These three Montreal tours each approach the city through a different theme: colonial history, queer history, and mural-focused street art. All are guided walking experiences, but they differ in neighborhood focus, pacing, group style, and included extras.
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This comparison is designed for travelers researching best reviewed Montreal tours. For related planning, see our TourPickGuide experience comparisons and Canada tours and experiences.
Colonial-history walk
Start with the leading match, or keep reading to compare all three options by traveler fit, duration, and feedback.
Montreal tour options at a glance
Use this comparison to match the itinerary, traveler feedback, duration, and key features to your preferred travel day.
| Tour | Best for | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Key point | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial-history walk | travelers who want a history-focused walking tour of Old Montreal from an Indigenous perspective | ★ 5.0/5 | 30 reviews | Approx. 1 hr 30 min | Approximate 1 hour 30 minute format | View on Viator |
 Queer-history walk | travelers who want a longer walking tour centered on Montréal’s LGBTQ2+ history and community stories | ★ 5.0/5 | 17 reviews | Approx. 2 hr 30 min | Approximate 2 hour 30 minute format | View on Viator |
 Mural street-art walk | travelers who want a relaxed walk centered on outdoor art, with a smaller group feel and certified guide | ★ 5.0/5 | 14 reviews | Approx. 2 hr | Approximate 2 hour format | View on Viator |
Montreal tour reviews and key differences
Each option includes its own photo gallery, overview, key features, traveler profile, and direct Viator link.
Best match for travelers comparing Old Montreal history walks
Indigenous-Led Tour: Colonial Secrets of Old Montreal
Best for: travelers who want a history-focused walking tour of Old Montreal from an Indigenous perspective
This experience is a guided walk through Old Montreal with a clear historical focus. The tour description emphasizes hidden and difficult truths about the neighborhood’s colonial past, and the itinerary notes mention learning colonial secrets in the city’s tourism center as well as visiting the original site of the Hotel Dieux hospital. It is the shortest of the three tours, which may suit travelers who want a more compact outing. The listed options include English and French, so it can work well for visitors who prefer a language-specific tour. The inclusion list confirms a live guide.
Indigenous-Led Tour: Colonial Secrets of Old Montreal
- Approximate 1 hour 30 minute format
- Live guide included
- English and French options listed
Best match for travelers who want a longer identity-and-history walk
Montreal Queerstory Tour
Best for: travelers who want a longer walking tour centered on Montréal’s LGBTQ2+ history and community stories
This walking tour is built around Montréal’s LGBTQ2+ history and the old west-end downtown neighborhood where many related establishments once stood. The description suggests a story-led format, with attention to struggles, triumphs, and the people and institutions that shaped the area’s past. It is the longest of the three tours, which may appeal to travelers who want more time with a single theme. The confirmed inclusion is access to a private account of tips and recommendations to support LGBTQ2+ businesses. No extra logistics are stated, so it is best read as a focused guided walk with a strong interpretive angle.
Montreal Queerstory Tour
- Approximate 2 hour 30 minute format
- Live guide implied by the guided tour format
- Private tips-and-recommendations account included
Best match for travelers who want an art-focused city walk
All about Montréal's Murals – Saturday Walking Tour
Best for: travelers who want a relaxed walk centered on outdoor art, with a smaller group feel and certified guide
This walking tour focuses on Montréal’s street art, especially murals along the St-Laurent Boulevard area and nearby streets and alleys. The itinerary notes also point to the Entertainment District and the MURAL Festival zone, so the route is oriented around outdoor art viewing rather than a historic neighborhood narrative. It is the only tour here that explicitly mentions a group size, with about 15 visitors, and it also confirms an official city certified guide. The inclusions mention support for a local, woman-owned company. The exclusions note that hotel pickup and drop-off are not offered, so guests should plan to meet at the starting point.
All about Montréal's Murals – Saturday Walking Tour
- Approximate 2 hour format
- About 15 visitors per group
- Official city certified guide confirmed
Choosing an itinerary style in Montreal
Pick the Old Montreal option if you want a shorter, history-centered outing in a classic tourist area. Choose the queer-history or mural tour if you prefer a longer story-driven walk or a more visual route built around neighborhood culture and street art.
Old Montreal walking route
A guided walk in Old Montreal that focuses on colonial-era sites and stories.
Former LGBTQ2+ neighborhood route
A guided walk through the old LGBTQ2+ district in downtown Montréal’s west end.
Street-art route
A Saturday walking tour centered on murals in the St-Laurent Boulevard area and nearby districts.
Before you book in Montreal
Check the live product page before booking. Departure details, activity order, inclusions, and available options can change.
Montreal booking checklist
- Language options are listed for some tours, so check the selected tour language before booking.
- The mural tour explicitly does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan to meet at the stated start point.
- Only confirmed inclusions are listed here; if something matters to your plans, verify it on the specific tour before reserving.
Montreal tour questions answered
Which tour is the shortest?
The Indigenous-Led Tour: Colonial Secrets of Old Montreal has the shortest listed duration of the three.
Which tour is most focused on street art?
All about Montréal's Murals – Saturday Walking Tour is the one built around murals and outdoor art viewing.
Which tour is best if I want a smaller group feel?
The mural tour is the only one that explicitly states a group size of about 15 visitors.