Reminiscent of a town found in the UK or on the European Continent, visiting Quebec City is a fascinating escape in North America. The compact city is filled with history and it is excellently preserved – it really does feel like you’ve stepped into Europe!
After spending a few days exploring Montreal, Michael and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see this lovely city ourselves. We really enjoyed our time in Quebec City and were charmed not only by the historic centre, but by the lively culture and cool neighbourhoods surrounding the old town, as well.
If you’re planning to visit Quebec City, then use this itinerary to plan your ideal route through the city.
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How Many Days in Quebec City?
The centre of Quebec City is quite compact – much more so than Montreal, Quebec’s other major metropolis. With that in mind, it’s really only necessary to plan to spend one full day in Quebec City.
Within the span of one day, you can explore the entirety of the old town and even venture a bit away and get to know some of the other neighbourhoods.
However, if you do have more time, then you will be able to dedicate some time to visiting a couple of the city’s museums and even take a half-day trip to nearly Montmorency Falls Park.
Getting To & Around Quebec City
Quebec City is home to its own, small international airport that serves destinations across Canada and a handful of airports in the US and Mexico. However, the closest airport that has more connections is located in Montreal.
You can reach Quebec City from Montreal by direct train in about 3 hours. Trains leave frequently and can be a convenient way to travel. You can book tickets here.
Otherwise, it is also about a 3-hour drive between Montreal and Quebec. Though some people choose to take a day trip to Quebec City from Montreal, do keep in mind that a total of 6 hours in transit can lead to quite a long day. This is why we recommend spending at least one night here. If you insist on doing this, an organised tour is possible.
Quebec City can also be reached from Boston, MA in about 6.5 hours driving.
Once you’re in the city itself, you’ll find that it’s quite easy to navigate on foot. In fact, even if do drive yourself to the city, we found it was best to leave the car parked for the duration of our stay and simply walk around the city.
You can also utilise ridesharing apps like Uber, which we found to be quite affordable in Quebec City. This can be convenient if you don’t want to walk absolutely everywhere, or you happen to be staying a bit outside the city centre.
1-Day Quebec City Itinerary
You can cover a lot of ground in just one day, but you’re going to be spending a fair amount of time on your feet. It’s best to get an early start to avoid tour groups as the old town can get a bit congested as the day gets on. If you prefer exploring with a guide, consider joining a walking tour or arranging a private tour.
Place Royale
Begin your tour of Quebec City in Place Royal in the heart of the old town. This charming square is home to a picturesque church (Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Catholic Church), lovely stone buildings, open-air cafes and plenty of benches.
It is reminiscent of any small square you would find in a smaller European old town and it’s hard to imagine that you’re in Canada while here.
Just around the corner from the square, you’ll also find the Quebec City Mural, a beautiful mural depicting a cityscape of the old town with figures transcending historical periods. It’s a beautiful piece of art to take in and a wonderful depiction of Quebec City.
It is also worth noting that the historic centre of Quebec City is broken into two parts – the upper town and the lower town (much like in cities like Bergamo in Italy!). Place Royal and the next stop are in the lower town and all subsequent stops are in the upper town.
While planning your route, keep in mind that old Quebec is a bit hilly and try to concentrate sites in the lower own before heading to the upper town in order to avoid huffing and puffing up a lot of hills and stairs!
Rue du Petit Champlain
A short walk from Place Royal you will find Rue du Petit Champlain (so-called after French explorer Samuel de Champlain), a charming pedestrianised street lined with historic buildings, lots of boutique shops, little bakeries, cafes and restaurants. Take the time to have a leisurely stroll down this street – it is incredibly picturesque!
If you’re looking to pick up a souvenir from your trip to Quebec City, then this is going to be a great place to do it! There are tonnes of gift shops where you can pick up something memorable and unique here.
This is another street that can get a bit congested with crowds, so if you want to enjoy it in all of its glory then try to get here either earlier in the morning (we were there a bit before 9AM and it wasn’t too busy) or in the evening when a lot of people have gone home for the day.
