SPECIAL OFFER!
Early booking offer – Reserve your tour before December 31st and receive a 10% discount!
Apply the following discount code at checkout: DETOUR10
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Give the gift of an MTL Detours experience!
Our Old Montreal walking tour was named as one of the Top 20 Experiences in Canada!
Walking Tour Highlights
Price: $49
Duration: 2 hours
# of people: 10
Season: May-Oct.
Also available as a PRIVATE Tour
Exclusive small group of only 10 people makes for an unforgettable personal, informative and engaging experience!
Receive extras like our carefully curated list of recommendations, surprise bonus tastings and a unique parting gift. (Note: this is not a food tour)
Visit a few lovely green spaces in the neighbourhood, see Montreal’s typical outdoor staircases, & take in some Art Deco architecture peppered along our route
See the local institutions Little Italy is famous for, including a famous bakery, a cookware shop, and an Italian grocery store
Stroll through Jean Talon farmers market – one of the largest outdoor markets in the continent!
Enjoy a tailored tour experience thanks to an intimate group size and your awesome certified Montreal guide answering any and all questions
Get personalized insider tips from your guide, who will offer you personal recommendations for making your Montreal trip one you’ll never forget!
A Tasty Treat or Two!
Montreal Italian Culture
Open Air Market
Savour the Sights, Sounds, & Scents of Montreal’s Little Italy!
Join us for our small-group Little Italy & Jean Talon Market Montreal walking tour to discover the off-the-beaten-path and local charms of Little Italy & the famous Jean Talon Market! On this neighbourhood discovery walking tour of Little Italy, we’ll explore the quaint streets of the vicinity while your engaging guide shares about local history and Montreal Italian culture! We’ll see classic Little Italy institutions, cute parks, and interesting architecture along the way. We’ll indulge our senses with a visit to the lively Jean Talon Market – one of the largest and most established open-air markets in North America. Bring your curiosity and your comfiest walking shoes on this fun and informative tour! Please note that this is a walking tour, not a food tour.
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Pricing & Logistics
Price
Small-Group: $49.00 CAD/per person + taxes & fees
Private Tour: From $250 CAD
Duration
2 hours
Departure time
2:30 pm
Availability
Saturday & Sunday, May-October
Group size
Max of 10
Included
- Your certified guide’s expertise as a local Montrealer
- A personal list of recommendations for things to see, do, and eat in Montreal
- A special bonus treat or two (Note: this is not a food tour)
- A parting gift
Not included
- Gratuities (recommended – merci!) — Although optional, a tip/gratuity for your guide is customary and very appreciated.
- Other food & drink – besides the one or two small bonus tastings, no other food & drink is included. This is a walking tour of the neighbourhood and not a food tour.
Meeting point
Your MTL Detours guide will meet you just outside the main entrance of Jean Talon Market at 7070 Henri Julien Ave, Montreal, Quebec H2S 3S3.
Please note, we ask that all guests arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour start time. As our tours begin on time, latecomers may not be able to join the tour.
Our meeting location is less than 10 minutes from the Jean-Talon metro station (subway) on the Orange and Blue metro lines.
End point
This tour ends at Jean Talon Market.
Participation requirements
This tour has an age minimum of 12 years old. Please check out our private tour option to include guests under 12.
Not wheelchair accessible and not suitable for guests with mobility restrictions or serious health issues. Please inquire about the possibility of booking a private tour.
Most of the 2-hour tour is walking or standing and places to sit are limited.
What to bring
- A camera or cell phone for taking photos
- Water to stay hydrated
- Weather-appropriate clothing, which may include:
- A hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Umbrella or poncho
- As this is a walking tour, comfy footwear is essential!
About your guide
All MTL Detours guides are trained, certified, and licensed with the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec and the Association professionnelle des guides touristiques, as required by the City of Montreal.
Check out our About Us for more info on each of our amazing guides!
What We'll See On This Tour
This walking tour of Little Italy begins when you meet your fun local guide outside the main entrance of the marvellous Jean Talon farmers market.
After a quick introduction, we head off on our adventure to take in the sights, sounds, and aromas of Little Italy’s streets. We’ll pass by some interesting architecture, including the Madonna della Difesa Church. As we walk, your informative guide will regale you with local history, including stories of the first Italian immigrants to lay down their roots in the area in the 19th century. Don’t hesitate to ask questions as you go! We love to engage with our guests, and our small-group size allows us to create a personal experience for each tour.
