Small-Group Walk, Max 10
2 hours · MTL Detours
Small-group tour with a local treat.
from $42.71 per person Check availability →
Non-Touristy 101 Walk
The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio
from $54.29 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Duration
- 2 hours 45 minutes
- Meeting point
- 512 Pl. d'Armes
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- On board
- Tastings and drinks included
- Run by
- Spade & Palacio Tours
Overview
This walking tour starts at the Maisonneuve Monument on Place d'Armes, right across from Notre-Dame Basilica, and spends just under three hours cutting across Montreal from the old quarter into Chinatown, the Underground City, Saint Laurent Boulevard and the Plateau. Spade & Palacio pitch it as a non-touristy take on the city, and the route backs that up: alongside the Basilica and Old Montreal, it reaches streets, murals and neighbourhood corners that visitors rarely find on their own.
Along the way there are food and drink stops, with beverages, snacks and a food tasting listed as included, plus a local guide who leads the group of no more than ten. Travellers mention a snack stop and a later coffee stop on the route, and several praise their guides' knowledge of the city's history and culture.
| Guide | Included |
|---|---|
| Group size | Up to 10 travellers |
| Minimum age | 5 years |
It suits visitors who want context and neighbourhood character rather than a checklist of major sights, and who are comfortable with a moderate amount of walking. One reviewer cautioned that the tour focuses on the city's neighbourhoods and history rather than an introduction to its major sights, which is a fair read of the route. Anyone with limited mobility or very young children should read the practical notes carefully before booking.
What's Included
Included
- Beverages
- Food tasting
- Snacks
- Local guide
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)
| Rating | 4.9 from 852 reviews |
|---|---|
| Weather | Operates in all weather conditions. |
Itinerary
- Meet at Place d'ArmesMeet next to the 1642 engraving on the Maisonneuve Monument, in the middle of Place d'Armes Square, directly across from Notre-Dame Basilica. Arrive ten minutes early, as the tour departs on time and latecomers may not be able to join.
- Maisonneuve Monument, 10 minutesThe tour opens at the monument itself, before moving off through the square.
- Notre-Dame Basilica, 15 minutesA 15-minute stop at the Basilica.
- Old Montreal, 45 minutesThe longest stretch of the tour explores Old Montreal on foot, with no admission fees.
- Underground City, 15 minutesA free stop in Montreal's Underground City.
- Chinatown, 15 minutesA 15 minute stop in Chinatown.
- Saint Laurent Boulevard, 20 minutesThe route continues along Saint Laurent Boulevard, free to enter.
- Eva B, 10 minutesA brief free stop at Eva B before heading into the Plateau.
- Plateau and returnTwenty minutes in Plateau Mont-Royal, followed by a ten-minute free return to Place d'Armes.
- Original Guidatour Walking Tour$25.33
- 16/42 Old Montreal Walk$26.78
- Mural Arts Walking Tour$28.95
- Underground City Walk$29
- Small-Group RESO and Downtown Walk$35.47
- Small-Group Walk, Max 10$42.71
- Non-Touristy 101 Walk (this tour)$54.29
What To Expect From The Tour
This is a long walk with tastings built in, so a little preparation goes a long way.
- Pace and fitness. A moderate level of physical fitness and comfortable shoes are expected, and reviewers back that up with mentions of a lot of walking, though several found the pace good. Treat it as a proper walk rather than a gentle stroll.
- Food and drink. Beverages, snacks and a food tasting are included, and reviewers mention a snack stop and a coffee stop along the way. Note any dietary requirements at the time of booking so the operator can plan around them.
- Group size. The group is capped at ten travellers, and the small size comes up again and again in reviews as one of the tour's strengths. It keeps the guide easy to hear and question throughout the route.
- Weather and clothing. The tour runs in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately. Layers and comfortable shoes are the practical basics for nearly three hours outdoors and underground.
- Timing and arrival. Arrive ten minutes before the start at the Maisonneuve Monument, since the tour leaves on time and the operator states latecomers may not be able to join. The meeting spot is across from Notre-Dame Basilica and near public transportation.
- What you will see. Expect neighbourhoods, murals and history more than a sightseeing checklist. Reviewers often mention out-of-the-way streets and local context, and one cautioned that it is more about districts and history than ticking off famous sights.
Common issues. The walk involves a lot of walking and a moderate fitness level is expected, and reviewers flag the distance as something to be ready for. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are fine and infant seats are available, and the minimum age is five years. It also requires a minimum number of travellers to run, and if that minimum is not met the operator offers a different date, a different experience or a full refund. Weather cancellations work the same way. One reviewer noted the tour ends in a spot where reaching the top of Mount Royal takes planning, mentioning a bus option on the north side of the park. Hotel pickup and drop-off is not part of the standard package unless that option is selected, and gratuities are not included.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price Of The Tour?
A local guide, beverages, snacks and a food tasting are all included. Stops listed with free admission, such as Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Montreal and the Underground City, cost nothing extra. Gratuities are not included.
Is Food Extra Or Included?
Food and drink are included. Reviewers mention a snack stop and a coffee stop along the route. If you have dietary requirements, tell the operator at the time of booking.
Where Does The Tour Meet, And Is There Hotel Pickup?
The meeting point is 512 Place d'Armes, next to the 1642 engraving on the Maisonneuve Monument, directly across from Notre-Dame Basilica. Hotel pickup and drop-off is not included unless that option is selected at booking. Arrive ten minutes early because the tour starts on time and latecomers may be turned away.
Is The Tour Suitable For Kids Or People With Limited Mobility?
The minimum age is five, pushchairs are accessible and infant seats are available. However, the tour is not wheelchair accessible and involves a moderate amount of walking, so a moderate fitness level is expected.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund; within 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted, with cut-off times based on local time. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum traveller count is not met, you are offered a different date, a different experience or a full refund.
What Should I Bring And Wear?
Comfortable shoes are the main thing, given the distance reviewers describe. The tour runs in all weather, so dress for the conditions on the day.
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Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
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