Old Quebec
Old Quebec
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown Quebec City
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Restaurants
847 within 5 kms
Attractions
344 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- joe-chicago-23Chesterfield, Missouri1,252 contributionsFantasticSuch a unique place with architecture not typically seen in North America. Winding cobblestone streets with many types of shops and restaurants. There are upper and lower levels so expect to climb up and down stairs or pay to ride the furniculare. Great views from above and waterfront access below.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 11, 2023
- ShellySugar Land, Texas5 contributionsBeautiful Old Quebec CityOld Quebec City was very beautiful with a lot of shopping, restaurants and history! There is so much to see. I believe this is one of the cleanest cities I have been to with so many tourists visiting. There is also entertainment throughout the area as well. I would definitely recommend visiting!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 14, 2023
- Andrew SolliSt. Marys, Georgia97 contributionsExcellent experienceWe lived exploring this beautiful town. The old town is very easy to see and filled with quaint small shops, small pedestrian only walkways, and great scenery. It is a “don’t miss” place to see.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 15, 2023
- Dimitris LSydney, Australia50,924 contributionsOne of the most beautiful cities.Old Quebec would have to be one of the most beautiful cities. There is so much to love about the place! It is clean, it is walkable, it is full of wonderful sights, restaurants, bars and shops of all descriptions. The architecture is fantastic and the people friendly. We walked everywhere and it was such an absolute pleasure! Restaurant food can be good and not so good but not cheap, like everywhere else. We stayed at a hotel which was very close to the Old Quebec and we were very happy. You don't need a car, just walk!Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 16, 2023
- Mitos MckaySt. Augustine, Florida89 contributionsVibrant City!I loved the old city of Quebec. People speak French but it had a different vibe from Paris! It’s very walkable and has many interesting art sculptures. There are lots of pubs and restaurants to choose from and lots of little shops along the way. Don’t miss the Chateau Frontenac!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 18, 2023
- garysheehan25Newtown, Connecticut19 contributionsGreat city to realx and enjoyWe stayed at the Clarendon. Perfect location in the old city. Valet took the car and we did not retrieve it until we checked out. What a great city. Walked everywhere though beware- it seems like everywhere we walked, it was uphill. Very strange. We had been there before but this time we went not only as tourists but to just relax. Had no agenda. Just wandered. I think this is the perfect way to plan a visit. Hotel was absolutely wonderful. Food everywhere was great and the people, both those who live and work there and the fellow tourist are just friendly and relaxed. This is truly a no pressure city. Like Montreal, the province is the best of both Canada and of the Quebecque region.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 19, 2023
- TERRAvelistaLondon, United Kingdom18,505 contributionsPossibly one of the most romantic North American cityMy first time in Quebec city during our 3000km driving trip all the way to PEI and old Quebec city is truly a gorgeous place with many architectural influences left by the British in a true European style. Most surely we will be back due to finding it so romantic and 'calm' similarly to the towns of Seville or Venice when most of the tourists are gone. We arrived here mid September and were fortunate to have some very nice, sunny weather. We managed to find all the turns via my mobile google satellite view (as we drove from the western part of the city where they still build massively) where we also found some good parking, underneath a building off rue Saint Louis for around 22 CAD/day in a special designed multi level parking space: you cannot simply park on the cobbled streets so research this in advance and yes, parking is expensive here, just like everything else. All is walking distance, make sure you have non slippery flat shoes or at least wedge shoes, as I tend to wear (I learned this the hard way after cutting my ankles on the cobbled streets of Santorini, however sporty I am) and plan in advance what you want to visit. Most of the indoor places of interest have an entrance fee, except the Notre Dame cathedral (Notre Dame in Montreal is around 18 CAD if I remember correctly, by contrast) and I will be writing reviews about everything worth visiting. I hope this helps in organising your day.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten October 29, 2023
- GrandTour452506365 contributionsFun old city to visitWalking around Old Quebec was amazing. We visited at the beginning of October. All of the little park areas were decorated up for Halloween. This was so fu to see. We visited on a cruise and were lucky to have a guest lecturer from Quebec City on the cruise. She explained some of the things to see and expect here. The art in the area was really fun to see. There was a lot of climbing to do to get to the upper part of the city. But the views are worth it. They do have a funicular but we opted out as the line was fairly long. We saw some people show up at the top long after we had already arrived by walking. However, this would be a viable option for those who can't do the stairs or walking the streets up. One thing I would say was a drawback. None of the shop owners would do the exchange rates for items we purchased in cash. If it said $2 it was either Canadian or American dollars. They were just too lazy even when asked to do it. SO if you don't have any Canadian money, do your transactions with a credit card AND have them do the transaction in Canadian dollars so you don't get charged and exchange rate fee plus when it does hit your card, you get the exchange rate for that day not the day of the transaction. All in all Quebec City is a fun place to visit. I would like to go back to explore more as we only got a taste of what there was to do and see here.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten October 30, 2023
