Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Quebec City?

Q: Is one day enough time in Quebec City?

One day is generally not enough time to browse through museums, browse around the old town, taste delicious cuisine, and find the best deals at the shops in Quebec City. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy popular activities such as the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, the food, and the shops and boutiques. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the cultural city, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for two to four days here. After all, Quebec City is a medium-sized city that is quite popular with tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Quebec City?

Most visitors spend two to four days in Quebec City when visiting. The cultural city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, the food, and the shops and boutiques.

Québec City is a charming French Canadian city that is located on the Saint Lawrence River. The historic city has a beautiful Old Town with cobblestone streets and stone buildings. Many visitors say it feels like a bit of Europe in North America.

Do you have one or two days to visit Quebec City? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Quebec City?

One day is generally not enough time to browse through museums, browse around the old town, taste delicious cuisine, and find the best deals at the shops in Quebec City. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy popular activities such as the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, the food, and the shops and boutiques. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the cultural city, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for two to four days here. After all, Quebec City is a medium-sized city that is quite popular with tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Quebec City

Quebec City is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the city's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. Historic sites include La Citadelle de Québec and Quebec National Historic Site. There are many iconic buildings in town as well like the Parliament Building and Château Frontenac. Also make sure you visit the Musée de la Civilisation and the stunning Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

The delicious food of Quebec City is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The city offers a mix of Canadian favorites and French dishes with a local twist. Favorite dishes that you must try include tourtières, pâté chinois, pea soup, and fèves au lard. There are also many local desserts to sample. You'll find some of the best French Canadian cuisine in the Old Town.

A few tour suggestions include:

Combo Historical and Food Tour of the Old Quebec City ($208)
Wine Tasting on Ile d'Orleans ($96)
Quebecois Aperitif Food Tour in Quebec City ($63)

Quebec City is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The Old Town is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Quebec City?

Quebec City, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. Given only a weekend, you will likely find yourself hurrying to browse through museums, browse around the old town, taste delicious cuisine, and find the best deals at the shops. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for two to four days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

Old Town Quebec City, Canada

How to spend 2 days in Quebec City

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Quebec City, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The walled Old Town has fortifications that date back to the 17th century. It has a European charm with cobblestone streets, charming restaurants, beautiful squares, and historic architecture. Many visitors feel like they've stepped into old world Europe.

A few tour suggestions include:

Old Quebec City Private Walking Tour : History and Nature ($55)
Private Guided Quebec City Walking Tour with Funicular Included ($115)
Shore Excursion: Private Walking Tour with Funicular Included ($115)

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The nightlife scene consists mainly of bars and pubs that you'll find along Rue Saint-Jean and in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighborhood. You'll also find clubs in Saint-Roch along Rue du Parvis and Avenue Saint-Joseph.

Public transit in Quebec City is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There are buses and ferries around town.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Quebec City, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.