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$848 per night from 30 July to 31 July
NZ$848
30 July - 31 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! (2,397 reviews)
"Service was friendly. It’s a beautiful hotel with lots of history. The location is also perfect. However, I was surprised to pay a resort fee. First time for a Canadian hotel."

Reviewed on 14 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$334 per night from 31 July to 1 Aug
NZ$334
31 July - 1 Aug
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! (3,037 reviews)
"Moulure de salle de bain on besoin de remplacement"

Reviewed on 15 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! (93 reviews)
"Clean, quiet and perfectly charming."

Reviewed on 13 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$358 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$358
20 July - 21 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! (1,239 reviews)
"Earlier breakfast, or at least the abilty to get a coffee before 8am would be nice. 8am opening is an hour too late to open."

Reviewed on 15 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$464 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$464
20 July - 21 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! (1,466 reviews)
"The stairs were a lot coming in. It would be better if there was an accessible entrance."

Reviewed on 15 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$388 per night from 24 July to 25 July
NZ$388
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! (1,002 reviews)

Reviewed on 16 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 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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