- Neddy1 contributionGreat Walking Area But Public Loitering Could Lead to HandcuffsWe had a great visit that afternoon. Had some delicious ice cream too. But we chose not to linger too long, which in hindsight, was a good thing. I say this because of the recent news that a tourist/photographer was handcuffed and charged with a 'loitering' offense...while taking or planning on taking photos of the famous landmark Château Frontenac...while standing on a public sidewalk. So if you visit old Quebec, please remember to keep moving; otherwise, you may be cited for lingering/loitering. Just take your photo quickly and move on.Visited March 2023Travelled with familyWritten November 6, 2023
- Margaret LBrisbane, Australia432 contributionsWow!Absolutely fascinating! Wander along the cobblestone streets and take in some window shopping- or if you want, buy beautiful gifts and artwork. Amazing photo opportunities with the Chateau Frontenac imposing up ahead. Absolutely stunning! To save your legs, catch the furnicular up to the top ($5 cash only)Visited November 2023Travelled with familyWritten December 1, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
13,711 reviews
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11,231
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225
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24
copejenney
Carlsbad, CA446 contributions
Jan 2020
I traveled during winter so it was a bit frigid but still nice to walk around--be sure to layer up. Extra breezy once you reach Saint Lawrence river but walk down or take the funicular to the oldest part of the city. You will be glad you did!
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin
Clinton, MA87 contributions
May 2019
There is no place in North America that feels more European than old town Quebec City. The buildings, shops, restaurants, and overall culture here just makes you feel like you are in Europe. Take the time to walk up and down the different streets, explore the beautiful parks, marvel at the statues, and of course admire the Chateau Frontenac
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
173suzanner
Scituate, MA19 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We were fortunate to have a New Year’s visit that was relatively balmy at 0 Celsius or about 30 degrees Fahrenheit. This allowed us to walk all over this magnificent city. Fabulous! Children were sledding with their parents, visitors queued up to take a toboggan run. There were outdoor vendors selling “sugar on snow”. Quebec in winter is just magnificent.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole MF
Kansas City, MO124 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Very picturesque and like a storybook. What makes it so cute and like a step back in time, is also why some people should avoid this part of town. Very hilly, lots of cobblestone and uneven streets. Steps to get into every single business. It gets very crowded when the cruise ships come in so you need to get reservations to eat at any restaurant. Most people do speak English in the old Quebec part and most menus have English underneath the French. Ubers are hard to find if you want to go somewhere not in walking distance. Every time we ordered an Uber, it was a 15-20 min wait.
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VoyageVoyage
2 contributions
Jan 2021
What a beautiful city. Just walk around and enjoy the old stones, the charm of this romantic city. Don’t visit only the part of the city inner walls, go on St. Jean street outside the walls to discover boutique and restaurants that area very different than the chain stores that we see everywhere.
Written January 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
asiecom
Ottawa, Canada126 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
Even after a good number of visits over the past decade, there’s always something new to discover, be it a new road, or the relatively new Quebec Museum of Fine Arts. And of course, the multiple choice of walks on the famous Plains of Abraham and its surrounding. It was the first time in years, I was there during the summertime. How pleasant was to wander the streets, and enjoy the view over the St.Lawrence River. I would definitely recommend to venture outside the downtown core and discover some interesting neighborhoods and restaurants. If you happen to visit Quebec City over the next few weeks, both Picasso at the Museum of Fine Arts and Maya at the Museum of Civilization worth the trip.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NC
Denver, CO252 contributions
Aug 2021
Quebec City in the summer was undescribably amazing. I fell in love with it in the first minute. Those who say it is like being transported to France are exactly right. The older part of the city is built on a hill with quaint cobblestone streets and buildings up to 500 years old! Being there felt like a dream. I suspect it is only the harsh winters there that keep the tourists from staying forever.
