Quebec City itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: The Upper Town
The walls and Rue Saint-Louis, the Château Frontenac and the Dufferin Terrace, the cathedral and City Hall, and an evening on Rue Saint-Jean.
- 1
Morning
Porte Saint-Louis & Rue Saint-Louis
The western gate in the city walls, the only ones still standing north of Mexico, and the old street that runs from it straight to the Château Frontenac, lined with stone houses from the French and British eras.
- Porte Saint-Louis
- City walls
- Rue Saint-Louis
You can climb onto the walls near the gate and walk sections of the ramparts for free.
Walk east along Rue Saint-Louis, about 10 min.
- 2
Late morning
Château Frontenac & the Dufferin Terrace
The copper-roofed château that defines the skyline, and the long wooden boardwalk in front of it, high above the St. Lawrence, with the Lower Town's roofs right below your feet.
- Château Frontenac
- Governors' Garden
- Dufferin Terrace
- UNESCO monument
The funicular down to Petit-Champlain leaves from the north end of the terrace.
Walk through Place d'Armes and up Rue du Trésor, about 5 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Rue du Trésor, the Cathedral & City Hall
The narrow lane where painters sell views of the city, the Basilica-Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Québec, seat of the oldest diocese north of Mexico, and the green gardens of City Hall next door.
- Rue du Trésor
- Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral
- City Hall Gardens
Walk west along Rue de la Fabrique into Rue Saint-Jean, about 5 min.
- 4
Evening
Rue Saint-Jean
The busiest street of the old town, a long line of shops, bakeries and pubs running from the cathedral out through the Porte Saint-Jean, at its liveliest after dark.
- Rue Saint-Jean
- Porte Saint-Jean
- D'Youville Square
Quebec City in Early Autumn: Vieux-Québec and Petit-Champlain
Video by Tingo Tango Walks on YouTube
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Day 2: The Lower Town & the cliff
The Old Port, Place Royale, the Petit-Champlain quarter, the climb up the Breakneck Stairs, and sunset on the Governors' Promenade.
- 1
Morning
The Old Port & Rue Saint-Paul
The quiet harbour quarter at the foot of the cliff, with antique shops on Rue Saint-Paul, the narrow Rue du Sault-au-Matelot and the waterfront squares by the cruise pier.
- Rue Saint-Paul
- Rue du Sault-au-Matelot
- Place des Canotiers
Walk south along Rue Saint-Pierre or Rue Sous-le-Fort, about 10 min.
- 2
Late morning
Place Royale
The square where Champlain founded the city in 1608, with the little stone church of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires and, around the corner, a huge painted mural of four centuries of Quebec history.
- Notre-Dame-des-Victoires
- Quebec City Mural
- Royal Battery
Quebec City Summer Walk: Old Port, Petit-Champlain and Dufferin Terrace
Video by Tingo Tango Walks on YouTube
Jump toWalk down Rue Sous-le-Fort to Rue du Petit-Champlain, about 5 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Petit-Champlain
One of the oldest shopping streets in North America, a pedestrian lane of stone houses, boutiques and painted façades squeezed under the cliff, with a small park at its end.
- Rue du Petit-Champlain
- Rue du Cul-de-Sac
- Félix-Leclerc Park
Come early or late in summer; by midday the lane is shoulder to shoulder.
Quebec City Summer Walk: Old Port, Petit-Champlain and Dufferin Terrace
Video by Tingo Tango Walks on YouTube
Jump toWalk back along the lane to the foot of the stairs, about 5 min.
- 4
Late afternoon
Breakneck Stairs & Montmorency Park
The steep staircase and winding Côte de la Montagne that climb from the Lower Town back up to the cliff, past a quiet park on the ramparts with cannons and views over the river.
- Breakneck Stairs
- Côte de la Montagne
- Montmorency Park
- Frontenac Stairs
Walk along the Dufferin Terrace to its southern end, about 15 min.
- 5
Sunset
The Governors' Promenade
A wooden boardwalk and stairway that continues from the end of the Dufferin Terrace along the cliff below the Citadel, with the widest views of the St. Lawrence in the city.
- Dufferin Terrace
- Governors' Promenade
- St. Lawrence viewpoint
The stairs are long; in winter the promenade is closed and the terrace becomes a toboggan run.
Quebec City Summer Walk: Old Port, Petit-Champlain and Dufferin Terrace
Video by Tingo Tango Walks on YouTube
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Travelling with someone?
Send them this 2-day Quebec City plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Quebec City
How many days?
Two days covers the Upper Town and the Lower Town at an easy pace. A third day adds the Citadel, the Plains of Abraham, Grande Allée and the neighbourhoods beyond the walls. One busy day is enough for the highlights.
Where to stay
Inside the walls of Old Quebec puts you steps from everything; the Lower Town around Petit-Champlain and the Old Port is quieter at night; Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Montcalm, just outside the walls, are lively and residential; Saint-Roch is the modern, creative downtown below the cliff.
Getting around
Walk: the old town is compact but steep, so expect plenty of stairs. The funicular saves the climb between the Dufferin Terrace and Petit-Champlain, and city buses run along Grande Allée and down to Saint-Roch.
Quebec City is built on two levels. The walled Upper Town sits on the cliff of Cap Diamant, with the Château Frontenac, the Dufferin Terrace, the cathedral and the shopping streets of Saint-Jean and Saint-Louis; the Lower Town squeezes between the cliff and the St. Lawrence, with Place Royale, the Petit-Champlain quarter and the Old Port. Stairs and a funicular link the two. Outside the walls, the Parliament, Grande Allée and the Plains of Abraham stretch west along the heights, and the everyday neighbourhoods of Saint-Roch and Limoilou lie below.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the gates, the stairs and the river views before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to a landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Quebec City itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Quebec City?
Two days is right for a first visit: one for the walled Upper Town and one for the Lower Town and the cliffside walks. A third day lets you see the Citadel, the Plains of Abraham and the neighbourhoods outside the walls. One full day covers the highlights.
Is Quebec City walkable?
Very, but it is steep. The Upper and Lower Towns are linked by stairways, sloping streets and a funicular, so wear good shoes; everything in the old town is within about 20 minutes on foot.
Do you need to speak French in Quebec City?
French is the everyday language, but in the old town most people in shops and hotels also speak English. A simple bonjour before switching to English is always appreciated.
When is the best time to visit Quebec City?
June to October is the walking season, with summer festivals and autumn colours on the Plains of Abraham. Winter is cold and snowy but magical, with Christmas lights in Petit-Champlain and the Winter Carnival in February.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Keep exploring Quebec City
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Quebec City city guide →