How many days · Quebec City · Canada
How many days do you need in Quebec City?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Quebec City, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers Upper and Lower Town, the Citadelle and the Plains of Abraham. A third day adds Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans; four or five days leaves room for Charlevoix or a whale-watching trip to Tadoussac in season.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 8.6 h (Dec) to 15.8 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace and Governors' Promenade, Quartier Petit-Champlain and La Citadelle de Québec |
| 2 days | Good | La Citadelle de Québec, Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires and Fortifications of Québec |
| 3 days | Ideal | Plains of Abraham (Battlefields Park), Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and Musée de la civilisation |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Île d'Orléans |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Île d'Orléans and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and Canyon Sainte-Anne |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Quebec City add up to roughly 13–17 hours of visiting time — about 2 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (2–3 hours), Quartier Petit-Champlain (1–2 hours) and La Citadelle de Québec (1.5–2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Château Frontenac | 30 minutes–1 hour | Old Québec – Upper Town |
| Dufferin Terrace and Governors' Promenade | 45 minutes | Old Québec – Upper Town |
| Quartier Petit-Champlain | 1–2 hours | Old Québec – Lower Town and Old Port |
| La Citadelle de Québec | 1.5–2 hours | Old Québec – Upper Town |
| Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires | 45 minutes | Old Québec – Lower Town and Old Port |
| Fortifications of Québec | 1–2 hours | Old Québec – Upper Town |
| Plains of Abraham (Battlefields Park) | 1–2 hours | Montcalm and Grande Allée |
| Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec | 2–3 hours | Montcalm and Grande Allée |
| Musée de la civilisation | 2 hours | Old Québec – Lower Town and Old Port |
| Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral | 30–45 minutes | Old Québec – Upper Town |
| Parliament Building | 1 hour | Montcalm and Grande Allée |
| Old Québec Funicular | 10 minutes | Old Québec – Lower Town and Old Port |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Château Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace and Governors' Promenade |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for La Citadelle de Québec |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Île d'Orléans and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and Canyon Sainte-Anne |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 8.6 hours of daylight) than in June (about 15.8 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Quebec City with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal | About 233 km | 4 days |
| Boston | About 495 km | 4 days |
| New York City | About 715 km | 5 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Quebec City?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers Upper and Lower Town, the Citadelle and the Plains of Abraham. A third day adds Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans; four or five days leaves room for Charlevoix or a whale-watching trip to Tadoussac in season.
+Is a week too long in Quebec City?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Île d'Orléans and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and Canyon Sainte-Anne.