Old Quebec

Québec City
Le Château Frontenac showing heritage architecture
This walled, historic district is internationally recognized as a World Heritage Site and contains Québec’s oldest and most famous buildings and attractions.

Enjoy the ambience of Old Québec when you walk its narrow cobblestone streets, admire its traditional French architecture and visit its boutiques and bistros. The old city rises from the Place-Royale on the banks of the St. Lawrence River all the way up to Château Frontenac at the top of the Cap Diamant promontory. 

Old Québec is the only walled city in North America and is carefully preserved as a World Heritage Site. Covering 333 acres (135 hectares) the quarter is divided into two parts: the Lower Town (Basse-Ville) and the Upper Town (Haute-Ville). The district contains many of Québec’s oldest and most significant buildings, many of which date from before 1850.

Walk along the streets of the Lower Town. Check out the museums and old buildings of the Old Port (Vieux-Port), and go shopping for antiques along Rue Saint-Paul. Sit down for a meal at one of the bistros lining the pedestrian-only Rue du Petit-Champlain. To get to the Upper Town, take a ride on the cable railway or climb the adjacent stairway on the north end of this street. 

The Upper Town sits on the promontory of Cap Diamant, high above the St. Lawrence River, and is dotted with fortifications. Walk the circuit past the walls, towers, bastions and gates that once kept invading American armies at bay. Take pictures of the turreted Château Frontenac, the grand hotel dominating Québec’s skyline.

Explore historic sites such as the Citadelle of Québec, a star-shaped fortress. This massive structure houses a regiment of the Canadian Army, which regularly performs a Changing of the Guard ceremony. Walk along Dufferin Terrace, a long promenade. Take a seat on a bench and watch the boats glide by on the river below.

Old Québec is best navigated on foot or by bike. You can also explore the district by using the small Écolobus, a cheap, electric city bus that moves between the Upper and Lower towns. Alternatively, take a taxi or rent a car. Note that parking is metered and limited and some of the streets are narrow and crowded.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Old Quebec

Hôtel Manoir Vieux Québec
Hôtel Manoir Vieux Québec
3.5 out of 5
6 Rue de la Porte, Québec City, QC
The price is P7,757 per night from 2 May to 3 May
P7,757
per night
2 May - 3 May
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Québec City. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (571 reviews)
"Overall, my stay at Manoir Vieux Quebec was excellent. Special thanks to Emma, Lea, Edouard, Samuel, Élodie, Alexandra, Maxime and the team for their exceptional service and hospitality. Can't wait to return! thanks to the incredible team who made me feel right at home! :) I have to mention the amenities ..."

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024

Hôtel Manoir Vieux Québec
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
4.5 out of 5
1 rue des Carrieres, Québec City, QC
The price is P16,190 per night from 2 May to 3 May
P16,190
per night
2 May - 3 May
Stay at this spa hotel in Québec City. Enjoy 3 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,730 reviews)
"This has got to be the most beautiful place to stay in Quebec. Everything was absolutely perfect. I enjoyed staying here. It was a great birthday here in Quebec and staying here was the icing on the cake. Loved that shopping, sightseeing and dining was conveniently close."

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2024

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Hôtel Palace Royal
Hôtel Palace Royal
4 out of 5
775 Honoré-Mercier Ave, Québec City, QC
The price is P8,303 per night from 5 May to 6 May
P8,303
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Québec City. Enjoy breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,141 reviews)
"Our stay was really nice, the staff was friendly with great hospitality and customer service! The building is old but very well maintained, the swimming pool was clean and the staff were attentive. The restaurant downstairs offers excellent dining experience. Our outside view from the room was beautiful! ..."

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2024

Hôtel Palace Royal
Hotel Port Royal
Hotel Port Royal
4 out of 5
144, rue Saint-Pierre, Québec City, QC
The price is P7,870 per night from 3 May to 4 May
P7,870
per night
3 May - 4 May
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Québec City. Enjoy free WiFi, a marina, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,830 reviews)
Beautiful hotel
"The hotel was beautiful and in a great location. The staff was friendly and very helpful whenever we needed assistance. The room was larger than expected and very comfortable."

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2024

Hotel Port Royal
Hotel Manoir Victoria
Hotel Manoir Victoria
4 out of 5
44, Cote du Palais, Québec City, QC
The price is P8,265 per night from 3 May to 4 May
P8,265
per night
3 May - 4 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Québec City. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,043 reviews)
"Great location for the hotel. A one night stay for us but I am certain it woumd be great for even longer."

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2024

Hotel Manoir Victoria
Monsieur Jean, Vieux Québec
Monsieur Jean, Vieux Québec
4 out of 5
2 Rue Pierre Olivier Chauveau, Québec City, QC
The price is P8,764 per night from 2 May to 3 May
P8,764
per night
2 May - 3 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Québec City. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,009 reviews)
"We stayed at this hotel for 3 nights. The staff were excellent. I had 2 year old traveling with us and they had the diaper genie to dispose any soiled diapers. The hotel is located very centrally and is in walking distance from all amenities and attractions. Highly recommend this place"

Reviewed on Apr 28, 2024

Monsieur Jean, Vieux Québec
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 street scenes, signage and a city

Upper Town

While visiting Upper Town, you might make a stop by sights like Quebec City Town Hall and Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec.

Upper Town
Quebec showing signage, street scenes and a city

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
Quebec showing a city as well as an individual male

Old Port Quebec City

Old Port Quebec City is known for its stunning river views, and you can see some sights in the area like Quebec Cruise Terminal and Agora Port de Quebec.

Old Port Quebec City
Parks Canada\'s Dufferin Terrace which includes landscape views, a castle and a city

Lower Town

The ample dining options and beautiful river views are top of the list for many visitors to Lower Town. A stop by Quebec Cruise Terminal or Museum of Civilization might round out your trip.

Lower Town
Upper Town featuring a park

Saint-Jean-Baptiste

While visiting Saint-Jean-Baptiste, you might make a stop by sights like Grand Theatre of Quebec and Saint-Jean Street.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Default Image

Saint-Roch

Saint-Roch is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Marina Saint-Roch and The Museum of L'Isle-aux-Grues while you're in town.

Saint-Roch

Old Quebec