Beyond the Basilica Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio | 2 hours 30 minutes

564 Reviews | Montreal
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 10 travelers in total.
Adult (13-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 10
2
Youth (5-12) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Beyond the Basilica
2 Adults x $51.69
$103.38
Approx Total
$103.38

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Local guide
  • Snacks
  • Beverages
  • Food tasting
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)

Overview

We start our Montréal walking tour by skipping the line at the Notre-Dame Basilica before wandering Vieux-Montréal. We’ll pop into some historic and architecturally gems to get an understanding of the district before heading out and leaving the tourist crowds behind. We stroll through a segment of our interior or underground city. It’s the largest indoor network on the planet and lets us make our way to Chinatown for a quick snack as we get the skinny on the area. Then it’s off to our old Red Light District, turned entertainment Mecca to see where the biggest festivals take place. We pop into a whacky often missed institution for a visit. Up Saint-Laurent boulevard, we check out half a dozen impressive works of art from Montréal’s MURAL Festival in the borough that is home to the highest concentration of artists in Canada. With a coffee from a local third wave shop in hand we walk the hip parts of the lower Main before leaving you with a custom list of recommendations.

Meeting points

We meet next to engraving «  1642 « on the Maisonneuve Monument middle of Place d'Armes Square, directly across the Notre-Dame Basilica. Tour starts on time and we can't wait for latecomers. Please show up 10 minutes before the tour starts. If you are late, you might not be able to join the group.

End point

Open in Google Maps

We end in the Plateau district. We'll leave you with a list of recommendations and point out places if you want to grab a bite or a drink!

Itinerary

  • Place d'Armes

    We meet here to start the tour and learn about the eclectic architecture that surrounds the square before we enter the Basilica!

    10 minutes

  • Notre-Dame Basilica

    We learn about the beauty and history of the country's most ornate church and leave our guests some free time to take it all in on their own.

    15 minutes

  • Old Montreal

    We walk the elegant streets, visit the old Wall Street of Canada and point out cool cultural events in the area as well get an idea of the history of the foundation of our city

    35 minutes

  • Underground City

    From the World Trade Center to Chinatown we walk a stretch of the world's largest interior network.

    15 minutes

  • Chinatown

    We pop in for a snack to go at a local bakery and walk the pedestrian mall of our Chinatown!

    15 minutes

  • Saint Laurent Boulevard

    We visit a bunch of street art from a massive festival. We visit a crazy thrift store and art gallery. We learn about this historic boulevard and its many waves of immigration. We walk through the old Red Light now entertainment district.

    45 minutes

  • Eva B

    We visit this crazy thrift store for free time. 3 floors, a wild interior and a chance to check it out before returning on your own for free time!

    10 minutes

  • Plateau Mont-Royal

    We visit the borough home to a high concentration of artists. We see about a dozen murals and works of art. We point you in the right direction of cool shops and stuff to see when you are on your own and sit down at a coffee shop for a locally roasted coffee and hand you a list of recommendations.

    35 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved, please be ready for that and to be wearing comfortable shoes.
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Minimum age is 5 years

Free Cancellation

June 18100% refund
June 19No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.9

564 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    529
  • 4 stars
    22
  • 3 stars
    6
  • 2 stars
    4
  • 1 star
    3

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 529 reviews with 5 stars

Amazing tour and fabulous Guide

Published on Feb, 2025

Gabby was a fantastic guide. I learned so much about the places we visited and left with a greater appreciation for the city and its history. Gabby shared amazing stories about the city and people in a way that really engaged everyone on the tour without being overwhelmed with information. Loved the tour of the old city and Chinatown and really enjoyed the street art. I would highly recommend this tour!!

Family trip to Montreal

Published on Jan, 2025

Chris was an excellent guide, especially given that we chose a very cold Montreal day! He kept my family of four, including 12 and 14 year olds, informed, entertained and warm. We saw many sights we would have missed on our own and each picked up different facts that Chris shared. Highly recommend to get an overview of Montreal!