The streets are steep and the sidewalks are narrow. If you have recently had knee, leg or hip surgery, this may not be the year for you to visit Old Quebec. As an overweight 58 year old with achey knees, the many hilly streets were a challenge, but somehow I made it, and it was worth it. I found myself taking photos at every turn -- something I haven't done as a traveler in a long time. Each street, each shop, each historic site, was more exciting or beautiful than the last.
Take a walking tour, a bus tour and a boat tour if you can, in that order. There is so much history to learn, you will be overwhelmed and need to hear things again. Most people you will meet are bilingual, but some familiarlty with French will definitely help you navigate through town.
There is a museum in the basement of the Hotel Frontenac which is completely free. Check it out.
The streets are steep and the sidewalks are narrow. If you have recently had knee, leg or hip surgery, this may not be the year for you to visit Old Quebec. As an overweight 58 year old with achey knees, the many hilly streets were a challenge, but somehow I made it, and it was worth it. I found myself taking photos at every turn -- something I haven't done as a traveler in a long time. Each street, each shop, each historic site, was more exciting or beautiful than the last.
Take a walking tour, a bus tour and a boat tour if you can, in that order. There is so much history to learn, you will be overwhelmed and need to hear things again. Most people you will meet are bilingual, but some familiarlty with French will definitely help you navigate through town.
There is a museum in the basement of the Hotel Frontenac which is completely free. Check it out.
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TERRAvelista
London, UK18,505 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
My first time in Quebec city during our 3000km driving trip all the way to PEI and old Quebec city is truly a gorgeous place with many architectural influences left by the British in a true European style. Most surely we will be back due to finding it so romantic and 'calm' similarly to the towns of Seville or Venice when most of the tourists are gone.
We arrived here mid September and were fortunate to have some very nice, sunny weather. We managed to find all the turns via my mobile google satellite view (as we drove from the western part of the city where they still build massively) where we also found some good parking, underneath a building off rue Saint Louis for around 22 CAD/day in a special designed multi level parking space: you cannot simply park on the cobbled streets so research this in advance and yes, parking is expensive here, just like everything else.
All is walking distance, make sure you have non slippery flat shoes or at least wedge shoes, as I tend to wear (I learned this the hard way after cutting my ankles on the cobbled streets of Santorini, however sporty I am) and plan in advance what you want to visit. Most of the indoor places of interest have an entrance fee, except the Notre Dame cathedral (Notre Dame in Montreal is around 18 CAD if I remember correctly, by contrast) and I will be writing reviews about everything worth visiting. I hope this helps in organising your day.
We arrived here mid September and were fortunate to have some very nice, sunny weather. We managed to find all the turns via my mobile google satellite view (as we drove from the western part of the city where they still build massively) where we also found some good parking, underneath a building off rue Saint Louis for around 22 CAD/day in a special designed multi level parking space: you cannot simply park on the cobbled streets so research this in advance and yes, parking is expensive here, just like everything else.
All is walking distance, make sure you have non slippery flat shoes or at least wedge shoes, as I tend to wear (I learned this the hard way after cutting my ankles on the cobbled streets of Santorini, however sporty I am) and plan in advance what you want to visit. Most of the indoor places of interest have an entrance fee, except the Notre Dame cathedral (Notre Dame in Montreal is around 18 CAD if I remember correctly, by contrast) and I will be writing reviews about everything worth visiting. I hope this helps in organising your day.
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arthur M
Hamilton, Canada1,628 contributions
Oct 2022
As this is the only walled city in the Americas north of Mexico, they have managed to preserve the European character of Old Quebec. That gives this city a certain European charm that Montreal just doesn't give, let alone any North American city.