You’ll notice the area is a hotbed of Montreal Italian culture, filled with cafés, pizzerias, trattorias, and gelaterias – yum! We’ll point out some famous local institutions as we pass by, including the authentic Italian bakery, Pasticceria Alati Caserta; the treasure trove of Italian cookware/hunting goods, Quincaillerie Dante; and Fruiterie Milano, a speciality Italian grocery store that’s been around since 1954!
Along the way, your guide will highlight some classic elements of the city that dot the route, including Montreal’s typical outdoor staircases, some lovely neighbourhood parks, and splendid Art Deco buildings.
For the final leg of our tour, we return to our meeting place and take a stroll through the Jean Talon Farmers Market, one of the biggest open-air markets in North America! Though the exact offerings are dependent on the season, you can count on this lively market to be overflowing with beautiful flowers, in-season produce, baked goods, cheese, meat, fishmongers, and Quebec speciality products. It’s truly a feast for the eyes and senses! We’ll even include a small seasonal bonus treat or two to taste.
The tour ends after our market stroll, where you’ll part ways with your guide. But don’t worry, they’ll leave you with some personalized recommendations on what more to see, eat, and do and how to make the most of your time in Montreal!
Please Note...
Our tours are offered in English by default. If you’re looking for a tour in French, please contact us or check our private tours option to make arrangements. Merci beaucoup!
The minimum age to attend is 12 years old. Please contact us or check our private tours option to schedule a tour with younger kids.
This tour runs in all weather – rain or shine! However, we occasionally have to cancel a tour in the event of extreme or violent weather (severe thunderstorms or high winds, for example). Should this occur, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Please monitor your messages/email if inclement weather is expected.
Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions! The tour is mostly outdoors.
Not recommended for people with mobility restrictions or serious health conditions due to length of tour, amount of walking, varied terrain, and accessibility issues.
Regarding bonus treats included on tour, accommodations/substitutions for dietary restrictions are unfortunately not possible.
Cancellation policy: Our small-group tours are 100% refundable up to 24 hours before the tour start time. Please be mindful that the later you wait to cancel, the harder it is for us to fill your spots. If you cancel less than 24 hours ahead of time or do not show up for the date and time that you booked, unfortunately, any sums paid will be 100% non-refundable. No-shows, bookings for incorrect dates/times and late arrivals are not eligible for refunds. We can try to fit you onto another tour, pending availability, but cannot guarantee this option. If you can't make it, please contact us in advance to notify of your absence. For PRIVATE tours, the cancellation policy is 72 hours.
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ page!
What Previous Guests Have Said
Montreal Unveiled: A Masterful City Exploration with Martin's Guided Tour Martin, the city guide in Montreal, provided an exceptional experience during the small group tour. His depth of knowledge and engaging presentation style catered to the curious, making the tour both informative and enjoyable. Martin's patience and inclusive approach ensured that everyone felt involved, fostering a sense of community within the group. One notable aspect was Martin's effective use of visuals, employing different pictures to vividly explain the city's stories and curiosities. This visual aid enhanced the overall learning experience. Furthermore, his multilingual proficiency not only accommodated diverse participants but also showcased a commitment to inclusivity. A standout quality was Martin's personalized touch – addressing everyone by their names created a more intimate and welcoming atmosphere. His incorporation of humor, along with the ability to speak multiple languages, added an entertaining element that resonated with the entire group. The concluding list of recommendations, particularly regarding food and other local attractions, demonstrated Martin's dedication to enhancing the overall experience beyond the tour itself. It served as a valuable takeaway, providing practical insights for participants to explore Montreal further. In summary, Martin's professionalism, knowledge, inclusivity, and personalized approach make him a standout city guide in Montreal. The tour was not only educational but also a delightful experience, leaving participants with a deeper appreciation for the city and a wealth of recommendations to explore its offerings further - 11/25/2023
It was a great tour of Old Montreal led by Martin. Martin was engaged with our tour members and answered all of our questions. I would highly recommend this tour and Martin for any first time visitors to Montreal. Martin was very knowledgeable of the history of Montreal and also brought a great sense of humor to the tour. - 11/25/2023
Great tour of Old town! Isabelle even added an underground tour due to the cold! - 11/25/2023
