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Underground City
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Underground City

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See all things to do
Underground City
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1,626
#55 of 498 things to do in Montreal
Neighborhoods • Shopping Malls
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About
Montreal's answer to the region's harsh winters, Underground City refers to the extensive web of train stations, restaurants, department stores and hotels all connected underground.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Tours & experiences
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Top ways to experience Underground City and nearby attractions

The area
Neighborhood: Ville-Marie
How to get there
  • McGill • 4 min walk
  • Square-Victoria-OACI • 5 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,430 within 3 miles
Il Focolaio
1,488
452 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Escondite
433
184 ft$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Latin • Central American
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Place Ville Marie
1,377
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Steakhouse • Bar
Bivouac
103
0.3 mi$$$$ • Bar • Pub • Canadian
Cafe Parvis
254
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Ferreira Cafe
1,131
0.3 mi$$$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European
Jatoba
373
323 ft$$$$ • Japanese • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Anticafe Vieux-Port
161
0.3 mi$ • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Osteria MKT
146
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Dunn's Famous
870
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Gluten Free Options
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Attractions
475 within 6 miles
Cathédrale Christ Church Cathedral
94
423 ftReligious Sites • Monuments & Statues
Place Ville-Marie
75
442 ftShopping Malls
Promenades Cathedrale
29
435 ftShopping Malls
The Ring
2
523 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Observatoire
5
460 ftLookouts
St. Patrick's Basilica
614
0.2 miChurches & Cathedrals
Centre Eaton de Montreal
258
0.1 miShopping Malls
Musee D'Art Contemporain De Montreal
382
0.1 miArt Museums
Danseuse Sculpture
1
0.1 miMonuments & Statues
Complexe Les Ailes
2
0.1 miShopping Malls
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,626 reviews
Excellent
544
Very good
568
Average
377
Poor
89
Terrible
48
Ben F
Bloomington, IN1,283 contributions
Worth Checking Out at Any Time of Year
Solo
I spent just an hour or two in the Underground City during my quick trip to Montreal. At that time, it was FREEZING—snowflakes were bombarding everything in their path, and snow and sludge were amassing over an inch. I did a bit of walking around, but I felt that time could be a little better spent if I checked out the oasis of warmth and energy that Montreal houses under its already-iconic streets. After exploring (and not even seeing all it has to offer!), I can assert that a venture down to the Underground City is a must-do in Montreal if you have the time. It has activities you can appreciate any time of year.

Options for dining, shopping, and entertainment are abundant. I grabbed a bite at a bagel shop, and it was super filling for finishing my adventurous exploration that day. Many more shopping/dining venues can be found in areas I didn’t even manage to see, but where I was, there was plenty to satisfy your needs. Along with these amenities, I must remark that the architecture and atmosphere is truly unique. In Victoria Square, where I spent most of my time, historic brick blended with modern, glass windows to create a stunning ambiance for folks. It all was so open and spacious, a feel that I always appreciate.

As just one aspect I thought could have been improved, as coincidentally with other places I visited in Montreal this trip, I would’ve liked signage to have been clearer and more prevalent. I seriously do possess strong navigation skills, but it took me way more time than it should’ve for me to scout out restrooms, elevators to higher floors, etc. I honestly don’t know why signage has been such a large issue on this trip, but oh well...just saying!

In any case, especially since I only checked out a portion of the Underground City, I hope to prioritize it all when I embark on my next trip to Montreal. It is genuinely a delightful destination to spend time in chilly winter months or for memorable shopping any time of year. Despite poor signage, I still recommend taking at least an hour to stroll around. Kudos to the City of Montreal for establishing such an excellent gathering place!

Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
marcopolopaloalto
Palo Alto, CA1,047 contributions
Underground dining, shopping.
Maybe if I stayed in Montreal longer I could have figured it out, and the signs where one knows to enter this underground city were knowable to us....
But we really couldn’t figure it out so well. Despite the non ease of use for us, the locals who know this underground city dine and shop here.
In some stores on the city streets one can enter thru an escalator, and that was helpful.

