Quebec City is one of the most beautiful cities in eastern Canada and should be on every bucket list! Although it is small compared to Montreal and Toronto, it does not lack beauty, history, and things to do.

Quebec City was on our bucket list for years, and when we finally visited, it did not disappoint! It felt like the perfect balance of history and culture. The architecture was stunning, the food was delicious, and the things to do were endless.

Although you can spend a week exploring everything the city offers, you can see the must-see attractions in a few days. We spent our weekend walking along the oldest streets in North America, taking a river cruise, and visiting museums. I created this guide to have everything you need to know about planning the best Quebec City 2-day itinerary!

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Tips for Visiting Quebec City

Take advantage of the bus system. If you are spending most of your time in the city, you do not need to rent a car, in my opinion. Everything is within walking distance, or you can use their bus system. We walked almost everywhere we wanted to go!
Wear comfortable shoes. If you plan to walk around Quebec City, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. The cobblestone streets are steep and not smooth, so wearing supportive shoes is helpful.
Exchange your money for Canadian Dollars. Although most attractions and restaurants accept credit cards, it is always nice to have some cash on hand for smaller shops or street vendors who may not accept cards.
Pack layers. No matter what season you visit, I recommend packing a rain jacket and some layers in case the weather changes. If you visit in the winter, you should pack warm clothes and jackets. Trust me, it is freezing in the winter!
Download a translation app. Although many people in Quebec City speak English, their primary language is French, and many signs are in French. I recommend downloading an app, like iTranslate, to help you navigate through the city.

How to Get to Quebec City

If you are flying into Quebec City, the closest airport is the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport. You could also fly into Montreal and take a bus into the city since it will have more direct flight options.

Once at the airport, there are buses that run into the city, making it easy if you are not renting a car. If you If you rent a car the drive is less than 30 minutes!

Since we are in New England, we drove ourselves into the city. We made sure to book an accommodation with free parking since we wanted to walk around the city.

When to Visit Quebec City

Honestly, Quebec City is a year-round destination so you really cannot go wrong with any season you visit. When you visit will depend on how you want to experience the city!

Late spring is a beautiful time to visit Quebec City as everything begins to bloom. You can enjoy strolling through the downtown, visiting nearby hiking trails, or attending spring festivals. But depending on the snow totals that winter, the snow can sometimes last through much of spring.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Quebec City because the weather is warm, and the days are long, allowing you to make the most of your days and enjoy endless activities. Everything in the summer is open, and there is not a shortage of activities. You can also enjoy eating outside on the beautiful city streets at its many restaurants. There is nothing like enjoying delicious food on a cobblestone street in warm weather!
Fall in Quebec City is beautiful! Not only is the weather perfect for walking around, but the streets are lined with vibrant foliage. You can spend your days exploring the city or traveling a little further out to one of the many parks for hiking and enjoying the fall foliage. The city also has many festivals and events in the fall, so there is something to do for everyone!
Winter is an underrated time to visit Quebec City because it is beautiful when covered in snow. But it is very cold, and the city receives an average of 124 inches each year. Quebec City has many fun winter activities and festivals, so there is not a shortage of fun things to do! And you can even stay in an ice hotel, which is one of the most unique things to do!

Where to Stay in Quebec City

Although you really cannot go wrong with anywhere you stay in Quebec City, I recommend staying in Old Quebec or Parliament Hill. We stayed near Parliament Hill, which was within walking distance from most of the attractions on our itinerary.

Hotels in Quebec City:

Quebec City 2-Day Itinerary: Best Things to Do

I created this itinerary to have some of the best and most popular things to do in Quebec City! Trust me, you will fall in love with walking along the oldest streets in North America while enjoying the views, architecture, and food!

Day 1 in Quebec City

The first day in this Quebec City itinerary explores the most iconic places in the city. You will love learning about its history, walking down the cobblestone streets, and eating delicious food.

Château Frontenac

>> Check out the guided tour!

Château Frontenac is the most beautiful building in Quebec City, in my opinion, and it is one of the most photographed hotels in the world! It was built in 1893 and became a National Historic Site in Canada in 1981. The hotel has over 600 rooms for guests, and each room is stunning. If you have it in your budget to stay here, I highly recommend it!

Although it is a hotel, you do not need to stay at the Château Frontenac to enjoy its beauty. One of my favorite things to do is walk around its grounds to enjoy the stunning architecture and views along the water. You can also go inside the lobby and visit its historical artifacts.

If you want to learn more about its history and explore everything the Château Frontenac offers, I recommend taking a guided tour!

Château Frontenac hotel - quebec city 2-day itinerary

Dufferin Terrace

Before you leave the area near Château Frontenac, I recommend visiting the Dufferin Terrace to get one of the best views of Château Frontenac and the St Lawrence River. I recommend strolling along the walkway while enjoying the views or enjoy the many fun activities and festivals set up there.

In the winter, you can enjoy a fun (and fast!) toboggan ride, and in the summer, you can listen to the musicians playing along the promenade. I love this area, so I know you will enjoy visiting it!

Château Frontenac - quebec city 2-day itinerary

Funiculaire

Once you are ready to continue exploring Quebec City, you can either walk down to the lower section near Petit-Champlain or enjoy a fun ride on the Funiculaire.

I recommend riding the Funiculaire at least once because it is a fun and unique way to descend into the lower half of Quebec City while enjoying the views.

Petit-Champlain

Once you are in the lower section of the city, I recommend exploring Petit-Champlain, a beautiful district along the St Lawrence River with shops, museums, and restaurants. Walking along the cobblestone streets is fun in and of itself, but I recommend exploring the little shops in the district as well.

Although the area is beautiful year-round, winter is one of the best times to visit because it is decorated for the holidays for the entire season. When we visited in the winter, we loved walking along the snow-covered streets while enjoying delicious food and shopping in cute shops. The holiday decorations along every street were the cherry on top!

