Quebec City

Eco-friendly travel guide to Quebec City advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

Panoramic view of Quebec City

Air quality: 3.8 / 5

Exploring by foot: 5 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 3.6 / 5

Public transportation: 4 / 5

Parks: 3.95 / 5

Outdoor activities: 4.25 / 5

Locals' English level: 3.8 / 5

Safety: 4 / 5

Accommodation: US$15 - $1,200

Budget per day: US$90 - $1,400

Responsible Travel

From the taste of creamy cafe lattes and buttery croissants and the smell of fresh-baked bread and pungent cheese to the sound of French pleasantries and tourists "Oohs blending with the sight of winding cobblestone streets and towering cathedrals, Quebec boasts an atmosphere that will make your senses feel you're in France. Québec City continues to uphold the culture of its motherland as the birthplace of New France and a lot of people "traffic" this city to have a taste of the wonderful experience it gives. This UNESCO World Heritage site's charm is one-of-a-kind and it has catapulted into the spotlight with the massive growth it has experienced over the years and shifted beyond dwelling in the shadow of its neighbor, Montréal.

Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province, Québec, and a piece of this beautiful city's rich heritage awaits discovery around every corner. The locals in this city are very community-minded and aside from that, it's pretty easy to see why people can't help falling in love with Quebec City because its culture, food, people, European charm, and history are all irresistibly attractive. The rich choice of places of interest, wonderful nature, and unparalleled romantic atmosphere also add to the city's attractive, unique originality. Being an ancient city situated on the top of the mountain, it offers a special charm of its own, and to travel responsibly in this city, here are a few tips you could use;

Be ready to travel on foot. Traveling on foot is the best way to see the hidden treasures, quaint streets, and take in the atmosphere of Quebec City. This city is quite hilly and it's important that you put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes. And, it's pretty easy to move around on foot because Old Québec City is fairly compact. However, be informed that this city is divided into Lower Town and Upper Town and these two are jointly fastened by steep streets and a flurry of stairs. And due to this, it's best advisable that before you head to the next area, do all your sightseeing in one area for your walking comfort. Taking the funicular from Rue du Petit-Champlain is an easy way to get to Upper Town from Lower Town and the Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighborhood is connected to the Saint-Roch neighborhood by a free elevator; Ascenseur du Faubourg. In the Upper Town, you can explore Plains of Abraham, Parliament building, the Citadelle, historic streets within the fortifications, and Château Frontenac, and while on Lower Town, there are boat excursions to be enjoyed and things like Musée de la civilisation, Old Port, Place Royale, Petit-Champlain, and lots more to be done.
Feel free to bike your way around. You can easily reach almost any part of the city by bike and there are some particular bike lanes in this city that are open from April to October. So, if you come around this period, you might want to consider biking around because it's a great option. In fact, the huge amount of special bicycle lanes in this city will fascinate you. During warm months, bicycling takes over to be the most popular form of public transport.
Rent a car if you can cope. Renting a car in this city does have its pros and cons but looking at it, there seems to be more stress that comes with it because searching for a place to park is one problem you might encounter frequently and another worrisome issue is the traffic which is very difficult in the old part of the city. More so, you must be aware of the city's few traffic rules and be equipped with winter driving tips if you plan on taking your car into town. However, you can still enjoy the magic of this city if you're car-free as there are enough available options to explore in seeing the city's attractions from tour buses and shuttles to public transit. Hertz, Enterprise, Discount, Budget, and Avis are some of the companies offering rental car service in the Québec City area.
Take the bus. If you desire to explore the city and surrounding areas, riding the local buses can be a great way to go and the local bus is another common form of public transport in this city. Most times, it's advisable to buy a pass valid for one day. Seeing the most tourist attractions in the city has been made easy by Réseau de transport de la capitale (RTC), which is the city's local bus network. There's a family privilege that can make you ride the bus for free. From 5 consecutive days and unlimited weekends to 1-day, there are unlimited rides offered by the several passes, and it's up to you to take advantage of one that suits you best.
Taxis are not difficult to find. Taxis can also be a fine option of moving around in the city and there are several companies operating here. With the sign on their roofs, you can easily identify the taxis.
Don't forget to tip. Tips rarely exceed the amount of 15% of the total order and the service fee in the bill may be included by some upscale dining establishments. A tip of 10% of the order will be enough and you shouldn't forget to leave tips in local restaurants for this is a great way of showing respect for the city's tradition and it as well go a long way in supporting the city's local scene.