Outstanding Walking Tour

Published on Jan, 2025

Our guide, Chris, led a truly outstanding walking tour. Starting at the Basilica, we explored the history, architecture and culture of Montreal. Chris was very knowledgeable and engaging as he helped us to learn about Montreal. The snacks halfway through the tour and the coffee/tea provided at the end were a nice bonus. Chris did a great job of keeping our small group warm (despite the frigid weather) by alternating inside and outside attractions. The advice offered at the end of the tour of restaurants and attractions was very helpful.

Rodrigo was an amazing...

Published on Jan, 2025

Rodrigo was an amazing tour guide! He provided valuable insight into the various places we visited! I highly recommend this tour to get a glimpse of the various areas of Montreal.

Absolute MUST!

Published on Jan, 2025

I actually booked a food tour before seeing this BTB experience offered, and I quickly switched! What awesome reviews! And mine will be in line because this exclusive was so memorable! Gabby, our guide was incredible! She shared great Montrèal history in the form of stories. The way she shared was exciting- it wasn’t bogged down with dates and years. She connected Montreal history with what else was going on in the world, which I really appreciated! She gave us insider info like where to find the best Korean beauty products and what to do with the rest of our day (Restaurant Beijing for dinner, where she spent weekly dinners as a kiddo!) Popping in and out of places was seamless! It was bone chilling cold that day, and Gabby made sure to pop inside places to keep us all warm. We even got the rare chance to see the elevator in the middle of Notre Dame Basilica! It was so cool-we were seated RIGHT THERE! There were several stops along the way- some with time to explore (Eva B vintage!) and some just a quick story (The Two Snobs!). The snacks were delicious, but those treats were closer to the middle and end of the experience. Make sure you eat breakfast and maybe even bring a coffee! This is not a “food tour”. There is food ON this tour. I cannot recommend this experience enough! I have such a better understanding of Montreal history and a great sense of direction for Must See/Must Try spots!

Compare Similar Experiences

Current

Beyond the Basilica Non-Touristy Walking ...
13149P4
time

2 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
564
The Original Old Montréal Walking Tour ...
3321WALK
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,829
Old Montreal Private Walking Tour
Likely To Sell Out
3321P5
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
259
Semi-Private Old Montréal Walking Tour ...
3321P9
time

2 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
42
Haunted Old Montreal
37207P19
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
40
Greater Montreal 5-hour VIP Guided City ...
180437P2
time

5 hours

time Free Cancellation
8
Private Walking Tour of Old Montreal in ...
Likely To Sell Out
3321P11
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
3
Private Guided Evening Old Montreal Walk ...
113734P5
time

2 hours

time Non Refundable
1
Romantic Walking Tour For Couples in Mon ...
208872P20
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
1
Old Montreal: Self-Guided Tour from Plac ...
New On TravelOne
110804P785
time

1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
0
Old Montreal: Private History Walking To ...
255730P190
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
1
Private Walking Tour in Old Montreal Chr ...
New On TravelOne
208872P73
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
0
Haunted Old Montreal Walking Tour
37207P20
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
0
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Quebec City and Montmorency Falls Day Tr ...
3355C7
time

12 hours

time Free Cancellation
2,336
The Original Old Montréal Walking Tour ...
3321WALK
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,829
Montreal Walking Food Tour With Secret F ...
7812P34
time

3 hours to 4 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,803
Montreal City Sightseeing Tour with Live ...
3355C1
time

3 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
1,774
Explore Old Montreal Small Group Walking ...
124208P4
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,443
Montreal City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
3355C1A
time

48 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,342
Full-Day Quebec City and Cruise Tour
180437P27
time