Place Royale

Place Royale is also in Petit-Champlain and is one of the most picturesque squares in Quebec City. This historic square was the first permanent French settlement in North America, and now it is home to some of the most beautiful cobblestone streets. If you are a photographer, you will love this area!

I recommend getting a coffee or pastry from Café La Maison Smith Notre-Dame, exploring the cute shops, or walking around the oldest stone church in North America, Notre-Dame-Des-Victoires Church.

Ferry Ride on St Lawrence River

And I saved one of my favorite activities for last- a ferry ride across the St Lawrence River. Even if you do not plan to explore Quai Paquet when you arrive, you can enjoy the best views of the Quebec City skyline. Trust me, the views make the ride worth it!

And the best part is you can enjoy the ride almost any time of the day. You can watch the sunrise or sunset over the city or ride it at night to enjoy the city lights over the river. I recommend riding it during sunset because seeing the city during golden hour is incredible. We planned our trip so we had time to visit Quai Paquet in the afternoon and then road the ferry back towards Quebec City during sunset.

If you want to explore Quai Paquet when you arrive across the river, you can choose from many things to do! In the winter, you can ice skate on an ice skating path or slide down a snow slide. In the summer, you can cool off in the water jets, enjoy street performers, or ride on the Ferris Wheel.

Best Food in Petit-Champlain

Quebec City has delicious food, and the Petit-Champlain district has many cafes and restaurants with great food and drinks, so you will not be disappointed! You can either grab dinner before the ferry ride or after.

Restaurant Tanière - fine dining in a beautiful vaulted cellar
Le Lapin Sauté - cozy restaurant with delicious brunch
Queues de Castor Vieux Québec - fun snacks
Q-DE-SAC RESTO PUB - delicious pizza with cute outdoor seating
Café La Maison Smith Notre-Dame - cute coffee shop
Mary's Popcorn Shop - best popcorn shop

ultimate one day itinerary in quebec city

Day 2 in Quebec City

The second and final day in Quebec City explores historical sites, waterfalls, and one of the most beautiful areas in the city by the St Lawrence River. Get ready for beautiful scenery and delicious food!

Parc de la Chute-Montmorency

I highly recommend starting your day with a visit to the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency to avoid the midday crowds. It is only a 15-minute drive from Quebec City and one of the most beautiful places near the city. If you did not rent a car, do not fret! The bus system travels to Montmorency Park from the city.

The best attraction is the 272-foot Montmorency Falls which will take your breath away. And the best part? There are multiple ways to enjoy the falls. You can walk along the promenade below the waterfall or up the cliffside boardwalk to the suspension for beautiful views of the waterfall and the surrounding area.

If you want to take a scenic ride near the falls, a cable car brings you up to the top of the cliff providing beautiful views of Montmorency Falls. If you want an exhilarating adventure, you can either take the via ferrata circuit or zipline past the falls. Both are fun if you are up for an adventure!

Honestly, you could spend the entire day here if you wanted to! I love this area, so if you are looking for some fun outdoor adventures, it is the perfect place.

Citadelle de Québec

Once you are back in the city, I recommend touring the Citadelle of Quebec, one of the top historic sites in the city. The Citadelle de Quebec was built in the early 1800s and offered a way to secure the city from a potential attack in the colonial period. Now it is known as the largest fortress still used by troops in North America!

I recommend going on a guided tour around the grounds to enjoy the breathtaking city views or exploring the museums and exhibitions. Even if you are not a huge museum person, the views from the Citadelle de Québec alone make the visit worth it. It has some of the best views of Quebec City and Château Frontenac, so you will not be disappointed!

Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec

If you love architecture and historical churches, the Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec should be the next place on your itinerary. The church was built in 1647, making it the oldest church in Canada!

The Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec has stunning architecture, but the real beauty is in its interior. The church has stained glass windows, breathtaking golden sculptures on the ceiling, and Casavant organs. The golden sculptures are the most beautiful pieces of art in the building, in my opinion, and will take your breath away from their beauty.

Whether you enjoy the architecture from the outside or enjoy a peaceful stroll through its interior, you will love the Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec!

Old Port

>> Check out the boat tour!

And to end two incredible days in Quebec City, I recommend exploring the beautiful area of Old Port. Old Port runs along the St Lawrence River and has breathtaking city views, fun boat cruises, and delicious food.

I recommend walking through the picturesque streets or eating your way through the area. You can also explore beautiful historic buildings, including the Gare du Palais, or picnic in the Place des Canotiers.

If you want to enjoy the city by boat, I highly recommend a boat tour! The Excursions Maritimes Quebec offers fun guided cruises, bringing you along the coastline and providing beautiful views of the city, Montmorency Falls, and surrounding areas. They have a variety of boat tours, so you can find the perfect one for what you want to see!

Best Food in Old Port

Old Port has some of the best food in Quebec City, so you will not be disappointed! It is the perfect place to enjoy a pastry, outdoor lunch, or dinner.

Bistro St-Malo - delicious french cuisine
Le Cafe du Monde - one of the best restaurants in Quebec City
Don Vegan - best vegan restaurant
Chez Rioux & Pettigrew - cute restaurant with great dishes and drinks
Le Packwood café et boutique - small cafe with great pastries and drinks

If you have extra time in Quebec City

If you have additional time in Quebec City, I recommend adding these to your itinerary:

Hôtel de Glace - ice hotel in the winter
Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier - stunning national park
Plains of Abraham - beautiful park and historic area

Although you can spend an entire week exploring Quebec City, you can see most must-see attractions in a few days. I created this guide to have everything you need to know to plan the best Quebec City 2-day itinerary. Trust me, you will fall in love with the city!