Air Quality and Pollution

The air quality in Quebec City is rated to be average and the city's air is reported to be moderately polluted. Quebec City is located in southeastern Canada and it features warm summers and very cold winters as its climate is continental. If you like snow, Quebec City is the best place to be because it's one of the most snow-rich cities in Canada. While winters in the city are cold with many windy days and snow, summers can be very warm and humid. In this city, July is the sunniest month, February is the driest month, and if you're not a big fan of rain, you may want to avoid visiting in July because it's the wettest month. With an average maximum temperature of -8°C (17°F), the coldest month is January; with an average maximum temperature of 25°C (77°F), the warmest month is July; and the months of January, February, and December are often the coldest. However, good weather with pleasant average temperatures await you during the month of June, July, and August.

Respect the Culture

Quebec City is famous for its European vibe, historical Old Québec, castle-like architecture, and French roots. It's the only walled city north of Mexico and in 2008, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Repleted with restaurants, cafes, museums, walkable streets, teeming with festivals, and rich in culture, it boasts a vibrant downtown and 400 years of history and growth. One of the common feels about this city is the "slow down and relax" kind of atmosphere. You're going to have to slow down to fit in here because if you're used to doing everything on the run, you could find the leisurely pace of the Québecois annoying. The Québecois are rather laid-back, pretty much like the French.

In the whole of Canada, French and English are the two official languages but there are way more French speakers in this city than English speakers, compared to other major cities in Canada like Montreal. Nevertheless, you don't have to feel ruffled about this but it would be quite nice if you can familiarize yourself with a few French phrases and common expressions because the locals in this city tend to admire visitors who make an effort to speak French before switching to English. Another thing you should take note of about the city's culture is the tipping custom and this has already been mentioned earlier on.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Quebec City is a world all its own and there are special activities and stunning sights ushered in by every season in the city. Quebec City stands out as a special travel destination in Canada because of its myriad attractions throughout the year, friendly vibe, and fascinating history. Exuding a charming vibe, you'll love it here, and even if you've never been to Europe, you'll feel transported to provincial France as you walk the streets of Old Town.

Quebec City is worth a visit even if you can only afford to spend a day or two, and regardless of whenever you visit, you'll definitely find something to do from checking out the charm of the Old World fortifications and taking in views of the St. Lawrence River to walking the narrow cobbled streets and listening to songs sung in French by street performers.

While you intend to explore the city's natural surroundings, language, culture, and rich history, there are some major attractions that you won’t want to miss out on and you'll be glad if you get lucky to experience these essentials in your itinerary. So as you make plans to enjoy a trip that hits all the right notes, this list of top attractions will help you make the best out of your visit.

