Montreal Highlights & Hidden Gems: Private Tour with a Local

Montreal , Canada

Montreal Highlights & Hidden Gems: Private Tour with a Local

Active

(8 reviews)

2h - 8h

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Instant confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Your local host will lead you off the tourist trail down a secret network of cobblestoned streets to parts of Montreal your guidebook doesn’t even know about. Learn about the European roots of the city, and discover the unique Québécois food and peculiar shops loved by locals in Plateau and Mile End. Explore Jean-Talon market, where growers, butchers, and fishmongers display their best produce. Relax in the enchanting Mount Royal Park and practice your French as you amble up to one of Montreal’s most popular viewpoints to see the city.

Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Available options

Montreal Walking Tour - 3hrs

Duration: 3 hours

Montreal Walking Tour - 2hrs

Duration: 2 hours

Montreal Walking Tour - 4hrs

Duration: 4 hours

Montreal Walking Tour - 8hrs

Duration: 8 hours

What's included

Choose to explore for 2, 3, 4, or 8 hours with your local host

Personalized and private experience

Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or taxi options)

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1 Pass by

With this private and personalised tour your local host will set up an itinerary that will depend on the time allocated during which you could get recommendations on where to find the best Québécois and Montreal classics like bagels, poutine, and smoked meat, which can all be found within this youthful borough.

Stop 2 Pass by

In this hip, laid-back area with an artsy vibe and multicultural roots, you can find some of the best old-school bagel shops.

In this charming residential neighborhood you’ll be able to find old-school cafes, pizzerias, one of the best Italian grocery stores in North America and traditional bakeries should you choose to visit it.

Stop 4 Pass by

You could visit this farmers market going back to 1933, you can find here a variety of local growers, fishmongers, butchers, bakers, restaurants and grocers.

This is a truly hidden gem loved by locals who are passionate about Canadian and international comics and should definitely be added to your experience.

Craft brews lovers are spoiled with choice in Montreal, you can let your host recommend you his favourite one!

You can stop by one of the lookouts on Mont-Royal and admire the city from above.

What's not included

Food and drinks

Tickets to any attractions

Transportation costs

Gratuity (optional)

Available languages

Guide guide

EN FR

Reviews breakdown

Viator 4.3

6 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Tripadvisor 4.0

2 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Important information

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

After booking, you will receive a short questionnaire, so you’ll be able to tell us more about your interests and preferences. Based on your responses you’ll be matched with a like-minded Local Host

Your meeting point is flexible, and to be agreed with your Local Host. Meet-up at your hotel or accommodation can be requested, or your Local Host will meet you at a convenient location close to the start of your experience.

Meeting point

After booking, you can adjust the meeting point to fit your preferences with the help of our Experience Planners

Important notes

We’ll be in touch within 24 hours after booking to find out more about your personality and interests so we can assign a like-minded local who will create a bespoke experience for you.

About Montreal

Montreal is a vibrant, bilingual city that beautifully blends European charm with North American energy. Known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and stunning architecture, it's a city where cobblestone streets meet modern skyscrapers, and world-class cuisine meets bustling festivals.

Top Attractions

Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal)

The historic heart of Montreal, featuring cobblestone streets, 17th and 18th-century architecture, and charming cafes.

Historical Half day to full day Free to explore, attractions vary

Mount Royal Park

A large urban park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offering stunning views of the city and numerous recreational activities.

Nature Half day Free

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

One of Canada's most prominent museums, featuring an impressive collection of art from various periods and cultures.

Museum 2-3 hours Free to $22 CAD (varies by exhibit)

Must-Try Local Dishes

Montreal-style Bagels

Smaller, sweeter, and denser than New York bagels, often topped with sesame seeds.

Breakfast/Snack Vegetarian

Poutine

A dish consisting of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy.

Lunch/Dinner Vegetarian options available

Smoked Meat Sandwich

A sandwich made with smoked brisket, often served on rye bread with mustard.

Lunch/Dinner Contains meat

Popular Activities

Hiking in Mount Royal Park Skiing in Mont-Tremblant Picnicking in Parc La Fontaine Spa day at Bota Bota Visiting the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Exploring Old Montreal Swimming at Oka Beach Skiing

Best Time to Visit

June to August

This is the busiest tourist season with warm weather, festivals, and outdoor activities. Expect lively streets and numerous events.

20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F) 68°F to 86°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: French
Widely spoken: English
English: Widely spoken, especially in tourist areas

Currency

Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Time Zone

Eastern Standard Time (EST) (UTC-5:00), Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (UTC-4:00) during daylight saving time

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Montreal is generally safe for tourists, but like any major city, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions.

Important Precautions:

• Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
• Keep valuables secure and out of sight.
• Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing services.

Getting there

By air

Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport • 20 km (12 miles) from city center

By train

Gare Centrale

By bus

Gare d'autocars de Montréal

Getting around

Public transport

Clean, efficient, and easy to use. The metro system is a convenient way to get around Montreal.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Lyft

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Plateau Mont-Royal Downtown (Centre-Ville) Mile End

Day trips

Quebec City

250 km (155 miles) • Full day

A charming city with a rich history, featuring cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a fortress overlooking the St. Lawrence River.

Mont-Tremblant

130 km (81 miles) • Full day to overnight

A popular resort town known for its ski slopes, hiking trails, and charming village.

Oka

50 km (31 miles) • Half day

A small town known for its beautiful beach on the shores of Lake of Two Mountains and its historic Oka Abbey.

Festivals

Montreal International Jazz Festival • Late June to early July Just for Laughs • July Montreal World Film Festival • Late August to early September

Pro tips

Visit Mount Royal Park for a panoramic view of the city, especially at sunset.
Explore the Underground City, a network of tunnels connecting shops, restaurants, and attractions.
Try local specialties like poutine, smoked meat, and Montreal-style bagels.
Attend a Montreal Canadiens hockey game for a true local experience.
Use the STM app for easy navigation of the metro and bus system.