How to Spend One Incredible Day in Quebec City
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Planning to spend 1 day in Quebec City and wondering how to make the most of it? Whether you’re stopping over on a Quebec road trip or just passing through, this fairy tale city is packed with charm, history, and plenty of things to do.
Dave and I spent 2 nights and 1 day in Quebec City during our Fall road trip, and we instantly fell in love with the cobblestone streets, gorgeous old buildings, and the stunning Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – the most photographed hotel in the world!
We also found that the city has so much more than history. Bike rides along the waterfront, cozy bars and restaurants, and even ziplining over Montmorency Falls.
In this guide, I’ll share exactly how to see Quebec City in a day, including must-see sights in Old Quebec, where to eat and stay, and a few outdoor adventures you won’t want to miss.
1 Day Quebec City Itinerary
Quick Tips for Visiting Quebec City
Where to Stay (my choices):
Budget: Hotel AtypiQ
Moderate: Best Western Plus City Centre Centre-Ville – where we stayed and it was SO nice. Not in the Old Town but still within walking distance to everything.
Luxury: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Best time to visit: October for Fall colours or Winter for magical snow and festivities.
Airport: Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport to Quebec City (30 mins drive)
Top things to do:
– Visit La Citadelle de Québec
– Explore the Petit-Champlain District & Old Quebec City
– Montmorency Falls and Île d’Orléans Cruise
– Visit the Notre-Dame De Quebec Basilica Cathedral
Where is Quebec City
Quebec City is located in the province of Quebec in the North-East of Canada. The map below shows the must-see spots which are included in the One Day in Quebec City Itinerary in this blog post.
Click here to open the map in Google Maps!
How to Get to Quebec City
Quebec City has its very own international airport called the Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport. The easiest way to reach Quebec City from anywhere in the world, is to catch a flight.
Some average flight times (non-stop) are below:
From Vancouver: 5 hours
From Toronto: 1.5 hours
From Montreal: 1 hour
From Calgary: 4 hours
Visiting Quebec City from Montreal
If you are visiting Montreal and want to spend a day exploring Quebec City, you can join a day tour from Montreal. This tour will take you to Montmorency Falls along with a few of Quebec City’s historic landmarks and a cruise along the St. Lawrence River. The Falls is extremely impressive and I highly recommend see them!
👉 Book a trip to Quebec City from Montreal here
How to get from Quebec City Airport to Downtown
To get to Downtown Quebec City from the airport, you can either rent a car at the airport or take a taxi. We had a car but that’s because we had just done a big road trip. Personally, I don’t think you need a car in Quebec because it is a great city for walking around.
If you don’t want to catch a taxi from the airport, you can catch public transport. There are a couple of buses – bus route 76 and bus route 80 which will take you Downtown. You will find more information on these routes here.
A bit about Quebec City
Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America. It was founded in 1608 by a French explorer named Samuel de Champlain which explains its French influence.
Quebec City is also one of the only North American City ( along with Campeche in Mexico) which has preserved its defensive works and walls around Old Quebec which makes it unique and makes you feel like you have stepped into a European city, rather than a Canadian one.
Is One Day in Quebec City Enough?
We spent 1 day / 2 nights in Quebec City and felt like we had enough time to see the main must-see spots in the city while also being able to relax and enjoy the restaurant scene.
1 day is perfect if you just want to visit the main sights in Quebec City. However, I think that 2 days would also be a really great amount of time to spend in Quebec City so that you don’t feel as rushed.
When is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Quebec City
Quebec City has something special to offer in every season but personally, I think the best two seasons are Fall and Winter.
During Fall, you will get to see the gorgeous colours both in the city and out of the city. If you have time, I recommend venturing out of the city on a day hiking tour to see the incredible fall colours in one of the National Parks.
👉 Book a hiking tour to see the Fall colours here!
In Winter, Quebec City is blanketed in snow and it turns into a really magical city. The snow combined with the old style buildings and lights is like something out of a movie! I haven’t been but it is EXTREMELY high up on my bucket list because I’ve seen photos of the cobblestone streets under a blanket of snow with fairy lights above.
Spring brings Quebec City to life as more and more people begin to enjoy the sun and the outdoors again. Flowers bloom all over the city’s parks and gardens and there are plenty of fun activities to keep you busy such as trying the classic Maple on a Stick or going for a bike ride around the city.
Summer is the time to enjoy the outdoors by going mountain biking or ziplining and soak up the sun by enjoying some of the city’s outdoor restaurant terraces.
Quebec City 1 Day Itinerary
Figuring out what you should spend your time doing and seeing in any city is hard but especially if you only have 1 day. Here is the perfect 1 day itinerary to help you cross off all the major sights in Quebec City off your bucket list.
Morning – Château Frontenac and Breakfast
If you aren’t staying at the Château Frontenac, you should still definitely visit it, even if it’s just to admire it from the outside. This iconic castle-like Cinderella-style hotel isn’t just the most photographed hotel in the world, it’s also one of the most magical places to step inside in Quebec City.
After snapping photos, head inside for a hot drink (yes, even the Starbucks here feels special, although very busy). I grabbed my Quebec City Souvenir mug and a hot chocolate to warm up. I collect these everywhere I go so we stopped here to get one along with a hot chocolate to warm up.
f you’re looking for something more indulgent, the breakfast buffet at the Fairmont is a great way to experience a slice of luxury, even if you’re not an overnight guest.
