Stories · Canada
5 days in Quebec City
Not a list: a thread to follow, at your own pace.
My first time in Quebec City, I tried to see everything and mostly saw queues. Now I do it differently: a few places a day, the right ones, in the right order. Here is my 5-day thread.
Day 1 · Museums and culture
To start, it’s The Citadelle of Québec. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (9,771 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.
Around noon, head to Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons Terrace. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. 4.7 out of 5 across 768 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.
For lunch, Quebec G1R 3R2 is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, I make my way to Governors’ Promenade. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Quebec City is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 2 · Fresh air
Early in the morning, meet me at Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (4,648 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
Then, head to Place d'Armes. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (984 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around Quebec G1R 4A1: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
Later, head to Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (262 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Quebec City does the rest.
Day 3 · The icons
In the morning, meet me at Montmorency Falls. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.7 out of 5 across 38,935 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or also check Tiqets.
Late morning, it’s Museum of Civilization. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 9,104 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
For lunch, Quebec G1C 2H1 is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
In the afternoon, meet me at Place des Canotiers. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (1,845 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Quebec City is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 4 · The icons
To start, meet me at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.7 out of 5 across 28,000 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.
Late morning, it’s Aquarium of Quebec. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Unmissable, and for good reason. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, meet me at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.6 out of 5 across 1,500 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Getting there: how to get there. To get a feel for it: travellers’ reviews.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Quebec City does the rest.
Day 5 · The icons
Early in the morning, meet me at Quebec City Mural. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. 4.7 out of 5 across 1,161 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.
Then, head to Quebec Old City Center Swing. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around Quebec G1K 4E3: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
Later, meet me at Place Royale. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.7 out of 5 across 2,743 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Quebec City is a city that tells itself better at night.
If you’re still hungry
Other places I wish I could have fitted in: Plains of Abraham, Dufferin Terrace, Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Escalier Casse-Cou, Parliament Building and Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec. Slip them in wherever a day feels light.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
There. The rest is yours: the detours, the encounters, the café that becomes your own.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.