Montreal’s murals turned our everyday walks into something we never get tired of. So let us show you around the way we’d show a friend.
As Montreal locals since 2007, we’ve watched the city quietly transform over the years. Walls that used to be grey and forgettable are now covered in colour, character, and stories. A big part of that shift comes down to Montreal’s murals, which seem to multiply every summer thanks to artists who fly in from all over the world to leave their mark.
In this guide, we’re sharing our favourite Montreal street art discoveries, mostly along Boulevard Saint-Laurent, but also a few standouts scattered across the rest of the city. You’ll get our self-guided walking route, our honest take on guided tours, tips for getting there, and the cafés and bagel shops we’d send you to along the way.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- A walking tour of the murals along Boulevard Saint-Laurent
- How to enjoy a relaxed self-guided art walk
- How to book a guided tour if you want the stories behind the art
- Famous murals worth seeking out elsewhere in Montreal
- Fun food, coffee, and shopping stops to break up the walk
So grab a coffee, wear comfortable shoes, and come wander with us.
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The Story Behind Montreal’s Murals
Montreal has long had a creative streak, but its mural scene really took off in 2013 with the launch of the MURAL Festival. Since then, the event has turned a stretch of Boulevard Saint-Laurent into one of the largest open-air galleries in North America.
Every June, around twenty new large-scale works go up, layered alongside dozens of pieces from previous years. Some are bold political statements, others are pure playful colour, and many are painted by internationally known artists who treat Montreal’s walls like a giant shared canvas.
What we love is that the art doesn’t disappear when the festival ends. The murals stay up year-round, which means you can enjoy them whether you visit in the middle of summer or on a crisp autumn afternoon. If you want the official schedule, artist lineup, and event details, the festival’s own site is the best source: muralfestival.com.
Why We Love Exploring Montreal’s Street Art
When we first moved here, a walk up the Main was mostly about the restaurants and shops. These days, it’s just as much about looking up. The murals gave the city a personality you can feel as you walk, and honestly, they changed the way we explore our own neighbourhood.
What keeps it fun is the surprise factor. You’ll spot a giant face watching over an intersection, then turn down a side street and find something tiny and tucked away that almost nobody notices.
For us, hunting down Montreal’s murals never feels like checking boxes off a list. It feels like a treasure hunt that resets every summer.
Discovering Montreal’s Murals Along Saint-Laurent Boulevard
If you only have time for one mural walk in the city, make it Boulevard Saint-Laurent, known to locals simply as “the Main”. This is the beating heart of Montreal street art, and it’s where most first-time visitors fall in love with the scene.
What is the MURAL Festival?
The MURAL Festival is an annual celebration of public art that takes over a long stretch of Saint-Laurent each June, roughly between Sherbrooke Street and Mont-Royal Avenue. For about ten days, the street fills up with creativity and energy.
Along with the live painting, you’ll usually find:
- Local and international artists working on walls in real time
- Live music and DJ sets through the day and evening
- Craft and art vendors lining the street
- Food stalls and pop-ups from nearby restaurants
- A genuinely fun, community-driven atmosphere
The best part? Walking the festival is technically free. You can stroll the whole stretch, watch the artists, and soak it all in without paying a cent. Over the years, a few ticketed extras have been added, and they change from one edition to the next, so check the official MURAL Festival website for the current program before you go.
Guided Tour or Self-Guided Tour?
There are two great ways to explore the murals, and neither one is wrong. It really comes down to how you like to travel.
Montreal Street Art Guided Tour
If you’re the kind of traveller who wants the story behind the art, a guided tour is worth it. A good local guide will tell you who painted what, why certain pieces matter, and which murals carry hidden meanings you’d otherwise walk right past.
We’ve been booking experiences through GetYourGuide since 2023, including a couple of guided walks in Old Montreal during summer 2025 that we genuinely loved. What keeps us coming back is the practical stuff: real customer reviews, clear descriptions, free cancellation on most tours even a day ahead, and the option to pick your date, time, and language. The Montreal guides we’ve had were knowledgeable and easy to spend a couple of hours with.