Old Quebec: This is one of the top attractions in the city and your visit to Quebec City won't be complete if you don't check out this place. Fondly called Vieux-Québec by the locals, it features several fantastic restaurants and galleries and you can enjoy exploring the narrow, cobblestoned streets of the Lower City by taking a quaint horse-driven carriage. You can take a stroll along the ancient fortifications, citadel, and ramparts, and it's more like walking through 400 years of history when you're walking through the Old Quebec. There are lots of things to do here; you can enjoy the bustle of the Port de Quebec and its old Market, catch a show at the Théâtre Petit Champlain, visit the magnificent 17th-century cathedral, soak up the past from the bench on Place Royale, or hit up the Museum of Civilization if you care to learn about the city’s history.
Quartier du Petit Champlain: It features old stone houses hosting some great small hotels, cobblestoned narrow streets, and it has a village atmosphere. With its amazing bistros, galleries, boutiques, and excellent restaurants, it has grown into a tourist destination from the purposes of imposing traders’ homes and fur trading warehouses it used to serve as, as a quaint portside neighborhood. You can enjoy stretching your muscles on the steep Breakneck Steps built in 1935, provided that you don't "carry over" the 900 feet long mural that depicts the history of the province. More so, you can imagine life four hundred years ago, listen to street musicians, and sit at one of the outdoor restaurants in the summer.
Montmorency Falls Park: It's one of the finest attractions you'll find in the city. From the base of the falls and back, there's an aerial tram carrying passengers, and there's access to the two sides of the park provided by a suspension bridge, plus you can also see the falls from this bridge or the staircases. Just across the Île d'Orleans, the magnificent Montmorency Falls is created by droppings over the cliff into the Saint Lawrence River by the Montmorency River. Offering a stunning backdrop to an international fireworks competition in the summer, it's home to a gift shop, an interpretation center, and a restaurant. It also houses Montmorency Manor. It offers walking paths and lookout points, it's beautifully manicured and maintained, and it's created to protect the falls.
La Citadelle de Québec: You can enjoy watching the ceremony of the changing of the guards here plus there are several guided tours a day offered here. It was built to protect New France as a part of the ancient 400-year-old Quebec fortifications, and it was built in 1820. It's situated on Cap Diamant in the Old Quebec and it's a star-shaped functioning military base. Leaving and newly appointed high commissioners and ambassadors in Canada do have their site of ceremonies hosted here and it's as well Canada's monarch official residence.
Notre-Dame-de-Québec: With two asymmetrical towers, the basilica has a magnificent neoclassical facade, and it's situated in Old Quebec. Because It attracted a large number of pilgrims, it became a basilica two hundred years later for when the Québec City Diocese was formed, it was declared a cathedral in 1674. It's the first stone church in the new city and it's a Catholic church built in 1647. There are artworks of famous French Canadian artist François Baillairgé here and golden sculptures and three Casavant organs can be found here too. The Meyer House in Munich and the Champigneulle House in Paris designed the beautiful stained glass windows which are some of its most stunning features.
Fortifications of Québec: It's renowned to be a Canadian National Historic Site and it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage City. Still standing, it takes pride in being the only fortified city north of Mexico. During colonial times, it functioned as the main military stronghold in Canada. It overlooks St. Laurence River and it was built between 1608 and 1871 in Québec City as part of the defense system. However, this place is quite family-friendly; the Tour of the Artillery Park and the Musket Firing Demonstration are some of the activities available for families it offers. You can as well enjoy being taking a walk along the 4.6 km long walls by subscribing to one of its guided tours.
The Plains of Abraham: The British and the French armies fought in September 1759 and this war took place at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. This historic site is between the city's walls above the Saint Lawrence River and Citadelle of Quebec; it's a 1.5 mi long and 0.5 m wide field. This place also functions as the site of annual Remembrance Day ceremonies and if you would love to learn more, you can take advantage of its guided tours which are available for visitors. Recreation, sports, festivals, and outdoor concerts are some of the many activities usually ongoing at these plains which is now a park. And, speaking of the battle, Canada was seized from the British who won the battle in a half hour.
LaPromenade Samuel-De Champlain: You can enjoy watching the river from the park benches and you can as well please your sights to the dazzling rollerbladers and pedestrians here. There are street musicians and performers delighting everyone here with what they do and there are fountains and parks at the heart of the promenade. This park offers four different sections, it was created to celebrate the city's 400th anniversary, and it's on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City. It's a 2.5 km long park, it features a 25-meter tall observation tower and a wetland at the La station des Cageux, and there are walking paths and some ancient pine trees at the forested Boisé de Tequenonday.
The Aquarium du Quebec: There are sea mammals, amphibians, and reptiles here, and this aquarium is not only home to fishes. Guests are invited here to learn about animals and there are more than 10,000 of them here. In both indoor and outdoor exhibits, you can experience underwater life at this 16-hectare observational wonder. Parking at the aquarium is free. There's a restaurant, a large play area, and gardens here. To include, “Animal Keeper for a Day”, “Discover the Walrus”, and “Harbour Seal Training Session” are some of the special activities offered here. However, the jellyfish exhibit is a favorite feature of many visitors.
Le Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge: Entrance is free and this park is open every day from 6 am to 11 pm. You enjoy taking in the beautiful gardens around and as well ride a bike through the cool trees. Picnics on the lawn are encouraged and there are wonderful views of the St Lawrence River offered here. Littered with benches, fountains, gardens, grass fields, and walking paths, those who seek to escape the bustle of Old Quebec will find this place relaxing. It has been a public park since 1996 and it used to be a private property of a succession of Canada’s elite. This colorful garden park is situated west of the Plains of Abraham park.

