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Provincial capital of Quebec, Canada
Photo: Joël Truchon, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Quebec City (French: Ville de Québec, or just Québec) is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec. It sits at a commanding position on cliffs overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway. Quebec City's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of only three cities in North America (the others being Campeche, Mexico and San Juan, Puerto Rico) with its original city walls. Quebec is a city of about 700,000 residents.
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La Citadelle
This fortification at the juncture of the Old City wall and Grande Allée is still used as an active military base by the Royal 22e Régiment of the Canadian Army, which has long been known for the irony of being exclusively French-speaking despite having ceremonial uniforms that are clearly British in origin. Also serves as the official residence of King Charles III and the Governor-General of Canada when they visit Quebec City.
The oldest of the gates to the city, standing at the western end of the street with the same name. It was first built in 1693, then left to ruin, but was restored and strengthened after the War of 1812. It got its current outlook in 1880.
Leading to the west, also this gate to the city has been rebuilt several times, the current version is from 1939-40.
Leads to the west of the city, and was constructed as the last of the city gates in 1878-79, but is the only one that has retained its original shape.
Connects the upper and lower town, and first built in 1797 and named after Robert Prescott who was the general governor of Canada then. It was dismantled in 1871 and rebuilt in 1984 but the current version looks rather different from the original version. At the gate there are stairs to the top of the wall.
Next to Place Royal, this is considered the oldest stone church in North America. The first small church was built to celebrate a victory over the British in 1690, was finished in 1723 but was destroyed in a British attack on the city in 1759. Construction of the current church started soon after, and one of the builders was the master carpenter Jean Baillargé. It was declared a historical monument in 1929.
Palais de justice de Québec
A neoclassical grand building next to Place d'Armes by Eugene-Etienne Tachet and finished in 1877. The current tenant in the building is the provincial ministry of finance.
The official residence of the premier of Quebec is the only skyscraper within the city walls. It has 18 floors and was built during the 1930s.
This neoclassical cathedral is the seat of the Anglican diocese of Quebec. It was consecrated in 1804 as the first Anglican cathedral outside the British isles and is the third largest church in the city.
This cathedral and historical monument with its assymetrical towers is the seat of the Catholic archdiocese of Quebec, and adjacent to the Séminaire de Québec. The church has been rebuilt several times, and the current house of worship finished in the 1920s is built in a mix of neobaroque and neoclassical style.
A Catholic seminary and historical monument, founded in 1663 by Saint François de Montmorency-Laval to educate missionaries for spreading the Christian faith in the New World. It is at the edge if Quartier Latin, the historical university quarter of the city.
Monastère des Ursulines de Québec
The monastery comprises a whole block in the old town, though only the chapel and the museum are open to visitors. It was founded in 1639 by the French nun Marie de l'Incarnacion (later canonized) as the first female Catholic order in the Americas. The chapel dates from 1730 and is with its wooden altar considered a masterpiece of Franco-Canadian woodwork. In the museum you can learn about the activities of the Ursuline order in Quebec throughout history, and on display there are things related to its curriculum such as embroidery and musical instruments. Also the museum, in a building from 1687, has beautiful details preserved since construction including wooden staircases and windows.
Hôtel du Parlement
The provincial legislature of Quebec, located in an impressive neoclassical-style building just outside the city walls. Tours are available in both French and English on non-sitting days, and proceedings (French only) may be watched from the public galleries when in session. You will need to show some photo ID (Canadian driver's licence or passport) and go through security screening to be allowed to enter. Unlike many other legislative buildings, the parliamentary restaurant is open to public.
Quebec City icon. Claimed to be the most photographed hotel in North America. Stay the night if you can (see Sleep) and pop in for a martini if you can't (see Drink).
This is the oldest hospital in the Americas north of Mexico, and a national historic site. Founded in 1639 by the Augustines de la Miséricorde de Jésus, it was administered by them until 1962. Nowadays it's part of a network of university hospitals.
Built in 1737, and named after its first owner, Jean-Baptiste Maillou, this well-preserved simple brick house is a good example of how Quebec looked in the 18th century.
Another well-preserved house, from 1675, and extended in 1690.
A national historic monument comprising houses from the 18th and 19th century.
Two-storey house finished in 1729.
English-language culture centre in the southwestern corner of the old town. The building is a national historical site.
One of the tallest buildings in Quebec, offering a panoramic view of the whole city.
