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Montreal vs. Toronto for vacation

Montreal and Toronto are two of the largest cities in Canada. They have a lot of differences, but which one should you visit? In this blog post we will compare Montreal vs. Toronto to see which city is best for your next Canadian getaway!

Montreal is the most populous city in Quebec, and it has a population of about two  million. It’s located on an island at the confluence of several rivers in eastern Canada, making it one of North America’s largest inland cities.

Montreal gets its name from Mont Royal a small mountain in the middle of Montreal. Montreal is one of the oldest cities in Canada as it was founded in 1462. Today this area is called Old Montreal which contains many historic sites like Notre Dame Basilica  and Place Jacques Cartier.

Toronto is often regarded as being Canada’s most diverse city due to its high number of immigrants from around the world. It is often compared to New York City as it is the largest city in Canada.

It has a population of more than three million people and is located in Southern Ontario near the western shore of Lake Ontario.

The majority speak English but there are also large groups that speak both French and Italian. Toronto’s location makes it an important transportation hub on the Great Lakes, connecting North America to Central Canada as well as providing access by rail, air, ship, or road for border crossings from the United States.

How are Montreal and Toronto the same?

Montreal and Toronto are both large Canadian cities that are popular tourist destinations.

Montreal is in Southern Quebec, near the Canada-US border while Toronto is located on the Lake Ontario’s western shore. Both cities have miles of waterfronts with beautiful scenery and offer major attractions such as museums, restaurants, galleries and parks for visitors to explore.

How are Toronto and Montreal different?

Montreal is a French speaking town with European architecture and more affordable prices for food and entertainment while Toronto has more modern amenities such as malls to shop in, skyscrapers that seem like they are touching the sky, bright lights at night that give it an exciting atmosphere, higher prices for food, admissions and car rentals but better sporting venues.

 

Which city has better food?

Both are home to large food markets like the Jean-Talon Market in Montreal and the St. Lawrence Market with over a hundred vendors. They are similar in what they offer at these markets and are a great way to get some local food.

Montreal has a wide variety of restaurants to choose from and the food is delicious. One could have French, Italian or even Lebanese cuisine for lunch in Montreal and then enjoy “new world” fare such as sushi or steak frites at dinner.  Fine dining French restaurants are some of best regarded in the world.

If you love French pastries you will love Montreal! Plus they have such great poutine!!

 

 

Toronto’s culinary scene has food from every where on earth due to its large immigrant population. Toronto is also home to some of the best Indian and Vietnamese food. There is fine dining as well as tons of places to grab a quick bite.

Winner: Montreal

Toronto vs. Montreal which has better arts/culture?

Montreal’s cultural scene thrives in its many museums, concert halls and diverse festivals that celebrate everything from music to film. It does not matter what you are interested in Montreal offers something for everyone!

Montreal has great museums as well as the Art Public Montreal. There are plays and concerts that take place in French but many that are in English too!

 

Toronto’s museums are great too! There’s more of them than Montreal, but most importantly there’s “The Art Gallery of Ontario” (AGO), which houses some pretty impressive collections as well as hosting tons of new exhibitions every year from all over the world.

Toronto also has a theater that brings in Broadway shows and major musicians. Toronto in general just has more going on.

Winner: Toronto

 

Architecture in Toronto vs. Montreal

Montreal has a mix of old and new architecture. The Old Town has some of the most well preserved buildings in all of North America. Cobblestone streets, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Montreal, and old storefronts are all part of this historic neighborhood.

Toronto has some great architecture as well, but it is very modern. The Toronto City Hall is a beautiful building, and the CN Tower is an internationally recognized icon. If you get out of the heart of downtown, you’ll find some truly beautiful buildings.

 

Winner: Montreal

Toronto vs. Montreal Outdoor spaces

Both cities are built on the water and have some beautiful outdoor spaces.

Montreal has Notre-Dame Island and the Lachine Canal where you’ll find people skating in wintertime. It also has a number of parks such as Mount Royal Park, Parc du Mont-Royal, and Botanical Garden. It is easy to get away from the city feel in Montreal.

Toronto has lots of parks, too. These include High Park (which is the largest park in Toronto at over 800 acres), Rosedale Ravine, and Glen Rouge Preserve. Lake Ontario offers beautiful views and beach and sailing options.

Winner: Tie

 

Prices of Hotels in Toronto vs. Montreal

Hotels in Montreal are more expensive than Toronto by 30-40%. If money is tight I recommend staying just outside of the city to save your dollars. Montreal hotel rooms average around $200 per night.

Toronto hotels are quite inexpensive compared to the price of food and the average price of a hotel room is around $130 per night.

Winner: Toronto

Weather in Montreal vs. Toronto

It is colder in Montreal in the winter but hot and humid in the summer. In general the weather in these two Canadian cities is similar; however during winter months, typically November through April, Montreal can experience harsher cold snaps while Toronto sees milder ones

In Toronto it is much more temperate due to being close to Lake Ontario. That doesn’t mean it isn’t freezing in the winter, just a little less than Montreal. (I’ve been to both in December and while Toronto was cold, Montreal was otherworldly cold.)

Winner: Toronto

Transportation in Montreal vs. Toronto

Montreal has a really good metro system which is clean, well-maintained and easy to use.

Toronto also has a great public transit service with buses, metro and streetcar trolleys.

The price for each is quite comparable.

Winner: Tie

Safety in Montreal vs Toronto

Both are very safe for tourists and I would not worry more than anywhere else about being safe. Toronto does have slightly higher crime stats but not it touristy areas.

Winner: Tie

Best city to take a family Montreal vs. Toronto

This is super individual so I can only speak for myself. I have taken my family to both cities on several occasions. We have enjoyed both cities very much. Both are worth visiting.

My kids love the Montreal Biodome, climbing up Mont Royal and eating their weight in almond croissants.

In Toronto the love the Science Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium, and eating their weight in Korean food.

With that being said….

Montreal is much easier to get around by car, and less crowded in general. Plus Montreal is a shorter drive from New England than a road trip to Toronto. If you have young children or kids who are hard to corral, I would pick Montreal.

Winner: Montreal

 

 

To learn more about these two amazing destinations visit our blog posts here:

Best things to do in Montreal

Best things to do in Toronto

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