Quebec holidays

How to reach Québec

• Flight time: Flights to Québec from London take around 7 to 8 hours. There are no non-stop flights, so there’s always a stopover, usually in Montréal or Toronto.

• Transfer time: The easiest way to reach the city centre from Québec Airport is by taxi, which takes around 20 to 30 minutes. There are also public buses connecting the airport with the city centre, running every 30 minutes at peak hours and taking around 50 minutes.

• Price: A taxi from the airport to Québec city centre will set you back around CAD40–CAD45. There’s also a public bus option (Routes 76 and 80), with one-way tickets costing around CAD3.50.

Best time to visit Québec

The city’s climate varies throughout the year, so timing your visit depends on what you’d like to do during your Québec holidays.

• June to August is Québec’s summer and high season, with pleasant temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C. With up to 10 hours of sunshine a day and the rain averaging just 80mm a month, it’s a perfect time for participating in various outdoor activities.

• September to November is shoulder season, with vibrant autumn foliage adding a beautiful backdrop to the city. It’s a quieter time to explore Québec’s attractions, with temperatures starting to fall, from 15°C to 5°C, and rainfall around 100mm per month.

• December to February is wintertime, ideal for snow sports lovers and those who want to enjoy the city’s famous Winter Carnival. Temperatures hover between –5°C and –15°C and snowfall can be heavy (up to 200mm of precipitation), so pack warm.

• March to May brings spring to Québec and another shoulder season, with temperatures warming up to between 5°C and 15°C. The landscapes are blooming and the weather is nice, so it’s a great time for exploring the city without the summer crowds.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: French is the official language in Québec, and while English is widely spoken, learning basic French phrases is appreciated.

• Local habits and customs: Québécois value politeness, so always greet with a “bonjour” when entering shops or restaurants. It’s customary to tip 15 to 20 percent in restaurants and for services.

• Currency: Québec uses the Canadian Dollar. ATMs are widely available, and major credit and debit cards are accepted.

• Getting around: Québec’s public transport system is efficient, with buses serving the main areas and fares starting at around CAD3.50 per journey. Taxis are also widely available.

• Electricity and plug types: Canada uses 120 volts, and plugs are Type A and B, so UK travellers need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Québec is on Eastern Standard Time, which is GMT–5.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, which can be applied online.

Best things to do in Québec

Québec is a city rich in history, culture and natural beauty so you won’t complain of a shortage of things to do on your holidays to Québec.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Terrasse Dufferin: The clifftop boardwalk of the Terrasse Dufferin that runs in front of the Château Frontenac offers a spectacular vantage point over the Lower Town and the St Lawrence River.

• Observatoire de la Capitale (Capital Observatory): At 132 metres, the brutalist Édifice Marie-Guyart is the tallest structure in the city. On its thirty-first floor, the Observatoire de la Capitale offers a 360-degree panoramic view over Vieux-Québec, the Citadelle, Québec Bridge and beyond.

The best districts

• Vieux-Québec (Old Québec): This UNESCO World Heritage Site is like stepping back in time, with its cobblestone streets, charming shops and historic landmarks. This is the only walled city in North America and it’s packed with romantic nooks and crannies.

• Faubourg Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Suburb of St John the Baptist): Faubourg Saint-Jean-Baptiste is a lively and progressive neighbourhood with a number of stylish shops and restaurants, a great spot for a long stroll or excellent lunch.

Parks and gardens

• Parc des Champs-de-Bataille (Battlefields Park): This massive green space, littered with monuments and statues, is perfect for picnics, outdoor sports or just a relaxing walk.

• Bois-de-Coulonge: This park is just walking distance from Old Québec. The meticulously maintained garden features charming historic buildings, colourful flower beds and numerous varieties of trees, making it a peaceful retreat.

Historical monuments

• Château Frontenac: Architect Bruce Price drew upon the French-Canadian style of the surroundings to produce the Château Frontenac, a pseudo-medieval pile crowned with a copper roof. Housing a hotel, it’s probably Canada’s most photographed building.

• Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Québec (Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral-Basilica): As one of the oldest cathedrals in North America, it offers a glimpse into Québec’s religious history with its stunning Rococo-style interior and historic artefacts.

• La Citadelle de Québec (Québec Citadel): The massive star-shaped fortress, still an active military installation, can only be visited on one of the worthwhile guided tours. You can also watch the changing of the guard during the summer months and enjoy spectacular views from the top.