13 hours

time Free Cancellation
667
Old Montreal Ghost Walking Tour
3631GHOST
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
556
Beyond the Market Non-Touristy Food Tour ...
13149P1
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
517
Guided Scooter Sightseeing Tour in Montr ...
34395P1
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
505
The Original Montreal Mural Arts Tour by ...
13149P3
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
466
Walking tour of Old Montreal - 16/42 Tou ...
185030P1
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
435
Recently Viewed
Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad
8146P4
time

4 hours

time Free Cancellation
62
Full Day Arthurs Pass Tour with Tranzalp ...
312127P23
time

8 hours

time Free Cancellation
42
Day Trip to Lindos with pickup from Rhod ...
Likely To Sell Out
49323P1
time

6 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
542
Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Kobe Cit ...
Likely To Sell Out
201736P6
time

8 hours

time Free Cancellation
3
Half-Day Aruba UTV Adventure Tour
19808P5
time

4 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,165
La Ventana Tango Show in Buenos Aires (w ...
11143P136
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
12
Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney incl ...
6764P2
time

11 hours

time Free Cancellation
380
Private Tour to Cusco City and the Bohem ...
5363P193
time

3 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
0
Charleston Ghosts of Liberty Guided Walk ...
119797P1
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
450
Private Chenonceau, Chambord, Amboise Lo ...
268293P27
time

13 hours

time Free Cancellation
4
Connect with TravelOne
Louise Berg
Destination Expert
Plan your Next Trip
TravelOne Subscribe
We organise unforgettable vacations.
Subscribe for trending deals.
© Copyright 2025 TravelOne Technologies Inc. | All Rights Reserved.
Visa Card Mastercard Maestro Amex Discover

TravelOne uses cookies to give you the best possible service. If you continue browsing, you agree to the use of cookies. More details can be found in our privacy policy.

Do you have a destination in mind, or would you like TravelOne AI to suggest one?

What is your destination?

Are you visiting Japan for the first time?

Travel Date

What is your general interest for this trip?

City Breakup


Travelers Details


Adults
Ages 12 or above
Child
Ages 8-12
Child
Ages 3-7
Infant
Ages 0-2
Adults
Ages 12 or above
Child
Ages 8-12
Child
Ages 3-7
Infant
Ages 0-2

Accommodation Preferences

Preferred Star Rating?

Property Preference?

Property Location?

Preferred Hotel Chain?

Meal At The Hotel?

Dining Preferences

Which meal package would you like to choose?

What are your meal preferences?

Dining Style Preferences?

Cuisine Preferences?

Dining Atmosphere Preferences?

Preferred Meal Times?

Transportation

What are your preferences for arrival/departure transfers?

What are your preferences for internal transfers?

Guide Support

What kind of guide support do you prefer during your trip?

Preferred Language for Guide?

Preferred Type of Guide?

Group Size for Tours with Guides?

Desired Role of the Guide?

Specific Guide Personality/Style Preference?

Dining recommendations/reservations?

Flights Preferences

What are your preferences for onward and return flights?

Cabin Class

Preferred Departure Time

Preferred Arrival Time

Preferred Airlines

What are your preferences for internal flight?

Cabin Class

Preferred Departure Time

Preferred Arrival Time

Preferred Airlines

What type of experiences do you seek while traveling?

    Culinary Classes and Workshops
    Candy Making Classes Chocolate Tours Cocktail Tastings Mixology Classes Paella Making Classes Pasta Making Classes Pizza Making Classes Olive Oil Tasting Wine Making Workshops
    Food & Beverage Tours
    Beer & Brewery Tours Chocolate Tours Coffee & Tea Tours Culinary Tours Pastry Tours Sake Brewery Tour Sake Tasting Street Food Tours Taco Tours Wine Tours
    Food Tastings and Sampling
    Cocktail Tastings Olive Oil Tasting Sake Tasting Wine Tastings High Tea
    Dining Experiences and Meals
    Brunch Dinner Lunch Breakfast Restaurants Dinner and Show Tickets
    Food-Related Cruises
    Brunch Cruises Coffee Cruises Dinner Cruises Lunch Cruises
    Thematic Food Events & Experiences
    Donut Walking Tour Markets
    Specialized Food Events
    Dining Experiences Dinner and Show Tickets
    Wildlife Observation & Encounters
    Bird Watching Dolphin Watching Whale Watching Shark Diving Wildlife Watching Wildlife Encounters Swim with Dolphins Zoos & Wildlife Parks Aquariums Safaris
    Hiking & Exploration
    Hiking Tours Glacier Walks Nature Walks National Parks Nature Parks Parks Natural Attractions Outback Tours
    Camping & Outdoor Stays
    Camping Honeymoon Packages
    Adventure & Sports in Nature
    Mountain Bike Rentals Mountain Bike Tours Horseback Riding Sandboarding
    Boating & Cruises
    Sailing Glass Bottom Boat Tours Gondola Cruises
    Paddle & Active Water Sports
    Kayaking Tours Stand Up Paddleboarding Jet Ski Rentals
    Underwater Exploration
    Scuba Diving Snorkeling Shark Diving Swim with Dolphins
    Fishing & Marine Experiences
    Fishing Charters Eco Tours
    Sky & Aerial Nature Experiences
    Hot Air Balloon Rides Northern Lights
    Historical Landmarks & Sites
    Ancient Ruins Castles Tours Monuments and Memorials Religious Sites
    Museum & Cultural Institutions
    Museums Museum Tickets & Passes Attractions & Museums Planetariums
    Classic & General History Tours
    Archaeology Tours Architecture Tours City Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours
    Literature, TV & Film-Based Tours
    Game of Thrones Tours Harry Potter Tours Literary Tours TV Tours
    Mystery & Dark History Tours
    Ghost Tours Crime Tours Underground Tours
    Industrial & Commercial History
    Factory Tours Plantation Tours
    Observation & Structural History
    Observation Decks Skyscrapers & Towers Classic Car Tours
    Sacred & Religious Sites
    Religious Sites Religious Tours
    Spiritual & Cultural Rituals
    Sufi Whirling Shows Easter Lunar New Year
    Traditional & Cultural Bathing Practices
    Arab Baths Hammams & Turkish Baths Onsens
    Healing & Wellness Experiences
    Thermal Spas & Hot Springs Spas Yoga Classes
    Immersive Spiritual Experiences
    Light & Sound Shows
    Nature & Wildlife Conservation
    Eco Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Watching
    Protected Natural Areas
    National Parks Nature Parks Involves Poverty Stricken Communities Involves Animals
    Sustainable & Responsible Travel
    Sustainable Tours Volunteer Tours
    Land-Based Exploration
    Hiking Tours Nature Walks Walking Tours Self-guided Tours
    Cycling & Eco-Friendly Transport
    Cycling Cycling Classes Bike Rentals Bike Tours E-Bike Tours
    Nightlife & Entertainment
    Adults-only Shows Bar Tours Burlesque Shows Cabaret Casino Tours Comedy Shows Night Cruises Night Tours Nightlife Pub Tours
    Live Music & Performances
    Concerts Jazz Shows Musical Shows Opera Performances R&B/Soul Concerts Rap & Hip-Hop Concerts Samba Dance Shows Theater Shows Live Concerts Music Tours
    Festivals & Seasonal Celebrations
    Festivals Mardi Gras Carnival Christmas Halloween Oktoberfest Packages & Special Events
    Dance & Cultural Party Experiences
    Disco Dance Shows Luaus Samba Dance Shows
