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The Best Gardens to Visit in Montreal: From Botanical to Secret Spots
Big, small, hidden, or wildly beautiful, Montreal’s best gardens showcase the city’s most fabulous side. Explore these stunning green spaces, all accessible by metro and often conveniently located near the city’s top cafés and sandwich shops.
Best Botanical Gardens
1. Botanical Garden
The Jardin Botanique de Montréal offers a variety of natural environments. In warmer months, explore the Chinese, Japanese, and First Nations gardens. They all come to life at night during the Gardens of Light event in early fall, a popular lantern festival. Year-round, the vast greenhouses provide a humid, earthy escape. Visit the Botanical Garden | Get Directions
2. Les Floralies
Located in Parc Jean-Drapeau, Les Floralies features 25 km of trails lined with blooms and views of the St. Lawrence River. The Floralies garden, near the Casino, includes shrubs, trees, and flower beds. Don’t miss La Toundra and Place du Canada, iconic buildings from Expo 67. Visit Parc Jean-Drapeau | Get Directions
3. Governor’s Garden
Behind the Old Port’s Château Ramesay museum, this green space is free to access and often hosts educational activities. Enjoy a snack among the well-groomed shrubs, aromatic plants, and fruit trees reminiscent of 18th-century New France gardens. Visit Château Ramezay | Get Directions
4. The Quiet Garden
This peaceful garden at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul is a true oasis in downtown Montreal. Open from June to September, it offers benches for quiet contemplation. It’s privately owned, so remember to keep it serene. Visit The Quiet Garden | Get Directions
5. Christ Church Cathedral Garden
This small garden at the Anglican Gothic Revival cathedral on Sainte-Catherine Street is a green spot amidst the concrete jungle. It’s a perfect place for downtown workers to enjoy a peaceful lunch break. Visit Christ Church Cathedral | Get Directions
6. Musée des Hospitalières Garden
Behind the walls near the beach volleyball courts on Avenue du Parc is a beautiful garden owned by the Musée des Hospitalières. Initially a kitchen garden for the Hôtel-Dieu hospital, it’s now a public pleasure garden open all summer. Visit Musée des Hospitalières | Get Directions
7. Westmount Conservatory and Greenhouses
Built in 1927, this four-season spot in Westmount Park includes shallow pools, water features, and plant specimens from around the world. It’s a great place to spend half a day. Visit Westmount Conservatory | Get Directions
8. Concordia Greenhouse
This 13th-floor greenhouse at Concordia’s Hall Building is an all-organic space focused on community and sustainable horticulture. Open year-round, it hosts workshops and events to raise awareness about contemporary agriculture. Visit Concordia Greenhouse | Get Directions
9. Garden of the Way of the Cross
The grounds of Saint Joseph’s Oratory feature formal French-style gardens and wild English-garden flowerbeds with 42 stone sculptures. Designed by landscape architect Frederick Todd, it’s a serene spot on the flank of the mountain. Visit Saint Joseph’s Oratory | Get Directions
10. Esplanade Tranquille
This rooftop garden in Quartier des Spectacles offers 7,000 square feet of decorative plants, flowers, and produce. It’s an ideal spot for a lunchtime stroll or a post-work retreat. Visit Esplanade Tranquille | Get Directions
11. Grand Quay de Montréal Walkway
This handsome wooden walkway along the second floor of the Grand Quay offers flower beds filled with local species, giving it a wild prairie feel. It’s great for a quick walk or a relaxing bench sit with river views. Visit Grand Quay | Get Directions
12. Ruelle Champêtre Henri-Julien
This green lane between Henri-Julien and Drolet is a community project tended by residents. It’s a true Garden of Eden, perfect for a leisurely stroll. You can even pick up a book from the community book box. Explore Ruelle Champêtre
13. Pub Le Sainte-Élisabeth Garden
This Irish pub in the Village features a quaint back garden under a canopy of leafy trees, with walls covered in lush vines. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy a pint in a green oasis. Visit Pub Le Sainte-Élisabeth | Get Directions
14. Café Santropol Garden
This Californian-style sandwich shop on the Plateau offers a gorgeous back garden at the foot of Mount Royal. It’s small but atmospheric, with lanterns, bunting, and twinkly lights. Don’t miss the carrot cake! Visit Café Santropol | Get Directions
15. Maison Boulud Garden
Nestled within the Ritz-Carlton Montreal, Maison Boulud features a beautiful restaurant garden. Enjoy a meal overlooking the water feature and little bridge, then stretch your legs in the serene surroundings. Visit Maison Boulud | Get Directions
Explore these beautiful gardens and discover the natural beauty Montreal has to offer. For more information and recommendations, visit Time Out Montreal.
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