Maritime museum, showcasing the naval history of the region in objects and photos. There are both a permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Museum of Civilization
Museum devoted to the world's peoples, with a well-done if still somewhat dull permanent exhibit on the history of Quebec.
Located on the Battlefields park, the mission of this art museum is to promote and preserve Québec art of all periods and to ensure a place for international art through temporary exhibitions. You can also visit the old prison of Quebec City, which is now one of the two main pavilions of the museum. The annex was designed by renowned architectural firm OMA.
In the 18th century the site of fortifications, later a garrison and until 1964 a munitions factory, there are two buildings left in this National Historic Park. In the former brick foundry there's a museum exhibiting the history of the city, and in the former building of the arsenal there's a weapon exhibition. Another attraction in the park is a Celtic cross commemorating the Irish famine and Irish immigration to North America.
Residence of past lieutenant-governors from 1870-1966 and spread over , this garden features heritage buildings, wooded areas and gardens.
The Plains of Abraham, Parc des Champs-de-Bataille, Plaines d'Abraham
Site of the 1759 battle in which the British conquered Quebec, now used for public events, sports, and leisure activities.
The site of 83-m-high Montmorency waterfall. There are paths downstream of the waterfall with views of the waterfall and a suspension bridge offering a view over the waterfall. Located at Quebec's eastern city limits, about 11 km from the old city.
Pleasant walking path next to the St. Lawrence river, some 15 minutes by car to the southwest from Haute Ville. The path goes through greenery and past artworks.
With roots in the 17th century, this is one of the oldest streets in Quebec, but there are few buildings left from that time. It's named after the gate of Saint-Louis, which the street connects to Place d'Armes. Albeit touristy, walking along it is still an interesting experience.
The main square of the old town, first mentioned in 1648, is surrounded on three sides by historical buildings such as the former Palace of Justice and Cathédrale de la Sainte-Trinité, and on the fourth side the city wall. As the name reveals, it was used for military parades and exercises. In the middle of the square there are benches, and a memorial to the Franciscan order.
An impressive street southwest of Old town. It begins next to the city wall about at the level of Fontaine de Tourny, leads to the Parliament, and on past Place de la Francophonie and Place George-V. Then follows a range of streetside cafés all the way to Cours du Général de Montcalm. There ends the touristically interesting part of the street.
The spot where Samuel de Champlain landed in 1608 and founded the first French settlement in North America, now converted into a postcard-pretty public square. Do not miss the huge mural covering the entire side of a nearby building; the figure with a hat standing at the base of the 'street' is Champlain.
A steep staircase between Côte de la Montagne and Rue du Petit Champlain. The name means "Breakneck Stairs", and comes from the fact that historically cattle was marched this way and often the poor animals tripped over and broke their necks.
An tiny independent parish municipality, administered by the monastic congregation of the Augustinians of the Mercy of Jesus and surrounded by Quebec City. The municipality includes a monastery, museum, the General Hospital of Quebec and its cemetery. All of the buildings have been classed as a historic site.
North America's oldest shopping quarter, in 17th-18th century buildings along Rue Petit Champlain, at the southern end of Basse Ville. Can get pretty busy during the day, so if you're not there for shopping (the selection tends to be rather touristy too), but rather to see the houses, go early in the morning or late in the evening. There's a huge mural on House 102 presenting the history of the quarter.
The oldest port in Canada, and second most important in the province and on the Saint Lawrence river is an attraction in its own right. It's easily accessible on foot from the old town, and has a market hall where you can buy local food products.
A one-hour tour of the Old City.
Offers three-hour cruises leaving from the docks nearby the ferry. One of the cruises leaves as the sun is setting and comes back when the sun is down for a stunning view of Quebec city by night.
Scenic walk starting at the top of the Funiculare, continuing along the wall over looking the old city. The many staircases lead to overlooks offering scenic views of the St. Lawrence. The walk ends at the gazebo on the Plains of Abraham. At the southern end there's free parking with space for 50 cars.
Terrasse Dufferin
Boardwalk along (east of) the Chateau Frontenac. Offers a grand view of the St. Lawrence River, running from the statue of Champlain/the top of the Funiculare to the bottom steps of the Governors' Walk, with covered gazebos protruding out for even better views of Lower Town along the way.
During the winter you can slide down an ice slide on a toboggan, quite fast and great view. Buy the tickets from the café at the end of the slide.