    Spectacle & Family-Friendly Entertainment
    Children’s Shows & Concerts Circus Shows Family-friendly Shows Fireworks Shows Shows
    Unique & Themed Experiences
    LGBT Friendly Tours Street Art Tour Theme Parks Universal Theme Parks
    Performing Arts & Live Shows
    Acoustic Concerts Ballet Tickets Ballroom Dance Shows Belly Dance Shows Broadway Shows Cirque du Soleil Shows Classical Concerts Classical Music Flamenco Performance Live Concerts Musicals Opera Performances Sufi Whirling Shows Tango Dance Shows Theater Shows Traditional Dance Performances
    Cultural & Heritage Experiences
    Cultural Tours Culture Costume Dress Up Experiences Fashion Shows Fashion Tours Lantern Festival
    Art & Creative Workshops
    Art Classes Craft Classes Painting Classes Pottery Classes Photography Tours
    Dance & Music Participation
    Dance Lessons Dance Shows
    Language & Cultural Learning
    Language Classes Spanish Lessons
    Historical & Traditional Skills
    Archery Classes Swordsmanship Classes
    City Exploration
    Hop on Hop Off Buses Trolley Tours Tuk Tuk Tours
    High-Adrenaline Aerial Adventures
    Air Tours Hang Gliding Helicopter Tours Heli-Hiking Helicopter Transfers Paragliding Parasailing Skydiving Ziplining
    Land-Based Extreme Driving
    4WD Tours ATV Tours Buggy Rentals Dune Bashing Hummer Tours Motorcycle Tours Off-Road Tours Performance Car Driving Motor Sports Go Kart Road Trip Vespa Rentals
    Air & Water-Powered Thrill Rides
    Airboat Tours Jet Boat Rentals Jetpacks Flyboarding
    Climbing & Vertical Challenges
    Climbing Ice Climbing Rock Climbing Caving Sea Caving
    Snow & Ice Adventures
    Dog Sledding/Mushing Husky Dog Tours Ice Fishing Ice Skating Snowboarding Snowmobiling Snowshoeing
    Water & Surf Sports
    Freediving Kitesurfing Rafting Scuba Diving Surfing Lessons Wakeboarding Waterskiing White Water Rafting
    Sand & Desert Adventures
    Camel Rides Sandboarding
    Unique & Unconventional Challenges
    Bungee Jumping Escape Rooms Flight Simulator Shooting Shooting Ranges Tubing Zorbing Scavenger Hunts Fun & Games
    Spectator Sports & Events
    Baseball Tickets Horse Racing Rugby Soccer Sporting Event Tickets & Passes
    Ball Sports
    Golf Tours & Tee Times Lacrosse Classes Softball Classes Tennis
    Winter Sports
    Skiing Skiing Classes
    Combat & Tactical Sports
    Martial Arts Classes Paintball
    Extreme & Challenge-Based Sports
    Obstacle Courses
    Sports Training & Lessons
    Sports Lessons Cycling Cycling Classes
    Exclusive & VIP Experiences
    Private and Luxury Viator VIP Tours Once in a Lifetime Experiences Viator Experience Award 2022 Viator Experience Award 2023 Viator Experience Award 2024 Viator Exclusive Tours
    Private & Personalized Travel
    Private Day Trips Private Drivers Private Sightseeing Tours
    Romantic & Scenic Experiences
    Romantic Tours Sunset Cruises Helicopter Tours Limousine Tours Luxury Car Tours Photo Shoots
    Weddings & Special Celebrations
    Wedding Ceremonies Wedding Packages Weddings & Celebrations Photo Shoots
    Classic & Scenic Cruises
    Canal Cruises Catamaran Cruises Dhow Cruises Gondola Cruises Sightseeing Cruises Water Tours
    Themed & Specialized Cruises
    Dinner Cruises Night Cruises Submarine Tours
    Multi-Day & Extended Water Journeys
    Multi-day Cruises Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Worry-Free Shore Excursion
    Private & Adventure Boating
    Boat Rentals Power Boats Sailing
    Unique & Alternative Water Travel
    Duck Boat Tours Pack Animal Tours Ferry Services Water Transfers Water Parks Water Equipment Rentals
    Travel by Season
    Autumn / Fall Spring Summer Winter Spring Break Winter Sports

    Loading questions for you...! Please wait...!

    Loading questions for you...! Please wait...!