Day trips in the area

• Île d’Orléans: In easy striking distance of the city is tranquil, charming Île d’Orléans where the agricultural landscape is dotted with holiday rental homes and inns. Offering beautiful views of the St Lawrence River, the island is ideal for a relaxing day out.

• Montmorency Falls: Located just outside Québec City, the waters of the Montmorency River cascade 83 metres down into the St Lawrence River, making the spectacular falls. You can take a cable car to the top or walk across the suspension bridge for an up-close view of the roaring water.

Activities for families in Québec

Québec offers a plethora of fun and educational activities that will keep both kids and adults entertained.

• Québec Aquarium: This expansive aquarium is home to over 10,000 marine animals, including polar bears, walruses and seals. Kids will love the interactive touch pools and the chance to watch marine animals up close.

• Village Vacances Valcartier: In the summer, this resort transforms into a massive water park, while in winter, it turns into a wonderland of snow tubing, skating and winter sports.

• Vieux-Port de Québec (Old Port of Québec): Much of the old dockland has been renovated as a recreational area, which offers a wealth of family-friendly activities such as bike rentals, open green spaces for picnics, and the IMAX theatre.

Free things to do in Québec

You really don’t have to break the bank to enjoy fantastic activities during your Québec holidays.

• Chalmers-Wesley United Church: Chalmers-Wesley United Church is one of the most beautiful in the city and entrance is free. Its Gothic Revivalist spires are a conspicuous element of the skyline and, inside, the stained-glass windows are worth a look.

• Walking tours of Old Québec: Take a free, self-guided walking tour around Old Québec to admire its historic architecture. Maps are available at the tourist information centre.

• Québec Summer Festival: In summer, Québec’s biggest music festival usually hosts some free outdoor concerts. Enjoying live music without spending a cent? Excellent!

• Naval Museum of Québec: The tiny one-room Naval Museum of Québec is a poignant homage to some of the province’s naval heroes, and it’s free to enter.

Nature and outdoor activities in Québec

Québec’s diverse landscapes provide ample opportunities for outdoor adventure.

• National parks: Québec boasts some of Canada’s most beautiful national parks, such as Mont-Tremblant National Park, where you can hike through dense forests, spot wildlife or paddle across crystal-clear lakes.

• Water sports: Water sports lovers will find plenty to do, from canoeing and kayaking to stand-up paddleboarding. Among all of Québec’s uncountable lakes and waterways, perhaps none can match the splendour of the Saguenay Fjord, its rugged cliffs looming hundreds of metres over the broad, blue river. Its waters are ideal for kayaking trips.

• Cycling: Easily the best way to take in Lake Saint-Jean, a 2-hour drive from Québec, is on the relatively flat 256km bike route that encircles the whole lake. The path passes close to most of the major attractions and there are beaches all along the lakeshore.

• Winter sports: In the colder months, Québec transforms into a winter wonderland. The largest of Québec City’s ski areas is Mont-Sainte-Anne, 40km away from the city, which offers a well-balanced mix of terrain and comprehensive facilities.

Local dishes in Québec

Eat like a local during your holidays to Québec as the city is a culinary delight, blending traditional French cuisine with local ingredients and innovative techniques.

Some typical dishes

• Poutine: A Québécois classic, poutine is a no-frills but well-loved dish consisting of chips topped with cheese curds and smothered in gravy. Nothing is simpler than that!

• Tarte au Sucre: Québec is the largest producer of maple syrup, so it’s no wonder you’ll find it in just about everything from pancakes to desserts. Definitely try a tarte au sucre, a maple syrup pie, for a sweet treat that captures the essence of Québec.

Meat dishes

• Tourtière: This spiced meat pie, filled with minced beef, pork or veal, can be found in many Québec establishments and is really difficult to resist.

• Cipaille: A savoury layered meat pie that includes meats like chicken, beef and pork, and sometimes also fish, cipaille is a rustic, slow-cooked dish. It’s traditionally enjoyed in the Gaspé Peninsula but it’s also popular in Québec City.

Sweets and desserts

• Beignets: These fried dough treats are often filled with cream or jam and dusted with sugar. They are a beloved snack in Québec, particularly during the colder months.

• Maple Taffy: Be sure to try traditional Québécois treats such as maple taffy – strips of maple syrup frozen in the snow. Yummy!

Local drinks

• Ice Cider: Made from frozen apples and with a characteristic sweet, rich flavour, it’s a uniquely Canadian drink. Makes a perfect pair for dessert or can be sipped on its own.