11 of the best places to take spring photos in Montreal

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If you aren’t posting pictures of spring in Montreal all over social media, is it even springtime?

From great vantage points of the city landscape to the river, hills, cherry blossoms, and the Old Port, Montreal has no shortage of great places to snap all kinds of great photos.

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With those winter coats stuffed in the closet, tie on some comfy kicks and use these 11 spots scattered all over the island to enjoy the spring and capture some seriously refreshing memories.

Belvédère Camilien-Houde Lookout – Mont-Royal

The Belvédère Camilien-Houde Lookout is arguably the most postcard-esque spot in all of Montreal. Perched atop Mont Royal, the spot offers city-wide views of the entire island and beyond. With the city’s trees, flowers, and colours blossoming, springtime atop the mountain is primetime photo ops.

Address: Voie Camilien-Houde, Mont-Royal
Hours: 6 am – 12 am

Old Montreal

Dating back to the 17th century, Old Montreal’s narrow cobblestone streets will make you feel like you’re a time traveller instead of a spring photographer.

From the Notre-Dame Basilica to a slew of bustling restaurants and shops, and gorgeous views of the St. Lawrence River, there’s fantastic photo opportunities in every inch of Old Montreal.

Pont Jacques-Cartier

Accessible by foot (and by car obviously, not ideal for taking pics), the Pont Jacques-Cartier is a magnificent steel structure that crosses the island of Montreal to the South Shore over the St. Lawrence River.

So, there are ample spots to take breathtaking pics of Montreal, the South Shore, the river, and the bridge itself in all its springtime glory (especially when it’s illuminated).

Address: 134 Jacques-Cartier Bridge
Hours; 24/7

Montreal Botanical Gardens

If you want spring shots, where better than the city’s largest botanical gardens?

Recognized as one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world, the thematic gardens and greenhouses take up 75 hectares of space and it’s an absolute jewel when it comes to photo opportunities.

Address: 4101 Sherbrooke Est
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm

La Grande Roue

If you’re looking for a great vantage point over the city, and you want to have some fun getting there, get to the top of Old Montreal’s La Grande Roue, Canada’s largest observational wheel.

Address: 362 rue de la Commune Est
Hours: 10 am – 11 pm

Habitat 67

Habitat 67 is a model community and housing complex that was designed as steps for Montreal’s Expo 67. Every apartment has access to sunlight and its own terrace.

Habitat is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and even though access to the site is private (unless you’re lucky enough to someone who lives there), spring shots would have to be taken from the outside with its trees and flowers shining in the sunlight.

Fun fact: You can’t see inside any of the windows from inside another wind. Mind blown.

Address: 2600 avenue Pierre-Dupuy

Westmount Summit

Westmount Summit is the summit of one of Mont Royal’s three peaks and it offers a great blend of Montreal’s concrete scenery with the city’s outdoor greenery.

The summit’s adjacent Summit Woods is an equally gorgeous park that’s quiet and offers great in-city views of a deep, green, forest.

Plus, there’s parking!

Address: 36 Summit Circle, Westmount
Hours: 5 am – 12 am

Saint-Joseph’s Oratory

Saint Joseph’s Oratory is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine on Mont Royal’s aforementioned Westmount Summit.

It is the largest church in Canada and claims to have one of the world’s largest domes.

Along with spectacular views of the city at the oratory’s top standing, the spot is covered in gorgeous colours, trees, and flowers – all in bloom during springtime.

Address: 3800 Queen Mary Road
Hours: open 24/7

Farine Five Roses Sign

The Farine Five Roses sign has been a feature among Montreal’s skyline, in some form, since 1948.

Whether photographed at night, or during the day, the flour mill’s sign is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Feature the recognizable emblem in a spring photo and you’ll get all the Instagram love from locals.

Address: H3C 1Y4

Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral

Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral is a minor basilica in the heart of downtown Montreal. It is the third largest church in the province and it’s timelessly beautiful, inside and out.

With the spring shining down on the church, every detail should be photographed to further express the cathedral’s beauty.

Address: 1085 rue de la Cathédrale
Hours: 8 am – 7 pm

Biosphere Environmental Museum

The Biosphere is a museum dedicated to the environment located on Parc Jean-Drapeau on the man-made island of Ile-Saint-Helen.

The museum’s geodesic dome is another famous landmark in the city and its host, Parc Jean-Drapeau, is absolutely stunning come springtime.

Address: 160 Chemin de Tour de l’isle
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (closed on Thursdays, Mondays and Tuesdays)