The first time I went to Montreal, I was simply going to visit a friend – I didn’t expect to fall in love with its unique melding of French elegance and North American energy.

Up until this point, I’d never seen this balance of old-world opulence and modernity quite like this in Canada! While my friend did a great job of showing me around, it was on my Montreal city tours that I really felt like I was eating and sightseeing my way through history.

I felt like a local sipping espresso, hopping on bikes to explore street art, with plenty of stops at tourist hotspots, along with hidden gems. Without further ado, here are the 5 top Montreal city tours that are well worth your time and money!

Best Tours of Montreal City

	Full-Day Small-Group Montreal Tour with Pickup and a Local Taste	Bike Tour: Downtown, Old Montreal, Waterfront by Fitz Montreal	Guided Scooter Sightseeing Tour in Montreal
Location:	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Fitz Montréal Bike Tours, 1251 Rue Rachel E, Montréal	80 Rue Prince-Arthur E, Montréal
Start:	9:30 AM	10:00 AM, 2:00 PM	10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 8:00 PM
Duration:	7 hours	3 hours	3 hours
Includes:	Driving tour, entrance fees, small group size (12 max) maple & bagel tasting	Local guide, bicycle, helmet, taxes, Downtown and Old Montreal	Driver/guide, use of helmet and scooter
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Montreal City Tours For 2025

1. Full-Day Small-Group Montreal Tour with Pickup and a Local Taste
2. Bike Tour: Downtown, Old Montreal, Waterfront by Fitz Montreal
3. Guided Scooter Sightseeing Tour in Montreal
4. Best of Montreal Small Group Tour with River Cruise + Notre Dame
5. Small-Group Sightseeing Tour of Montreal

Montreal City Tour Reviews

1. Full-Day Small-Group Montreal Tour with Pickup and a Local Taste

If you’re sick of the tourist traps and want to experience Montreal like a true local, from its rich history to its food, check out the Full-Day Small-Group Montreal Tour with Pickup and a Local Taste.

It’s the perfect way to jump into the deep end of Montreal’s culture: an eclectic blend of French heritage, modern style, and diverse influences from all around the globe. This is by far the most comprehensive of any city tour I’ve taken in this city, so if you’re short on time or just want to really go all-in and soak up everything you can in just one day, this should be your top pick.

Starting out at 9:30 am, you’ll be picked up at your hotel by your expert guide in a comfortable vehicle, with climate control designed to keep you at ease no matter the time of year. This is a small-group experience that maxes out at just 12 participants, which means you’ll get a more personalized perspective as well.

I knew right away we were in for a fun time, as our guide was so friendly, welcoming, and clearly knowledgeable about his city! You’ll get to learn about each of the most iconic neighborhoods quickly, from the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal to the leafy avenues of Mount Royal, where the beautiful city skyline meets tranquil nature.

Unlike other tours, this one goes deep into the soul of the city rather than just “surface” sightseeing or checking off attractions. If you really want to acquire a deeper understanding of the varied culture of Montreal in all aspects, with stops at world-class museums, local eateries, and incredible architecture, this is it.

I loved the pacing of this itinerary, that felt very natural – never rushed, nor did we feel like we were lagging at any point in time. On one of the breaks, we stopped to try some authentic Montreal bagels with cream cheese and sampled different maple syrups, which were all delicious!

Afterward, I felt like I knew so much more about this incredible global city, filled with just about anything you could want.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. Bike Tour: Downtown, Old Montreal, Waterfront by Fitz Montreal

If you have a busier schedule and don’t have time for (or simply don’t want to commit to) a full-day tour, I have an excellent alternative for you. The Bike Tour: Downtown, Old Montreal, Waterfront by Fitz Montreal is some of the most fun I’ve had and I know you’ll love it, too.

With different start times to choose from, it’ll fit nicely into your day without having to move anything around, too! Something that I immediately noticed upon arriving to Montreal, was its incredible public transportation system as well as its walkability and bike-ability.

While traveling by foot certainly offers a kind of intimacy that going around by car or van certainly can’t accomplish, biking is the best of both worlds. You’ll get to cover so much more ground this way, while feeling the breeze through your hair – plus it’s just more fun!

What sets this tour apart is not only the cycling aspect, but the way the itinerary seamlessly weaves together the contrasting elements of this special city. Start off in Old Montreal, where the narrow cobblestone streets and 17th-century architecture make you feel like you’ve gone back in time.

Pass landmark gems like the gorgeous Notre-Dame Basilica and the historic Old Port, while learning about Montreal’s British and French heritage with intriguing stories from your guide.