On a snowy day, it must be a wonderful alternative to shopping outside in freezing weather.
Yes, the metro connects to some of this.
Also, there was a Barbie exhibit which must be nice for young girls .
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stirling B
Ottawa, Canada584 contributions
Especially Useful in Winter
While in Montreal recently, I had the opportunity to use the Montreal Underground to get from Old Montreal right up to Ste Catherine Street. Most of my walk was along concrete and brick walls, however it was punctuated by some shops and fast food outlets. The Montreal Underground is especially useful in winter when temperatures plunge in Montreal.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Craig H
Lowell, Massachusetts24 contributions
It's confusing, and if the weather doesn't require it, there's little reason to be there
This "destination" gets talked up a lot, but the experience isn't nearly what the descriptions claim it is. Basically, enough buildings dug underground connections between each other that it's turned into a 30-kilometer waste of time. Sure, if it's the dead of winter, by all means head underground. But if it's any other time of year, there's nothing down there to hold a candle to what's up top. Do yourself a favor and stick to the good stuff above ground.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kevin G
Tecumseh, Canada301 contributions
HUGE UNDERGROUND MALL
While this is not really an attraction, it IS a great place for shopping. It's a vast network of underground shopping sprawling out under the city. Tons of stores and many places to eat. Great for a rainy day or if it's just too cold to walk outside.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
4honeynugget
Elkton, MD89 contributions
Just to stay warm! Not attraction
Family
OK this is not a harsh review so much as a reality check. This is really the same as a big airport with corridors of shops and food while meandering to your next location. If it is doable weather take the faster direct route above ground. If it is bad out use this to get around but be prepared for it taking longer since it is circuitous route,
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Navigator35615
Medicine Hat Alberta1 contribution
the underground city
It was 30 below and yet in the underground city it was like being in 30 above weather--the shops and the restaurants were well worth the visit--everything is underground and connected through the pedistrian walkway and the metro--very easy to find the place you have to be--directions labelled in every fork in the aisles--theatres and imax --bell centre and pepsi forum all easily accessed through this underground city--you must make your way there
Written January 27, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Montreal_native
Edmonton, Canada1,583 contributions
Shoppers delight
This is a dream come true for shoppers..lol The Underground City has everything you could hope for. There's at least 5 malls all inter-connected, the biggest one being the Eaton Cenre. There's also Les Promenades de la Cathedral, Place Ville-Marie, Place Montreal Trust, and Les Ailes de la Mode. You can find anything there, my personal favourite is the Formula 1 store which sells all kinds of F1 merchandise, and all kinds of die cast cars. There's also lots of good restaurants, and movie theatres.
Written February 24, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NYC_Tourist1
NYC81 contributions
Great Shopping
You cant imagine how long the underground mall goes. There are so many shops, eating areas and even theaters. It goes for miles underground and its air-conditioned, which is great in the summer. Even though its so long its easy to direct yourself through it since there are always signs that tell you exits to diffreent streets and to the metro stops. This is a great place for someone who loves to shop.
Written August 6, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pnaw10
Syracuse, NY73 contributions
Impressive, but closes early
The most important thing to know is that the "Underground City" is not one, unified thing. It's made of a bunch of different malls, which just happen to be interconnected with each other. Each mall has its own hours, and its own policy on locking doors... so if you're visiting in the winter, or if you're looking to avoid walking in a rainstorm, you might be out of luck. For example, there was a small portion of a mall between our hotel and the nearest subway station... so normally we could get to the train w/o going outside. But we got back late from dinner one night, and the mall was gated off - we had to walk outside. Not a big deal, we just weren't expecting the detour.

That being said, it's amazing how early some parts of the Underground City close. We were hoping to kill some time in the early evening hours between attractions by strolling through the malls, maybe doing some shopping. But at 5pm on a Saturday, one mall was closed and the one next door (the Eaton Centre) appeared as if it were getting ready to close by 6 or 7. This was a bit of a surprise, considering we're used to American malls where 9:30 is the norm for Saturday nights.

Bottom line, the Underground City (the little we saw of it before it closed) was impressive, but you'll definitely want to be aware of the hours before you head down. Kind of unfortunate, because almost all the other major attractions are on the same hours, so it's not like you can concentrate on sightseeing during the day and still have time to shop in the evening.
Written April 23, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Underground City (Montreal) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Underground City
We recommend booking Underground City tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 5 Underground City tours on Tripadvisor
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