Montreal: Downtown, Old Montreal & Waterfront Bike Tour

Summary

Bike Montreal’s vibrant streets, riverside paths and historic old town with a local

You’ll ride through Montreal’s lively neighborhoods on easy bikes with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Pause at Notre-Dame Basilica, cruise along the riverfront breeze, take in Mount Royal views, and catch snippets of daily life you’d miss on foot or bus. Expect laughter, small surprises, and maybe even new friends by the end.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how everyone at Fitz seemed to know each other — or maybe they just acted like it. Our guide, Marie, handed me a helmet (optional, but I took it) and asked if I’d ever tried poutine. “Not yet,” I said. She grinned and said we’d pass at least three places that would tempt me. The bikes were way nicer than my old one back home — light, easy to steer, not squeaky. We set off in a little cluster and immediately wove through lanes painted with those bright blue cycling symbols. There was this faint smell of coffee drifting from somewhere as we passed Le Plateau — honestly made me wish we could stop right there for a cup.

I didn’t expect to feel so much wind on my face riding along the Old Port; it actually woke me up more than my morning espresso. Marie pointed out the Notre-Dame Basilica as we rolled by — she told us about Céline Dion’s wedding there, which cracked me up for some reason (she did an impression of the singing). We stopped outside and just listened for a second — bells echoing against all that stone and glass. The city felt different from a bike seat: you notice people’s gestures, someone laughing in French on a park bench, the way sunlight hits old brick walls downtown. At Mount Royal Park we paused for a view that looked almost fake — green everywhere, city stretching past it.

There was this moment when our group got split by a red light near Place des Arts and Marie just waved us through with this “c’est la vie” shrug. It felt like being let in on some local secret rhythm — like traffic rules are more suggestions here? Someone asked her about the best bagels in town and she gave two answers (of course), both with strong opinions attached. We ended looping back through Old Montreal where cobblestones rattled my teeth a bit but made me laugh out loud. I still think about that view over the river at the end — kind of makes you want to stay out there longer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided bike tour of Montreal highlights

• Start and end at tour meeting point
• Stop at Mount Royal Park viewpoint
• Pause at university campus center
• Visit Place des Arts festival site
• Hear story outside Notre-Dame Basilica
• Ride through Old Montreal historic streets
• Cycle along the riverfront

Top questions

Is this bike tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, it’s designed for all fitness levels and uses mostly bike paths and quiet streets.

What neighborhoods does the tour visit?

The route covers Downtown Montreal, Old Montreal, Old Port waterfront, Le Plateau, Le Village, and Mount Royal Park.

Are e-bikes available on this tour?

Yes, both regular bikes and e-bikes are available for participants.

Does the tour include stops at major landmarks?

Yes, you’ll stop outside Notre-Dame Basilica, Mount Royal Park viewpoint, Place des Arts and ride through historic streets.

Is lunch or food included?

No meals are included but you’ll pass plenty of local food spots during the ride.

What if it rains during the tour?

The tour operates rain or shine; stylish rain capes are provided if needed.

How big are the groups?

The rides are small-group tours for a more personal experience.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; public transport options are nearby but parking is difficult near the shop.

What’s included

Your day includes use of an easy-to-ride bicycle (or e-bike if you want), optional helmet for safety, all taxes covered up front, plus guidance from a friendly local who’ll share stories as you go — just show up ready to pedal and take in Montreal from street level before circling back to where you started.