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Canada Quebec City travel guide
15 things to do in Quebec City, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Quebec City
- Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec — art museum in Quebec City, Canada (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Citadelle of Quebec — citadel in Quebec, Canada (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral — Catholic basilica-cathedral in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Stadacona — 16th-century Iroquoian village near present-day Quebec City; origin of the name "Canada" (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Plains of Abraham — battlefield park in Quebec City, Canada (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Cathedral of the Holy Trinity — Cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Quebec (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Musée de la civilisation — Canadian museum (Quebec city) (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Church of Our Lady of Victories, Quebec City — church in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church — catholic church in Quebec City (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Terrasse Dufferin — boardwalk terrace in Quebec City, Canada (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Théâtre Capitole — theatre in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Jesuit Chapel — Jesuit chapel in Quebec City, Canada (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Place d’Armes — square in Québec, Canada (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Parc Linéaire des Rivières Saint-Charles et du Berger — linear park in Quebec City, Canada (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Saint-Roch Church — church in Quebec City (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Quebec City walking itinerary
Starting point: Upper Town (Old Québec). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.2 km · 12,480 steps · 2 h 4 min on the way): Church of Our Lady of Victories, Quebec City → Musée de la civilisation → Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral → Stadacona
- Day 2 (≈ 5.8 km · 7,870 steps · 1 h 17 min on the way): Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec → Plains of Abraham → Citadelle of Quebec → Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Where to stay in Quebec City
- Upper Town (Old Québec): Inside the walls, with Château Frontenac and historic streets.
- Lower Town / Petit-Champlain: Narrow, European-feeling lanes and boutiques by the river.
- Saint-Roch: Modern restaurants and bars; cheaper hotels.
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste: Local cafés and shops just outside the walls.
Getting from the airport to Quebec City
- Québec Jean-Lesage (YQB): No rail link; taxi ≈ 20–25 min.
Getting around
The old town is hilly but walkable; a funicular links the Lower Town. Use RTC buses for farther areas.
Classic places to eat
- Aux Anciens Canadiens: Traditional Québécois dishes in a house dating from 1675.
- Le Continental: A classic restaurant with tableside flambés since 1956.
- Chez Ashton: A local poutine chain since 1969.
- Paillard: Bread, croissants and sandwiches in the old town.
- Le Lapin Sauté: A cosy Petit-Champlain bistro serving rabbit dishes.
- Érico Choco-Musée: A chocolate shop and small museum; try the hot chocolate.
Romantic views
- Dufferin Terrace (Sunset): A boardwalk in front of Château Frontenac above the river.
- Rue du Petit-Champlain (Evening): One of North America’s oldest shopping streets, strung with lights.
- Plains of Abraham (Afternoon): A vast green historic park overlooking the river.
- Montmorency Falls (Afternoon): A suspension bridge over falls taller than Niagara.
Good to know before visiting Quebec City
- Fine: Cannabis is legal, but carrying it across any border, including to the US, is a crime.
- Fine: Open alcohol in public is banned in most places.
- Fine: Declare all food, plant and animal products at customs.
- Warning: Follow wildlife rules in nature: bears are real, never leave food out.
- Warning: Winters bring extreme cold and snow; dress for it.
- Price tags exclude sales tax, added at the till.
Extra rules for Quebec
- Fine: Right turns on red are banned on the island of Montreal.
- Warning: The legal age for cannabis is 21.
- French is the official language and signs are in French.
- In Montreal parks you may drink alcohol with a meal.
- Emergency: 911
- Plugs: A/B, 120V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
- Tipping: Tipping 15–20% is expected in restaurants.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Canada, Wikivoyage — Canada, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Quebec City travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Quebec City?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 15 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Quebec City?
- Highlights: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Citadelle of Quebec, Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral, Stadacona and Plains of Abraham. The map has 15 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Quebec City?
- Upper Town (Old Québec): Inside the walls, with Château Frontenac and historic streets. Other options: Lower Town / Petit-Champlain, Saint-Roch and Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
- How do you get from the airport to Quebec City city centre?
- Québec Jean-Lesage (YQB): No rail link; taxi ≈ 20–25 min.
- How do you get around Quebec City?
- The old town is hilly but walkable; a funicular links the Lower Town. Use RTC buses for farther areas.
- What is the emergency number in Quebec City?
- Emergency: 911.
- Do you tip in Quebec City?
- Tipping 15–20% is expected in restaurants.
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