Old Montreal is one of the oldest settled places in North America, and the stories that accumulate over nearly four centuries are not all heroic. The Old Montreal Ghost Walking Tour takes in the darker side, with a guide who tells legends, hauntings and crimes while walking through the lanes, squares and churchyards of the old town. It is well reviewed, with hundreds of guests rating it, and it works because the setting does half the work: gaslight-style lamps, stone walls, narrow alleys and the dark silhouettes of the basilica and the old banks give the stories a natural stage. The exact meeting point, route, length and schedule are set by the operator, so check the booking page for your date and start time. Ghost walks are usually enjoyed after dark, and in winter that means a cold walk, so wear warm layers, gloves and sturdy shoes for cobblestones. The guide is the central ingredient, and a good one mixes real history, such as epidemics, fires and the hardships of early settlers, with spooky tales and a dose of humour. The tour suits adults, couples and friends, and older children who enjoy a scare.
What you get beyond the scares
A ghost walk is also a history lesson in disguise. The stories touch on the city's fires, the hardships of the early colony, the fur trade and the fortunes and failures of its merchants, and the route takes you through parts of Old Montreal that daytime visitors skip.
If you have already taken a daytime walking tour, a ghost tour is a good complement because it covers the same streets with a different set of stories. If you have not, it is a fun way to see the old town lit up and quiet.
Planning
Because the tour is outdoors and on foot, dress for the weather and bring a charged phone if you want photographs, as low light is unforgiving. Eat before you go or plan dinner afterward on Rue Saint-Paul or Rue Saint-Vincent, which are lively in the evening. Check the start times and language for your date when you book, since the operator may run different tours across the week.
Pair it with a visit to the basilica earlier in the day, or the AURA show if you like atmosphere, and the sequence makes a satisfying evening in the old town.
Who it suits
Couples, groups of friends, history fans who like a story and visitors in October when the city's ghost-tour season peaks, though it is a good way to spend a winter evening too. It is less suited to small children, who may find the stories frightening, or to people who dislike cold, because most of the walk is outside. If you would rather hear history in daylight, the small-group Old Montreal walk or the Essential 101 tour are better fits. Check when you book for duration, meeting point and cancellation terms.
Photographers should bring a phone or camera that copes with low light, though the best images often come from simply standing still and looking up at the lit facades. Keep your voice low near residential buildings and churches, as the old town is also a place where people live and worship.
If you want a fuller picture of the history behind the legends, visit Chateau Ramezay or Pointe-a-Calliere in daylight; both fill in the real events that the stories borrow from. Allow a little time before the tour to find the meeting point, because the lanes can be confusing after dark.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walk through the lanes and squares of Old Montreal telling legends, hauntings and crimes from the city's past.
Best time
In the evening, when the lamps and stone streets set the mood; October is peak season for ghost tours but winter works too.
How long
Set by the operator; check the booking page for your date.
Tips
Dress warmly, wear sturdy shoes for cobblestones and check start time and language when you book.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Adults and teenagers who like history with a shiver.
- Families
- Best for older children; younger ones may find the stories frightening.
- Couples
- An atmospheric evening walk, ideally followed by dinner on Rue Saint-Paul.
- Pair with
- Notre-Dame Basilica, Rue Saint-Paul dining and the AURA show.
- Time needed
- Check when you book.
Good questions
Is it really scary?+
It leans on legends, history and humour, so it is spooky rather than terrifying. Younger children may still find some stories frightening.
When does it run?+
Start times and days are set by the operator; check the booking page for your date.
How long is it?+
The duration is set by the operator and shown on the booking page.
What should I wear?+
Warm layers, gloves in winter and sturdy shoes for cobblestones. The tour is outdoors.
Is it history or fiction?+
A mix. The guide draws on real events such as fires and early colony hardships alongside folklore and ghost stories.