Ice skating rink in the middle of Old Quebec. Skating is free to those with their own skates, and rentals are available for $7.50 to those who need them. Rink is small but the location can't be beat.
Chiens de traîneaux
Usually available on smaller scale during winter events like Carnaval. Different providers give you the opportunity for half-day ride for about $60-90.
Treat yourself to nature in the city and ski free of charge in one of the most accessible, enchanting sites there is, as you enjoy a breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River.
City-wide, first two weeks of February and spanning 3 weekends. A truly spectacular event, the Winter Carnival is a hundred-year-old tradition in Quebec City. Each year, a giant ice palace is built in the Place Jacques-Cartier as the headquarters of the festivities, but there's activities all during the week. The International Ice Sculpture Competition sees teams from around the world build monumental sculptures. There are 3 parades during the event in different quarters of the city, and other winter-defying competitions including a canoe race across the St. Lawrence and a group snow bath. The festival's mascot, Bonhomme Carnaval, a sashed snowman, is the city's most famous logo. $12 (2010) will get you a rubber snowman to attach to your parka for entrance into the festivities on the Plains of Abraham.
Beginning to mid-July, a lot of cheap music shows (you buy a button for $45 and it gives you access to all the shows, for the 11 days of the festival) in and around the Old Town, with international and local artists (for example in 2004, The Nits, Wyclef Jean, Bérurier Noir in 2010, Iron maiden, The Black Eyed Peas, Santana, Rush, Arcade and Rammstein).
A musical experience in the open. Jazz, blues, worldbeat. June to August. Thursday to Sunday. In summer.
First weekend in August.
At 83 m, it stands 30 m taller than Niagara Falls. Fireworks competition in the summer. Nice spot to visit if you are driving outside the city.
Ski and snow during the cold season. Camping, biking and hiking at summertime.
Ski and snow during the winter and an animated summer camp from June to August every summer.
Water park and go-carts open during the summer season. Tubing and ice skating offered in the winter.
Local fast-food chain with about 20 restaurants in and around the city. Loved by the locals for their cheap but delicious poutines. They also have burgers, hot dogs and assiettes (plates) with burgers, roastbeef and salad.
Inexpensive crepes, starting at about $5 (Dec 2018). There is usually a long line to enter because the restaurant is rather small. Come early.
Good selection of Viennese pastries and gelato. Locals line up to buy inexpensive soups, sandwiches, and pizza.
Amazing, fresh authentic food from Northern Africa (Maghreb region). The owner has such great hospitality and makes you feel right at home. Their potatoes are top notch and seasoned just right, and their falafel pitas are delicious. Amazing shish taouk.
Small neighbourhood style restaurant delicious and well representative of the Canadian culture. It is a beautiful place and the terrace is charming. Well-chosen place, beautiful decoration.
The best spot for a poutine: Great portion, topping, and soft melting fries. the place has charm. Very friendly staff.
Super friendly restaurant for an "afterwork" atmosphere. Be careful though very noisy. Veggie options available.
Really good Cuban food. The owners are really gracious and the service is exceptional. A beautiful atmosphere where you can choose music and dance with friends.
A real neighborhood restaurant with great Vietnamese food. Great casual atmosphere with excellent service.
Very nice neighborhood pizzeria. The Pizza is very good and the poutine and french fries too. The best American pizza in Quebec.
Primarily a creperie with both savoury and sweet crepes, with other Breton-style dishes on the menu. The ambiance is "theme park" Breton (they're in a tourist area, after all), the food is tasty, the waitresses are attentive without being overbearing, and the prices are... not unreasonable, considering they are in a tourist area.
A nice little café in the northern part of Basse-Ville mostly overlooked by tourists.
Touristy, but in a good way — the "Crazy Pig" is cavernous but usually packed, with hefty portions from a frequently-changing menu. Lunch specials are good value at $10-15, including starter and coffee. Four other locations around the city.
Very popular Lebanese restaurant with fast service. A must-try is the shish taouk (marineed chicken barecued on a skewer).
French steakhouse restaurant. Serves a Quebec wine by the glass.
Local cuisine in a quiet but pleasant atmosphere, nice Quebec music, friendly staff. Serves good quality breakfast for $6.25 starting at 08:00. Serves good raclette (Swiss cheese dish). Also worth trying is tourtière, a pastry filled with caribou meat and served with berries, mashed potato and salad.
