3 days in Quebec City

Day by day

1. Day 1: Château Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace and Governors' Promenade

   Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace and Governors' Promenade and La Citadelle de Québec, then Rue Saint-Jean in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Château Frontenac

      The copper-roofed Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, opened in 1893 as a Canadian Pacific Railway hotel, dominates the skyline from the clifftop above the river.

   2. Late morning

      Dufferin Terrace and Governors' Promenade

      In winter a wooden toboggan slide is set up at the terrace's end; the run is short, fast and popular with children and adults alike.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Poutine

      Casse-croûtes and late-night counters in Saint-Roch and Saint-Jean-Baptiste; many pubs on Rue Saint-Jean serve it too.

   4. Afternoon

      La Citadelle de Québec

      The star-shaped fortress on Cap Diamant, built by the British in the 19th century, is still an active military installation and home of the Royal 22e Régiment.

   5. Evening

      Rue Saint-Jean

      Walk it from end to end: the stretch beyond Porte Saint-Jean is where locals eat and drink.

2. Day 2: Quartier Petit-Champlain and Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires

   Quartier Petit-Champlain, Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires and Musée de la civilisation, then Grande Allée in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Quartier Petit-Champlain

      Visit early in the morning or after dinner, when the cruise and tour crowds have gone and the street lights come on.

   2. Late morning

      Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires

      Place Royale marks the site of Champlain's 1608 habitation and is ringed by restored stone houses.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tourtière

      Restaurants serving traditional Québécois menus in the old town, and bakery counters at the Grand Marché.

   4. Afternoon

      Musée de la civilisation

      A good first stop on a rainy day; the permanent exhibitions give useful context before you walk the old town.

   5. Evening

      Grande Allée

      Big terraces, bars and clubs just outside Porte Saint-Louis; the busiest party street on summer weekends.

3. Day 3: Fortifications of Québec and Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral

   Fortifications of Québec, Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral and Morrin Centre, then Rue Saint-Jean in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fortifications of Québec

      Quebec City's stone walls and gates — Porte Saint-Louis, Porte Saint-Jean and Porte Kent among them — enclose the Upper Town.

   2. Late morning

      Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral

      Visit quietly outside service times and look for the crypt tours, which run at certain periods of the year.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pea soup

      Traditional dining rooms in Old Québec and sugar shacks in spring.

   4. Afternoon

      Morrin Centre

      Built as the city's first prison and later a college, this building now houses the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec and a Victorian-era library with wooden galleries.

   5. Evening

      Rue Saint-Jean

      Pubs and bars inside and outside the walls, including spots with live traditional and folk music.

If it rains

• Swap in Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (Montcalm and Grande Allée): Don't miss the Riopelle wing and the cells preserved in the old prison building.
• Swap in Parliament Building (Montcalm and Grande Allée): Tours require security screening, so allow extra time and carry photo ID.
• Swap in Grand Marché de Québec (Limoilou): Buy cheese, cider and maple products here rather than in old-town souvenir shops.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Old Québec – Upper Town keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Old Québec – Lower Town and Old Port ($$$$) suits couples, shopping, luxury and first-timers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 11–14 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.6 hours in December to 15.8 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Quebec City
• 2 days in Quebec City

Questions travellers ask