Montreal: Small-Group City Tour with Mount Royal & Old Port

Summary

Montreal’s neighborhoods, skyline views & old port stories in one ride

You’ll wind through Montreal’s most storied corners—from Mount Royal’s sweeping skyline views to the hush inside St. Joseph’s Oratory and the lively streets of Old Montreal. Ride across bridges, circle the F1 track at Jean-Drapeau Park, and end by the Old Port—all with a small group and local guide who brings each stop to life.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of downtown Montreal early, windows cracked just enough to catch the city’s morning mix of coffee and rain on pavement. Our guide, Pierre, had this gentle way of pointing out things you’d miss—like how the stonework changes block by block in Westmount. I still remember the flash of green lawns against those old mansions. The van was quiet for a bit as we curved up Mount Royal; you could hear someone’s phone ping but nobody checked it. The view from up there isn’t just about skyscrapers—it’s this layered sprawl of neighborhoods, trees, steeples. It made me feel like I was looking at a living map.

St. Joseph’s Oratory surprised me—the hush inside is almost heavy, but not in a bad way. Pierre told us about Brother André and his healing hands; I’m not religious but the candles flickering everywhere got to me a little. Back outside, the air felt colder somehow and I realized I’d been holding my breath. We crossed over to Saint Helen's Island next (I always forget Montreal is actually an island), and there was this moment on the Jacques Cartier bridge where everything went kind of gold—sun finally breaking through clouds over Jean-Drapeau Park. Someone joked about driving the F1 circuit and then we actually did it (well, slowly). Not quite Lewis Hamilton speeds but still cool.

Old Montreal felt different—busier, more voices in French and English mixing together around Place d’Armes. Pierre pointed out Notre-Dame Basilica but honestly I was more distracted by the street musicians and that weirdly sweet smell from a nearby bakery (should’ve asked what it was). The tour wrapped up near the Old Port with everyone sort of lingering before heading off—I guess nobody wanted to rush back to regular life just yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Montreal sightseeing and city highlights

• Drive through Westmount mansions
• Visit St. Joseph's Oratory
• Drive and stop at Mount Royal
• Cross bridge to Jean Drapeau Park
• Photo stop on Saint Helen’s Island
• Drive on Formula 1 Circuit
• Visit Old Montreal and Place d'Armes

Top questions

How long is the small-group sightseeing tour of Montreal?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

Does this Montreal city tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, complimentary pickup from downtown hotels is included if requested at least 24 hours in advance.

What are some main attractions visited on this tour?

You’ll see Mount Royal, St. Joseph’s Oratory, Westmount, Saint Helen's Island (Jean-Drapeau Park), Downtown Montreal, Old Montreal, and the Old Port.

Is entry to St. Joseph's Oratory included?

Yes, entrance fees for St. Joseph's Oratory are included in your booking.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

No, frequent getting on and off the vehicle makes it unsuitable for those with limited mobility.

How many people are in each group?

The group size ranges from 8 to 16 people for a more personal experience.

Will we visit Notre-Dame Basilica inside?

The tour includes a photo stop at Notre-Dame Basilica but does not go inside.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from downtown hotels if arranged ahead of time, all entry fees such as St. Joseph’s Oratory admission, commentary from an accredited bilingual guide throughout Montreal’s neighborhoods and landmarks, plus comfortable transport in a small group vehicle so you can focus on taking it all in rather than navigating city traffic yourself.