Looking to visit Quebec City but not sure where to begin? You're in the right place! Known for its beautiful cobblestone streets, historic European-style houses and squares, and a rich history dating back to the early 17th century, Quebec City is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities you'll visit in North America.
In this itinerary, you’ll find a day-by-day breakdown of the best things to do, where to stay, how to get around, and everything you need to plan the perfect trip to Quebec City. So, without further ado, let’s see how much you can experience in just 2 days in Quebec City!
- Quebec City Itinerary Map
- 2 Days in Quebec City: A Backpacking Itinerary
- Where to Stay in Quebec City?
- When to Visit Quebec City?
- How to Get to Quebec City?
- How to Get Around Quebec City?
- How Much Money Do I Need for 2 Days in Quebec City?
- Is it Safe in Quebec City?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for the Canada?
- What to Pack for Quebec City?
- Further Reading for Canada
Quebec City Itinerary Map
2 Days in Quebec City: A Backpacking Itinerary
Day 1: Discovering Quebec City's Old Town
One of the most iconic landmarks in Quebec, if not all of Canada, is the fairy-tale-like structure perched atop a bluff overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Château Frontenac, and that is where the first day of this itinerary begins.
Although it resembles a European castle, Château Frontenac is actually a hotel built in 1893 with the primary purpose of attracting tourists to the region. And it has certainly succeeded, as it's the photo of this hotel that first sparked my interest in visiting Quebec. This place is so popular that it has been crowned the most photographed hotel in the world, thanks to its grand châteauesque architectural style, iconic turrets, and copper roofs.
I highly recommend you come here as early as you can and you will likely have much of the place to yourself. You can also enter the hotel's lobby to admire its grand interior even if you are not a guest of the hotel, or you can enjoy views of the hotel from various points around the city. One of my favorite viewpoints is from Dufferin Terrace, which is where we’ll be heading next.
- Auberge Internationale de Quebec - HI CANADA (Budget)
- Hotel Manoir Morgan (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (High-End)
- Half-Day Trip to Montmorency Falls and Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré from Quebec city (4.5 hours)
- Old Quebec City Food & Drink Tour / Walking Tour (3 hours)
- Quebec City Walking Tour (2 hours)
Right next to Château Frontenac, you will find Dufferin Terrace, a vast boardwalk that spans along the bluff, offering a panoramic view of the St. Lawrence River and an unobstructed view of Château Frontenac. A perfect place for a morning stroll as you wait for the city to wake up.
Here, you will also find beautiful gazebos and benches where you can relax and enjoy an elevated view of Château Frontenac and the surrounding areas. In winter, you’ll find a toboggan slide at the southern end of the terrace where you can ride down the hill, a fun activity for all ages.
Spend some time taking photos of the view and Château Frontenac before continuing down the terrace until we reach the Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons Terrace, one of my favorite spots in the city and a place I often visit to relax at sunset. This terrace offers a stunning elevated view of the city, with an unobstructed sightline of both Château Frontenac and the entire Old Quebec area.
At the terrace, you will also find grassy areas where people often come to picnic and enjoy each other's company. It is a bit of a walk from downtown to the terrace, but trust me, the view is worth every drop of sweat. I love the viewpoint so much that I came here twice in one day, once during daylight and again at sunset, just to experience the beauty of the golden hour. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
After you are done, do not continue along the walls of the citadel quite yet as we will be doing that on our second day. For now, we are going to make our way down to Quartier Petit Champlain, an old historic neighborhood located just under the bluff where Château Frontenac stands. It is the place where you will find all the charming cobblestone streets and old stone houses the city is best known for.
Be sure to drop by and check out Escalier Casse-Cou (Breakneck Steps) while you explore Quartier Petit Champlain. This narrow stairway offers a fantastic view of the area from above. The stairs were given their current name in the mid-19th century due to their steepness, which I think is pretty cool, although I wish it had a darker story behind it 😂.
Another fantastic place to see stunning European-style stone houses in Quebec City is Place Royale, a historic square that feels like a small town in Western Europe, complete with a statue and a stone church in the center. It’s located right next to Quartier Petit Champlain, so you can easily continue your walk all the way here.
