Organized Tours

An introductory guided tour is often the best -- or, at least, most efficient -- way to begin exploring a new city, and can certainly give you a good lay of the land and overview of Montréal's history. You'll see many of the attractions and get a better sense of which you'll want to spend more time exploring on your own.

For a complete listing of tours and tour operators, check under "Guided Tours" in the annually revised Montréal Official Tourist Guide, available at the downtown Infotouriste Centre at 1255 rue Peel (tel. 877/266-5687 or 514/873-2015; Métro: Peel).

Most land tours leave from the Square Dorchester, right at the tourist office. Most boat tours depart from Vieux-Port (Old Port), at the waterfront bordering Vieux-Montréal. There's parking at the dock, or take the Métro to the Champ-de-Mars or Square Victoria station and walk toward the river.

Boat Tours

Among numerous opportunities for experiencing Montréal and environs by water, here are a few of the most popular:

Le Bateau-Mouche (tel. 800/361-9952 or 514/849-9952; www.bateau-mouche.com) is an air-conditioned, glass-enclosed vessel reminiscent of those on the Seine in Paris. It plies the St. Lawrence River from mid-May to mid-October. Cruises depart for 60-minute excursions at 1:30, 3, and 4:30pm; for a 90-minute cruise at 11:30am; and for a 3 1/2-hour dinner cruise at 7pm. The shallow-draft boat takes passengers on a route inaccessible by traditional vessels, passing under several bridges and providing sweeping views of the city, Mont-Royal, and the St. Lawrence and its islands. Daytime snacks are available onboard. The 60-minute tours cost C$23 (£12) adults, C$21 (£11) students and seniors 65 and older, and C$11 (£5.50) children 6 to 16, and are free for children 5 and younger. The 90-minute tour costs C$27 (£14) adults, C$25 (£13) students and seniors, and C$11 (£5.50) children 6 to 16. Dinner cruises, with meals prepared by the kitchen of Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth, cost C$87, C$125, or C$149 (£44, £63, or £75) per person, regardless of age, and reservations are essential. The tours depart from the Jacques-Cartier Pier, opposite Place Jacques-Cartier.

Croisières AML Cruises (tel. 800/563-4643 or 514/842-3871; www.croisieresaml.com) also travels the harbor and the St. Lawrence. Options include a weekend brunch cruise that departs at 11:30am and lasts 1 1/2-hours for C$42 (£21) adults, C$40 (£20) students and seniors, and C$21 (£10.50) children 6 to 16, and free for children 5 and younger. There are also 60- or 90-minute history trips throughout the day, as well as 4-hour "Love Boat" dinner cruises that depart at 7pm, and 3-hour Latin Fiesta dance parties that leave at midnight. Call or check the website for prices and times. Boats depart from the Jacques-Cartier Pier, opposite Place Jacques-Cartier.

Croisière Historique sur le Canal de Lachine (tel. 514/283-6054) is a leisurely Parks Canada trip up the Lachine Canal, which was inaugurated in 1824 so that ships could bypass the Lachine Rapids on the way to the Great Lakes. The canal was reopened for recreational use in 1997 after much renovation. It's lined with 19th-century industrial buildings, many of which are being converted into high-end apartments. The 2-hour guided tours are on a glass-topped bateau-mouche, which carries up to 49 passengers. From mid-May to mid-June and early September to mid-October, departures are at 1 and 3:30pm on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays; from late June to early September, departures are at 1 and 3:30pm daily. Reservations required. Fares are C$18 (£9) adults, C$15 (£7.50) children 13 to 17, C$11 (£5.50) children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. There are also 1-hour tours Saturday and Sunday in summer at 10:30am and Thursday and Friday in summer at 7pm that cost C$11 (£5.50) adults, C$9 (£4.50) children 13 to 17, C$7 (£3.50) children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. The tour departs from a dock near the Marché Atwater farmer's market (Métro: Lionel-Groulx).

