Canada, North America
Montreal in April
The awkward thaw: dirty snowbanks, bare trees, and terraces not yet open. Sugar shacks are the main reason to come.
The straight answer
April is a month to think twice about visiting Montreal. The awkward thaw: dirty snowbanks, bare trees, and terraces not yet open. Sugar shacks are the main reason to come.
- Weather
- Cool and damp, highs near 52F (11C)
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 2 of 5
What April is like in Montreal
April is Montreal's awkward thaw. Highs reach about 52F (11C), but the days are often damp, dirty snowbanks linger, trees are bare and most terraces have not opened. The city feels between seasons, with winter activities over and summer ones not started. Prices are moderate and crowds are small.
Honestly, this is a month to skip for most trips. The main reason to come is the sugar shacks, still running outside the city. For a much better visit, wait for late May or June, when terraces open and the festival season begins.
Make the most of April
What is especially good about Montreal this month.
Sugar shacks
Maple season carries on into April, and a sugar shack lunch is a proper Quebec tradition.
Space for Life indoors
The Biodome and Insectarium are great for kids when the weather is gray.
Food halls and bagels
Jean-Talon Market is open year-round, and a Mile End bagel crawl works in any weather.
What to pack for April
- A waterproof jacket
- Waterproof shoes or boots
- A warm sweater
- A compact umbrella
Our timing tip
If you do come, go late in the month, when the snowbanks are mostly gone and the days are warmer.
Book Montreal for April.
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- Hotels for April
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in MontrealOpens a hotel search for Montreal in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in MontrealWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in MontrealTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Montreal for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Montreal
Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica
Cobblestones, the Old Port, and the basilica's blue and gold interior. The evening AURA light show inside is worth a booking.
Mount Royal
Walk up to the Kondiaronk lookout for the city view. Sunday afternoon tam-tams by the George-Etienne Cartier monument in summer are a local ritual.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
One of Canada's leading art museums, spread over five pavilions on Sherbrooke Street.
Jean-Talon Market
One of North America's largest open-air markets, open year-round. Visit in late summer for the Quebec harvest.
Space for Life: Botanical Garden, Biodome, and Insectarium
Big, family-friendly, and great in any season. The Gardens of Light lanterns run in fall.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
The island park of Expo 67 and the Grand Prix circuit, with the Biosphere, a beach, and summer festivals.
Beat the crowds
- Visit Old Montreal early in the morning or on weekday evenings; weekend afternoons and cruise days fill Place Jacques-Cartier.
- Check the festival calendar before booking: the Grand Prix weekend and the Jazz Festival push hotel rates sharply higher, while the weeks around them are much cheaper.
- Go in September for summer weather at shoulder-season prices once the festival rush has ended.
- For winter trips, use the indoor city and the metro to move between neighborhoods and save the outdoor time for the festival nights.
Know before you go
- July 1 is Canada Day and also Quebec's traditional moving day, when leases turn over. Streets fill with moving trucks, and some businesses close.
- June 24, the Fete nationale, is a public holiday in Quebec with some closures and big free concerts.
- Terraces, the Old Port attractions, and many seasonal activities run roughly May to October. In winter, the Old Port turns to skating, and the indoor city keeps shopping running.
- Sugar shacks outside the city are seasonal, mostly March and April, and popular ones need reservations.
Montreal in April, quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Montreal?
April is a month to think twice about visiting Montreal. The awkward thaw: dirty snowbanks, bare trees, and terraces not yet open. Sugar shacks are the main reason to come.
What is the weather like in Montreal in April?
Cool and damp, highs near 52F (11C).
Is Montreal crowded in April?
April is one of the quieter months in Montreal; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Montreal.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in April
Before you book.
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