Our pick for the murals: the original locally owned street art walking tour covers Saint-Laurent’s best pieces, the artists behind them, and the history of the scene. Check the Montreal Street Art Walking Tour.
Note: This is an affiliate link. If you book through it, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tours we’d genuinely take ourselves.
Self-Guided Tour
As Montreal locals, this is our favourite way to explore the city’s murals. We love having the freedom to wander, stop for coffee when a café catches our eye, duck down side streets, and spend as much time as we want in front of a mural that grabs our attention. Since we live nearby, this is exactly how we explore the Main on a lazy weekend.
That said, there is one thing a self-guided walk can’t always provide: the stories behind the art. While we love discovering new murals, we’re certainly not experts. We don’t always know the artist, the inspiration behind a piece, or the history that led to its creation. That’s where a guided tour can add a lot of value, especially if you’re interested in learning more about Montreal’s street art scene.
For us, the ideal approach is often a mix of both: take a guided tour to gain a deeper understanding of the murals, then come back later and explore at your own pace.
Below, we’ve mapped out the exact route we’d send you on.
If you’d like to go beyond Boulevard Saint-Laurent, the City of Montreal also maintains an interactive mural map that showcases street art across different neighbourhoods. It’s a fantastic resource if you’re planning a longer mural-hunting adventure or want to discover pieces outside the MURAL Festival corridor.
You can explore the city’s official mural map here: https://ville.montreal.qc.ca/murales/carte
We’ve used it ourselves to track down murals in Plateau Mont-Royal, Mile End, Downtown Montreal, and other corners of the city that many visitors never make it to.
How to Get to Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Before the fun part, let’s talk logistics. Getting to Saint-Laurent is easy, and a few options work better than others depending on the season.
- Metro (our top pick): Take the Green Line to Saint-Laurent station, then walk up the boulevard. You skip the nightmare of parking, and you ease into the murals on foot, which is the whole point. You can also ride up to Mont-Royal station and walk down through the Plateau instead, picking up plenty of Plateau Mont-Royal murals on the way.
- Bus: Bus: Outside of MURAL Festival season, the 55 bus runs along Boulevard Saint-Laurent and is a convenient option if you don’t feel like walking the entire route. Just keep in mind that during the MURAL Festival, sections of Saint-Laurent are typically closed to traffic, so the bus won’t run through the heart of the festival area. If that happens, hop off near the corner of Sherbrooke Street and Saint-Laurent and continue on foot.
- BIXI: Montreal’s bike-share is a great shout in warm weather. Stations are everywhere, and cycling between murals lets you cover more ground. During the MURAL Festival, however, Boulevard Saint-Laurent is closed to vehicle and bicycle traffic, so you’ll need to park your bike and explore on foot. Thankfully, that’s the best way to experience the murals anyway.
- Walking: If you’re already staying downtown or in the Plateau, just walk. Half the joy of the Main is the people-watching and the stumble-upon discoveries along the way.
- Driving: We’d avoid it. Parking near Saint-Laurent is genuinely difficult and expensive, and during the festival the street is pedestrian-only anyway.
Where to Stay to Visit the MURAL Festival
One of the best parts of staying near the Main is that you can practically roll out of bed and into the murals. If you’re planning your trip around the festival, here are three places we’d point you to, sorted by budget, and all tied to Montreal’s creative side.
M Montreal Hostel
Budget: $ | Area: Quartier Latin / Saint-Laurent | Best for: Budget travellers, solo travellers, social atmosphere, walking to the MURAL Festival
We’ve stayed at M Montreal Hostel several times over the years and continue to recommend it to travellers looking for a fun and affordable base in the city. Located just steps from Saint-Laurent Boulevard and the Quartier Latin, it’s within walking distance of many of Montreal’s best murals, restaurants, festivals, and nightlife.