Les Sautes-Moutons, also known as Lachine Rapids Tours (tel. 514/284-9607; www.jetboatingmontreal.com) provides an exciting -- and wet -- experience. Its wave-jumper powerboats take on the St. Lawrence River's roiling Lachine Rapids. The streamlined hydrojet makes the 1-hour trip from May to mid-October daily, with departures every 2 hours from 10am to 6pm. It takes a half-hour to get to and from the rapids, which leaves 30 minutes for storming along the waves. Reservations are required. Plan to arrive 45 minutes early to obtain and don rain gear and a life jacket. Bring a change of clothes, as you almost certainly will get splashed or even soaked. Fares are C$60 (£30) adults, C$50 (£25) ages 13 to 18, C$40 (£20) children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. Boats depart from the Clock Tower Pier (Quai de l'Horloge; Métro: Champ-de-Mars).

Les Descentes sur le St-Laurent (tel. 514/767-2230; www.raftingmontreal.com) also provides hydrojet rides on the rapids. This operation is a little farther out than the others, so a bit more of an adventure. Rafting and jet-boat options are available for C$40 and C$49 (£20 and £25) adults, C$34 and C$39 (£17 and £20) ages 13 to 18, and C$23 and C$29 (£12 and £15) for children 12 and younger, though kids must be at least 6 years old to go rafting and at least 8 years old to go jet-boating. Take the Métro to the Angrignon station and take bus no. 110, or pick up a free shuttle at the downtown Infotouriste Centre at 1255 rue Peel (Métro: Peel). Reservations are required.

The ferry (tel. 514/281-8000; www.navettesmaritimes.com) from Jacques-Cartier Pier in Vieux-Montréal to Ile Ste-Hélène is a much milder water voyage, but still offers great views. It's a one way to begin or end a picnic outing or to visit to the old fort at Musée David M. Stewart. The ferry operates from mid-May to mid-October, with daily departures every hour in the high season, and costs C$6 (£3) per person.

Land Tours

Gray Line de Montréal (tel. 514/934-1222; www.coachcanada.com) offers commercial guided tours in air-conditioned buses daily year-round. The basic city tour takes 3 hours and costs C$40 (£20) for ages 12 and up, C$36 (£18) for seniors, C$28 (£14) for ages 5 to 11, and free for children 4 and younger. Tours depart from 1255 rue Peel in downtown.

Amphi-Bus (tel. 514/849-5181; www.montreal-amphibus-tour.com) is something a little different: It tours Vieux-Montréal much like any other bus -- until it waddles into the waters of the harbor for a dramatic finish. Departures are on the hour from 10am until midnight June through September, and at noon, 2, 4, and 6pm in May and October. Fares are C$32 (£16) adults, C$29 (£15) seniors, C$23 (£12) students, C$18 (£9) children 4 to 12, and C$10 (£5) children 3 and younger. Reservations are required. The bus departs from the intersection of rue de la Commune and bd. St-Laurent.

Montréal's calèches (tel. 514/934-6105; www.calechesluckyluc.com) are horse-drawn open carriages whose drivers serve as guides. They operate year-round; in winter, the horse puff steam clouds in the cold air as the passengers bundle up in lap rugs. Carriages depart from Square Dorchester in downtown and, in Vieux-Montréal, at Place Jacques-Cartier and rue de la Commune and Place d'Armes opposite the Notre-Dame Basilica.

Walking & Cycling Tours

Walking tours of Vieux-Montréal, the underground city, and most other interesting areas are available through Guidatour (tel. 514/844-4021; www.guidatour.qc.ca), which developed its circuit in collaboration with the Centre d'Histoire de Montréal.

ÇaRoule/Montréal on Wheels (tel. 514/866-0633; www.caroulemontreal.com) offers a 3-hour guided bicycle tour that starts at 9am and costs C$44 (£22), a fee that includes a full-day bike rental. Tours are available Thursday and Friday from late June to early September, and Saturday and Sunday mid-May to early October. The bike shop is at 27 rue de la Commune est in Vieux-Port.