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Wander Montreal: A Self-Guided Discovery

4 Reviews 3.50 out of 5 stars Based on 4 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Montreal, Canada
Book online or call us

from $4.55 per person

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Wander Montreal: A Self-Guided Discovery Image 1
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 19 (0) days in advance.
8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Discover Montreal's intoxicating blend of French romance and North American energy with our self-guided audio tour, allowing you to explore Canada's most European city at your own pace. Begin in Old Montreal where cobblestone streets and the soaring Gothic Revival interior of Notre-Dame Basilica transport you to New France's colonial past. Wander through the artistic heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal. Climb Mount Royal, the volcanic hill that gave the city its name, for panoramic views of the downtown skyline, the St. Lawrence River, and the distant Monteregian Hills. Explore the underground city where 32 km of tunnels connect shopping centers, metro stations, and cultural venues in the largest weather-protected pedestrian network. Discover the creative energy of Mile End. Experience the markets of Jean-Talon and Atwater where Quebec's farmers, cheese makers, and maple syrup producers showcase the province's culinary richness. Savor poutine, smoked meat sandwiches, and the BYOB bistros.

What's Included

  • Digital Map & Offline Content: no cell service needed
  • Instant access: your tour activation code is ready on your ticket, below the barcode.
  • Access to the audio guide for 50+ Montreal attractions and hidden spots.
  • Private transportation
  • Admission fees, live guide, headphones, transport, parking, food/drinks, internet access and rentals
  • Our app-based self-guided tour has no physical guide on-site.
See 2 moreSee 3 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Place d'Armes
Montréal, QC H2Y, Canada

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Place d'Armes

Old Montreal's central square has witnessed the city's history since Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve founded Ville-Marie here in 1642, his statue now surveying the Gothic Revival magnificence of Notre-Dame Basilica and the Victorian grandeur of surrounding bank buildings. The square's architectural ensemble spans three centuries—New France's seminary, Victorian banks, and Art Deco towers—creating a compressed history lesson in Montreal's evolution from missionary outpost to financial capital. The juxtaposition of sacred and commercial architecture reflects the powers that shaped Quebec society, while today's tourists and office workers maintain the square's role as a gathering place.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Notre-Dame Basilica (pass by)

Montreal's most magnificent church dazzles visitors with an interior of deep blue vaults, thousands of gold stars, and the intricately carved wooden sanctuary that ranks among North America's most spectacular religious spaces. The Irish-American architect James O'Donnell designed the Gothic Revival masterpiece in 1824, converting to Catholicism on his deathbed so he could be buried within its walls. The basilica's AURA light-and-sound show transforms the space after dark while celebrity weddings, including Celine Dion's, have made its altar internationally famous.
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Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal)

The cobblestoned heart of the city preserves Montreal's French colonial heritage in narrow streets lined with 18th and 19th-century stone buildings that now house restaurants, galleries, and boutique hotels. The district stretches from the waterfront to the fortification traces that once enclosed the city, its churches, public squares, and merchant houses revealing the layers of history from New France through British rule to Confederation. Summer brings crowds to the terraces and horse-drawn carriages while winter's snow transforms the gray stone into a romantic scene that justifies comparisons to Paris or Prague.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Old Port of Montreal

Montreal's revitalized waterfront stretches along the St. Lawrence River, its former industrial piers transformed into parks, cultural venues, and the recreational spaces where Montrealers jog, cycle, and gather for festivals. The Clock Tower, Bonsecours Basin, and the Science Centre provide destinations along the promenade while winter brings skating on the refrigerated rink and views of the icy river. The port's position at the head of Atlantic navigation made Montreal a great city; today's transformation celebrates that heritage while creating the urban waterfront that residents demanded after decades of industrial decline.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Mount Royal

The volcanic mountain that gave Montreal its name rises 233 meters above the city center, its forested slopes designed by Frederick Law Olmsted providing the urban wilderness where Montrealers have escaped since the 1870s. The Kondiaronk Belvedere offers the classic panoramic view of downtown's glass towers against the St. Lawrence, while the summit's illuminated cross has watched over the city since 1924. The mountain's trails, Beaver Lake, and the tam-tams Sunday drum circle near the Sir George-Étienne Cartier monument create a year-round destination for hiking, skiing, picnicking, and the outdoor life central to Montreal identity.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Le Plateau Mont-Royal

Montreal's most beloved neighborhood fills the slopes below Mount Royal with the colorful row houses, exterior spiral staircases, and café-lined streets that define the city's residential character. The area's working-class francophone heritage has evolved into a creative community of artists, students, and young professionals who have made the Plateau's main streets—Saint-Laurent, Saint-Denis, and Mont-Royal—destinations for shopping, dining, and people-watching. The neighborhood's fierce resistance to chain stores and high-rise development preserves the intimate scale and independent spirit that residents consider essential to Montreal identity.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Mile End