Established in the early 17th century, Place Royale is considered the birthplace of French America and offers a glimpse into the early days of Quebec City and the establishment of New France. The area was the city's commercial hub until the mid-19th century when it was moved uphill as the city expanded.
Right around the corner of Place Royale, you will also find a massive mural called Quebec City Mural. Measuring over 400 feet in length and 40 feet in height, it illustrates the history of Quebec City and pays homage to several notable figures. It was inaugurated in 1999 and painted by 12 French and Quebec artists over a 9-week period. It is quite a sight to behold.
Once that is done, you can drop by L'Antiquaire Buffet, a local restaurant known for its authentic Quebecois cuisine and warm, family-friendly atmosphere. It has been a local favorite for over 40 years. We can stop here for brunch.
The restaurant serves all kinds of breakfast food, which is my favorite type of food 😛, both Quebecois and others, like breakfast poutine, "Cipaille", a delicious meat pie, "Ragoût de Boulettes", a lovely meatball stew, and the universal classics like Egg Benedicts. They are delicious and come in a very generous portion. I had a breakfast plate here for lunch, and it filled me up for the entire day!
After lunch, you can come and check out the Museum of Civilization, located not far from Port Royale. The museum is best known for its interactive exhibitions that focus on understanding the various facets of human society, culture, and history.
The museum is housed in a stunning structure that blends modern design with its historic surroundings. Inside, you’ll find many exhibitions dedicated to understanding the human experience, from how the body works to how society functions, from the history of Quebec to the history of the world, and so much more.
That should take about 2 hours, and once you're done, you can spend the rest of the evening wandering around the old town. Be sure to return to Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons Terrace and relax on the grassy hill as you watch the sunset over the stunning skyline of Quebec City. It can get pretty windy and cold up here, especially after the sunset, so be sure to pack some layers.
Looking for a place for dinner? I highly recommend you check out Paillard, a café/boulangerie located right on the main street of Rue Saint-Jean. The place is known for its delicious breads and pastries, which perfectly combine the talent of French artisans with an "American-style" experience. It is a franchise native of Quebec, and a must-try when you are here.
It's like having a proper French bakery in Canada, offering a variety of delicious baked goods. They also serve some of the most delicious sandwiches I've tried, with the New Yorker being my favorite.
After dinner, you can come and check out Place D'Youville, a large public square that connects the Old Town to the rest of the city, and it is a vibrant gathering spot that often hosts various events and activities throughout the year.
There’s always something happening at the square. When I was there, several performers were entertaining the crowd with their music and dances, and it was a blast. You can check it out to see what's going on, or if you prefer, you can retreat for the night and prepare for your day trip to Montmorency Falls the following day.
Day 2: Visiting Montmorency Falls and the Plains of Abraham
Montmorency Falls is one of the most beautiful natural attractions near Quebec City, and it’s where we’ll spend our second day of the itinerary. Just a 40-minute bus ride will take you to this massive waterfall, surrounded by lush green vegetation, with several walking trails to explore.
The waterfall stands about 83 meters tall, which is 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls. You'll be able to admire it up close from all directions, whether from an elevated viewpoint, a distant vantage point, or right above the falls themselves, thanks to the walking paths and viewpoints built around the area.
To get to the waterfall, I recommend catching bus #800 from Gare du Palais Bus Stop. It’ll take you straight to Montmorency Falls in about 35 minutes for just around 3.5 CAD. When you get there, be sure to hop off at des Rapides Bus Stop, as it is closer to the entrance than the Montmorency Bus Stop. The entrance fee to the falls is 5.74 CAD per person.
Once you've entered, you have several options. You can either walk across the top of the waterfall and take the stairs down to the bottom, or you can take the cable car up and down directly from the entrance. Personally, I love walking, it allowed me to get up close to the waterfall, take my time, and really soak in the beauty of the place... literally! 😂
Make sure to pack a rain jacket, as you’ll definitely get wet the closer you get to the waterfall. It’s totally worth it, but in winter, the cold spray can be pretty brutal 😅. You can expect to spend at least half a day here, exploring the beautiful walking paths. I highly recommend visiting in autumn, as I did, when the fall colors of the trees are in full swing.