Filled with more locals than tourists, this small eatery serves up a good selection of main dishes including salmon steak, horse steak and blood sausage. Other choices include pastas, pizzas, burgers and like bowls
formerly named L'Astral
At the top of the Concorde Hotel, this revolving restaurant offers unrivalled 360° views over the city and French cuisine. Also known for its Sunday brunch.
Popular but loud restaurant with French cuisine.
One of the best mid-range restaurants serving French cuisine. The elegant dining hall is an attraction in itself with plenty of plants and big chandeliers.
Small restaurant with good Moroccan food, somewhat of the main tourist trail. The restaurant has no alcohol license, though guests are allowed to bring their own bottle of wine.
Specializing in rabbit and duck dishes.
Asian restaurant with good vegetarian dishes and desserts. Nice ambiance and good service; so even if it can be a bit hard to find it's worth the detour.
Warm, cozy environment. Fantastic food--shrimp scampi that melts in your mouth, filet mignon cooked at table side, and other delectable dishes. Expensive but well worth it.
Foie gras is the chef's specialty, and he does an admirable job with game, in dishes such as grilled caribou steak with wild-berry and peppercorn sauce. Dishes are plated beautifully – indeed, seeing the food presentation is half the fun of dining here. Celebrities like Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Alicia Keys, and John Hallyday have all sat at one of the white-clothed tables here. The à-la-carte menu changes seasonally and dishes rely heavily on local ingredients. It is also regarded as one of the most romantic restaurants in Québec. It offers a long wine list. Awards include Maitres Cuisiniers de France, La médaille d’Officier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole de France en 2016, the Governor General's Award in celebration of the nation’s table 2010, and le Prix Renaud-Cyr 2012.
Specializes in Quebecois cooking, including dishes that feature caribou, buffalo, or wapiti. The table d'hote (the local term for prix-fixe), served until 17:45, is quite a good deal at $22.95. Reservations recommended. The food, while good, is often heavy and some appetizers are as large as main courses. Taking home left-overs is not allowed.
Upscale Italian restaurant with nice ambiance, attentive service, a big wine cellar and all the normal Italian dishes on their menu from scaloppine to risotto and pizzas. They can also customize a dish just for your party.
New American and fusion cuisine. Just 20 seats, hence prior reservation by phone is required.
Quebecian cuisine and different menus for brunch, lunch and dinner. One specialty is the fish of the day, changing daily depending on what the fishers have caught.
One of the best upscale-restaurants in the city. Innovative Canadian cuisine, lots of seafood.
French cuisine.
Upscale restaurant serving French cuisine. The place is also a hotel.
Peaceful little restaurant with simple French cuisine a la carte. For guests who have time.
One of Québec's biggest clubs and over 25 years old, with shows by local and international musicians. With its heart-stopping techno and enormous outdoor disco ball, you cannot miss it. Crowd tends to be young. One of the few venues that consistently asks for identification for age verification. Free admission.
Offers great music and atmosphere. ~$5/pint.
Great chansonnier bar in the vaults of a restaurant. Live music everyday. Gets packed on weekend especially Saturday night. Festive atmosphere.
An excellent bar with multiple indoor levels, in addition to its outdoor terrace at the heart of Old Québec. It serves typical bar food, but come for the live music, of the folk and Irish variety, that fills the atmosphere multiple nights a week. Try the draft cider, at about ~$9/pint.
Another great bar/restaurant that specializes in imports, but charges a price for them. A 16-oz Belgian import can be $9-12.
A small, upstairs, tucked-away club that plays heavy rosta-beats and has room to dance. It's a good place to bring your own party, with a unique ambiance.
Neighbourhood bar in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste district, with church pews inside and a backyard courtyard patio under large trees behind the building. The courtyard is open-air in summer and covered by a heated wooden winter dome in the colder months (2023 Cecobois excellence award). 19 taps, all Quebec beer and cider. Free weekly events: chess tournament (M 18:00-20:00), karaoke (W from 22:00), music trivia (Th 20:00-23:00). Outside food is welcome.
The best place to have a large choice of Quebecois beers and see a variety of shows.
In the touristy part of town, it's one of the city's oldest bars. Cozy atmosphere with great selection of local brews. Also offers an open air patio.