North America's hippest neighborhood straddles the traditional boundary between francophone and anglophone Montreal, its immigrant heritage now supporting the bagel shops, cafes, and creative studios that have made Mile End a cultural phenomenon. Fairmount and St-Viateur bagels have achieved legendary status through their wood-fired, hand-rolled authenticity while the area's recording studios, galleries, and indie boutiques reflect the creative energy that has attracted artists from Leonard Cohen to Arcade Fire. The neighborhood's human scale, graffiti-decorated alleys, and Parc La Fontaine provide the setting for a community that values authenticity over polish.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Montreal Museum Of Fine Arts (pass by)

Canada's largest art museum spans five pavilions along Sherbrooke Street, its collections encompassing world cultures, Quebec art, and international works from Old Masters through contemporary installations. The museum's expansion across the street created dramatic underground galleries while the rooftop sculpture garden and the Decorative Arts pavilion in a converted church demonstrate the ambitious programming that has made the MMFA Montreal's cultural flagship. Free admission to the permanent collection on certain evenings has democratized access to works ranging from Rembrandt to Riopelle.
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Marche Jean-talon (jean-talon Market)

North America's largest open-air market has served Little Italy and surrounding neighborhoods since 1933, its 300+ vendors selling Quebec produce, meats, cheeses, and specialty foods that showcase the province's agricultural richness. The market's seasonal rhythm—maple syrup in spring, berries in summer, apples in fall—connects urban Montrealers to the rural heritage that remains central to Quebec identity. Surrounding specialty shops, cafes, and the prepared food vendors within the market building extend eating and shopping opportunities while creating the festive atmosphere that draws visitors beyond the Little Italy neighborhood.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Underground City

The world's largest underground pedestrian network connects 32 kilometers of tunnels linking metro stations, shopping centers, office towers, and cultural venues in a climate-controlled city beneath the streets. Developed since the 1960s around the metro system and downtown towers, the network allows pedestrians to traverse much of central Montreal without facing the harsh winter weather or summer humidity. The underground's shopping centers, food courts, and direct connections to major venues make it an essential navigation system for residents, though the warren of corridors can disorient first-time visitors.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Saint-Laurent

Montreal's legendary dividing line between francophone east and anglophone west has served as the landing zone for successive immigrant waves who established the delis, restaurants, and shops that gave the street its multicultural character. Schwartz's Deli, serving smoked meat since 1928, anchors a stretch of the Main that includes Portuguese chicken joints, vintage shops, and the clubs that have made this strip central to Montreal nightlife. The street's transformation from immigrant ghetto to hipster destination reflects broader patterns of urban change, but the authentic businesses—Jewish, Portuguese, Greek, and beyond—maintain connections to the communities that built them.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Quartier des Spectacles

Montreal's entertainment district concentrates theaters, concert halls, and festival spaces around Place des Arts, creating the cultural infrastructure that supports the city's legendary festival calendar. The district's public spaces transform seasonally—summer's Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs, winter's luminous installations—while the Maison symphonique, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, and surrounding venues maintain year-round programming. The quarter's architectural renewal, public art, and lively street life demonstrate Montreal's commitment to culture as essential urban infrastructure rather than optional amenity.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 11 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Wander Montreal: A Self-Guided Discovery?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

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

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5520738P63

Traveler Photos

Reviews

3.50
4 reviews

Average 3.50 out of 5 stars based on 4 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
1
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 19 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Wander Montreal: A Self-Guided Discovery?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Digital Map & Offline Content: no cell service needed.
  • Instant access: your tour activation code is ready on your ticket, below the barcode.
  • Access to the audio guide for 50+ Montreal attractions and hidden spots.
  • NO live guide or rental equipment provided — please bring your own smartphone and headphones.
  • Self-guided walking tour (app).
The following is NOT included:
  • Private transportation.
  • Admission fees, live guide, headphones, transport, parking, food/drinks, internet access and rentals.
  • Our app-based self-guided tour has no physical guide on-site.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 15..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Wander Montreal: A Self-Guided Discovery is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Wander Montreal: A Self-Guided Discovery will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Digital Map & Offline Content: no cell service needed
  • Instant access: your tour activation code is ready on your ticket, below the barcode.
  • Access to the audio guide for 50+ Montreal attractions and hidden spots.
  • NO live guide or rental equipment provided — please bring your own smartphone and headphones
  • Self-guided walking tour (app)
  • Private transportation
  • Admission fees, live guide, headphones, transport, parking, food/drinks, internet access and rentals
  • Our app-based self-guided tour has no physical guide on-site.

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Report Product Issue

Activity name