Montreal Tours

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The 10 Best Montreal Tours

Montreal is one of the top foodie destinations in Canada. The inventive and sometimes exotic culinary scene is often the highlight of a visit to this hip city.

Many of these Montreal tours are enjoyed on foot, with an expert guide taking you to some of the city's top eateries. This may be a restaurant, café or even a street food stall. Excursions are often based in the Old Town or at trendy Mile End, both of which are home to a range of top-notch food establishments.

Get stuck into platters of local specialties like the famous Canadian poutine – a delicious dish of French fries, cheese curds and gravy. Round off your outing with fresh bagels and ice cream while learning about the delectable food history of Montreal.

If you want to try something a bit different, then opt for one of the ethnic food tours. Popular trips focus on Jewish, Chinese and Spanish cuisine. On these excursions, you'll get to taste international favorites like Szechwan, falafel and even tapas dishes. 

On Montreal city tours by bike, you'll take to two wheels and explore the streets with a local guide. Both small group and private trips are available. It's a great way to tick off lots of landmarks and districts in just a few hours. 

Don't worry if you think it all sounds like a lot of effort! There are e-bikes on hand to help you up those hills and you'll enjoy plenty of stops for photos and a bit of a breather. You'll be provided with a bike, helmet and bottled water, but take a small backpack to carry your camera and any personal belongings.

As you cycle through the streets, admire the architecture and learn a bit about the history from your excursion leader. You'll visit several different neighborhoods including Downtown, Old Montreal and the Waterfront area. 

Some Montreal tours include food and wine or beer-tasting stops to keep you energized during your ride. You may be covering up to 20 kilometers so this could come in handy!

See the city from a new perspective during a spin on the highest Ferris wheel in the country. Operating year-round at the Old Port, La Grande Roue de Montreal takes the meaning of sightseeing to new heights.

You'll step into one of the climate-controlled gondola cabins for your circular journey into the sky. Private gondolas are available for an extra special experience, or even a romantic proposal! The ride lasts 20 minutes, which is plenty of time to take in those views. 

The observation wheel is 60 meters high and boasts 360-degree panoramas from the top. Up here you can admire the historic buildings of Old Montreal and enjoy vistas over the Jacques-Cartier Square. Watch the St. Lawrence River snaking through the city and when conditions are clear, you'll see out to the horizon.

Evening rides are perfect if you want to glide beneath the twinkling stars, with views of the city all illuminated at night. There's also an onsite bistro and viewing terraces to enjoy after your visit. 

For a leisurely outing, Montreal tours by boat are a fun way to explore the city. Enjoy a unique perspective of the waterfront, taking in several iconic landmarks as you cruise along the St. Lawrence River.  

You'll be journeying on a traditional Bateau-Mouche boat, similar to those in Paris. Live narration reveals how the fur trade was the catalyst for the building of Montreal. Things have changed a lot since those times, but the city's history is embedded everywhere you look. 

Choose to sit indoors and enjoy the views through the large windows, or head out onto the deck for uninterrupted panoramas across the water. Listen to insider anecdotes from your guide as you glide by places like the Old Port, the Olympic Stadium and Pont Jacques-Cartier. 

Brunches and dinners can also be enjoyed on board one of the Montreal cruise boats, adding an extra layer of refinement to your experience. These are often accompanied by live entertainment and dancing. Feel free to join in if you want!

One of the best ways to explore Old Montreal is on a historical walking tour. You'll be discovering the atmospheric city streets with a local guide who will take you to all the top sights and photogenic squares. 

On these Montreal tours, you'll delve into the past in an immersive way, walking in the footsteps of those who have gone before. Groups are kept small to ensure the experience remains intimate. Feel free to ask all the questions you like as you wander through the city.

Embrace the heritage and culture beneath your feet as you learn more about this fascinating city. There's a distinct French vibe here, with famous landmarks like Notre-Dame Basilica, Bonsecours Market and Place Jacques-Cartier all on the agenda. Montreal City Hall and the Champ de Mars also feature. 

During historic Montreal tours, you'll learn how the city came to economic prominence in the 19th century. Discovering how it evolved into the metropolis it is today is all part of the adventure too.

Ramp the excitement up a notch by booking one of the spooky ghost walking Montreal tours. These are great fun if you're curious about paranormal happenings and want to learn about the more mysterious side of the city.

Your visit takes place in Old Montreal, as this is where most of the ghosts tend to hang out. Keep an eye out for spirits as you plunge deep into the historic core of the city. You never know what you might encounter!

