Old Quebec is small enough to cover on foot, but it is built on a cliff, so the routes involve stairs and slopes. Wear shoes with grip, and in winter wear boots, because the Governor’s Promenade and the steps ice over. Prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). A guide is optional, since the main streets are signed and busy. Upper Town loop Start at Place d’Armes in front of the Château Frontenac and walk along Dufferin Terrace, which runs along the cliff top.

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.

Old Quebec is easy to enjoy as a couple on foot: cobbled lanes, lit stone houses and river views are all close together. Prices below are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and hours change by season, so confirm before you plan an evening around one place. Book dinners and spa slots ahead, especially on weekends and during Carnaval in February. A dinner in Old Quebec Aux Anciens Canadiens at 34 rue Saint-Louis serves in the Maison Jacquet, one of the oldest houses in Old Quebec, dated between 1675 and 1677 depending on the source.

Quebec City is a good base for one or two nights along the St Lawrence to the northeast. The classic loop covers Charlevoix and Tadoussac, with the city as the starting point. Prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and most operator prices are before tax. Winter storms from November to April can close coast roads, so build in a spare day if you travel in the cold months. Charlevoix by road Route 138 runs northeast from the city to Baie-Saint-Paul, a small town known for its galleries and the Musée d’art contemporain.

Quebec City works well with children, though the cobbled hills and stairs are hard on strollers. Prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and are mostly 2026 figures, so check the operator before you commit. Ask for child and family tickets, because many attractions price by age or height. Aquarium du Québec The aquarium is at 1675 avenue des Hôtels in Sainte-Foy, not in the old town. Animals listed include polar bears, walruses, harbour seals, leopard sharks, a giant Pacific octopus, jellyfish and touch tanks.

Most day trips from Quebec City take 20 to 50 minutes by road, and prices below are in Canadian dollars (CAD). A car is the easiest way to link several stops, but the falls are on a city bus line. Winter storms can close roads from November to April, so check the forecast before you leave. Montmorency Falls Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, at 5300 boulevard Sainte-Anne, has an 83 m fall, which the park says is 30 m higher than Niagara.

Quebec City packs several paid indoor and guided attractions into the walled Upper Town and its edges. All prices here are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and come from 2026 rate pages, so confirm the current figure before you buy. Several places sell by guided visit only, which affects when you can turn up. La Citadelle de Québec The Citadelle at 1 côte de la Citadelle is an active military base, so visits are guided only.

Quebec City sits on the north bank of the St Lawrence, and most of what to do is within a short bus ride of the walled Old Town. Prices here are in Canadian dollars (CAD). Many operators quote them before tax, and the combined sales tax is 14.975%, so the final bill is higher. French is the common language, and a friendly “Bonjour” at the counter goes a long way. Staff in tourist areas are generally bilingual.