The entrance fee to the waterfall is around 9 CAD per person. The cable car costs around 15 CAD for a round-trip ticket and 13 CAD for a one-way ticket. There are often long lines for the cable car, so if you want to avoid the wait, I suggest walking up the same way you came down.
Just keep in mind that there is no bus stop at the bottom, so you’ll need to return to the entrance to catch the #800 bus back to Quebec City at the Montmorency Bus Stop. If you’d rather not deal with any of this, you can opt for an organized day trip to handle all the logistics for you.
After you are done with the waterfall, you can take the bus back to Quebec City, enjoy a little lunch break at Poutineville, and try some of the finest poutine dishes here before heading over to the Citadelle of Québec for a little afternoon stroll. The citadel is located right next to Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons Terrace, the sunset spot you visited the day before.
With our time limit, going inside the citadel is not recommended because in order to see inside, you will have to go on a guided tour and that requires quite a time commitment, so instead, I recommend you walk along the citadel's walls all the way to the Plains of Abraham, our next stop.
The Plains of Abraham, a historic park that played a pivotal role in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in the 18th century. This battle marked a significant turning point in the Seven Years' War, leading to British control over New France.
Today, the Plains of Abraham is Canada's first national historic park, and it is massive with the area encompassing about 98 hectares of land atop Cap Diamant. While you're here, you can visit The Plains of Abraham Museum to learn more about the events of the Seven Years' War, explore Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, an art gallery showcasing works from local artists, and enjoy the autumn views at Saint Laurent River Viewpoint, which connects back to Dufferin Terrace, a great way to return to the Old Town without having to climb any hills again.
If you're looking for another great sunset spot in Quebec City, consider heading up to the Observatoire de la Capitale, an observation deck located on the 31st floor of the Marie-Guyart Building, the city’s tallest skyscraper, standing at 132 meters. The admission fee is 14.75 CAD per person and you can reserve a spot here.
After sunset, head over to one of the many pubs and bars along Rue Saint-Jean Street for dinner and a fun evening before retreating for the night. Be sure to keep an eye out for more street performers along the way! Congratulations, you’ve completed this 2-day itinerary in Quebec City!
Where to Stay in Quebec City?
When to Visit Quebec City?
Autumn, from late September to early November, is without a doubt the best time to visit Quebec City. This region of Canada boasts some of the most breathtaking autumn colors in the world, with entire forests transforming into vibrant shades of orange and yellow by late October.
I was lucky enough to visit during this time, and the colors were absolutely stunning, I’ve never seen anything like it! Canada is, without question, the most beautiful country to visit in autumn. Summer months are fine too, but you won't get those beautiful autumn colors and perfect weather like you will get in autumn.
How to Get to Quebec City?
There aren’t many direct flights to Quebec City's airport from outside Canada, so your best option is to transit through Montreal, the province’s main travel hub. Airlines like Air Canada and Lufthansa offer flights to Quebec City, and you can use platforms like Skyscanner or Expedia to find the most affordable options from your home country.
How to Get From Quebec City Airport to Downtown?
I’ll be honest, there’s no easy way to get from Quebec City’s airport to downtown Quebec City using public transportation. Based on my experience taking the local bus #80 to Dorchester and then transferring to bus #800 to reach Old Quebec, I don't recommend it. While both buses are cheap (it was 3.5 CAD in total) and run frequently, the first leg took over 45 minutes because the bus makes frequent stops and can get quite crowded, as it’s not a dedicated airport shuttle.
After a long flight to Quebec City, you might not want to deal with such a hassle. For a more convenient option, you’re better off taking an Uber or booking a private transfer. This is especially recommended if you have a lot of luggage.
How to Get Around Quebec City?
By Walking: Quebec City is highly walkable, with most of its tourist attractions concentrated in the Old Town area. If you want easy access to all the city’s attractions on foot, I recommend staying in the Old Town area.
By Bus: For further away places like Montmorency Falls, you can rely on the city bus to take you there and back. You can easily use Google Maps to find which bus to take and what time you should be at the bus stop. The bus will cost 3.50 CAD per a 90-minute trip and you can transfer as many times as you like during the period.
RTC, the transit company in Quebec City, has phased out paper tickets. You can only purchase a ticket either from a machine on the bus using a contactless card (available on select buses) or via the RTC Paiement app (Apple | Android). Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can buy a ticket with your credit card and show it to the bus driver as you board. Be sure to activate the ticket a few minutes before boarding to avoid holding up the line.
How Much Money Do I Need for 2 Days in Quebec City?
From this 2-day itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:
Accommodation: For 3 nights in Quebec City, you can expect to pay around $93 USD for accommodation at a minimum, considering you are staying in hostels.
Food: For 2 days, 3 meals a day in Quebec City, you can expect to pay around 90 USD for food, considering you eat out for every meal. It will be cheaper if you cook them yourself.
Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to spend around 5 USD on transportation, mostly for buses to visit further away places. Other than that, you can walk pretty much everywhere in downtown.
Activities: Depending on how closely you follow my itinerary, you can expect to spend between $32.50 on activities.
Total Budget for 2 days in Quebec City: $220.5 USD
Is it Safe in Quebec City?
Quebec City is arguably one of the safest cities in Canada. I felt completely comfortable exploring the city alone, both during the day and at night, without any issues. Unlike many other cities in North America, I noticed far fewer homeless individuals. Quebec City truly feels like a little slice of Europe.
That said, like any other big cities, petty thefts can still happen. As long as you stay aware of your surroundings, know where your belongings are, and avoid making yourself an easy target, especially when walking alone at night, you should be completely fine here.
Which tourist SIM card is best for the Canada?
There are three major carriers in Canada, namely Rogers, Telus, and Bell, that offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists to purchase while traveling in the country. You can usually grab these SIM cards right at the airport, but if you have a smartphone and want data immediately when you arrive, you might want to consider an eSIM.
If you have a smartphone that supports eSIMs, I highly recommend you take a look at this eSIM. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from, ranging from 1 GB for 7 days costing only 6 USD to 20 GB for 30 days costing 49 USD.
The setup is fast and instant, and you can buy it before your trip so you don't have to scramble to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local SIM card, with 4G speed across the entire country.
For more information on eSIMs in Canada, click here: Check the Canada Available eSIM.
What to Pack for Quebec City?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Quebec City, Canada:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Canada
If you are looking for more articles about Canada, here are a few articles that might help you plan your trip:
- Want to visit Canada in 10 days? Here's an itienrary for you: 10 Days in Canada: A Backpacking Itinerary without Cars.
- Toronto's true charm lies within its diverse neighborhoods. To really experience the best the city has to offer, you are going to need this guide: Discover Toronto: 12 Awesome Things to Do and See.
- You can experience so much in Toronto in just 3 days! Check out this complete itinerary for first-time visitors: 3 Days in Toronto: A Backpacking Itinerary.
- Niagara Falls is as epic as it gets when it comes to natural destinations. If you want to visit it, you are going to need this travel guide: Exploring Canada's Niagara Falls in a Day: A Complete Travel Guide.
- Being the largest city in French Canada, Montreal strikes the perfect balance between nature and city life, and it is jam-packed with awesome things to do and see. Here are the 10 Incredible Things to Do in Montreal.
- If you want to visit Montreal on a weekend trip, this itinerary is for you! 2 Days in Montreal: The Ultimate Itinerary.
- One of my favorite cities in Canada, Quebec City is a fascinating destination to visit. From its rich history to a charming touch of European romanticism that you can't find anywhere else in North America, you do not want to miss it when you are in Canada. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Quebec City.
- To see all articles about Canada, be sure to check out our Canada travel guide page.
- For a complete itinerary of both the US and Canada, check out: One Month in USA & Canada: A Backpacking Itinerary without Cars.
- Looking for more travel guides for North America? You will find more over at our North America page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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