The storyteller guide will divulge secrets about the ghoulish goings on in this part of town. You'll hear legends and tall tales surrounding the curious sightings over the centuries and visit some of Montreal's most haunted locations. This isn't a tour for the faint-hearted. 

Discover how notorious villains still rule the shadowy streets long after they died and learn about the city's grim legacy of witchcraft and hangings. You'll pass historic spots like Bonsecours Market and Places Royale on your nighttime quest for ghostly encounters. 

Once you've seen the highlights of Montreal, why not take a day trip and explore a little further afield? Quebec City is a popular choice, taking you into the heart of French Canada with lots of famous landmarks to admire. 

You'll be picked up from your hotel after breakfast and transferred by an air-conditioned coach across to Quebec City. Private tours are also available if you fancy a bit more of a VIP experience. Excursions last a full day as you'll be packing lots of sightseeing into your schedule.

Explorations begin with a guided tour in Quebec City. You'll walk through the narrow streets, passing old stone buildings that have a distinctive European style. See where the 1759 Battle of Quebec took place at the Plains of Abraham and stop at Place Royale, known as French America's birthplace. 

Your adventure continues with a rural journey along the Beaupre Coast. You'll stop at the 83-meter Montmorency Falls which are taller than Niagara Falls! These cascades are the symbol of the city and make for showstopping photos. 

If you want to tick off multiple places without the hassle of having to figure out the public transport, then these excursions are the answer. You'll see lots in just one day!

This hop-on hop-off bus tour takes you on a circular route, passing many of Montreal's major landmarks and districts. You can choose where to alight and disembark, according to what you want to see and do. After visiting an attraction, you'll just jump back on the next passing bus and continue your journey. 

The trip is fully narrated, to help you understand what you're seeing. Stops include Notre-Dame Basilica, the Latin Quarter and the Kondiaronk Lookout. You can also enjoy a stroll through Chinatown and Montreal's Old Port during your outing. 

Try to be near the front of the queue so you can bag some of the coveted seats on the top deck. This is the premium spot for taking photos and enjoying all the best views. Get a 2-day ticket if you plan on staying in town overnight. 

Feel the wind in your air as you whizz through the sky over the urban setting of Montreal's Old Port. Fun for all the family, this is an adventure where you'll need a head for heights. The experience lasts around half an hour.

You'll begin by climbing up the 26-meter Clock Tower, before being strapped safely onto the zip-line. Then you'll fly through the air along a couple of cables on a 366-meter-long adventure. Try and enjoy the scenery that flashes by as you zoom across at high speed. 

The panoramas from up here are superb, with a unique perspective that you won't find anywhere else in the city. You'll be sailing above the Old Port and enjoying views of Downtown Montreal as you go.  

You'll be provided with a harness and a full safety briefing, so you'll be in good hands at all times. Photos and sometimes DVDs are available to purchase at the end of your experience so you can boast about your bravery to your friends. 

These aerial Montreal tours give you a bird's-eye view of the city and offer a great vantage point for some epic pictures. You'll need a head for heights as looking down is all part of the fun.

Flight times vary from around 10 minutes to half an hour. If your budget allows, opt for a longer ride to make the most of your time in the sky. Flights begin with a safety briefing, so you know what to expect on your adventure. 

As you ascend to an altitude of around 457 meters, the city will begin to unfold below. From your lofty position, you'll be perfectly placed to admire areas like downtown Montreal, the Olympic Stadium and Mount Royal. Pilot commentary will keep you entertained throughout the excursion.

You'll also get to see the famous Jacques-Cartier Bridge and the Boucherville Islands as you hover high above the St. Lawrence River. Some tours also take you over to see the mighty Mont Tremblant for some jaw-dropping mountain scenery.

Tourists enjoying a guided tour

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Guide

Planning your visit to Montreal

Discover our complete guide to visiting Montreal.

About Montreal

Montreal is a city in the French-Canadian province of Quebec. Located between Quebec City and Ottawa, it's a popular destination for visitors from across the world. Part of the appeal of Montreal is its idyllic island setting in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. 

Good to know before arriving

If you're here for the historic sights and visitor attractions, then Old Montreal makes the best base. You'll be close to all the major landmarks, and there is a range of hotels for all budgets. This is the most atmospheric district in the city and is ideal for first-time visitors.

Places and experiences that cannot be missed

Old Montreal is where most travelers begin their explorations, especially if it's their first time in the city. Founded in 1642 by settlers from France, this atmospheric district is where you'll find many of the main landmarks. Don't miss the views from the top of the Old Port Clock Tower and visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame for your history fix. 

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