Famous for their perfectly mixed and generously sized martinis, available in numerous versions including half-a-dozen named after famous visitors ranging from Winston Churchill to René Lévesque. Try to score a window seat for great views across the St. Lawrence. The ice wine martini is a great treat.
A real Irish-owned pub in the heart of the St.Jean Baptiste neighbourhood. Famous for its year-round Tuesday night traditional musique jams. A great place to meet people with a friendly ambiance and surroundings, no better place to go and have a great pint of Guinness at $6.75.
HI-Quebec City
Student and family friendly hostel. Offers many types of bedrooms/suites. Some rooms offer ceiling fans while others do not, so ask first. Huge kitchen and dining area with cookware and utensils for common use. Offers laundry, game/pool room, Internet (including free WiFi but only common room and around), lockers and other services including a cafe which offers breakfasts for $6 (or free with private and four bed dorms). On the northwestern edge of Haute-Ville. Online bookings offered.
60 beds. Breakfast, kitchen included. Very clean.
Linen & cookware not included; kitchen, TV, etc. Reservation form on the web site. Lowest price in town for long stays.
Free breakfast and free parking. Friendly and clean. 44 rooms.
Squeaky-clean small hotel in a new building built to look like an old one. Rooms are small, but equipped with en-suite bathrooms, and a tasty breakfast made to order is included. Children are not allowed. Rooms from $89/119 low/high season.
Family-owned carbon-neutral hotel. They have been awarded 5 Green Keys from the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Leaf Eco-Rating Program.
Old Port inn.
A small hotel in the old town.
Close to the Citadel. Free wireless internet. Tea, coffee, and muffins included.
Friendly, bilingual staff in an 1835-vintage building. In the Old City, near the National Assembly building. High-speed wireless internet. Breakfast included; served 08:00-10:30.
Wine machine on premises. Free wireless Internet.
Bed and breakfast inside the Old Quebec City historic district, near old port, St-Paul Street, bus/train station. Owners speak English and français.
Functional, clean hotel in the modern business district, offering better value for money than is readily available in the Old Town. About 1 km walk from the old town gates, with a free public lift covering most of the height difference. Frequent buses to Place d’Youville also available. Rate includes wireless Internet access.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
One of Canadian Pacific Railway's grand old hotels, this castle-like building dominates the Quebec skyline and claims, with some justification, to be the most photographed hotel in North America. The location next to the funicular connecting Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville is as convenient as it gets, but expect tour groups marching through the lobby at five-minute intervals.
Short term and long term rentals. Condos, apartments or houses.
Stylish boutique luxury hotel owned and operated by Groupe Germain, Canada's only boutique hoteliers.
An elaborate 44-room hotel rebuilt every year out of ice. Its huge snow vaults, crystalline ice sculptures and dazzling décor are not inexpensive (at $950/night, double occupancy) but they go quickly; this ephemeral multi-million dollar work of art exists only from early January until late March. Themes and design vary annually; tours are available and the site may be booked as a wedding venue.
Three large shopping malls next to each other. Place Laurier is the largest shopping mall in eastern Canada, the others are Place de la Cité and Place Ste-Foy.
Large shopping mall towards the north of the city which boasts 280 stores and 35 restaurants. Also has an IMAX theatre and an indoor amusement park which includes a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster and a skating rink for hockey games.
Technical clothing and sport equipment store.
Big supermarket in the north of the city.
Small supermarket, the only one in Old Quebec proper, stocking products such as bread, cheese and drinks.
Mid-sized supermarket outside the city walls.
By train
The bus station, Terminus Gare du Palais at 450 rue de la Gare du Palais, is at the old port of Quebec, next to the train station in the same building.
By car
Quebec City is 2½-3 hours by car from Montreal on either Highway 40 or Highway 20 (north and south side of the St. Lawrence, respectively).
By boat
A seasonal cruise operates during the summer months between Montreal and Quebec City. The one-way trip takes approximately 7 hours and is slow-going, but the views make it worthwhile.
By bike
The bicycle network of Quebec City has been growing slowly but steadily for the last decade.
By car
Driving in the Old Town can be tricky, since the cobblestone streets were designed for narrow 17th-century horse carts rather than 21st-century SUVs.
By public transit
By taxi
By ride hailing
By charter bus
By boat
Operates a ferry across the St. Lawrence River between Quebec City and Lévis.25 for pedestrians and cyclists. Crossing time is 12 minutes. The ferry operates throughout the year between 6 am and 2 am.
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