Lots of small (but expensive) businesses within the walls and at the lower part of the old city, there are a lot of souvenir shops as well. The core is very walkable and parking is hard to find, so we have parked in a building just beside the provincial legislative building.
I'm glad that this site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it deserves that designation. We will always keep on coming back. This city is beautiful in spring, summer, fall, or winter.
Lots of small (but expensive) businesses within the walls and at the lower part of the old city, there are a lot of souvenir shops as well. The core is very walkable and parking is hard to find, so we have parked in a building just beside the provincial legislative building.
I'm glad that this site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it deserves that designation. We will always keep on coming back. This city is beautiful in spring, summer, fall, or winter.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
big_g047
Vaughan, Canada29 contributions
Aug 2019
Quebec City is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and for very good reason. It is historically rich in architecture, culture, food and tradition. If you enjoy walking you will be pleasantly rewarded with discoveries such as the iconic Chateau Frontenac, the gates which outline the once walled city, the vast boardwalk of the Dufferin Terrace, the artists selling their goods on Rue de Tresor, the Augustine Monastery of Hotel-Dieu and much more. Take advantage of the City Food tours for a sampling of the local cuisine or just enjoy yourself at the many restaurants. There is much more to enjoy at this "must see" North American city with so much European flavour.
Written April 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would say it depends on the age and interest of the kids. You could walk the Duffin Terrace and go west to the Citadel and Plains of Abraham. The views from there are really cool. There is a lot of history there to be learned. On the way up if you walk up you can visit Montmorency historical park. All of these places are very walkable. They also have plaques in both French and English talking about the history of the area. You can catch some of the murals around town too.
Written November 19, 2023
Tracey C
Rockford, Illinois
I would need use my power wheelchair. How would it be on the streets in Quebec City? Thnx
Written January 10, 2023
Old Quebec would be difficult but not impossible, Very steep hills, streets and walkways. Additionally, the old cobblestone streets may present problems. I have two artificial knees and some respiratory problems so I took breaks every 45 to 60 minutes and managed to tour Old Town for about six or seven hours. Good luck.
Written January 10, 2023
We are travelling there mid September for one week staying at l'Hotel du Vieux Quebec. Are tours still available this time of the year and what services have been curtailed by COVID? Is Rue St. Jean still pedestrian only? W e are hoping shops and restaurant are not cut back.
Written August 30, 2021
Traveling 2nd week of December and curious if we need to rent a car to get around or if taxis/ubers would suffice for 4 days?
Written August 30, 2021
Curious how the crowds have been in Old Quebec? Planning to come next week (August 2021) with my daughter who is too young to be vaccinated. Is it crowded everywhere or will we be able to feel safe touring around?
Written August 12, 2021
Was just there August 8-9, and there are areas less busy and other areas, with narrow streets that are very busy and full of people. Restaurants were also busy, but you could stick to the patios, if the weather is nice.
Written August 13, 2021
Hi! I’m going to quebec city next month December 27-January 1st. I was wondering, is a trench coat warm enough to wear at that time of the year? And is it acceptable?
Written December 1, 2019
I went last January and found it very cold (even to a fellow Canadian)! It was parka, hat, mittens, boots weather for certain!
Written December 9, 2019
Hi
How was the weather? we are traveling there this week and I am still deciding if I should bring my wool winter coat? TIA
Written September 30, 2019
I was just notified about your question and trust you had a wonderful trip. I took layers and used them all. When I travel, I consult (not until I pack) a 5- or 10-day forecast that shows morning, noon, and PM temps.
Written December 8, 2019
Are there horse drawn carriage tours of the old town? If so, cost and length of ride?
Written September 22, 2019
Yes. We loved it. We picked them up in front of the hotel Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. We paid 90 CAD. We thought it was inexpensive for experience. Also, it depends on the exchange rate.
Written December 2, 2019
Where is the best place to park in Quebec City for a day trip? Driving up for a day trip to walk around the Old Port area of QC city. Wanting to park someplace as centrally located as possible, or any other ideas would be greatly appreciated,.
Written September 17, 2019
There is a parking garage at Hotel DeVille, which is a block away from the Chateau. There may be another parking lot next to the chateau as well.
Written September 23, 2019
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