The hostel offers both dormitory and private rooms, a lively common area, and one of the best social atmospheres we’ve experienced in Montreal. For visitors planning to explore the MURAL Festival on foot, the location is hard to beat. You’re close to multiple metro stations, making it easy to explore the rest of the city as well.
While it can be livelier than a traditional hotel, that’s part of its charm and one of the reasons travellers from around the world keep coming back.
Hotel 10
Mid-Range: $$ | Area: Saint-Laurent / Plateau Mont-Royal | Best for: Couples, design lovers, MURAL Festival visitors, walkable location
We stayed at Hotel 10 in 2025 and quickly realized why so many visitors love its location. Sitting at the corner of Sherbrooke Street and Boulevard Saint-Laurent, it places you right at the doorstep of Montreal’s mural district, making it an ideal base for exploring the city on foot.
What makes this hotel particularly unique is its connection to Montreal’s artistic heritage. The property incorporates the historic Godin Building, one of Canada’s first Art Nouveau residences and a former artists’ commune. Today, it blends modern comfort with a creative atmosphere that feels perfectly at home in the heart of Montreal’s cultural scene.
For mural lovers, the location couldn’t be much better. Origine Café is right next door, and many of the city’s most famous murals are just a short walk away. Whether you’re visiting for the MURAL Festival or simply exploring Montreal’s street art year-round, Hotel 10 offers one of the most convenient and character-filled stays in the city.
Hyatt Place Montreal – Downtown
Higher-End: $$$ | Area: Quartier Latin / Berri-UQAM | Best for: Comfortable stay, downtown access, mural lovers, pet-friendly travel
While we haven’t personally stayed at Hyatt Place Montreal Downtown, it’s a hotel we know well. It’s located near our neighbourhood, and we’ve visited the property several times for condo meetings over the years.
One of the things that makes it stand out is the giant Damiers 2023 mural painted directly on the side of the building. In fact, it’s the tallest mural in Montreal, making the hotel a fitting choice for travellers interested in the city’s street art scene.
The location is also very convenient. You’re steps from Berri-UQAM, Place Dupuis, the Quartier Latin, and an easy walk from many of the murals featured in this guide. Whether you’re heading toward Saint-Laurent, exploring downtown, or simply enjoying Montreal on foot, it’s a comfortable and well-connected base for your stay.
As a bonus, the hotel is pet-friendly, making it a great option for travellers who don’t want to leave their four-legged companions behind.
Our Saint-Laurent Mural Walk
Here’s the route we’d actually take you on. It’s less of a strict checklist and more of a wander, with a coffee at the start and plenty of looking up along the way.
Start at Origine Café
We always like to begin uphill at Origine Café, on the corner of Sherbrooke and Saint-Laurent (8 Sherbrooke St W). It sits right next to Hotel 10, where we stayed for a few nights in 2025 and really enjoyed the stay, so peek inside if you’re curious.
The café itself is a lovely warm-up for an art walk. There’s a beautiful painting inside, the coffee is genuinely good, and the croissant sandwiches are a solid call before a long stroll. Fuel up here, then head north.
La Justice by MissMe
Cross Sherbrooke, head up Saint-Laurent, and stay on the left side. One of the very first murals we ever spotted on this stretch was La Justice by artist Shepard Fairey, also known as Obey Giant. It towers over the street, and between its piercing gaze, bold colours, and scales-of-justice pendant, it is impossible to ignore. It is a striking introduction to Montreal’s mural scene and a reminder that many of the city’s murals carry real social and cultural weight.
From here, keep walking north toward Mile End and keep your eyes moving. Murals pop up on both sides of the street, tucked between shops, restaurants, and apartment buildings. Some loom over busy intersections, while others hide in plain sight. Slowing down is half the fun, so here are the pieces that became our favourite discoveries.
The Colourful Monster Mural
This playful explosion of colour on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, right near Dirty Dogs, grabbed us right away. Created by Buff Monster for the 2016 edition of MURAL Festival, it is packed with quirky characters, melting ice-cream creatures, oversized eyeballs, and cartoon-style details. The longer we looked, the more we noticed, and the bright pink sculptures out front add even more personality. It’s easily one of the most fun stops on the route.