Then, transition into the sleek and modern vibe of downtown Montreal, where skyscrapers sit next to trendy boutiques, art galleries, and cool cafes. Perfect for first-timers just as well as seasoned travelers, this tour is an amazing way to experience the city at its best.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Guided Scooter Sightseeing Tour in Montreal

If you’re seeking a fun and unconventional way to explore the city, the Guided Scooter Sightseeing Tour in Montreal is an absolute game-changer. Remember what I said about biking through Montreal being an efficient and thrilling way to see the sights?

Well, this mode of transportation is that on steroids – feel the freedom of zooming along the diverse neighborhoods all while getting to rest and relax, seated! Forget the inconvenience of hop-on, hop-off buses where the driver has to actually find somewhere to stop and park, then you and the rest of your group have to be herded on and off.

The scooters are so much easier, as you can pretty much stop on a dime, and get off and explore immediately! If you enjoy a bit of adventure and speed, I know you’ll absolutely love this experience that’s as dynamic as Montreal, itself!

The morning tour starts off at the bike shop, where we met our friendly guide and were given a quick safety briefing and our helmets, to ensure everyone is riding safely and comfortably. Beginning at 10:00 am, we seemed to have missed the bulk of the crowds, making it super easy to hear our guide and follow along.

We ventured through 4 different districts, making well-timed stops at the Jean-Talon market, and even stopping for some tasty samplings of different local dishes. There’s a lunchtime tour that covers the different neighborhoods quite well, but if you want something even more unique, check out the Night Flight evening tour!

Starting at 8:00 pm, you’ll go to the city’s Chinatown and the waterfront, to view Montreal from a completely different perspective. Not only that, but you’ll get to check out some of the best live music and pubs in all of the area!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Best of Montreal Small Group Tour with River Cruise + Notre Dame

Perhaps you’re looking for something more comprehensive, like the first tour I spoke about on this guide. The Best of Montreal Small Group Tour with River Cruise + Notre Dame experience is the best alternative, offering the opportunity to venture through this incredible metropolis by land and by water.

Expect to learn all about the city’s distinctive geographic and cultural positioning, with specifics about its history and natural beauty. Starting out at 10:30 am, you can expect to be back at your hotel right in time for dinner, which means the rest of the day is all about learning and having fun.

You’ll also save time by not having to figure out where the meetup point is, as your guide will instead just pick you right up from your hotel lobby! With a small-group tour setting maxing out at a mere 6 participants, this is the best-value tour if you don’t want to splurge for a completely private alternative – more personalized, more attention from your guide!

Taking all that into consideration – along with how friendly and entertaining our guide was – I’d recommend this to anyone, but particularly those traveling with kids with short attention spans. They’ll be just as invested and intrigued as you are, as the tour’s pacing is perfect and there’s always something new to see and do.

Not to mention, the cruise down the St. Lawrence River is not only serene but offers some of the best views of Montreal around, while listening to fascinating historical commentary. If you really want to delve deep into all of the different areas of Montreal, its interesting history, and beautiful, varied sights, this tour should be one of your top considerations.

With a guide who knows the ins and outs of its history and culture and weaves it all together like a story, it’s so easy to digest and will really make you look at this city in a different way.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Small-Group Sightseeing Tour of Montreal

Last but certainly not least, is the Small-Group Sightseeing Tour of Montreal. If you’re on a tight budget but still want to experience the sights and sounds of authentic Montreal with a professional local guide, this is the best choice for you.

With a more intimate group experience of a maximum 12 participants allowed, you can expect more attention from your guide, and can more easily navigate through the city streets.

Despite being so affordable, I appreciated that the tour included a complimentary pickup from our hotel, so we didn’t have to deal with public transportation or find a meetup point early in the morning.

Our vehicle for the day was a comfortable little coach with big windows for prime viewing, padded seats, air-conditioning, and plenty of legroom. Given the slightly shorter tour length, I’d recommend this one for those who are just arriving to Montreal and want to get a lay of the land before setting out on their own adventures.

You’re probably already aware, but Montreal can get cold, which means that in the wintertime, you may not want to do a tour that requires you to be outside the entire time like a walking or biking tour would.

In this case, I’d also highly recommend this tour, as the coach gets nice and cozy inside and you can still appreciate the scenery as you travel between stops. As you cruise along, your guide will regale you and your group with fascinating commentary about each of the landmarks and their history.

It’s incredible just how much you can learn in 3 hours, and see places like the St. Joseph Oratory, Mt. Royal, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Grand Prix track, where the World Fair was held, and so much more!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience