If you’re considering a city break in the Canadian province of Quebec, you’re likely trying to choose between two cities – Montreal or the eponymous Quebec City. Both are interesting cities with a lot to offer visitors, but they’re also wildly different and can suit different needs for varying reasons.
While you can’t go wrong with either, I’d recommend choosing Montreal if you’re looking to explore a vibrant, international city with diverse sites, a wonderful culinary scene and many different things to do. On the other hand, visit Quebec City if you only have a day or two, are a history buff and are after a little slice of Europe in North America.
Having spent some time in both of these lovely Canadian cities, there are more factors to consider and I can help you decide which suits you and your travel style most. But if you have the time – why not visit both?
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Montreal
As Canada’s second-largest city and Quebec’s largest, Montreal is a bustling metropolis that feels very European in atmosphere. With a diverse population and an incredible culinary scene, this is an excellent city to explore.
Accessibility
As one of Canada’s largest cities, Montreal is easy to access from across the globe. Home to its own high-traffic international airport – Montréal–Trudeau International Airport – and a hub for Air Canada, there are direct connections to the city from countless destinations in the US, Canada, Europe and beyond.
The airport isn’t far from the city centre and it’s easy to access via public transport, taxi or ride share. It’s worth noting that Montreal’s airport is much higher traffic than Quebec’s so there are a lot more options to arrive here if you’re not coming from elsewhere in Canada or a handful of destinations in the US and Mexico.
Montreal can also easily be reached in about a 5-hour drive from Toronto, ON or Boston, MA. It is also only located about 1.5 hours from Burlington, VT so it’s easy to visit if you happen to be exploring New England – it’s what we did!
Once in Montreal, it’s a very accessible city in terms of public transport. It’s absolutely not necessary to have a car – in fact, many residents don’t own them. The metro system is clean, fast, robust and efficient. Where the metro doesn’t cover, there are lots of bus options available.
This is an advantage over Quebec City – the public transit in Montreal is much better, however, it is also a much larger city.
If you happen to be visiting in the cold winter months, you also can avoid spending too much time outside. Montreal is home to a vast underground city that spans over 30 kilometres and connects various shopping centres and metro stations through a series of (very well-lit) underground tunnels!
All in all, Montreal is a little bit more connected and easier to get around than Quebec City, but there is also more ground that you need to cover here.
Affordability
Another major factor that many will consider when choosing whether to visit Quebec City or Montreal would be the affordability of either city.
Canada isn’t necessarily the most budget-friendly of countries no matter which way you look at it, but it can be helpful to know where your hard-earned cash will stretch the furthest.
Because it is a bigger city and there are more options available for just about everything, Montreal can be a bit more affordable compared to Quebec, especially when it comes to accommodation prices.
In general, however, the price difference isn’t significant enough to sway the decision either way and it’s far easier to determine which city you want to visit based on other factors, such as the ease of getting around and the things you wish to see and do there.
Things to do in Montreal
If you’re getting into the bones of choosing between Montreal and Quebec City, it’s probably going to trump down to the things you’d like to do while there. And Montreal has a lot of things to do.
If you want to get a true feel for this Quebecois city, then make sure to have enough time to devote to exploring it – a minimum of 3 full days is ideal, though you can cover a lot of ground in a busy 2 days.
Make sure to spend at least one full day exploring the old town of Montreal, taking in sites like the incredible Notre Dame Basilica, the Marche Bonsecours and the ornate City Hall.
You can also learn a bit about the city’s colonial history at the Chateau Ramezay or enter the lovely Sailor’s Chapel. A good way to explore the attractions of Old Montreal is by joining a free walking tour or a paid walking tour.
It’s also with it to most over to the Vieux Port – especially if you’re visiting in the warmer months, where you can hop on a river cruise of the St Lawrence, ride the Ferris wheel or engage in a few other adrenaline-pumping activities.
Also, make sure to head over to nearby Chinatown before wandering through the downtown area and maybe even venturing into the underground city (Eaton Centre Mall is a great place for this).
Make sure to plan another day where you spend the time exploring the Mile End neighbourhood and wandering (and eating!) your way through the incredible cuisine in Little Italy.
The Jean-Talon Market is a must-see and it’s essential to sample a Montreal-style bagel at an institution like Fairmount Bagels or St Viateur Bagel. This is also a popular place to join a food tour if you want to learn about the food scene in the city.
Finally, make sure not to miss the incredible St Joseph’s Oratory – an incredible church on the top of Mont Royale, and also wander through Mont Royale Park and Cemetery.
And for those who have more time, a long walk down St Lawrence Boulevard is always due and make sure to visit the lovely botanical gardens and Olympic Park.
Where to Stay in Montreal
Le Dauphin Montréal Centre-Ville – Situated close to all of Old Montreal’s highlights, this hip 3-star hotel has several comfortable rooms to choose from, an on-site fitness centre, breakfast and parking available,
Hotel Gault – Situated in a gorgeous building, this is a great option for a luxe stay. There are countless plush rooms available along with amenities like a fab breakfast, on-site restaurant and bar and much more.
L’Appartement Hôtel – Boasting an indoor swimming pool, family rooms and a good breakfast, there are a few different studios, and one- and two-bedroom suites to choose from here. All rooms come equipped with all you may need.
M Montreal – This hostel is a good affordable option with lots of dorms and private rooms to choose from. There is also an excellent rooftop terrace with jacuzzis for guests to enjoy!
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Montreal hotels!
Quebec City
Smaller though slightly more dramatic visually than Montreal, Quebec City is the provincial capital and a wonderful destination to visit in its own right.
With an old town that feels more akin to France or Scotland than Canada, this is an excellent place to visit to learn a bit of history and take in a truly beautiful Canadian town.
Accessibility
Unlike Montreal, Quebec City is a little bit more difficult to reach. There is a small airport, but – as mentioned previously – doesn’t have anywhere near the direct connections that Montreal does. And, if you’re driving, it’s about 8 hours from Toronto and 7 hours from Boston.
The easiest way to reach Quebec City as a standalone destination is to go through Montreal to begin with.
There are much more options for arrivals into Montreal and it’s easy to get to the capital from there. You can reach Quebec City in about 3 hours – either by driving or taking the train (there are several direct trains daily which can be booked in advance).
Once you’re in the city, you’ll find that the easiest way to get around is on your own two feet. There isn’t a metro system here, but there is a bus system should you need it. However, the city centre and old town is compact and easily walkable, so it may not be necessary unless you’re staying a bit further out.
You can also opt to take a taxi or use a ride-sharing app like Uber if you want to get somewhere further afield. However, it is generally not necessary at all to have your vehicle while here – we kept our car parked the entirety of the time we were visiting!
Keep in mind that the old city is a bit hilly, but it isn’t overwhelmingly so. It is divided into an upper town and a lower town and there are staircases to connect the two – and there aren’t many and they aren’t super steep.
That being said, if you are less mobile and still want to explore on foot, there is a funicular from the lower to upper towns that you can use. However, the price isn’t necessarily worth it if you have a moderate level of fitness.
Affordability
As mentioned previously, the price difference between Quebec City and Montreal isn’t really significant enough to make a huge difference. And it’s worth noting that neither are particularly budget-friendly destinations.
However, from what we experienced, we found that prices in Quebec City were a bit higher compared to Montreal. As I’ve already said, this was most significant when looking at accommodation costs. Besides this, prices for things like food and entry tickets are generally about the same.
Things to do in Quebec City
Quebec City is smaller than Montreal, though there are still several great things to do. You can easily occupy one full, busy day and if you’re particularly interested, there is enough to see and do in the city to allow for two full days – especially if you decide to head and and visit the incredible Montmorency Falls located just outside of the city.
The Old City has the majority of the top sites, and it is a pure joy to wander around and explore – it truly feels like a European old town and reminds me a lot of Edinburgh. You can join a walking tour or arrange a private tour if you prefer to learn about the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I recommend starting in the lower town and taking in the lovely Place Royale and strolling down the cobbled, pedestrianised Rue du Petit Champlain before heading up to the upper town. If you happen to be visiting in winter or during the holiday season, this area is also completely decked out in lights and decorations.
As mentioned already, you can take a funicular up here, but you can just as easily climb the staircase. It’s really not that many stairs and it’s not too steep!
Once up there, you’ll be at the foot of the gorgeous Château Frontenac – a 5-star hotel that dates back to the late 19th Century. It dominates the skyline of old Quebec and it really looks like a castle.
At the base of the Château Frontenac, you will find the Dufferin Terrace. This is a broad, wooden promenade that is lovely to stroll along and provides excellent views over the St Lawrence River.
Also make sure to visit the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, the beautiful cathedral in Quebec City that’s free to enter. And, of course, no exploration of this area is complete without heading to the Citadelle de Quebec.
This historic fortification offers guided tours and visits and you can also view the changing of the guard daily. Next to the Citadelle, you can also stroll through the expansive Plains of Abraham Park or, if you want to see the city from a different vantage point, head out on a cruise of the St Lawrence.
With a day, you will also have time to wander around the hip Saint Roch neighbourhood, which is filled with cool cafes, restaurants and plenty of craft breweries. This is a great place to enjoy and experience modern Quebec after spending so much time in the historical centre.
Where to Stay in Quebec City
Auberge du Trésor – Located in the heart of the old town, this hotel has plenty of charming rooms and is a great mid-range choice. There is also an on-site French bistro, parking and a bar to enjoy.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – The most iconic accommodation choice in Quebec City, this luxe hotel has countless exquisite rooms to choose from, multiple restaurants, a spa and much much more on offer.
HI – Quebec – With great common areas and both dorms and private rooms available, this hostel is perfect for budget visitors or those after a social atmosphere. It’s well located for exploring Quebec City and comes very highly rated.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Quebec City hotels!
Quebec City vs Montreal: The Verdict
So with all of the above information taken into account – which Canadian city should you visit?
It really depends on what you’re after as both cities have so much to offer. However, if you’re short on time, you’re probably better off heading to Quebec City compared to Montreal. The former is much more compact and you can cover a lot of ground in a short period of time.
Montreal is best visited if you have at least 3 days to truly get to know it – so if you want to visit, plan it around a long weekend.
Montreal is easier to reach than Quebec in many different aspects and the public transport system is larger and more robust – but it is a larger city in general and is more needed.
Aside from the time constraints, Quebec City is a great option for those who love an old town that seems to be a time capsule and for those interested in learning all about French Canadian history.
And while you can certainly get all of those things in Montreal, that city is better if you’re after a large, metropolitan feel, lots of cultural diversity and a truly fantastic culinary scene.
Whether you choose to visit Montreal or have set your sites on Quebec City, you can’t really make a bad choice. Both are great cities and have lots to see and do and offer a distinctive experience in Canada.
Are you wondering which city to visit in Quebec province? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!
