Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal Private Tour: Skip the Line

Walk past the ticket line into Notre-Dame Basilica, then through Old Montreal's layered history.

A private tour of Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal with skip-the-line entry, a licensed guide fluent in your chosen language, and a walk through Old Montreal's historic heart, from Place d'Youville to the Port of Montreal Tower. The 3-hour option includes private round-trip transport. The 2-hour option is a walking tour only. Groups stay small, with one guide per 1–10 guests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica

• Skip the line at Notre-Dame Basilica
• Visit historic colonial settlement site
• Stroll through Place d’Youville square
• Admire Port of Montreal Tower
• Explore Old Montreal’s cobbled streets

The experience

Notre-Dame Basilica sits at the center of this tour, and you enter without waiting in the ticket line. Inside, a licensed guide walks you through the Gothic Revival interior: the golden altar, the intricate stained glass, the architectural detail most visitors miss. The basilica's chapel may be closed during Mass, so your guide adjusts the route if needed. From there, the tour moves into Old Montreal's cobbled streets and colonial squares, where your guide uncovers the layers beneath the surface: the Indigenous heritage tied to Place d'Youville and its 1701 peace treaty, the trade networks that built the city, the stories the architecture holds.

The Port of Montreal Tower closes out the walk: a modern landmark that marks the city's shift into a major international port. This is a moderate walking tour with some uneven surfaces and steps, so wear comfortable shoes. The guide adjusts the pace to the group and the tour runs rain or shine. If you book the 3-hour option, private round-trip transport is included, with a sedan for 1–4 people or a larger van for 5 or more. The 2-hour option is the walking tour alone, without transport. Either way, your guide is a licensed professional fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language you choose at checkout.

Hotel pickup happens at your scheduled time, and the driver waits for you at your accommodation. Groups stay under ten people per guide, so if you're bringing a larger party, an additional guide can be booked. The tour is wheelchair accessible throughout, and strollers work for infants and small children. Check your email the day before for final details from Rosotravel.

What’s included

• A 5-star licensed guide fluent in your chosen language.
• skip-the-line tickets to Notre-Dame Basilica.
• historical commentary on Old Montreal, Indigenous heritage, and architecture.
• private round-trip transport in the 3-hour option (sedan for 1–4 people, van for 5+).

Options for this experience

4 options

Guide in English or French10 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Guide in Spanish, German or Italian10 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Guide in English or French10 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 14:30

Guide in Spanish, German or Italian10 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 14:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day14 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 15:00

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Rosotravel Canada

Is this one for you?Book the 3-hour option if you want transport included and time to absorb the basilica's interior and the colonial squares without rushing. Choose the 2-hour walking option if you're staying nearby and prefer a shorter, more focused tour of the basilica and Old Montreal's core.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

What will I see inside Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal?

Notre-Dame Basilica holds a Gothic Revival interior with a golden altar, intricate stained glass windows, and historical architectural detail. You enter with skip-the-line tickets, so you bypass the ticket office queue, though security checks at the door may involve a brief wait depending on visitor numbers that day.

What is Place d'Youville and why does the tour stop there?

Place d'Youville is a historic square in Old Montreal that commemorates the 1701 peace treaty between Indigenous nations and French settlers. Your guide uses it to explain the Indigenous heritage and colonial history woven into the city's foundation.

Does the tour include transport from my hotel?

Private round-trip transport is included in the 3-hour option only. A sedan carries 1–4 people, or a larger van carries 5 or more. The 2-hour option is a walking tour without transport. Either way, if transport is included, the driver picks you up at your accommodation at the scheduled time.

How much walking is involved, and what surfaces will I encounter?

This is a moderate walking tour with some uneven surfaces and steps, typical of Old Montreal's cobbled streets. The guide adjusts the pace to the group. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. The tour runs rain or shine.

Can I book this tour for a larger group?

Groups stay small by design: one guide leads up to 10 guests. If your party is larger, you can book an additional guide to keep the experience intimate and allow the guide to adjust the pace and route to your group's needs.