If you’ve been noticing more tourists wandering around Old Montreal or struggling to grab a seat on your favourite terrasse this summer, there might be an explanation for it!
A new report just confirmed what many locals may have already suspected: Montreal is on the rise as a go-to destination in Canada.
Released on Thursday by FlightHub, the Unveiled 2025 report highlights where North Americans have been travelling over the past year, based on booking data from October 2024 to June 2025. The report looks at everything from popular destinations to travel trends and flight data.
One section of the report lists the top 10 Canadian destinations for 2025, showing which cities kept travellers curious and coming back. While some of the usual suspects held on to their top spots, Montreal made a noticeable jump this year.
The city landed in fifth place — up three spots from last year. According to FlightHub, “Montreal jumped several spots this year by leaning into doing what it does best. Its patios, markets, galleries, lively events, and late-night corners come together in a way that makes staying out feel like part of the plan.”
Montreal’s ranking will be no surprise to anyone who’s spent a summer weekend in the city. Between the steady stream of festivals, charming neighbourhoods, and the city’s love of good food and long nights, Montreal continues to be a solid pick for both short getaways and longer stays.
Still, the cities that ranked ahead of Montreal might raise a few eyebrows.
Toronto came in at number one once again, with FlightHub noting its consistent appeal as a city that “offers personality and something new around every corner.”
Vancouver held its spot at number two, known for its balance of nature and urban life. Calgary ranked third, with easy access to the Rockies and a growing lineup of local festivals and food events. Edmonton took fourth, described in the report as “festival-packed” with enough entertainment to fill a weekend or more.
Just behind Montreal, Winnipeg landed in sixth place (dropping one spot from last year), while Ottawa climbed two positions to seventh.
Here’s a closer look at the full list:
Canada’s top ten destinations
- Toronto, ON
- Vancouver, BC
- Calgary, AB
- Edmonton, AB
- Montreal, QC
- Winnipeg, MB
- Ottawa, ON
- Kelowna, BC
- Halifax, NS
- Saskatoon, SK
So while Montreal didn’t crack the top three, its steady climb shows the city is continuing to gain traction with North American tourists — and there’s a good chance it could climb even higher next year.
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