The Queen by Ola Volo
A little farther up Saint-Laurent, this mural immediately caught our attention. Known as The Queen and created by artist Ola Volo, it features a regal figure surrounded by bold black, white, and red patterns that really stand out against the old brick building.
We aren’t art experts, but this is one of those murals that makes you stop, look up, and take a few photos before moving on.
The Geometric Colour Wall
Created by Newfoundland Mi’kmaq artist Jordan Bennett, this colourful mural brings a burst of blues, pinks, greens, and yellows to the street. It’s completely different from the large portrait murals nearby, and that’s exactly why it caught our attention during our walk along Saint-Laurent.
The Grandmother of Saint-Laurent
This is easily one of our favourite murals on Boulevard Saint-Laurent. Created by the Ashop Crew as part of the TYXNA project, Mémé la Main has so much character that it’s hard not to smile when you spot her.
We couldn’t tell you all the artistic details behind it, but that’s never stopped us from loving it. It’s one of those murals that makes us slow down, take a photo, and appreciate how creative Montreal can be.
Pulsar
Created by Montreal’s TYXNA collective, Pulsar is one of the most eye-catching murals along Saint-Laurent. The giant hand, floating faces, and bursts of colour immediately caught our attention.
We couldn’t tell you the deeper meaning behind it, but that’s part of the fun. It’s the kind of mural that makes you stop, look a little longer, and come away with your own interpretation.
The Egyptian-Inspired Figure
This is one mural I always stop to look at, no matter how many times I’ve walked past it. Created by artist Sbu One, the figure has a strong Egyptian-inspired feel, with its elaborate headdress, jewellery, and staff.
I’m not sure what the artist intended, but there’s something about it that I find really intriguing. Every time I look at it, I notice a different detail. The colours, the expression, and the mix of ancient-looking symbolism against a Montreal brick building make it one of the most memorable murals on the route.
Jackie Robinson Mural
This mural celebrates Jackie Robinson’s season with the Montreal Royals in 1946, a chapter of Montreal sports history that many visitors don’t know about.
We’re not huge baseball experts, but this mural always catches our eye. The smile, the colours, and the way the baseball imagery is woven into the design make it one of the most memorable pieces along Saint-Laurent.
Leonard Cohen Overlooking the Main
You can spot this one from blocks away. Painted by Montreal artist Kevin Ledo on the side of the Cooper Building (around 3981 Saint-Laurent, near Napoléon), the nine-storey portrait honours legendary singer-songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen, who lived in this very neighbourhood for years. Even if you don’t know his music, standing beneath it is a quiet reminder of how deep Montreal’s artistic roots run.
It’s one of two giant Cohen murals in the city, and we’ll point you to the other one a little later.
A Never-Ending Outdoor Gallery
What we loved most about Saint-Laurent wasn’t finding a single “best” mural. It was the feeling that another piece of art was always waiting around the next corner. From world-famous works to little neighbourhood gems, the murals turn an ordinary walk into an open-air gallery.
So keep your camera ready, because you never quite know what you’ll find next.
Fun Stops Along Saint-Laurent
A mural walk is even better with a few snack breaks built in. Here are the spots we’d point you toward as you make your way up the Main and into Mile End.
Restaurants & Perfect Snack Breaks
- Fairmount Bagel & St-Viateur Bagel: You can’t talk about Mile End without the bagels. These two shops fuel one of Montreal’s friendliest rivalries, and both serve the wood-fired, slightly sweet bagels the city is famous for. Fun detail: Leonard Cohen himself was a regular at St-Viateur.
- Casa Minhota: A great Portuguese restaurant on Saint-Laurent, known for its seafood, tapas, and generous portions.
- Schwartz’s Deli: An iconic Montreal institution for smoked meat. The main restaurant often has long queues, but Schwartz’s Express next door is a great alternative.
