The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio in Montreal
Montreal, Canada

The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio

Outty Ranking 91 4.9 · 820 traveler reviews2.8 hoursFrom $4390+ Club

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$43
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Outty Ranking

91/100

90+ Club. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 820 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio worth booking?

The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio is a 2.8-hour experience in Montreal, Canada, from $43 per person. It scores 91 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 820 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.

Outty Ranking
91 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (820)
Duration
2.8 hours
From
$43 per person

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 hea

What you get

  • Local guide
  • Snacks
  • Beverages
  • Food tasting

About this experience

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!!

What's included

Included

  • Local guide
  • Snacks
  • Beverages
  • Food tasting

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)

What you'll see and do

  1. Maisonneuve Monument

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

    10 minutes here

  2. 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 here

  3. 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

    45 minutes here

  4. Underground City

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

    15 minutes here

  5. Chinatown

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

    15 minutes here · Admission included

  6. 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.

    20 minutes here

  7. 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 here

  8. 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.

    20 minutes here

  9. Place d'Armes

    Intro to the tour, your guide before skipping the line at the basilica!

    10 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Montreal

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.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

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!

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 10 travelers per booking
Operated by
Spade & Palacio Tours

Know before you go

  • 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

Photos

Mural by A-Shopa snob in Old MontréalThe Leonard Cohen mural by Kevin LedoHistoric and funky St. LaurentSnack in Chinatownskip the line Basilica

Good to know

Duration
2.8 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
5+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$43 to $75
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
287
Verdict
90+ Club

Why this scores 91

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)92
Review evidence (18% weight)86
Booking momentum (14% weight)84
Value for money (12% weight)100
Listing quality (10% weight)100
Local standing (8% weight)81
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Montreal.

How much does The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio cost?

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Prices start at $43 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Montreal usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio take?

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Plan for about 2.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Montreal is not rushed.

Is The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 91 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 820 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Montreal, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.

Can I cancel or reschedule The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio?

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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 2.8-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio?

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Around 287 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Montreal can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Montreal and add a light layer if any part of the 2.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Montreal within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Montreal?

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On Outty we rank every Montreal experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Old Montreal Walking Tour | Small Group (Max 10) | by MTL Detours, The Full-Day small-group comprehensive tour of Montreal, The Only Locally Owned Non-Touristy Food Tour by Spade & Palacio. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Montreal?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Montreal?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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