Old Montreal Walking Tour: Small Group, 2 Hours, Expert Guide

Walk Old Montreal's cobblestone streets with a guide who knows the real stories

A 2-hour walking tour of Old Montreal's essential landmarks with a certified, English-speaking guide and a maximum of 10 guests. You'll visit Notre-Dame Basilica, Bonsecours Market, Saint Paul Street, Montreal City Hall, and Pointe-à-Callière, the birthplace of the city, while learning how Montreal became Canada's financial center. The tour includes a curated handout of local restaurants and shops, a small treat, and a parting gift.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Old Montreal2h
2. Bonsecours Marketpassing by
3. Saint Paul Streetpassing by
4. Montreal City Hallpassing by
5. Notre-Dame Basilica of Montrealpassing by
6. Pointe-à-Callièrepassing by

Explore Old Montreal highlights

• Join 2-hour walking tour
• See Bonsecours Market
• Walk along Saint Paul Street
• Visit historic square by Old Port
• Admire Montreal City Hall
• View Notre-Dame Basilica exterior
• See Canada’s oldest bank
• View former governor’s residence
• Learn about Sailors’ Church
• Stand near Pointe-à-Callière
• Walk through former financial district

The experience

Two hours on foot through Old Montreal's oldest streets, starting with the silver-domed Bonsecours Market and moving through the cobblestones of Saint Paul Street, where the city's colonial facades still stand. The guide stops at Montreal City Hall to explain the key moments in civic history, then takes you to the exterior of Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal's most recognizable landmark, to tell you the story behind its creation. You'll also stand at Pointe-à-Callière, where Montreal was founded, and walk through what was once Canada's Wall Street, the financial district that shaped the country's economy.

The group stays under 10 people, which means you can actually hear the guide and ask questions without shouting over a crowd. The tour operates in English with a certified guide holding Montreal's mandatory permit, and the company has won multiple "Best of the Best" awards across review sites and the booking platform. Most of the walk involves steady movement over uneven terrain (cobblestones, stairs, some standing), so comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing matter. The tour runs rain, shine or snow, and there's limited seating, so it's built for travelers who can walk at a moderate pace for two hours.

You'll leave with a handout of places the guides actually recommend (restaurants, galleries, shops) chosen by people who work in the neighborhood, not a generic list. There's also a small local treat included and a parting gift. The company is 100% locally owned and operated, founded and based in Montreal, and proudly woman-owned. Minimum age is 12, and each participant needs a paid ticket. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Meet the group at the starting point, there's no hotel pickup, and public transit is nearby if you need it.

What’s included

• A certified, English-speaking guide leading groups of 10 or fewer.
• a 2-hour walking route covering Notre-Dame Basilica, Bonsecours Market, Saint Paul Street, Montreal City Hall, and Pointe-à-Callière.
• a curated handout of local restaurants, galleries and shops selected by the guides.
• a small local treat.
• and a parting gift.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 10:30, 13:30 and 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by MTL Detours

Is this one for you?This tour works best for travelers who want to understand Old Montreal's real history without a script, and who prefer a small group where you can actually hear the guide and ask questions. If you're comfortable walking at a steady pace over cobblestones and stairs for two hours and want to meet a locally rooted guide rather than a large tour operator, this is the one.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Pointe-à-Callière and why does the tour include it?

Pointe-à-Callière is the birthplace of Montreal, the exact spot where the city was founded. The tour stops there so you can stand at the location where Montreal's history began and hear how the settlement grew into a major city.

Can I go inside Notre-Dame Basilica on this tour?

No, the tour views the exterior of Notre-Dame Basilica only. You'll hear the story behind this famous landmark and see its architecture from outside, but interior entry is not included.

How much walking is involved, and what's the terrain like?

The 2-hour tour is mostly walking and standing, with a moderate pace over uneven ground including cobblestones and stairs. There's limited seating available, so you'll need to be comfortable walking steadily for the full duration. Comfortable shoes are essential.

What's included in the tour besides the guide?

The tour includes a curated handout of local restaurants, shops and attractions chosen by the guides; a small local treat; and a unique parting gift. Gratuities for your guide are optional and welcomed.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 12, and any minor must be accompanied by an adult. Each participant, including children, requires a paid ticket.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates rain, shine or snow, so you'll need to dress for whatever conditions Montreal brings that day. Most of the route is outdoors, so weather-appropriate clothing is important.