- Le Majestique: A fun, eclectic restaurant and bar right on Saint-Laurent, great for a relaxed bite and a drink.
- Tapi Go!: As a Brazilian, this is one of Eli’s favourite spots in the Plateau. She often stops by for pão de queijo, tapioca, or a refreshing açaí bowl while exploring the neighbourhood.
- Les Anges Gourmets: A hidden Portuguese favourite for pastéis de nata, rabanadas, and tasty snacks to go. It’s a great stop during your mural walk, but plan ahead—it’s usually closed on Sundays.
- Siboire Saint-Laurent: Perfect for a craft beer after a day of exploring. The snacks are great, their poutine is definitely worth trying
Cafés & Desserts
- Origine Café: Our go-to starting point, with great coffee and that gorgeous painting inside.
- Les Madeleines d’Émilie: It’s a bit of a walk from Saint-Laurent, but we couldn’t leave it off this list. Their specialty is freshly baked madeleines, and they’re absolutely delicious. If you’re exploring the Plateau and looking for a sweet treat, this is one of our favourite dessert stops in the neighbourhood.
- Café Roxane: A wonderful café in the Plateau that we discovered recently. Their desserts were so good that we’ve already found ourselves coming back more than once.
- Local Mile End cafés: As you head north, you’ll pass dozens of independent coffee shops. Duck into whichever one looks inviting. The neighbourhood’s café culture is part of its charm.
- Ice Cream: Exploring murals can work up an appetite. Ripples is a great option near the MURAL Festival area, while Iconoglace Mile End is one of our favourites farther north and well worth the stop for a refreshing summer treat.
Shopping
- Vintage stores: Saint-Laurent and the surrounding streets are full of vintage and second-hand shops worth a browse.
- Local boutiques: You’ll find independent fashion and design that you won’t see in the malls downtown.
- Independent shops: Record stores, bookshops, and quirky little spots make great breaks between murals.
Activities
- Mural photography, since this whole stretch is basically a free photo studio
- Café hopping your way up the Main
- Catching live music and events during the MURAL Festival
- Exploring Mile End, one of the most creative corners of the city
Beyond Saint-Laurent: More Murals Across Montreal
Saint-Laurent may be the heart of Montreal’s mural scene, but some of our favourite discoveries were actually found outside the Main. As we wandered through the Plateau, downtown Montreal, and beyond, we kept stumbling upon incredible murals in places we least expected.
Here are a few of our favourite mural discoveries beyond Saint-Laurent Boulevard.
Flourish
One of our favourite discoveries on Rue Saint-Denis, this colourful mural by Melissa Falconer features a striking portrait, vibrant flowers, and a falcon. It’s painted on the side wall of Baguette & Brochette, but the artwork actually faces Rue Roy, making it a fun surprise to stumble upon while exploring the Plateau. The bright pink background makes it hard to miss and adds a wonderful splash of colour to the neighbourhood.
Photo Tip: Visiting during summer or fall? Walk across the street and use the trees to frame the mural. It’s one of our favourite angles and adds a unique touch to your photos, especially when the leaves are full of colour.
Nightwing
We stumbled across this giant Nightwing mural while wandering through the Plateau, and it immediately caught our attention. Located at 1853 Rue Marie-Anne Est, this impressive Nightwing mural was created by Montreal artist Johnny Crap as part of the Gotham Knights mural series. It’s one of those unexpected discoveries that reminds us why we love wandering Montreal’s side streets.
Even if you’re not a DC Comics fan, it’s hard not to stop and admire the scale of it.
Photo Tip: If you’re visiting in the fall, step back across the street and use the colourful trees to frame your photo. That’s exactly how we captured the image above.
The interpretation of Botticelli’s Venus by artist Carlito Dalceggio
This mural is a great example of why we love wandering around Montréal without a plan. We spotted it while exploring the Quartier Latin, and the bold red background immediately caught our attention. Created by artist Carlito Dalceggio, the mural features a whimsical interpretation of Botticelli’s Venus and has been brightening Rue Saint-Denis since 2008.
