Top Montreal Historical Tours

During this historical and cultural tour of Old Montreal, you discover the most famous places of this old district and also explore the local culture and the more unusual aspects of our beautiful metropolis! All this in a small group (15 people maximum) and with a certified guide holding a permit issued by the city of Montreal.

See more of Montreal's highlights than you could independently on this sightseeing bus tour of the city. Visit many of the city's top attractions, from Notre-Dame Basilica and Chinatown to Mount Royal Park, the Olympic Stadium, Old Montreal, and much more. Hop aboard a comfortable motor coach and get to know the largest city in Quebec province, with live commentary from a professional tour conductor.

If you’re not familiar with Montreal’s past, it can be difficult to fully appreciate the historical and cultural significance of Old Montreal on your own. Gain a deeper understanding of local history, architecture, culture, food, and art, and take the hassle out of finding your way around the labyrinthine cobbled streets on this small-group walking tour. Get insights from your local guide as well as recommendations on places to eat, drink, and explore.

Enjoy a relaxing way to sightsee and admire some of Montreal's top sights on this narrated cruise along the St. Lawrence River. Travel aboard a vessel that's complete with sunny terraces and a glass-enclosed dining area, passing area landmarks including the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the Biosphere, the Olympic Stadium, and the scenic shoreline. Along the way, hear tales about the city’s founding and rich history.

Discover Montréal like never before on this engaging and authentic walking tour led by a passionate local guide from Toonie Tours. Far from the average sightseeing stroll, this experience invites you to truly connect with the city’s unique character and vibrant culture. Wander through the famous Quartier des Spectacles, soak up the festival atmosphere, explore the cobblestone streets and old-world charm of Old Montréal, and feel the pulse of the downtown Centre-Ville. Along the way, your guide brings the city to life with powerful storytelling, local insights, and fun facts that turn history into something you’ll actually remember. Whether you’re visiting from the US, UK, Australia, or beyond — solo, with friends, or family in tow — this tour is designed to help you make the most of your time in Montréal. It’s the perfect way to start your trip, get your bearings, and fall in love with this beautiful island city. Join us and experience why thousands of travellers love this tour.

Explore the best of Montreal on this narrated, hop-on hop-off, double-decker bus tour. Visit many of Montreal’s top attractions — like Notre-Dame Basilica, Chinatown, Mount Royal Park, Crescent Street, Old Port and Old Montreal, to name just a few. With this two day pass, you can board at any of the 10 stops and get to know the largest city in Quebec in customized fashion, with live onboard commentary from a bilingual professional tour conductor.

Discover the stories that shaped Old Montréal on a walking tour through the city's historic streets, landmarks, and hidden corners. More than simply sightseeing, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Montréal's French heritage, architecture, and cultural identity while receiving local recommendations to help you continue exploring with confidence after the experience ends.

Montreal’s chilly winters mean inhabitants have long found creative ways of getting around the cold—and that includes the RESO Underground City. The most extensive underground pedestrian network in the world that connects busy downtown streets, indoor passageways, shopping centers, key landmarks, and more—and this small-group tour makes exploring simple. See how the RESO fits into everyday life and explore outdoor portions of downtown Montreal as well.

Gain insight into Canada’s rich Jewish heritage on this 2-hour Jewish history walking tour in Montreal. Follow your guide through Montreal’s Mile End district and discover top sites of interest to the city’s Jewish settlers, past and present. Learn of the many talented Jewish authors, playwrights, poets and politicians who have lived and worked in the area since the early 20th century. Discover the schools, libraries, social clubs and synagogues they’ve frequented over the years, and trace the history of the city’s Jewish literary, musical and culinary culture.

Check off two of Montreal’s most popular attractions with one tour. See the city from the water on a cruise down the St. Lawrence River, and experience the Notre-Dame Basilica in a unique way during the immersive AURA show, a sound and light show inside the church. Your tickets to the show are undated, offering more flexibility than traditional tours.

Step into Montréal’s hidden universe beneath the streets for a 2-hour immersive experience through the city’s vast indoor underground network (RESO). Hosted by a passionate local, this experience blends art, architecture, and lesser-known stories as we move through iconic landmarks, a Parisian-style metro entrance, public art, hidden cafés, and major transit hubs. Along the way, discover how hundreds of thousands of people move through this climate-controlled network daily, especially during Montréal’s extreme seasons. This is a storytelling-based cultural experience shaped by personal knowledge, observations, and lived city experience. It is designed to offer a local perspective rather than a formal or institutional narrative. With years of experience hosting visitors from around the world, guests often highlight the welcoming atmosphere, insider feel, and unique photo opportunities. This experience is host-led and focuses on cultural exploration and local perspective.

See the historical sights of Old Montreal, a.k.a. Vieux-Montréal, on an immersive, private walking tour. Following a private guide, you'll learn about the city's history, which dates back to 1642, as you visit attractions such as Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Place d'Armes, and the Old Port of Montreal. Free of big tour groups and with ample chance to ask questions, you'll enjoy a more personalized way to see the city's best.

