CA
Quebec City
A walled French-speaking old town above the St Lawrence River, one of North America’s oldest cities
A walled French-speaking old town above the St Lawrence River, one of North America’s oldest cities
The walled Upper Town, with its city gates, the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk, the Citadel and the 1893 Château Frontenac hotel.
Walk the walls for free.
Photo: Wilfredor, CC0
A pedestrian street of shops and cafés in the Lower Town, near Place Royale, where Champlain founded the city. A funicular and the Breakneck Stairs link it to the Upper Town.
Photo: Wilfredor, CC BY-SA 4.0
The site of the 1759 battle between British and French forces, now the large Battlefields Park, used for walks, concerts and winter sports. The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec is at its edge.
Photo: NickHam, CC BY-SA 3.0
About 15 minutes east of the city, these falls drop 83m, about 30m more than Niagara. A suspension bridge crosses the top and a cable car runs up from the base.
Photo: Cactus0625, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try tourtière (meat pie), poutine, maple taffy on snow, pea soup and Quebec cheeses.
Rue Saint-Jean and the Saint-Roch district have good restaurants and microbreweries.
Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is about 20 minutes from the old town by taxi. VIA Rail trains from Montreal take about three and a half hours. The old town is best explored on foot.
Most visa-exempt visitors flying to Canada, including EU, UK and Australian citizens, need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which costs CAN$7 online. US citizens need only a valid passport. Some nationalities need a visitor visa instead. Check current rules before you travel.
Hotels inside the walls are pricier, especially in summer and during the Winter Carnival. Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAN$). Prices are usually shown without sales tax, which is added at the till, and tipping of 15–20% is expected in restaurants.
Old town and falls.
Walk the walls and Dufferin Terrace, then take the funicular down to Petit-Champlain and Place Royale.
Explore the Plains of Abraham and the art museum, then visit Montmorency Falls in the afternoon.
🛂 Entry rules: Canada eTA
Visa-exempt visitors flying to or through a Canadian airport, including UK, EU, Australian and Japanese citizens, need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). It costs CA$7, is usually approved within minutes and lasts five years or until your passport expires.
You don’t need one if you arrive by land or sea, and US citizens and US green-card holders are exempt. Apply only on the Government of Canada website.
Official information: Government of Canada: apply for an eTA · Reviewed September 2026
Sales tax is added at the till, and restaurants expect a 15–20% tip.
French is spoken almost everywhere; staff in tourist areas speak English.
Dress for −20°C or colder in January and February.
Wear comfortable shoes for the steep streets and stairs.
Quick answers for planning time in Quebec City.
Most visa-exempt visitors arriving by air need an eTA (CAN$7, applied for online). US citizens do not need one; some other nationalities need a visa.
Yes, the Historic District of Old Québec was listed in 1985.
About 15 minutes by car to the east.
It is held over about two weeks in late January and February.
By VIA Rail train in about three and a half hours, or by car or bus.
English is the main language, but in Quebec French dominates; a translation app helps with menus and signs.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Canada travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.