If you’re exploring this area, don’t miss the chance to wander around the Quartier Latin. During the summer especially, the neighbourhood comes alive with festivals, terraces, street performances, and plenty of local cafés and restaurants. We actually have a detailed guide to the area if you’d like to discover more: Montreal’s Quartier Latin Neighbourhood on Discovering Destinations.
Leonard Cohen After Dark
We’ve seen Montreal’s famous Leonard Cohen mural many times over the years, but this nighttime view stopped us in our tracks. The soft lighting, the quiet street, and the classic car parked below made the whole scene feel like something out of another era. It’s one of those moments that reminded us why we still love wandering Montreal with a camera, even after all these years.
Created by artists El Mac and Gene Pendon, this towering tribute celebrates one of Montreal’s most beloved cultural icons. At night, the lighting adds an extra layer of drama that makes the mural feel completely different from its daytime appearance.
Where to find it: Corner of Crescent Street and De Maisonneuve Boulevard West in downtown Montreal.
Photo Tip: If you have time, visit both Leonard Cohen murals. The Saint-Laurent version is the city’s most famous, while the Crescent Street mural offers a different perspective and is especially striking after dark.
We often tell visitors not to rush past this area. Crescent Street is known for its restaurants, terraces, and nightlife, making it an easy stop to combine with dinner or an evening walk through downtown Montreal.
Ontario Street Murals
One thing we love about exploring Montreal’s murals is that they’re not limited to Saint-Laurent Boulevard. As we walked between the Quartier Latin, Saint-Denis, and Saint-Laurent, we discovered entire stretches of artwork along Ontario Street, spread across multiple buildings and blocks.
Even during winter and early spring, when many of Montreal’s trees are still bare, these colourful murals bring life to the neighbourhood. In a way, the artwork fills the streets with colour long before the leaves return.
One of our favourites is Rush of Fall, a vibrant mural created by artists David Guinn and Phillip Adams. Its warm autumn colours seem to flow across the building, creating a sense of movement that instantly catches your eye. It’s a beautiful reminder that some of Montreal’s most impressive murals can be found far beyond the city’s famous mural corridors.
Photo Tip: Don’t just focus on the murals themselves. Along Ontario Street, you’ll often find public art, monuments, and colourful walls sharing the same blocks. Taking a few extra minutes to wander the surrounding streets can lead to some unexpected discoveries and unique photo opportunities.
Damiers 2023
This giant mural sits on the side of the Hyatt Place hotel in downtown Montreal, and if you spend any time around Berri-UQAM, Place Dupuis, or Sainte-Catherine East, chances are you’ll spot it sooner or later. We can even see it from our neighbourhood.
When the artists first started painting it, we watched the progress for weeks. Every day there seemed to be a few more colourful squares, and we kept wondering what the final design would look like. Then one day… it was finished.
And honestly? We weren’t quite sure what to think.
As people who appreciate street art but definitely aren’t art experts, we were expecting some kind of giant portrait or elaborate scene. Instead, the finished mural is a collection of colourful geometric blocks inspired by Quebec artist Françoise Sullivan’s Les Damiers series.
Do we love it? Not really.
Is it better than the plain grey wall that was there before? Absolutely.
On dark rainy days and during Montreal’s long winters, those bright colours bring a little life to the skyline, and over time we’ve grown to appreciate it more than we expected.
What about you? Would you call this art, or are you still waiting for the rest of the mural like we were?
Where to find it: Hyatt Place Montreal Downtown, near Berri-UQAM, Place Dupuis.
Tips for Photographing Montreal’s Murals
After plenty of trial and error, here’s what helps us get better mural photos:
- Go early or late. Soft morning or late-afternoon light is far kinder than harsh midday sun, which flattens colours and casts strong shadows.
- Think about the season. Summer brings lush greenery and festival energy, while winter offers clean, uncluttered shots once the crowds thin out. Both have their charm.