Montmorency Falls Park

Explore

There are lots of nice things to see and do in Quebec City. In this charming Canadian city, you have the opportunity of visiting landmarks that have stood the test of time and walking the cobblestone streets of the city that makes you feel like you’ve traveled into the past. Quebec City is a Canadian city like no other and being one of the oldest cities in North America, it's a fine place one can never get tired of exploring. And thankfully, it's pretty much walkable as it's compact and you can as well maximize the plenty of bike lanes to your advantage by exploring the city on two wheels.

Quebec City is a delight to visit any time of the year. Whether you come during the summer or winter, you'll never be faced with a shortage of things to do. Surrounded by 400-year old ramparts and perched on the hill above the mighty St. Laurence River, Quebec City is a charming European style city with myriad of activities to engage its visitors and locals alike with which include walking along the walls of the old fort and perusing the cafes, superb restaurants, and quaint art galleries that dot its narrow cobblestone streets.

City Parks

If you're in for a bit of impromptu exploring or up for a break during an action‑packed day, feel free to take to the leisurely footpaths of the city parks where you can simply admire the marvelous scenery, chat with locals, or have everything you need to relax as you'll be surrounded by nature. In any of the beautiful parks in the city that catches your interest, you can curl up under a tree with a good book or even pack a picnic.

Plains of Abraham: The Plains of Abraham is so popular with travelers because of its mix of action and peacefulness. The generally laid-back vibe is livened up by the weekend families who often come around and you'll spot both locals and visitors picnicking, jogging, and walking here during the week. This park is a must-see Québec City attraction, it's full of history, and it's a sprawling urban park. Nestled within the park is the well-loved Joan of Arc Garden. It's a little sunken oasis in the city with series of different species of plants and flowers with an artfully arranged flowerbed.
Montmorency Falls Park: From the base of the falls and back, there's an aerial tram carrying passengers, and there's access to the two sides of the park provided by a suspension bridge, plus you can also see the falls from this bridge or the staircases. Offering a stunning backdrop to an international fireworks competition in the summer, it's home to a gift shop, an interpretation center, and a restaurant. It also houses Montmorency Manor. It offers walking paths and lookout points, it's beautifully manicured and maintained, and it's created to protect the falls.
LaPromenade Samuel-De Champlain: You can enjoy watching the river from the park benches and you can as well please your sights to the dazzling rollerbladers and pedestrians here. There are street musicians and performers delighting everyone here with what they do and there are fountains and parks at the heart of the promenade. This park offers four different sections, it was created to celebrate the city's 400th anniversary, and it's on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City. It's a 2.5 km long park, it features a 25-meter tall observation tower and a wetland at the La station des Cageux, and there are walking paths and some ancient pine trees at the forested Boisé de Tequenonday.
Le Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge: Entrance is free and this park is open every day from 6 am to 11 pm. You enjoy taking in the beautiful gardens around and as well ride a bike through the cool trees. Picnics on the lawn are encouraged and there are wonderful views of the St Lawrence River offered here. Littered with benches, fountains, gardens, grass fields, and walking paths, those who seek to escape the bustle of Old Quebec will find this place relaxing. It has been a public park since 1996 and it used to be a private property of a succession of Canada’s elite. This colorful garden park is situated west of the Plains of Abraham park.

LaPromenade Samuel-De Champlain

National Parks

Although there are no national parks in Quebec City, you can still take a day trip to one of the close-by national parks.

Beaches

Beaches are not common in Quebec City but the presence of the Baie de Beauport gives visitors and locals an opportunity to enjoy some fun beach time. Here, you can step up for your picnic game and rent a Bike-BQ so you can grill on the go, get into a game of beach volleyball, learn how to windsurf on a hot summer day, or explore the river on a kayak. You can check out its list of nautical activities and lay by the river as you enjoy relaxing on a towel.

