Clock Tower Beach

Clock Tower Beach isn’t your typical waterfront hangout. Perched on the quay below Montreal’s historic Clock Tower, this urban beach swaps waves for views—offering soft sand, misting stations, parasols, and a front-row seat to the St. Lawrence River. There’s no swimming here, but that hasn’t stopped locals and visitors from claiming the iconic blue loungers for sunbathing, reading, or watching boats drift past. Open from late June, it’s five minutes from downtown but feels worlds away, framed by the skyline, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, and the river’s slow churn. Originally part of the Old Port’s redevelopment in the 1990s, the beach has since become a seasonal escape for those craving summer without leaving the city. Add in snacks, a boardwalk, and proximity to Old Montreal’s streets, and you’ve got one of the more laid-back vantage points in the city—minimal fuss, maximum sun.