Château Frontenac & Dufferin Terrace
From Rue du Petit Champlain, you have two options to reach the upper town – the first is to walk and the second is to take the funicular.
I would highly recommend the former unless you have some mobility issues as it’s not too taxing of a walk up (only a few stairs) and you can save some cash while you’re at it!
At the end Rue du Petit Champlain, you will find a staircase known as the Escalier Casse-Cou – or the Breakneck Steps.
Don’t let the name scare you – they’re not really that steep or harrowing! The original steps were built in 1635 and are considered the oldest staircase in Quebec City – so you will be walking on history! You can get lovely views of the lower town from the stairs, as well.
This staircase connects the lower town with the Château Frontenac, a grand, castle-like hotel that dominates the skyline of the city. I heard a few people mention that it was one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, though I can’t find any evidence to back that up. Nonetheless, it is incredibly photogenic and absolutely beautiful.
On the other side of the Château, you will find the Dufferin Terrace. This is an expansive boardwalk that spans almost all the way to the Citadelle and provides incredible views over the St Lawrence River.
There are also several pavilions where you can take shelter from the sun (or rain or snow depending on the season!), lots of benches and plenty of information plaques where you can learn a bit more about the city’s history.
Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral
Meandering a bit away from the Château and terrace, set your course to the next stop on our route – the Quebec Cathedral.
Officially called the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral (Our Lady of Quebec Basilica-Cathedral), this is a beautiful building that also happens to be free to enter!
Steeped in history, the site of this church and the original building dates back to 1647, however, it has twice been destroyed in fires. The current church as it stands today was completed in 1848 in a gorgeous Neoclassical architectural style.
It is lovely from the exterior, but – like many churches – it is particularly impressive on the interior. The fact that it is completely free to enter is also an added bonus to visiting such a historic monument!
And if you’re feeling a little bit peckish after exploring the church, unwind with a coffee and a French-style pastry at nearby Café la Maison Smith des Jardin. This is a popular local chain and a great place for a bit of a caffeine boost.
St Louis Gate & Fortifications of Old Quebec
Less than 10 minutes walking from the cathedral, you can find yourself at the St Louis Gate – a remaining gate of the old walled city of Quebec.
This city dates back to the 17th Century (and the Historic District of Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and, while that’s certainly not old by European standards, there are not a lot of walled cities in North America so it’s something very impressive.
You can climb the staircase to see the gate from a different vantage point, as well. You can also walk a bit along the remaining fortifications of Old Quebec and take in just how old this city is when compared to the rest of Canada!
Citadelle de Québec
Now it’s time to head over to one of the most iconic landmarks in the city – the Citadelle de Québec. This citadel overlooks the St Lawrence River in a very strategic location and has repelled invading armies (including the American army during the War of 1812) throughout its history.
As the oldest military building in Canada, the citadel was originally constructed in 1693. Today, it serves as a museum where you can tour the entire Citadelle and also learn all about its history. Also included in admission to the Citadelle is entry to the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Modelled after the ceremony in London, you can view this at 10AM daily in the summer months on the Citadelle’s parade grounds. The recommendation is to arrive at least fifteen minutes before the start time.
If you aren’t able to make it here in time for the Changing of the Guard, the Citadelle is still very much worth the visit for the museum and tour alone and is a must-do activity for those planning to spend one day in Quebec City. You can book tickets here.
Plains of Abraham
After a pretty active day of sightseeing, it’s time to unwind a little bit and take in one of Quebec City’s most impressive parks, the Plains of Abraham. Located adjacent to the Citadelle, this expansive park overlooks the St Lawrence River.
We are usually big fans of hanging out in parks while in large cities, and would have definitely done the same in Quebec, however, the weather wasn’t the best when we visited so we didn’t get to enjoy this green space to its fullest.
Regardless of how long you have to spend, a short stroll at the very least through the Plains of Abraham is definitely one of the top things to do in Quebec City.
Quebec Parliament
Heading back into the old town area, the next stop is the beautiful Parliament Building of Quebec. Home to the provincial government, this is another beautiful and impressive building that is – once again – free to enter!