Landmarks

Quebec City boasts lots of nice landmarks and here are some of them;

Place Royale: With numerous stores surrounding the area, it offers a historical atmosphere of the 1900s, and it's tremendously beautiful. It's a sector for its tourist traffic, noble architecture, and history. In recent decades, there has been an extensive construction of the interior architecture of this museum. It's situated in the heart of historic Lower Town and it's one of the significant social center town plazas.
Terrasse Dufferin: There are a few gazebos and cafes along the terrace and historical and archeological artifacts are hosted here too. If you desire to watch and see a great deal of history, the Terrasse Dufferin is the right place you need to be. You can enjoy taking in a fascinating view of Chateaux Frontenac and it's part of Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux's famous National Historic Site. It was operated by Parks Canada and it is a beautiful terrace.
Parliament Buildings: Regular guided tours of the interior are available and this place boasts many well-preserved period features and impressive architecture. These buildings are still very much in use today, they're an important center of politics, and they date back to the late 19th century. These buildings are engulfed by landscaped gardens and they lie in the St. Jean Baptiste district. Parliament Buildings are one of the most notable landmarks in the whole of Quebec City.
Fortifications of Québec: It's renowned to be a Canadian National Historic Site and it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage City. Still standing, it takes pride in being the only fortified city north of Mexico. During colonial times, it functioned as the main military stronghold in Canada. It overlooks St. Laurence River and it was built between 1608 and 1871 in Québec City as part of the defense system. However, this place is quite family-friendly; the Tour of the Artillery Park and the Musket Firing Demonstration are some of the activities available for families it offers. You can as well enjoy being taking a walk along the 4.6 km long walls by subscribing to one of its guided tours.
Notre-Dame-de-Québec: With two asymmetrical towers, the basilica has a magnificent neoclassical facade, and it's situated in Old Quebec. Because It attracted a large number of pilgrims, it became a basilica two hundred years later for when the Québec City Diocese was formed, it was declared a cathedral in 1674. It's the first stone church in the new city and it's a Catholic church built in 1647. There are artworks of famous French Canadian artist François Baillairgé here and golden sculptures and three Casavant organs can be found here too. The Meyer House in Munich and the Champigneulle House in Paris designed the beautiful stained glass windows which are some of its most stunning features.
La Citadelle de Québec: You can enjoy watching the ceremony of the changing of the guards here plus there are several guided tours a day offered here. It was built to protect New France as a part of the ancient 400-year-old Quebec fortifications, and it was built in 1820. It's situated on Cap Diamant in the Old Quebec and it's a star-shaped functioning military base. Leaving and newly appointed high commissioners and ambassadors in Canada do have their site of ceremonies hosted here and it's as well Canada's monarch official residence.

Place Royale, Vieux-Québec

Museums

Quebec City is home to some of the finest museums in Canada.

Musée de la Civilisation: Situated at the core of the city's Musées de la civilization complex, the cultures of the past and current occupants of the territory of Québec is what Musée de la Civilisation focuses on, and making the history and cultural elements of Canada known is its mission. There are several aboriginal tribes in Canada and if you would love to explore their culture and lifestyles, coming here will be a great idea. You can as well understand the French influences better when you come here if you're an American. This museum has an array of changing and permanent exhibits on the history of the province and the country.
Musée National Des Beaux-arts du Québec: Its doors are open late on Wednesday nights when the fare is half price. Monet, Van Gogh, Toulouse Lautrec, and many other influential Quebecois artists have their pieces and works displayed here on the permanent exhibits. Dating from the 17th century to the present day, the museum houses over 38,000 pieces, and it aims at ensuring Canadians access to international artworks from different parts of the world and to preserve and promote Québec art of all periods. It's situated in the 108-hectare urban park of National Battlefields Park.
Musee du Fort: Before you plan a visit, make sure you check the website because hours of operation vary seasonally. Coming here, you'll get to understand what brought about the transfer of eastern Canada to the English as you learn about the battles between the French and the English. This museum is a “must-see” for the amateur historian, it combines a video of the history of Quebec City and the surrounding area. Before you visit the Plains of Abraham, it's highly recommended that you attend this display — this place is best enjoyed this way. And, the video is shown in both French and English versions.

