A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Carmel-by-the-Sea vs. Montreal for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montreal can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Montreal

Montreal is a colorful, cultural, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food. See Montreal travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Montreal. Although Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montreal are popular destinations, Montreal has more sights and attractions for tourists. Montreal is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Montreal is famous for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. It is also well known for Notre-Dame Basilica.

How is Carmel-by-the-Sea different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Montreal and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

Montreal is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Montreal on the map. The city is filled with world-class museums and historic sites such as Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory, the Biosphere, and the Fine Arts Museum.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montreal.

Dining out in Carmel-by-the-Sea is an experience not to be missed. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Montreal. There are both local and international restaurants that serve up excellent dishes. Some of the local recipes that you should try include tourtiere (a meat pie), a smoked meat sandwich, and, of course, poutine.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Montreal is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city's nightlife scene is centered around its live music scene, which is excellent. There are also many bars and clubs, as well as a young population that keep evenings lively.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal Better for Music?

Montreal is renowned for its music scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

In Montreal you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The music scene is thriving and world class. One of the most unique aspects of the city's music scene is its impromptu nature. You'll find many talented street performers and you'll likely stumble into many high quality performers. There's also a great indie scene as well as hip hop, classical, jazz, and heavy metal at the many live music venues.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for the beach. However, Montreal is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Montreal is not a beach destination.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Montreal is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Montreal is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Vieux-Montreal is the historic part of the city, and it's filled with cobblestone streets and historic buildings. This is also where you'll find the Old Port, which has a waterfront promenade.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

Montreal is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Montreal is a world class destination for shoppers. It's known for its fashion scene and there are many independent and local vendors around town. Bonsecours Market is both historic and fascinating, but also make sure you check out Mont-Royal Avenue, which is the main shopping and dining street in town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Montreal is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Montreal is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal Better for Families?

Montreal is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Montreal is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids and teens will love the many science museums, parks and gardens, and the nearby La Ronde Amusement Park. If your kids are music lovers, there are many talented street performers in the city that will entertain the young and old alike.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal Better for Couples?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montreal are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Montreal makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with romance, from the world class music scene to the romantic restaurants and sunset river cruises. If you're in town during the fall months, check out the Botanical Gardens, which come to life with the annual Gardens of Light.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montreal is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Montreal is a good city to visit for backpackers. There's a decent number of hostels as well as a great nightlife scene and plenty of younger visitors looking to meet other travelers.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any real hostels or accommodation options that appeal to backpackers.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal Better for Students?

Montreal is renowned for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Montreal is a very popular city for students. It's regularly ranked as one of the top cities in North America for students. There are many students around town, a great nightlife scene, and plenty of opportunities to receive a world-class education.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Montreal is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Montreal offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's an efficient and reliable metro and bus system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montreal both are superb when exploring on foot.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable destination. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Montreal is very walkable. The city is very walkable, particularly in the areas that are popular with tourists.

For even more information, also check out Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting? and Is Montreal Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

How long in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

In either Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Montreal than Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Carmel-by-the-Sea, and 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.

Families should spend more time in Montreal than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Montreal, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Montreal than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Montreal that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montreal than Carmel-by-the-Sea if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Montreal.

One day in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

When visiting Montreal, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

When visiting Montreal, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

When visiting Montreal, people usually allow for lots of time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

A week in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Montreal is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Montreal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montreal than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 810 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montreal, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Carmel-by-the-Sea as well as Montreal. Many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Montreal for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is cooler than Montreal in the summer. The daily temperature in Carmel-by-the-Sea averages around 63°F (17°C) in July, and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets less rain in July than Montreal. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal in the Autumn?

Both Montreal and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Montreal because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Carmel-by-the-Sea is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Montreal averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In October, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Montreal. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal in the Winter?

Both Montreal and Carmel-by-the-Sea during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Montreal this time of year.

It's quite cold in Montreal in the winter. In January, Carmel-by-the-Sea is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea average around 51°F (11°C), and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets less rain in January than Montreal. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Montreal in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montreal. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Montreal for the activities around the city.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is much warmer than Montreal in the spring. The daily temperature in Carmel-by-the-Sea averages around 56°F (13°C) in April, and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In April, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Montreal. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montreal and Carmel-by-the-Sea