Old Quebec Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Old Quebec
Old Quebec
Old Quebec which includes a city, street scenes and signage
Old Quebec which includes a city, a coastal town and street scenes
Old Quebec

Québec’s famous historic centre is a World Heritage-protected site and is home to many of the city’s best-known buildings and attractions.

The atmospheric cobbled streets of Old Québec are lined with traditional European architecture and are home to many boutiques and restaurants. Set back from the river and Place-Royale, Old Québec runs to the tip of the Cap Diamant promontory.

As the only walled city in North America the historic centre attracts visitors from around the world. Recognised and preserved as a World Heritage site, Old Québec covers 135 hectares (333 acres) and is divided into an Upper and Lower town. The oldest buildings in the city can be found here, many of which predate 1850.

Amble through the narrow, European-looking streets of the Lower Town to see the museums and historic buildings of the Old Port or to shop for antiques on Rue Saint-Paul. The pedestrianised Rue du Petit-Champlain is a great place to stop for a meal and a glass of French wine. Hop on the cable railway to avoid climbing the stairs that lead to the Upper Town.

Disembark from the cable car and you’ll find yourself on the tip of the peninsula, looking down over the St. Lawrence River. Take the path that follows the city walls, leading you past the towers, bastions and fortifications that line the river. Once responsible for guarding the city from American armies, today it provides great vantage points for photos of the turreted Château Frontenac, one of Québec’s largest hotels.

Continue exploring the Upper Town to come across the Citadelle of Québec. This mammoth, star-shaped fort remains the headquarters of the Royal 22e Régiment of the Canadian army. Rest on a bench along the Old Town’s waterfront promenade, Dufferin Terrace, to watch the boats pass by you on the river.

Old Québec can be reached on foot or by bike from most parts of the city centre in just a few minutes. The Écolobus is an electric city bus that traverses the historic centre and is a great way to see the precinct. There is also parking available for a fee in the area.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Old Quebec Hotel Deals

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

4.5 out of 5
1 rue des Carrieres, Québec City, QC
The price is NZ$959 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
NZ$959
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Québec City. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,410 reviews)
"Loved everything about the hotel and staff !!!"

Reviewed on 19 Jul. 2025

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
 Hôtel Palace Royal Centre-Ville par JARO

Hôtel Palace Royal Centre-Ville par JARO

4 out of 5
775 Honoré-Mercier Ave, Québec City, QC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$331 per night from 29 July to 30 July
NZ$331
29 July - 30 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Québec City. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,090 reviews)
"The parking is not ideal since it does not belong to the hotel. There is no guarantee there will be parking space when you arrive. You may have to go park elsewhere. We did not encounter the problem but I was told it may be the case."

Reviewed on 21 Jul. 2025

Hôtel Palace Royal Centre-Ville par JARO
Hotel Acadia

Hotel Acadia

3 out of 5
43 Rue Sainte-ursule, Québec City, QC
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Québec City. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and concierge services. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (104 reviews)
"i love it!"

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Hotel Acadia
Hotel Manoir Victoria

Hotel Manoir Victoria

4 out of 5
44, Cote du Palais, Québec City, QC
The price is NZ$437 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$437
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Québec City. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,475 reviews)
"My friend and I enjoyed our stay very much. Thank you!"

Reviewed on 20 Jul. 2025

Hotel Manoir Victoria
Hôtel Manoir Vieux Québec

Hôtel Manoir Vieux Québec

3.5 out of 5
6 Rue de la Porte, Québec City, QC
The price is NZ$383 per night from 28 July to 29 July
NZ$383
28 July - 29 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Québec City. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,242 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Hôtel Manoir Vieux Québec
Le Capitole Hôtel

Le Capitole Hôtel

4.5 out of 5
972, rue Saint-Jean, Québec City, QC
The price is NZ$580 per night from 28 July to 29 July
NZ$580
28 July - 29 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Québec City. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,407 reviews)
"Everything from location, valet parking, check in staff, concierge, to the bar and dining, was exceptional. Looking forward to our next stay at Le Capitole!"

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Le Capitole Hôtel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Quebec

Old Quebec which includes a city, street scenes and signage

Upper Town

If you're spending some time in Upper Town, Quebec City Town Hall and Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec are top sights worth seeing.

Upper Town
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Vieux-Québec-Cap-Blanc-Colline Parlementaire

If you're spending some time in Vieux-Québec-Cap-Blanc-Colline Parlementaire, Quebec Cruise Terminal and Quebec City Town Hall are top sights worth seeing.

Vieux-Québec-Cap-Blanc-Colline Parlementaire
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Old Port Quebec City

Old Port Quebec City is known for its stunning river views, and you can see some sights area like Quebec Cruise Terminal and Agora Port de Quebec.

Old Port Quebec City
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Cap-Blanc

If you're spending some time in Cap-Blanc, Plains of Abraham and Grande Allée are top sights worth seeing.

Cap-Blanc
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Saint-Jean-Baptiste

If you're spending some time in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Grand Theatre of Quebec and Grande Allée are top sights worth seeing.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste
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Saint-Roch

4/5(8 area reviews)

Saint-Roch is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Marina Saint-Roch or The Museum of L'Isle-aux-Grues.

Saint-Roch

Old Quebec Travel Guide

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