Free
Plains of Abraham (Battlefields Park)
A huge park beside the old city walls, site of the 1759 battle, with lawns and river views.
Quebec
Québec City
North America's walled city above the St. Lawrence: cobbled lanes, the Château Frontenac, the Plains of Abraham, and Montmorency Falls just down the road.
Photo: The Château Frontenac at dusk, Québec City, Wilfredor, CC0
Old Québec is the only walled city north of Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It feels like stepping into another century. The Château Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace sit up on the cliff, and the lanes of Petit-Champlain curl through the Lower Town below.
When you want space, it's close. The Plains of Abraham open out beside the walls, Montmorency Falls is 15 minutes away, and the farms of Île d'Orléans are just across the bridge.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Dufferin Terrace and the Governors' Promenade
A wide boardwalk in front of the Château Frontenac, continuing as a cliffside stairway walk toward the Plains.
Free
Promenade Samuel-De Champlain
A landscaped riverside park and path along the St. Lawrence west of the old town.
Free
Île d'Orléans drive
A loop road of about 67 km around the island, past farm stands, orchards and old churches.
Cheap
Montmorency Falls Park
A waterfall about 83 m high (taller than Niagara) with a suspension bridge, stairs and a cable car (paid).
Cheap
Québec–Lévis ferry
A short ferry ride across the St. Lawrence with a classic view of the old city.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Old Québec and the fortifications
Walk the walls and gates of the UNESCO old city.
Free
Quartier Petit-Champlain
Narrow lanes of shops and murals in the Lower Town, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in North America.
Cheap
Old Québec Funicular
A short ride up the cliff between Lower and Upper Town.
Paid
La Citadelle de Québec
A star-shaped fortress on Cap Diamant, still an active military base, with guided tours.
Paid
Musée de la civilisation
A modern museum of Québec history and world cultures in the Old Port.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Marché du Vieux-Port
The Old Port farmers' market, with Québec produce, cheese and maple products.
Paid
Québec Winter Carnival
One of the world's biggest winter carnivals, in late January and February. An effigy pass gets you into the sites.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Montmorency Falls cable car and zipline
Cable car up the falls, plus a zipline across them in season.
St. Lawrence River cruise
Sightseeing cruises from the Old Port.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Ghost Tours of Quebec
Lantern-lit evening walking tours of the old city.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
Part of our Québec City and Île d'Orléans guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Old Québec is at its most magical in the evening, after the day crowds thin out.
- Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans fill a second day easily.
- In winter, the Carnaval and the German Christmas Market both glow after dark.
Nearby and worth the drive
Île d'Orléansabout 20 min · Guide ↗
A 67-kilometre loop of river views, heritage villages and farm stands, 15 kilometres downriver.
Ottawaabout 4 h 30 · Guide ↗Canada's capital.
Ready-made trips with Québec City
4 days · Ottawa → Québec City
Capital to the walled city
Ottawa's museums and canal, then east to Old Québec and Montmorency Falls.
3 days · Québec City → Tadoussac
Québec City to the whales
Old Québec, then up the coast to Tadoussac's whales and fjord.
3 days · Québec City → Charlevoix (Baie-Saint-Paul)
Quebec City to Charlevoix
Old Quebec, then artists' villages and fjord-like gorges along the St. Lawrence.
Good to know
- Tourism: quebec-cite.com.
- Language: French is the main language; English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: The Château Frontenac at dusk, Québec City, Wilfredor, CC0
Photo: Gardens on the Plains of Abraham, Québec City, Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Montmorency Falls near Québec City, The Cosmonaut, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca