A Complete Itinerary for 1 Day In Quebec City
Spending just 1 day in Quebec City can feel like an impossible task.
This French-Canadian gem is filled with cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, and incredible food, and it’s one of the most romantic cities in North America. The challenge for cruise passengers is always the same: how do you experience the best of it with so little time?
I know that struggle firsthand.
This summer, I embarked on a seven-night cruise from Quebec City to Boston with Holland America.
Before boarding, I spent two nights in Montreal, then took a guided transfer to Quebec City, where we stayed overnight. Our cruise ship didn’t depart until midnight the following evening, which meant I had nearly a full day to explore.
That short window turned out to be perfect for hitting the highlights, enjoying a few indulgent meals, and experiencing the city’s European charm.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through my own day in Quebec City, share practical tips, and give you everything you need to plan your own one day in Quebec City before a cruise.
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Why Quebec City is Worth Your Time
Quebec City is the only walled city north of Mexico, and it feels more like a small European town than a North American port.
French is the first language, and the architecture looks straight out of Paris. The city is compact, walkable, and rich in history, making it ideal for those with limited time.
Many cruise passengers wonder if it’s worth flying in early or adding an overnight stay before embarking. My answer? Absolutely.
Spending even one day here adds a whole new dimension to your trip. Quebec City isn’t just a place you pass through; it’s a destination worth savoring.
A Walking Itinerary Through Quebec City
Below is my walking map, which covers the key places you’ll want to see in one day. The whole loop takes about an hour if you don’t stop, but of course, you’ll want to stop along the way.
This walking path shows off some of Quebec City’s best sights and activities:
- Start at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – Take in the castle-like hotel, then stroll along the Dufferin Terrace for sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River.
- Walk to The Citadel – Even without catching the Changing of the Guard, the fortress walls and military history are impressive.
- Continue to Parliament and Gardens – A peaceful stop to enjoy statues, fountains, and manicured flowerbeds.
- Cross to Hilton Quebec – Snap a photo with the giant I Love Quebec sign in front of the hotel.
- Head to Place D’Youville – This is where we had brunch at Il Teatro, which was absolutely delicious. In winter, this square hosts an ice rink; in summer, it’s filled with events.
- Stroll Rue Saint-Jean – Closed to traffic and perfect for shopping, this pedestrian street is filled with boutiques, cafés, and snack stops. Don’t miss Cows Ice Cream, a Canadian favorite.
- Visit Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral – A landmark of faith and history. Step inside to admire the ornate interior.
- Pause at Hotel Clarendon and City Hall Gardens – Right across the plaza, these spots add more charm and history to your route.
- Wander through Place d’Armes – Then continue down to the La Fresque des Québécois mural and Place Royale. Fun fact: the closing scene of Catch Me If You Can with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed here. You can either walk down the Breakneck Stairs or ride the funicular.
- End at Quartier Petit Champlain – Explore the charming boutiques filled with Canadian-made souvenirs, and don’t miss Umbrella Row, a colorful photo spot to wrap up your walk.
This walk will take you through both Upper and Lower Town, giving you a true sense of the city in just a few hours.
How to Spend One Day in Quebec City
Morning: The Fairmont, Dufferin Terrace, and The Citadel
We began our day at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, the crown jewel of Quebec City.
Even if you’re not staying there, it’s worth admiring the castle-like architecture and snapping a photo on the front steps.
Just across the street from the Fairmont, near where the hop-on hop-off buses stop, you’ll find the Quebec City Visitors Center. I highly recommend popping in.
The Visitor’s Center offers free maps, helpful advice, and a chance to grab brochures if you’re planning to split your time between walking and bus tours. You can also find clean bathrooms inside.
From there, we walked along the Dufferin Terrace, a wide boardwalk overlooking the St. Lawrence River. The views stretched for miles, and the energy of street performers made the morning feel alive.
From the terrace, we made our way to The Citadel, a sprawling fortress that still serves as an active military installation. I had hoped to catch the Changing of the Guard, but I didn’t know the schedule ahead of time and missed it.
That’s one of those “learn from my mistake” moments.
Midday: Parliament, Hilton, and Brunch
After the Citadel, it’s an easy walk to Parliament Hill, where the grand building and manicured gardens make for a peaceful stop. Fountains bubbled, flowers bloomed, and it was a nice place to slow down before continuing.
The area is very reminiscent of Parliament near the cruise port in Victoria, BC.
Crossing over to the Hilton Quebec, we stopped at the giant I Love Quebec sign for a fun photo before heading to Place D’Youville.
The Place D’Youville is a lively square with a hub of activity, especially in the winter and summer.
We ate brunch at an adorable restaurant overlooking the plaza called Il Teatro.
The food, especially the homemade bread for my French toast, was absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere set us up for the rest of the day.
Afternoon: Rue Saint-Jean, Notre-Dame, and Old Town Gems
After brunch, we wandered down Rue Saint-Jean, one of my favorite streets in Quebec City. It’s closed to automobile traffic, making it a pedestrian-friendly place to shop, snack, and people-watch.
We browsed boutiques, admired window displays, and treated ourselves to Cows Ice Cream, a Canadian favorite. The street has a playful energy that’s hard to resist.
Next, we visited the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, a stunning landmark filled with history and beauty.
Just across the plaza, we paused for a restroom break at the Hotel Clarendon, the oldest hotel in the city, and admired the City Hall Gardens and its dancing fountains.
We continued through Place d’Armes for another magnificent view of The Fairmont, then made our way down toward Lower Town.
You can walk the steep stairs or ride the Funicular for $6 (USD or CAD). Just make sure you have cash because cards are not accepted.
Either way, you’ll end up at some of the most picturesque spots in Quebec City.
The afternoon was dedicated to wandering Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Narrow cobblestone streets, colorful shutters, flower-filled windowsills, and French-inspired cafés made every turn a photo opportunity. It felt like Europe dropped into Canada.
The highlight for me was the La Fresque des Québécois mural, which tells the story of 400 years of Quebec’s history in one sweeping painting.
From there, we explored Place Royale, where the final scene of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Catch Me If You Can was filmed. History and pop culture blended seamlessly in that square.
Evening: Quartier Petit Champlain and Umbrella Row
As the day wound down, we wandered into Quartier Petit Champlain, one of the most charming areas in the entire city.
Boutique-lined lanes and colorful cafés gave it a magical, storybook feel.
Many of the shops feature Canadian-made souvenirs, making it a perfect place to pick up something unique.
We ended our walk at a street lined with umbrellas, similar to the one in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Colorful umbrellas hang overhead in a whimsical display. It was the perfect last stop—playful, beautiful, and a little bit romantic.
After soaking it all in, we headed to the cruise port, full and happy from a day well spent.
Getting to Quebec City
- By Air: Quebec City’s Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is about 20 minutes from downtown. A taxi or rideshare is the simplest way to reach your hotel.
- By Train: VIA Rail connects Montreal and Quebec City in about 3.5 hours. The station (Gare du Palais) is right downtown, making it easy to walk to hotels.
- By Bus: Intercity buses also run between Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec City. The terminal is near the train station.
- By Transfer Tour: We booked this guided 1 day tour to get us from Montreal to Quebec City. Then, when the tour ended, we planned to stay in Quebec City instead of returning to Montreal with the tour. It provided sightseeing opportunities along the way, as well as direct transportation to Quebec City.
Once in the city, walking is the best way to get around. Streets are narrow, parking is limited, and you’ll miss the charm if you try to drive everywhere.
Comfortable shoes are a must. I love these New Balance 327s, and I swear they saved my feet from aching after all the cobblestones and hills.
Where To Stay in Quebec City
We chose to stay at Hotel des Coutellier, a boutique hotel just outside the historic walled city.
The location is ideal, as it is close to the Old Town, restaurants, and the port.
Our room was spotless and comfortable, and the highlight was breakfast: a basket delivered to our door filled with warm pastries, yogurt, and fresh fruit juice. That little touch set the tone for the day.
As a bonus, we were also able to walk with our luggage to the cruise terminal.
Walking the flat path took about fifteen minutes, with half of that time spent navigating the massive terminal parking lot.
For cruise passengers, staying near the port or Old Town makes everything easier. You won’t waste precious hours on taxis or shuttles, and you’ll be able to walk to most attractions.
Other well-located hotels include:
- Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, one of the most photographed hotels in the world
- Hotel Clarendon, Quebec City’s oldest hotel in an ideal location
- Hilton Quebec, this full-service hotel delivers modern comforts
- Hotel Manoir Victoria, a historic favorite built in 1830, has been fully renovated to blend elegant contemporary décor with timeless charm
About My Time in Quebec City
For transparency, I actually had two full days in Quebec City before my cruise.
In this post, I’m sharing how we spent our second day, providing a perfect outline for seeing the highlights in a limited time.
If you’re lucky enough to have two days here, you’ll be able to slow down and add even more things to see, like Montmorency Falls, extra sights, or more leisurely meals. I’ll share that expanded itinerary in a separate post for anyone planning a longer stay.
Is One Day Enough for Quebec City?
Here’s the truth: you can see the highlights of Quebec City in a day.
The compact size, walkable streets, and clustered attractions make it possible. But one day will leave you wanting more.
My time in Quebec City was one of the highlights of my Canada/New England cruise. Between the history, the food, and the old-world atmosphere, the city set the perfect tone for the voyage ahead.
If you’re planning a cruise from Quebec City, don’t skip the chance to explore. Spending even 1 day in Quebec City will give you lasting memories and a taste of Europe right in North America.
And who knows, you may find yourself planning a return trip before your ship even sails.