Aside from the interior of the building, however, the grounds surrounding the Parliament are absolutely lovely.
There are plenty of benches and beautifully landscaped gardens which were in full bloom when we visited in early August. There is even a large vegetable patch that you can wander through – which is something that I absolutely loved.
For those who want to go through the building, the interior is very impressive as well and can be seen (without reservations and free of charge) on a self-guided tour.
Next to the Parliament, you can also visit the Observatoire de la Capitale for great views of the city!
Rue Saint-Jean
At this point, it’s likely you’ve worked up a significant appetite so now is a good time to wander a bit away from the old town and head to Rue Saint-Jean.
This is one of the oldest commercial streets in Quebec City and, not only is it steeped with history, but there are tonnes of great places to grab a bite to eat and little shops to browse.
Whether you’re looking for a casual takeaway meal or a sit-down lunch, you can find it here. It may come as no surprise that there is a strong influence of French cuisine in the city and if you’re looking for a crepe, then consider heading to Le Sultan Creperie for a good, casual option.
Michael and I both got savoury options (one pesto and one smoked salmon!), but there are plenty of sweet options along with waffles and sandwiches, too.
Alternatively, another well-reviewed creperie on this street is Le Billig, which we intended to visit first, however, we didn’t have a reservation and there were no tables available. So if you’re keen to try that place out, then make sure to book!
There are also lots of bakeries and other shops to browse while on Rue Saint-Jean. For instance, foodies will love Épicerie J.A. Moisan – a gourmet grocery store that dates back to the mid-19th Century. They also offer deli sandwiches for a quick and convenient meal.
Animal lovers may also want to venture a bit further from this street and head to Café Félin Chats-Nous, a wonderful cat cafe with friendly kitties and owners! As a cat-lover, this was one of my favourite places in Quebec City.
Saint-Roch Neighbourhood
Round out your day in Quebec City by wandering through the hip and happening Saint-Roch Neighbourhood. A bit more modern and a bit more lively than the old town, this area is where you can find some of the more avant-garde and international eateries and some great bars and cafes.
You will also find a fair amount of street art and some murals lining the city streets and the lively atmosphere is a lot different than what can be found in the old town. For those who love a craft beer, there are also countless microbreweries in this area – I was astounded by just how many we walked past when exploring this area!
If you’re after a nice place with a big tap list and a relaxed vibe, then we loved Barberie Microbrewery. They had a large beer garden and an extensive tap list (and quite good prices!). It was a great place to end our time in Quebec City.
If this area doesn’t interest you, then some other great options to spend the afternoon are to enjoy a cruise along the Saint Lawrence River or join a food tour of Old Quebec!
Have More Time?
If you have more than a day to spend in Quebec City, then you have a bit more time to dig deeper into the city. One of the top things to do would be to take a half-day trip to Montmorency Falls. Located just outside of the city, this waterfall is actually taller than Niagara and it is a breathtaking place to visit.
You can visit the falls on an organised group tour, a bike tour or drive yourself – the falls are located only about 10 minutes from the city centre. You buy tickets here if visiting independently.
To fill the rest of your time, consider spending a bit of time in one or two of the city’s many museums! The Museum of Civilisations is a great option, as is the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec.
Where to Stay in Quebec City
Auberge du Trésor – A comfortable mid-range option in Old Quebec, this hotel boasts great views of the Château Frontenac. There are double, queen, king and triple rooms available along with two restaurants, a bar and parking.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – If you want to stay in the hotel that dominates the skyline of Old Quebec, then this is it! This luxe hotel boasts countless plush rooms and amenities like an indoor swimming pool, a spa, several restaurants and much more.
HI – Quebec – A great option for budget or solo visitors to the Quebec capital, this large hostel boasts 266 beds and a great location in Old Quebec. There is also a kitchen available to guests and a cafe on site to enjoy.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Quebec City hotels!
Visiting Quebec City is a highlight when travelling to this area of Canada. Though it feels like a little slice of Europe, it has its own distinct charm and it is an absolute joy to wander around and explore.
Are you planning to visit Quebec City? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!