Musée de la Civilisation

Eat

Food is fairly expensive in Quebec and the streets of this city are lined with cafes, crêperies, bakeries, and specialty chocolate shops. Québec City's cuisine has strong French ties and the poutine is a popular dish to try out. You can head to La Traite for a unique Canadian meal. Another place popular with visitors and locals alike for weekend brunches is Le Clocher Penché's.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Popular traditional local restaurants in Quebec City include:

Aux Anciens Canadiens
Le Buffet de L’Antiquaire
Le Relais des Pins
Les Ancêtres
La Traite
Chez Boulay: Bistro Boréal
Chez Muffy
La Buche

Vegetarian and Vegan

If you seek meatless menus filled with fresh local flavors in Quebec City, here are options of places you can trust:

Don Vegan: Banana split with peanut butter, ice cream, chocolate cake, beet cheezcake, and cashew raspberry are some of the desserts available here. Almond ricotta ravioli, beet tartare, miso ramen, dumplings, beyond burger, and carbonara pasta are some of the dishes it offers on its varied international menu. It was established in the Port of Quebec in the year 2019 and it's a vegan restaurant with a full bar.
Copper Branch: This outlet was established in 2017 inside a mall with drinks, smoothies, waffles, and sweets available. There are sides such as nachos and vegan poutine with chili, bowls, sandwiches, burgers, and breakfast foods to be enjoyed here. Offering a large menu of conveniently-served plant-based meals, it was founded in Montreal in 2014 as a Canada-wide vegan restaurant franchise.
La Brulerie Vanier: It has grilled vegetables, a sandwich with seitan, and offers a choice of vegan milks (oat, macadamia, coconut, almond). It's a vegetarian coffee shop/cafe.

Street Food

Street eats are not difficult to find in Quebec City' and these popular food trucks offer a chance to sample some of the city’s best food offers:

Saga Cuisine Nomade
Le Chic Shack Resto Mobile
Food Fighters 504
Côtes-à-Côtes Traiteur
L’Express Gourmet

Drink

From the wild nightlife to the cozy corner, there's a place for nearly every visitor in this city, but be informed that you can only purchase quality wine and liquor at SAQ shops. And, just as it is in most of Europe, the café culture is very much a part of Quebec City.

Tap-water

The drinking water in Quebec is excellent and the city's tap water is safe to drink.

Organic Cafés

Some of the best organic cafés in Quebec City are:

Le Tournebroche
Restaurant du Monastère des Augustines
Bistro L'Orygine
Les Botanistes
L'Orygine

Breweries

If you have a thirst for adventure and beer as a beer lover, you can visit any of the fine breweries in the city to treat yourself to stunning flavors and subtleties of different beers:

Brasserie Inox
Les 3 Brasseurs
Brasserie artisanale Griendel
La Korrigane, brasserie artisanale
Noctem, artisans brasseurs
La Barberie
La Souche - Limoilou

Activities

There’s no shortage of nature in Québec City and you're sure to find something that’ll pique your fancy from chilling with a glass of local beer in the Saint-Roch neighborhood and learning about the French presence in the Americas to biking the Samuel-de-Champlain bike path and exploring the cobbled streets of Vieux-Québec. Whether you visit Quebec City in the winter or summer, there are outdoor activities available to excite you;

See the Grands Feux Loto-Quebec
Go to one of Quebec’s many festivals
Soak-up some Quebec art and heritage
Look out from Observatoire de la Capitale
Have a full Scandinavian experience at Strøm Nordic Spa
Take the Old Quebec City Food Tour
Chill out at La Cour Arrière
Channel your inner child at Villages Vacances Valcartier
Walk through Old Quebec
Rent a bike to explore further
Get in touch with nature at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Take the ferry to the south shore of the St. Lawrence river
Hurtle down a toboggan slide
Hit the slopes at Le Relais Centre, Mont-Sainte-Anne, or Stoneham Mountain Resort
Get active on the Plains of Abraham

Yoga and Retreats

Yoga Lounge Sādhanā, Namaste Yoga Limoilou, and Centre OMEGA are some of the best places you can trust for your yoga and retreats in Quebec City.

Accommodation

Visitors in this city tend to overlook big-name hotels for family-run bed-and-breakfasts and boutique hotels. Regardless, accommodation options are pretty plentiful in Quebec City from Hilton to Fairmont and there's a handful of popular luxury properties and hotel chains.

Green Hotels

Popular and affordable green hotels in Quebec City include:

Hotel Du Vieux Quebec
Hotel Le Priori
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Hôtel & Suites Normandin Quebec
Best Western Premier Hotel Aristocrate
Hotel Sepia

Hostels and Guest Houses

When it comes to hostels and guest houses in Quebec City, you'll find plenty of choices to choose from:

Auberge Internationale De Quebec
Au Petit Roi
Residences Université Laval
Auberge Maeva
Gîte du Quartier des Arts
B&B Saint Louis

Apartments

Apartments are easy to find in Quebec City and there are as well Airbnb options you can opt-in for. However, take note that the city's apartments average rental price is around 900 to 1,550 Canadian dollars.

