Noah Côté5 Best Tours in Montreal That Are Worth Your Calendar Space
I’m plotting some summer activities in Montreal that go beyond patios and another stroll through old spots, and finding the best tour in Montreal seems like a good place to start.
A food walk could lead me to my next favourite bite, while a history tour might explain the streets I’ve been wandering. If I’m going solo, a lively group sounds better than consulting my map all afternoon.
The trick is picking an outing that suits the day and my mood. Here are some tours I’d happily make room for in my summer plans!
How much does a tour cost in Montreal?
Self-guided and audio walking tours cost around US$7–$25 per person. Standard walking tours cost US$25–$55.
Hop-on, hop-off bus tours cost US$26–$37. River cruises cost US$33–$40, while guided bus or driving tours cost US$50–$110.
Food and drink tours cost US$80–$100. Full-day trips from Montreal cost US$70–$130.
For a private luxury SUV tour, expect to pay US$150–$570 or more per person.
It’s important to check the booking currency, as Montreal operators may list prices in Canadian dollars.
How I Reviewed
1. MTL Detours – Montreal Walking Tours
Address: 503 Place d’Armes #0
Contact: +1-514-293-6820 | [email protected]
Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 4 PM
If I’m spending a summer afternoon on foot, I’d rather hear Montreal’s stories than strain to hear a guide over a crowd. MTL Detours usually keeps its walking groups to 10 guests, giving everyone room to ask questions and keep pace.
There are no flags or megaphones to follow, and its certified local guides favour conversation over a memorized speech.
I like that the tours cover neighbourhoods beyond Old Montreal, including the Plateau and Mile End, so there’s more to explore than the usual postcard stops.
However, the regular tours aren’t wheelchair accessible, and the routes can involve cobblestones or stairs. Most regular tours don’t admit children under 12, either, so families with younger kids will need to ask about a private tour.
Customer Reviews
Exceptional Old Montreal Small Group Tour
Two of us joined Louise on the small group Old Montreal walking tour. This was the best small group tour I’ve had on four continents and several countries, and even better than a number of private tours I’ve enjoyed. Louise has exquisite competency on her subject matter, and brings it to life as a first-rate and engaging storyteller.
- David Greenspoon | Google Reviews
Great Pace and Knowledgeable Local Guide
Martin was a great guide on this Old City Montreal Walking Tour. He was knowledgeable, personable, spoke loudly on busy streets, and kept a good pace. I liked that it was a small group – 9 people. We were a party of 4 adults. Two in their 70s and two 40-year-olds. Highly recommend.
- Deborah Starr | Google Reviews
2. Spade & Palacio Non-Touristy Tours
Address: 3801 Saint Denis Street B
Contact: (514) 806-3263 | [email protected]
Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 6 PM
I’d pick Spade & Palacio when I want to see the Montreal that locals duck into after the postcard stops. Its walks venture beyond the busiest streets, with routes through neighbourhoods, murals, markets, and independent businesses.
The public tours cap groups at 10, so there’s room to chat instead of trailing a crowd down the pavement.
Its licensed guides have studied at ITHQ, and their informal approach sounds ideal for anyone who’d rather hear a good story than a rehearsed speech.
Food lovers can choose Beyond the Market, where 9 to 10 food and drink tastings are included. That’s a tempting way to meet the neighbourhood, one bite at a time.
Do note that there’s little wiggle room if your summer schedule goes sideways: regular tours require 48 hours’ notice for a refund. Arrive early, too, because latecomers aren’t accepted.
Customer Reviews
Authentic Cultural Food Tour Experience
Great food tour! We felt like we got to experience authentic, local Montreal. Danny really highlights the “salad bowl” of cultural food offerings and knows the story of each owner and how they came to perfect their crafts. He also taught us how to say taco and charcuterie. Would give 10 stars if we could.
- Andria Hillman | Google Reviews
Fantastic Non-Touristy Food Exploration
We did the non-touristy food tour of Montreal. Amelie was a fantastic guide! She was knowledgeable about the city and neighbourhoods we visited. The food locations were local, and each business had a story that made it unique. The food was fantastic but didn’t leave us uncomfortably full like some other food tours. Highly recommend!
- atie Ciccarino | Google Reviews
3. Fitz Montréal Bike Tours, Bike Rental & Montreal Walking Tours
Address: 1251 Rue Rachel E
Contact: (438) 792-6480
Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 5:30 PM (10 AM–5:30 PM for bike rentals)
I’d choose Fitz Montréal when I want to cover more ground without turning sightseeing into a race.
Its bike tours take in everything from Old Montreal’s familiar sights to the Plateau, Mile End, and the alleyways on its Hidden Gems route.
