Sightseeing in Old Quebec and Beyond

October 20, 2026

Old Quebec is a walled city on a cliff above the St Lawrence, with an Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and a Lower Town (Basse-Ville) joined by stairs and a funicular. Most sights are free to look at from outside, and the paid ones are listed here in Canadian dollars (CAD) with 2026 figures. Check the current price before you go.

City walls and gates

The Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site is run by Parks Canada. Walking the walls is free and self-guided, and the gates include Porte Saint-Jean and Porte Kent. The guided tour lasts about 90 minutes, with an optional extension to 120, and it meets at the Frontenac kiosk on Dufferin Terrace. The listed fees were about 22.75 CAD for adults, 21.25 for seniors and 12.75 for youth on an undated page. The 2026 tour season ran from 19 June to 25 October, with English tours at 10:00 and 14:00 daily to 30 August, then Wednesday to Sunday at 10:00. See the Parks Canada tour page .

Dufferin Terrace and the Saint-Louis forts

Dufferin Terrace runs along the cliff top in front of the Château Frontenac and measured about 430 m after its 1879 extension. At the far end near the Citadelle, the Governor’s Promenade climbs a multi-level staircase up to the Plains. Both are icy in winter, so wear boots with grip. Under the terrace are the ruins of the Château Saint-Louis, the seat of French and British governors from 1620 to 1834, part of the Forts et Châteaux Saint-Louis site. In 2026 it was open from 16 May to 25 October, daily to 12 October and then Wednesday to Sunday, from 9:30 to 17:00, with guided and audio tours. The price was not confirmed, and youth enter free. The details are on the Parks Canada site page .

Lower Town

The Escalier Casse-Cou, one of the city’s oldest stairways, has 59 steps and leads down to Rue du Petit-Champlain. You can ride the funicular instead, at 7 CAD one way for adults, and children under 117 cm are free. In Place Royale, the Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires is described as one of the oldest stone churches in North America. The Fresque des Québécois mural nearby is easy to find.

Plains of Abraham

The Plains of Abraham sit within a battlefield park of 103 hectares, so treat it with some quiet respect, because the 1759 battle took place here. The Plains of Abraham Museum at 835 avenue Wilfrid-Laurier includes Martello Tower 1 and is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00. In 2026 adult rates were 17.00 CAD from 2 July to 7 September and 13.75 from 8 September, with 11.50 for seniors and ages 13 to 17, and 32.50 for a family. Entry is free on 11 November and 17 March. Start from the museum page .

Cathedral and Parliament

The Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec is at 16 rue De Buade and is an active place of worship. Tourism sources describe its Holy Door as the only one outside Europe, and the crypt holds bishops and four governors of New France. Hours and admission are not confirmed, so check before visiting, and keep quiet during services. The Parliament Building has free guided and self-guided visits, with photo ID needed from age 16, but its chamber is closed for renovation.

Practical tips

French is the common language, so start with “Bonjour”. Quebec City has no metro, only RTC buses, with a 1-day pass at 10.50 CAD. Winter winds off the river are sharp. Guided sightseeing options are listed on GetYourGuide .