Gain insight into Canada’s colorful heritage on this Jewish history walking tour in Montreal. Follow your guide through Montreal’s Plateau neighborhood, where many Jewish people settled from the early days of the 20th century. Learn of life for the settlers in those early days and see where they lived, worked and worshiped as they built new lives for themselves far from home. Discover synagogues, schools, hospitals and cultural hubs built by the settlers, and hear how they helped shape the face of modern Montreal today.

Engage in Montreal’s ultimate thrill ride on the St. Lawrence River via a jet boating experience. This exhilarating adventure offers a perfect blend of excitement and fun for all ages. Brace yourself for higher intensities at the front of the boat, while the back remains family friendly. It's a refreshing must-do for anyone craving adventure. And remember, you will get wet—so don't forget your bathing suit! Book now for unforgettable, wild, and wonderful moments on the water.

Small group. Three hours. Explore Montréal’s top neighbourhoods and board the Montréal Metro! Discover the essence of Montréal in just 3 hours. Wander through the historic charm of Old Montréal, soak in the artistic vibe of the Plateau Mont-Royal and get a taste of local life in Little Italy before indulging in the flavors of Jean-Talon Market, one of North America’s largest and most beloved public markets. This exclusive, small-group experience is limited to 10 guests, giving you a VIP feel. The tour includes a refreshing drink, a local specialty tasting, and a 24-hour unlimited public transit pass, perfect for continuing your adventure in the city! During the tour you will board the Montreal Metro, a one-of-a-kind public transit in North America. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a curious local, this tour offers you a dynamic mix of history, culture and hidden gems, an ideal way to see Montréal through the eyes of a local.

Explore Québec City and the surrounding region on this guided, full-day sightseeing tour from Montreal. Hop aboard your coach to visit Québec City’s top attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Old Québec, Place Royale, and the Plains of Abraham, before venturing into the scenic countryside to see Montmorency Falls. Hear commentary from your guide along the way, and enjoy convenient hotel pickup and drop-off from downtown Montreal.

We’ll wander past grand basilicas, cozy bakeries, hidden courtyards, plazas, markets, statues and so much more. You’ll see where French settlers laid their roots, where revolutions stirred, and where art, food, and architecture all collided to create something uniquely Montreal. So bring your curiosity, a camera, and maybe an appetite, this is a city best explored with all your senses. Your tour begins at the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, Pointe-à-Callière — the exact spot where the city was born. The tour is location aware and plays as you walk. Go at your own pace, anytime. The tour never expires.

Discover the captivating history of Old Montreal on a private 2-hour walking tour designed for groups of up to 15. Uncover the stories that shaped this vibrant city as you stroll past iconic landmarks such as the majestic Notre-Dame Basilica, the historic Château Ramezay, and the opulent architecture that tells tales of wealth and power. Explore the fortification walls that once defended the city, learn about the early banking industry, and delve into the conflicts that forged Montreal's identity. With expert guides who bring the past to life with engaging narratives, this tour promises an unforgettable journey through time. Private tour exclusively for your group of up to 15 participants Two-hour guided experience through the heart of Old Montreal Visit significant sites like Notre-Dame Basilica and Château Ramezay Engage with knowledgeable guides who share fascinating historical insights

This 50-minute Panorama Sightseeing Tour showcases Montréal from the St. Lawrence River. Cruise past the Victoria Bridge, the Biosphere and the St-Lambert Locks before stopping at the Lachine Rapids, one of the largest rapids in North America. This powerful stretch of river was encountered by early explorers such as Samuel de Champlain, who named it Sault Saint-Louis and recognized its importance long before canals existed. We are the only company that brings guests this close to the rapids, where you can also spot river wildlife such as herons, cormorants and other waterbirds in their natural habitat..

Experience the city's most historic neighbourhood through a different lens, that highlights the hidden and sometimes brutal truths of its colonial past.

Get a personal introduction to downtown Montréal on a two-hour private walking tour that offers flat-rate pricing for your group of up to 8 people. You’ll see the heart of the city, then go beneath the streets to explore a network of shops, restaurants, museums, apartments, and sites in the ‘Underground City.’ With an expert guide to lead the way, learn about the fascinating history and culture of Quebec’s biggest city, the perfect way to get your bearings in Montréal.

The Plateau Mont-Royal + Mile End - artistic, cultural, trendy Montreal. Get off the beaten path and explore these fascinating areas where the locals live, work and play. Discover Montreal's diversity and multicultural side, beautiful Victorian-era architecture, typical outdoor staircases, green alleys, colorful murals and street art, see several Montreal institutions, enjoy a snack (or two!) and maybe even practice your French! This MTL Detours walking tour has been carefully crafted to show you the highlights of what makes these parts of Montreal so unique and special. Your passionate local guide will keep you entertained with history, secrets, hidden gems and fun facts. This is an exclusive, intimate walking tour with only 10 people. MTL Detours is a 100% locally owned + operated small independent tour company - founded in and based in Montreal. We are the same team behind the bestselling "Explore Old Montreal" walking tour. Book your spot now and bring your curiosity!

Escape downtown Montreal with a private guide who can take you off the tourist trail. Over roughly half a day, explore backstreets, taste local food, visit unique boutiques, and wander markets you likely wouldn't discover on your own. Tailor the day's itinerary to your tastes, and get even more local recommendations from your guide.