
The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 849 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 $55 per person. It scores 90 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 849 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
- 90 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (849)
- Duration
- 2.8 hours
- From
- $55 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 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 you get
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
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
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
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
Underground City
From the World Trade Center to Chinatown we walk a stretch of the world's largest interior network.
15 minutes here
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
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
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
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
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






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 848 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
848 verified traveler reviews for The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Experience different neighborhoods on this fast paced walking tour.
This is a fast paced 4 mile (approx) walking tour through various neighborhoods in Montreal. Our guide, Gabriela, was really good, very knowledgeable, and full of interesting facts. We sampled pork bao in Chinatown, and a delicious hot coffee in the Plateau district. Lots of great information. Would highly recommend this tour, but make sure you can walk at a fast pace.
via Viator
Worthwhile Tour
Very interesting tour, just as advertised. The tour guide, Amilie, did an excellent job explaining the city's history and the sites we visited. Glad we did the tour.
via Viator
Great history lesson, engaging guide.
Could not be more perfect!! Amalie was a wealth of knowledge and extremely pleasant. Great at ensuring all enjoyed the tour. Fee was very reasonable, good value. Time was perfect, great history lesson too. Highly recommend to everyone!
via Tripadvisor
Great time. L:earned a lot
Chris was an awesome tour guide. Great expierience. Learned a tremendous amount about Montreal I would highly reccomend it
via Tripadvisor
Tour Title is Perfect
I learned info about Montreal that I don't think I could have gotten any other way. Amelia (? Spelling) knew a lot about every stop and offered her own insights as a native of the area even on things we didnt visit. Excellent walking tour- probably about 4 miles beginning to end. I enjoyed it a lot.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $55 to $75
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 297
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Who runs this experience
Operated by Spade & Palacio Tours, who run 5 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 83.9 and 3 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Spade & Palacio Tours runsWhy this scores 90
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
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 $55 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 90 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 849 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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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio?
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Around 297 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 Original Montreal Mural Arts Tour by Spade & Palacio, The Original Old Montréal Walking Tour by Guidatour. 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.
What is included in The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio?
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Included: Local guide; Snacks; Beverages; and Food tasting. Not included: Gratuities; and Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio?
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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. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about The Essential 101 Non-Touristy Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio?
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Across 849 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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