Québec City
Founded in 1608, this colonial fortified city is well deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage Site preservation. It is located on the Saint Lawrence River and is known for its cobblestone streets, fortified walls, the Citadelle of Québec, and the castle like Fairmont Le Château Frontenac Hotel which is one of the most photographed hotels in the world. This charming city will capture your heart and you will love exploring its incredible streets, cafes, and shops.
how to get to Québec City from Montreal
Québec City is a 2 hour and 45-minute drive from Montreal via route 20E. You can also take a train or a bus from Montreal to Québec City both taking around 3 hours and 15 minutes. The cheapest way is via bus and is operated by the Orleans Express- depending on how early you book your bus and if you have a promo code it can range in cost from around $20-$45. A flight is about 45 minutes but then you have to worry about getting to and from the airport. If you are a tourist, you can also do a day trip to Québec City on a tour.
When to visit Québec City
Almost all tourists visit during the summer months as the winter is extremely cold. During the summer months, there are tons of festivals and the city is very lively and filled with people. You can also visit during the winter if you want a wintery escape. If going in the winter, you might want to check out Winter Carnival which is packed with ice sculptures and parades.
Things to do in Québec
Old Québec
Old Québec is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site being notable for its fortified walls and old charm. You will want to take it all in as you walk around the cobblestone streets and check out the local shops and restaurants.
Terrasse Dufferin
This walkway was originally built in 1879 and is a great place to stroll and get great views of the Saint Lawrence River and over Old Québec
Ramparts and Gates
These old city walls that were erected in the 17th century, are the old ones left standing north of Mexico and protected as a National Historic Site.
Cathedral Basilica Notre Dame De Old Québec
Originally constructed in 1647 but destroyed by a series of different fires. It is always rebuilt with glory. boasts incredible architecture and beautiful art. It is in the heart of Old Québec.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
This castle like hotel is one of the most photographed hotels in the world and it is easy to see why. If you want to splurge you can stay. You otherwise can take a dine at a restaurant or do an afternoon tea.
La Promenade des Gouverneurs
This promenade is elevated and leads off the Terrasse Dufferin leading to Battlefields Park.
Parliament Building
This building was constructed in 1886 and serves as a stunning government building. There are beautiful gardens around it, and you can also take a tour to learn more about the building and government.
Breakneck Stairs and Old Funicular
You get the choice of taking the infamous stairs or taking this funicular that connects Upper and Lower Town. It ascends around 200 feet at a 45-degree angle.
Battlefields Park
At the end of the Promenade, you can find this open greenspace. It was the site of the 1759 Battle of Plains.
La Citadelle
This citadel covers a huge part of the city center. The star shaped fort has incredible fortifications and a museum. You can also watch changing of the guard ceremonies.
Montmorency Falls
No visit is complete without checking out this impressive waterfall. It drops 275 feet! It is a 15-minute drive from Québec City. While here you can just take it in or if more adventurous can explore via suspension bridge, cable car or zip-line!
Our trip
My friend and I were spending a long weekend in Montreal and I really wanted to check out Québec City. Maybe due to last minute planning, timing of our trip, cost, and ease of travel we decided to go with a tour which was only $10 more than taking a train or bus there and back for the day. Also since I wanted to see the Montmorency Falls which is 15 minutes from town this seemed like the most logical way to see the city.
The tour started at 8 am and we returned to the city around 8 PM. The drive is about 2.5 hours so in total you really have about 7 hours of exploring. The stops included were the Place Royale, Plains of Abraham (including Notre Dame Basilica, the Parliament Building, Ile d’Orleans), the Quartier Petit Champlain, and the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency which were about 15-minute stops. Finally, you arrived in Old Québec where we got to explore at our leisure for 3 hours before jumping back on the tour bus to head back to Montreal.
Get started on planning your trip to Québec City
Québec City is totally worth the trip and you can get a general sense with just a 1–2-day trip. It is historic, quaint and has a ton of things to do. I feel like there is so much more I could explore and do here and I cannot wait to come back to check it out again. Maybe even in the winter?