But if you really want to experience the Château Frontenac beyond the lobby, I highly recommend booking a guided tour of the hotel. You’ll get behind-the-scenes stories, explore the stunning architecture, and learn why the hotel is such an important piece of Quebec City’s history.
Book early
Late Morning – Dufferin Terrace and La Citadelle de Quebec
Go for a walk along Dufferin Terrace and visit La Citadelle de Québec.
Dufferin Terrace is the place where Fort Saint’Louis used to stand in the 1600s. You can look through a glass protected wall to see underneath the terrace where the archaeological crypts of the Saint-Louis Forts and Chateaux National Historic Site sits.
This spot is an easy stroll from the Fairmont Hotel. It is right next to the St Laurence River so you can enjoy stunning views out to the river.
Continuing from Dufferin Terrace, walk along the pier towards La Citadelle de Québec. The Citadel is an important part of the city’s history. It’s the biggest military fort in North America that’s still in use by soldiers. You can book a tour to see inside the Citadel and witness the changing of the guard.
We didn’t do a tour when we were there but we still were able to enjoy the insane views out towards the river and the Château Frontenac.
Afternoon – Petit-Champlain District and Lunch
This street has existed since the beginning of Quebec City in 1608 and has been named the most charming street in Canada. It started out simply as a street where people lived but today it is filled with loads of boutiques, restaurants and art galleries.
Walking up this street will make you feel as though you have stepped straight into a fairy tale.
Once you are done with shopping and admiring the beautiful fairy tale-like architecture, this is a great opportunity to grab some lunch from one of the bistros on the street such as Bistrot Le Pape Georges or L’Orygine.
Late Afternoon – Notre-Dame De Quebec Basilica Cathedral and Boat Sightseeing Cruise
The Old Town has lots of other fascinating sights to explore, including the Notre-Dame De Quebec Basilica Cathedral.
If there aren’t any private events going on (there was a wedding when we were there), you can step inside the cathedral and admire the stained glass windows, organs and incredible architecture.
By late afternoon, your feet will probably be sore and ready to rest which makes this the perfect time to switch things up and see Quebec City from the water. A sightseeing cruise will take you from Old Quebec, along the St. Lawrence River past Montmorency Falls and Île d’Orléans, all while offering postcard-worth views of the Château Frontenac. You’ll also hear fascinating stories about the city’s history.
The cruises run about about 3 times a day and last 1.5 hours with one leaving at a perfect 4pm (potentially golden hour depending on the time of year) which will get you back in time for dinner in Old Quebec.
Don’t miss out!
👉 Don’t wait – book your Quebec City Sightseeing Cruise tickets here in advance to guarantee your spot and avoid missing out on this magical experience!
Evening – Dinner and Drinks
It’s been a fun filled but exhausting day of exploring Quebec City and all you feel now is a delicious meal and a nice cold bevvy before heading back to your hotel. Some restaurants to check out are:
- Chez Boulay: Bistro Boréal
- Bistro Hortus
- La Bûche
- Le Champlain
- Le Continental
Or alternatively, join a 5-Course Gourmet Food Tour in Old Quebec. My mouth is watering just thinking about this!
Top Tours & Tickets for Your 1 Day in Quebec City
| Tour | Duration | Why It’s Worth It | Book Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Château Frontenac Guided Tour | 1 hour | Explore the most photographed hotel in the world and uncover its history | 👉Book here |
| Quebec City Sightseeing Cruise | 1.5 hours | Relax on the St. Lawrence River with views of Montmorency Falls & the Château Frontenac | 👉Reserve here |
| Montreal to Quebec City Day Trip | Full day | Perfect if you’re based in Montreal but don’t want to miss Quebec City | 👉Book here |
| Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass | Flexible | See all the major sights at your own pace without worrying about transport | 👉Get pass here |
If you have more time in Quebec City
If you have some extra time in Quebec City, I recommend checking out Montmorency Falls because they are super impressive!
To get there, you can ether drive or join a tour and once you are there, there are few different things to do besides simply admiring the falls, such as ziplining or getting a cable car over the falls.
Quebec City Packing List
Your packing list for Quebec City will depend on what time of year you decide to visit. We visited Quebec City during Fall and so it was a little on the colder side so we had warm jackets, beanies, gloves and rain coats with us.
- Good walking shoes for walking around the city all day
- Your Camera
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- A map of the city or your phone with google maps
- Day backpack
- Water
frequently asked questions
Where to Find the Best Falls Colours in Quebec
Quebec is famous for having insanely epic Fall foliage! The best way to see the colours is to rent a car and go on a road trip to some of the national parks.
The hikes that we did on our road trip through Quebec absolutely blew our mind! The colours were insane and we had all of the viewpoints to ourselves. I can’t recommend this road trip more!
🍁 If you want to visit Quebec in the Fall, read this guide before you start planning!
If you are heading to Quebec, you might also find the following guides helpful:
- Mont Du Dome: One of Quebec’s Best Fall Hikes
- Where to find the Best Fall Colours in Quebec
- Mont du Lac à l’Empêche – Beautiful Fall Hike in Quebec
- Where to Stay in Quebec City
- Best Fall Hikes in Quebec
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