- If you’re visiting in winter, don’t put the camera away. While Serge personally prefers photographing murals in summer and fall, fresh snow, bare trees, and quieter streets can create unique compositions that are impossible to capture during the warmer months.
- Bring a wide angle if you can. Many murals are huge, so a wide-angle lens (or your phone’s wide mode) helps you fit the whole piece in without backing into traffic.
- Look down the side streets. Some of the best surprises are off the main drag, so peek into alleys and quieter blocks.
- Take your time. The murals aren’t going anywhere. Slow down, look closely, and let yourself notice the small details you’d miss in a rush.
Want to improve your travel photography? Serge has put together a collection of practical photography tips based on years of photographing Montreal and destinations around the world. You can find more advice in our guide: Travel Photography Made Easy: Photography Tips for Beginners and Travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Montreal Murals
Where can I see the best murals in Montreal?
The richest concentration is along Boulevard Saint-Laurent between Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal, plus the surrounding Plateau and Mile End streets. For famous standalone pieces, head downtown to Crescent Street for the giant Leonard Cohen mural.
When is the Montreal MURAL Festival?
The festival usually runs for about ten days in June. Dates shift slightly each year, so check the official site before planning your trip around it.
Is the MURAL Festival free?
Walking the street and watching the artists is free. Some special activities have been ticketed in recent years, and those change from one edition to the next, so confirm the current program online.
Can I see Montreal’s murals year-round?
Yes. The murals stay up long after the festival ends, so you can explore them in any season. Summer is the liveliest time to visit, but a quiet autumn or winter walk offers a completely different perspective.
Do I need a guided tour to see the murals?
Not at all. A self-guided walk is easy and free. That said, a guided tour is worth considering if you want to learn more about the artists, the stories behind the murals, and Montreal’s street art culture.
How long does the Saint-Laurent mural walk take?
Give yourself two to three hours if you want to enjoy it properly, including coffee and photo stops. You can easily stretch it into a half-day adventure with lunch, shopping, and a few detours through the Plateau and Mile End.
Is the MURAL Festival family-friendly?
Absolutely. The festival attracts visitors of all ages, and it’s a great way for families to experience Montreal’s creative side. During the day you’ll find artists at work, live entertainment, food vendors, and plenty of colourful murals to discover together.
Are bicycles allowed during the MURAL Festival?
While BIXI bikes are a great way to explore Montreal, cycling is not permitted through the pedestrianized festival zone on Saint-Laurent. If you’re visiting during the festival, plan to walk your bike through the busiest sections.
What should I bring for a mural walk?
Comfortable walking shoes are a must. In summer, bring water, sun hat, sunscreen, and a camera or phone with plenty of battery life. If you’re visiting during winter, dress warmly since you’ll spend most of your time outdoors.
Where is the Leonard Cohen mural in Montreal?
There are actually two famous Leonard Cohen murals. The nine-storey portrait by Kevin Ledo sits on Saint-Laurent near Napoléon, in Cohen’s old neighbourhood. The towering Tower of Songs mural by El Mac and Gene Pendon overlooks Crescent Street downtown.
What are some other things to do in Montreal nearby?
The mural walk pairs perfectly with some of Montreal’s best experiences: grabbing bagels in Mile End, café hopping in the Plateau, browsing vintage shops, exploring Quartier Latin, or heading to Old Montreal for more history, architecture, and waterfront views.
Final Thoughts
For us, exploring Montreal’s murals never really feels finished. There’s always another wall, another artist, another colourful surprise waiting on a street we thought we knew. That’s the magic of it. The city keeps reinventing itself one mural at a time, and we get to rediscover it right along with everyone else.
So whether you come for the MURAL Festival in June or just wander the Main on a quiet afternoon, take your time and keep looking up. Some of Montreal’s best art is hiding in plain sight, and finding it is half the fun. We hope this guide helps you stumble onto a few favourites of your own. When you do, we’d love to hear which ones stole your heart.
Lia & Serge from Discovering Destinations
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