local markets, independent bookstores and boutique streets across ten neighbourhoods Street art walks through the alleys where the real surprises are Season-by-season chapters for winter hidden gems, summer river escapes, rainy-day discoveries and early-morning walks Seven ready-made itineraries: One Perfect Day, 48 Hours Off the Tourist Trail, a slow Weekend, a Photography Route, and full Budget, Luxury and Family plans A complete practical section: transportation and fares, money-saving strategies, safety, Québécois French phrases, seasonal packing checklists and emergency contacts Throughout, clearly flagged notes give you Hidden Gems, Insider Tips, Local Secrets, Photo Spots, Best Sunrise & Sunset Spots, Money Savers, Family / Budget / Luxury Picks, Best Time to Visit, Local Food Recommendations, Common Tourist Mistakes, Accessibility Information, Walking Times, Estimated Budgets and Local Etiquette so you can skim for exactly the traveller you are.

Perfect for returning visitors, couples, solo travellers, families, photographers, slow travellers and luxury travellers who want the Montreal that locals actually live in.

Bring good shoes. The best street is always one further than the guidebook suggested.