Photo: Wilfredor, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
The 5-day plan, rearranged for 2 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
The tall copper-roofed hotel that rules the skyline, a landmark of the city. Look at it from the square and from the terrace below, and enjoy the turrets and the green roofs from outside.
Go when Early morning, when the copper roofs catch the first light.
Local tip The best view of it is from the terrace below, and from across the river at the ferry. Look at it from outside, and you have seen the main thing.
A narrow lane of low stone houses, with small galleries, craft shops and cafes. It is often called one of the prettiest streets in the city, and it is best walked slowly, without a plan.
Go when Mid-morning, before the lane fills up.
Local tip Walk to the end and back, and look into the small courtyards. Many of the best shops are down a few steps from the lane.
Quebec makes very good cheese. Buy a wedge, a fresh baguette and a jar of jam, then sit by the water and eat it slowly.
Local tip Ask the shop for a cheese from Charlevoix or the island, and let them pick for you.
A short ride down the cliff in a small glass car, from the terrace to the Lower Town. It saves your knees going down, and the view on the way is the point.
Go when Morning, on the way down to the Lower Town.
Local tip It runs between the terrace and the lane below. The ride is short, so enjoy the view of the river as you go down.
The square where the city began, ringed by steep-roofed stone houses and a small old church. Sit on a step and let the morning go by.
Go when Midday, with a pause on the steps of the old church.
Local tip Look up at the steep roofs and the dormer windows. The square is small, but the houses around it tell the whole story of early Quebec.
A star-shaped fort on the cliff, still a working military base. Walk the grounds to see the walls and the view over the river. Check ahead for how visits are arranged.
Go when Afternoon, then walk down to the river as the light softens.
Local tip Wear sturdy shoes, because the grounds are uneven and the walls have steps. Check ahead for how visits and tours are arranged.
The great green park on the cliff, where a famous battle was fought long ago. Today it is for strolling, picnics and river views, and it is a lovely place for a slow walk for two.
Go when Afternoon, with a picnic from a bakery in town.
Local tip Walk to the edge of the cliff for a view down on the river. In winter, people ski and snowshoe here.
The old city is still ringed by its stone walls, and you can walk along stretches of them, through gates and past cannons. Start at the gate on the west side and go slowly.
Go when Afternoon, when the walls are warm and the paths are quiet.
Local tip Walk a stretch on top and then come down at a gate. You do not need to do the whole circuit to enjoy it.
A wide wooden boardwalk on the edge of the cliff, high above the river. Walk the length of it at the end of the day, then sit on a bench and watch the light and the ferries.
Go when Around sunset (about 6:57 PM), then stay as the lights come on across the water.
Local tip Walk the boardwalk end to end, then find a bench near the middle. In winter a toboggan slide is set up at one end, so check ahead.
Tourtière is the classic Quebec meat pie, spiced and baked until golden. A simple, warm supper in a small bistro after a day of walking.
Local tip Share one and ask for a green salad on the side.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A tall waterfall, taller than Niagara, that drops straight into the river a short way east of town. There are stairs, a bridge over the top and a cable car, so choose the walk that suits you.
Go when Morning, when the mist is rising and the paths are quiet.
Local tip Walk the stairs beside the falls for a close look at the water, or cross the bridge across the top. Take the cable car back up if your legs have had enough.
A quiet village at the western tip of the island, with old houses and a view back across the channel to the city and the falls.
Go when Morning, as the first stop on the island loop.
Local tip Walk to the edge of the village for a view back at the falls and the city across the water. The light is best in the early day.
Roadside stands on the island sell apples, jams, pies and cheese in season. Put together a picnic of whatever is fresh and eat it by the river.
Local tip Bring a tote bag and a little cash, because small stands do not always take cards.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, May to June and September are the most comfortable months for walking around Quebec City. This plan is built for late September, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 2 days in Quebec City, planned for late September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 4.1 to 4.3 kilometers between its stops, and 8.4 kilometers in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
4 days of eating in MontrealAbout 240 km awayAn easy add-on
4 days in Acadia and Bar HarborAbout 360 km away
4 days in BostonAbout 500 km awayOther guides with a page about Quebec City. Each one opens in a new tab.
WikivoyageQuebec City, the free travel guideLonely PlanetQuebec City travel guideTime OutThings to do in Quebec CityPhoto: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Wilfredor, CC0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
.jpg){kind=link}