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$801 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$801
27 July - 28 July
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! (2,395 reviews)
"Amazing stay!! Gorgeous place!! Excellent service!!"

Reviewed on 8 Jul. 2025

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Hôtel Palace Royal
Hôtel Palace Royal
4 out of 5
775 Honoré-Mercier Ave, Québec City, QC
The price is NZ$340 per night from 18 July to 19 July
NZ$340
18 July - 19 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! (3,008 reviews)
"Location is perfect for someone who like the old Québec adventure."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

Hôtel Palace Royal
Hotel Acadia
Hotel Acadia
3 out of 5
43 Rue Sainte-ursule, Québec City, QC
The price is NZ$388 per night from 22 July to 23 July
NZ$388
22 July - 23 July
includes taxes & fees
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! (82 reviews)
"Great location for exploring Vieux Quebec! Young man who checked us in was very charming and helpful. We are from the states and were concerned there could be a language barrier...not an issue. Everyone was super friendly. There are a couple issues that come with historic properties (no elevator, ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

Hotel Acadia
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$379 per night from 28 July to 29 July
NZ$379
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! (1,227 reviews)
"Great service, amazing location"

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

Hôtel Manoir Vieux Québec
Hotel Manoir Victoria
Hotel Manoir Victoria
4 out of 5
44, Cote du Palais, Québec City, QC
The price is NZ$500 per night from 14 July to 15 July
NZ$500
14 July - 15 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! (1,454 reviews)
"Location , great service"

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

Hotel Manoir Victoria
Hôtel Sainte-Anne
Hôtel Sainte-Anne
3 out of 5
32, rue Sainte-Anne, Québec City, QC
The price is NZ$346 per night from 24 July to 25 July
NZ$346
24 July - 25 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Québec City. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
Quebec City
"Very convenient location in Old Quebec. Lots of dining options in the area and all the top attractions are within walking distance. The room was quite small but had good cupboard and closet space. Appreciate the N’espresso coffee!"

Reviewed on 8 Jul. 2025

Hôtel Sainte-Anne
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 featuring a city, signage and street scenes

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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