The Perfect One Day in Quebec City

Although you could spend up to a week exploring the city, you can see most of Quebec City in one day. Quebec City is one of the most beautiful cities in eastern Canada, with so much beauty and history. It has the perfect balance of history and culture! And it has many fun things to do year-round, allowing you to visit in any season.

You can spend your day enjoying a beautiful walk along the oldest streets in North America, river cruises, historical museums, and delicious food. Quebec City truly has something for everyone to enjoy! If you want to plan a trip to Quebec City, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about spending one day in Quebec City.

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Tips for Spending One Day in Quebec City

Use the city bus system. If your 1-day itinerary in Quebec City only has activities 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. The bus system is easy to use and brings you to various places throughout the city.
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. Trust me, I made this mistake when I visited years ago!
Exchange your money for Canadian Dollars. Although most attractions and restaurants accept credit cards, it is helpful to have cash 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 because the weather is cold.
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 need to fly into Quebec City, the closest airport is the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport. Once at the airport, there are buses that run into the city, making it easy if you are not renting a car. If you rent a car, the drive is less than 30 minutes.

Best Time to Spend One Day in Quebec City

Spring is a beautiful time to visit Quebec City as everything begins to bloom. You can enjoy exploring the downtown, visiting nearby hiking trails, or attending spring festivals. The snow can linger through much of spring, so if you want to avoid snow, late spring would be the best time to visit.

Summer is the most popular time to visit Quebec City because it has warm and long days. 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.
Fall in Quebec City is beautiful because the streets have vibrant foliage. You can explore the city or travel a little further to one of the many parks for hiking and enjoying the fall foliage. The city also has many festivals and events in the fall.
Winter is an underrated time to visit Quebec City. The city is beautiful in the snow but very cold and receives an average of 124 inches. Quebec City has many fun winter activities and festivals, 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

Quebec City has hotels for all budgets, and if you want to stay close to the attractions, I recommend staying in Old Quebec or Parliament Hill.

Best Hotels in Quebec City:

How to Spend One Day in Quebec City

Although there are many ways to spend one day in Quebec City, I have included some of my favorite places to visit! You will not be disappointed with the stunning architecture, river views, and cobblestone streets.

Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec

If you love architecture and historical churches, the Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec is the best place to visit. The church was built in 1647, making it the oldest church in Canada!

Although the Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec has stunning architecture you can see from the outside, the interior is breathtaking. The church has stained glass windows, golden sculptures on the ceiling, and Casavant organs.

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

Château Frontenac

Château Frontenac is one of the most photographed hotels in the world! And let me tell you, it is easily the most beautiful building in Quebec City. It was built in 1893 and became a National Historic Site in Canada in 1981.

Although it is a hotel, you do not need to stay at the Château Frontenac to enjoy its beauty. I recommend walking 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. You can also take a guided tour to learn about its history and explore everything the Château Frontenac offers.

Dufferin Terrace

Dufferin Terrace is a short walk from Château Frontenac and offers one of the best views of Château Frontenac and the St. Lawrence River. You can walk along the walkway while enjoying the views or enjoy the many fun activities and festivals.

Winter is my favorite time to visit the Dufferin Terrace because you can enjoy a fun (and fast!) toboggan ride. In the summer, you can listen to the musicians playing along the promenade. It is a beautiful walk year-round!

Quebec City Funiculaire

Although you can walk down to the lower section near Petit-Champlain, I recommend riding the Funiculaire. It is a fun and unique way to descend into the lower half of Quebec City by the water while enjoying the views.

Petit-Champlain

Petit-Champlain is a beautiful district along the St. Lawrence River with shops, museums, and restaurants. Although walking along the cobblestone streets is fun, I recommend exploring the little shops in the district. You can also enjoy a delicious meal and below are some of the best places to eat.

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

Although the area is beautiful year-round, winter is one of the best times to visit because they decorate it for the holidays for the entire season. Walking the snow-covered streets while enjoying delicious food and shopping in cute shops should be on every Quebec City bucket list!

Place Royale

One of the most picturesque squares in Quebec City is right in Petit-Champlain. Place Royale is a historic square and was the first permanent French settlement in North America. Now, it is home to some of the most beautiful cobblestone streets, so get your cameras ready!

You can enjoy a coffee or pastry from Café La Maison Smith Notre-Dame, explore the cute shops, or walk around the oldest stone church in North America, Notre-Dame-Des-Victoires Church.

Ferry Ride on the St. Lawrence River

One of my favorite things to do when visiting Quebec City is to enjoy a ferry ride across the river. Even if you do not plan to explore Quai Paquet, you can enjoy the best views of the Quebec City skyline from the St. Lawrence River.

And the best part? 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.

If you want to explore Quai Paquet when you arrive by ferry, there are many things to enjoy! 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. If you have time in your 1-day Quebec City itinerary, I highly recommend exploring Quai Paquet.

Old Port

To end your fun one day in Quebec City, you can explore one of the most beautiful areas in the city. Old Port runs along the St. Lawrence River and offers city views, boat cruises, and delicious food. You can enjoy 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, the Excursions Maritimes Quebec offers fun guided cruises. They have a variety of boat tours, including bringing you along the coastline and providing beautiful views of the city, Montmorency Falls, and surrounding areas.

But if you do not have time for a boat cruise, you can enjoy walking around the beautiful streets of Old Port while enjoying a delicious dinner. Below are a few of the best places to eat.

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 during your one day in Quebec City

Below are a few places to add to your 1-day itinerary if you have time or want to swap in different things to do!

Citadelle de Québec - historic site
Plains of Abraham - beautiful park and historic area
Hôtel de Glace - ice hotel in the winter
Parc de la Chute-Montmorency - beautiful park with a 272-foot waterfall

If you want to plan an incredible trip to Quebec City, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about how to spend one day in Quebec City.