Couchsurfing

How pleasant can it be to be invited to the home of a local during your visit! Thankfully, Quebec City seems to have a very large Couchsurfing community and since Couchsurfing is quite popular in Québec City, finding a host shouldn't be difficult.

Camping

Campgrounds are in abundance in Quebec City and you can visit any of these:

Camping in Quebec City
Camping de la Joie
Outdoor Beauport Center
Coop Camping Saint-Esprit
Relais Camping De La Montagne
Camping Plage Laurentides

How to Get There

There are a series of options you can explore to get into Quebec City. Quebec City is about eight and a half hours drive north of New York City, an eight-hour drive east from Toronto, and a three-hour drive from downtown Montreal.

Air

Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport is the major airport serving the city.

Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport

Bus

Buses arrive at the downtown Terminus d'autobus de la Gare du Palais and Quebec City is served by Maritime Bus and Orléans Express from Drummondville, Trois Rivieres, Montreal, and several other towns in Quebec.

A bus in Quebec

Train

VIA Rail transports travelers to the city's Gare du Palais.

Hitchhiking

If you'll be hitchhiking to Quebec City, take note that the only illegal place to hitch in Quebec is on highways.

Others

Between Montreal and Quebec City during the summer months, you'll find a seasonal cruise in operation.

Moving Around

Nearly everything you wish to see or do is within walking distance once you pass through the walls of Old Québec, and the best way to get around Québec City is on foot.

Walk

If you'll be taking a walk around, especially during the winter months, make sure that you're dressed warmly. And, walking is quite enjoyable here because the Old Québec's ancient walls house most of the top attractions in the city.

Bicycle

It's safe to say that biking is not the best way to get around the city when one considers the hills in Old Québec, but there are several excellent inline bike trails in the city, and you can take advantage of the area's many rental bike companies to rent a bike.

Electronic Vehicles

Electronic vehicles are not hard to come by in Quebec City and you should be able to rent one.

Public Bus

Throughout Old Québec, there are bus routes offering transport, and Métrobus is there to save the day when you grow tired of walking. Throughout the greater metropolitan area, RTC operates 60 bus routes, and you can rely on leBus if you're exploring outside the old city walls.

Tram, Train and Subway

Getting around the city by train is not common.

Sustainable Shopping

Whatever you may be looking to shop for, Quebec City offers you a quality chance of finding them, and it gets more interesting looking at the fact that eco-friendly stores are quite much in this city.

Food Markets

As you wander through the markets in Quebec City, there's a range of fruits and food products you'll find in their relaxed, community atmosphere. And, some of the best food markets in the city include:

Market Old Port of Quebec
Public Market Sainte-Foy
Saint-Sauveur Farmer’s Market
Limoilou Farmer’s Market
Québec City's Grand Marché

Flea Markets

Marché aux puces de Québec and Marché aux Puces Jean-Talon Charlesbourg are some of the best flea markets you'll find in Quebec City.

Second Hand Stores

There's no shortage of second-hand stores in Quebec City:

Aux Trésors d’Agapès
La Friperie du Pavois
Friperie de la Maison de Lauberivière
Boutique Lucia F.
Village des Valeurs

Eco-Fashion

Those who seek sustainable fashion and ethical clothing in Quebec city will find different stores in the city for eco-fashion and a place like Boutique Lucia F. is a tangible option to go for.

Recycling

Québec City recycles at the curb on a bi-weekly basis according to the city district and there are as well drop-off recycling locations available in every district.

Waste

Quebec City has its waste collection schedule which is well-organized.

Work and Study Abroad

Being a city with a larger number of French speakers, it's a popular location for students and workers who have at least a fair knowledge of French.

Exchange Student

Almost all the universities in the city run student exchange programs.

Au Pair

Quebec City is a very large city and the chances of finding opportunities as an au pair in this city are high.

Volunteering

If you would love to have new experiences, meet new people, and give back to your community as you seek opportunities, you'll surely find a few around if you make enquiries from people around you or search online.