Old Port of Montréal: Free Entry, Hours & Why No Pass Is Needed
1 - 3 h (or longer, self-paced)
Public Waterfront District
Historic port dating to the 17th century; redeveloped as a public recreational waterfront from the 1990s onward
Vieux-Port de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada (stretching along the St. Lawrence River at the foot of Old Montreal)
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
C$0.00
Free for all visitors — only specific activities inside the district (cruises, the Big Wheel, the Science Centre, bike/pedalo rentals) are separately priced
Open daily, 6:00-24:00, for the waterfront itself; individual paid attractions inside the district set their own hours.
None for the waterfront itself — open public access, no ticket needed. Individual paid activities inside the district set their own booking rules.
A 2km+ public waterfront promenade along the St. Lawrence River at the foot of Old Montreal, with parks, the Montréal Clock Tower, a beach, a marina, and access points to the Montréal Science Centre and seasonal river activities; free to enter, open 6am-midnight.
| Option | Price | Booking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfront / district entry | Free | No ticket needed — open access | |
| Montréal Science Centre (inside the district) | Separately priced | Confirmed included on the Montreal Museums Pass | |
| La Grande Roue (Big Wheel) | Separately priced | Book directly, not part of the Museums Pass | |
| With Montreal Museums Pass | Not needed for the district itself | N/A |
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Ticket Options
C$0.00
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & History
The Old Port of Montréal (Vieux-Port) is a 2km-plus public waterfront promenade along the St. Lawrence River at the foot of Old Montreal, free to enter and open long hours daily. It combines open parkland, a marina, and a beach with access points to paid attractions and activities inside the district, including the Montréal Science Centre, the Montréal Clock Tower, seasonal river cruises, and the Grande Roue de Montréal (Big Wheel) observation wheel.
What to See: Top Highlights
La Grande Roue de Montréal
A large observation wheel on the waterfront offering river and skyline views — a separately ticketed activity inside the free district.
The Montréal Clock Tower
A 1922 memorial clock tower at the harbour's edge, climbable for river views, standing near where the museum district meets the water.
Montréal Science Centre
An interactive science museum with an IMAX theatre, located within the Old Port and confirmed as its own separate Musées Montréal member museum.
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Location & Google Maps
Do You Need the Montreal Museums Pass for the Old Port?
Compare Montreal PassesNo — entrance to the Old Port waterfront itself is free at any time, confirmed directly by Tourisme Montréal's own official listing. The Montreal Museums Pass is not needed for the district itself, though it does separately include the Montréal Science Centre, one of the paid attractions located inside it.
No pass needed for the waterfront
Free walk-in access at any time — only specific activities inside are separately ticketed.
Data Provenance
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SponsoredProvided by our commercial partner GetYourGuide — bookings made through this section may earn LocalExperiences a commission. See our Editorial Transparency page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Old Port of Montréal free to visit?
Do I need the Montreal Museums Pass to visit the Old Port?
What are the opening hours?
What's the best-known paid activity here?
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