The public bike rides cap groups at 10, which sounds far more pleasant than pedalling in a parade. If I’d rather keep both feet on the pavement, Fitz runs an Old Montreal walking tour too.
There are a few catches for a family outing, though: children under 14 can’t join the regular bike tours, and scheduled tours run only in English.
Also, bike rides usually go ahead in the rain, with any unsafe-weather cancellation decided at the meeting point shortly before departure.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful Electric Bike Neighbourhood Tour
We had a wonderful time with Martin on our bike tour of the neighbourhoods and markets of Montreal. Martin was very knowledgeable about the history of the neighbourhoods and, because he lived in the area, was able to share more information about the neighbourhoods, parks, restaurants, churches, schools and just about anything else you would want to know. Even though the route was fairly flat, we enjoyed the electric bikes. We also enjoyed meeting the other people on our ride. It was an all-around fantastic day!! Thank you!!
- Pam Knowles | Google Reviews
Amazing E-Bike Ride with Great Stories
The e-bike tour was absolutely amazing. Full of beautiful history and lots of amazing stories. Overall, a fantastic experience. Would recommend for a great afternoon bike ride to enjoy all the history of Montreal. The tour was full of breaks and definitely a ride for all ages. A.M. was the best tour guide. She was professional and polite. She shared so much wonderful information. I would come back and purchase another bike tour just to learn more from her. Would recommend; a MUST.
- Brittney Koopman | Google Reviews
4. Local Montreal Food Tours – Mile-End & Old Montreal Food Tours
Address: 5555 Av. de Gaspé Bureau 200
Contact: +1 438-600-0501
Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 5 PM
I’d happily plan a Montreal afternoon around a walk that comes with snacks! Local Montreal Food Tours pairs the city’s history with stops for Québec specialities and neighbourhood favourites, so there’s something to enjoy between the landmarks.
Its Old Montreal route starts in a former bank turned café, with a smoked salmon bagel on the itinerary.
The walk continues past Place d’Armes and the Old Port, with seated tasting stops that give your feet a breather.
Groups on that route are limited to 16, leaving room to chat as you explore.
It’s a three-hour outing covering roughly 2.2 kilometres, so you’ll have time to savour the food and the streets.
There are two catches worth planning around, though: the tour passes Notre-Dame Basilica but doesn’t go inside. Nearby street parking also has a two-hour limit, so drivers should look into a paid lot before the three-hour walk.
Customer Reviews
Excellent Food Tour in Old Montreal
This food tour was excellent, a great way to see the “Old Montreal” area… I learned a lot from Debby, our guide. She had great information about the city and the area.
Highly recommend this activity for anyone looking for a fun way to discover the city and the interesting foods that the city has to offer.
Thank you to Debby for sharing her knowledge.
- Stephen J. Hall | Google Reviews
Outstanding Food and Rich History Overview
We had a wonderful time on the food tour with our guide. Louis. He provided a great overview and history of the sites and culinary traditions of Old Montreal. The food was outstanding – we were completely stuffed by the end of the tour. A great way to immerse yourself in the culture of Old Montreal.
- Adam Kupper | Google Reviews
5. Guidatour
Address: 360, Saint-François-Xavier Street, Suite 400
Contact: 514 844-4021 | 1 800 363-4021 | [email protected]
Hours: Daily, 8 AM – 5 PM (office hours)
Guidatour has been showing people around Montreal since 1985, which is plenty of time to learn a few stories the plaques leave out.
Its professional guides are ITHQ-trained and hold city permits, so I’d be keen to hear their take on the streets of Old Montreal.
For a more conversational outing, I’d look at the semi-private Old Montreal walk, which takes up to eight guests.
Guidatour offers private tours too, with routes and content that can be tailored to what your group wants to see.
That flexibility has one cost to check before booking a private driving tour, though. The quoted guide fee doesn’t include a vehicle, so you’ll need to use your own or arrange transport separately.
Customer Reviews
Insightful Walking Tour for History Lovers
We had an amazing experience on the Old Montreal walking tour with Michèle! I’m a history person, and I always like to start a trip with a walking tour to understand how a city began and get a better appreciation for everything I’ll see during the rest of my visit. This tour was exactly what I was looking for.
- Mary Kirby | Google Reviews
Safe and Engaging Solo City Discovery
I accompanied my husband on a business trip and wanted to go see Old Montreal but had to go alone that day. I rode the subway all the way down and felt safe walking to the meeting point. Pierre was a great, knowledgeable tour guide who really loves his city. It was a wonderful 2 hours that allowed me to become familiar with the area. My husband later met me for dinner there. It was a terrific day. I would not have ventured there alone had it not been for the tour.
- Pistol Packin’ Mama | Google Reviews
