Hotels in Québec City

Getting around Quebec City

Most of Quebec City is walkable but if you do not want to spend the time and energy, you can use the public transportation offered by Reseau de Transport de la Capitale. A 1-day pass costs $8.25 CAD for adults and children, or you can purchase an Unlimited Weekend pass for $15 CAD. For a 5-day pass, you will pay $28.50 CAD for adults and $21.50 CAD for children. Children 5 and under travel free at all times. Cycling paths are throughout the city, including the St. Charles River Corridor, Corridor of Beauportois and the Corridor of the Cheminots. Rent a bike for the day from one of the many local suppliers, like Ecolocyclo or Cyclo Services.

The best restaurants and eateries of Quebec City

Quebec City’s cuisine is tied strongly to its French history and includes an array of modern and traditional meat pies, stews and specialty French pastries. Some of the top-rated restaurants include the Laurie Raphael on Rue Dalhousie Vieux Port. For a refined French meal, try the iX pour Bistro or Restaurant Initiale. Most of the eateries you find in the city will be on the expensive side, but offer traditional French culinary creations. Do not assume you are without budget-friendly options here though. Bachir is in Quebec City and offers a combination of Middle Eastern and Lebanese cuisine. You also have Paillard which sticks to its French-Canadian roots, but keeps it friendly for your travel wallet.

Best places to stay in Quebec City

Quebec is perched just off Cap Diamant, and overlooks the pristine waters of St. Lawrence River. The city itself is full of history and drama, and even though over 4 centuries have passed, Quebec stays strong to its French-speaking heritage. Here you can stroll along the quaint cobblestone streets and spend the day exploring the historic sites and old battlefields of Canada’s first European settlement. Quebec is also home to some of the most breathtaking neighbourhoods, including charming hotels that have a picturesque view of the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec.

Old Quebec

If you are looking for the quintessential Quebec experience, Old Quebec is the most obvious choice to look for hotels. This area has winding routes lined with pristine residences that once housed New France’s wealthiest merchants. Here you find a neighbourhood that almost transports you back in time, and the area blends seamlessly into Upper Town with easy access to the port. Hotels in Old Quebec are more luxurious than other areas, but worth every penny. Stay at the grand Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, which is immensely appealing with French-Canadian décor and refinement. The Hotel Le Concorde Quebec offers a more contemporary stay and is nestled in the centre of Old Quebec.

Upper Town

Once you venture out of the winding streets of Old Quebec, you stumble across Upper Town. The Citadel dominates this area and along the avenue Saint-Denis, you find charming Quebec hotels and boutique eateries. Most of what you want to see is right outside your hotel’s entrance, especially when you stay at the Hotel Manoir Victoria.

Lower Town

Lower Town is home to one of the oldest streets in the city; rue du Petit-Champlain, which is lined with local cafes and bistros. Here you will find some of the finest French pastries and delicious Quebec meat pies. You are also within walking distance of ferry and cruise terminals, and you can walk the stairs to reach Upper Town and Old Quebec without much effort. Lower Town hotels are more affordable than Upper Town and Old Quebec and include the Hilton Quebec.

Downtown

Downtown Quebec is quite the contrast to the other areas of the city. Featuring modern architecture complete with glass and metal fixtures, the downtown area of the city hosts business travelers from around the world. You can attend a conference or trade show of interest at the local Convention Center or visit the Parliament Building and Capital Observatory in the area. The Hotel Chateau Laurier Quebec is just minutes from the historic walled city and in the heart of downtown. Le Capitole offers a contemporary accommodation at The Hotel du Capitole, complete with in-house restaurants and live shows.

Cheap hotels in Quebec City

While Quebec has some of the more refined hotels and boutique accommodations, it is not strictly for the well-to-do traveler. In fact, you might be surprised at the level of accommodations you find even when visiting on a budget. The Super 8 Quebec City on Wilfrid Hamel Boulevard is located just off the Trans-Canada Highway 40 and gives you quick access to Quebec City as well as the airport. Hotel Sepia is at the entrance of Quebec and faces the St. Lawrence River. It is a chic hotel, but surprisingly affordable. The Cofortel Hotel is another sleek, contemporary hotel that is 5 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from downtown Quebec City.

Whether you are here to soak up the history, architecture or breathtaking scenery of Quebec City, you might find that even a week is too little time to explore. To make sure you get the most out of your visit here, add these places to your itinerary:

• Take a ferry ride over to Levis. Here you have a breathtaking view of Quebec City across the water.
• Take a food tour of the city. Recently, the city has experienced an overhaul and now you will find forward-thinking, modern restaurants that still embody the old French cuisine, but with revitalized creativity. Take a 2.5-hour guided Old Quebec Food Tour or a 3-hour guided St. Roche Quebec Food Tour for just $54 CAD per person.
• Explore Old Port Market where you can sample Canadian wines, fresh juice from blueberries, delicious, pure maple syrup and sit along the waterfront.
• Travel back 400 years. In the heart of the French-Canadian merge, you have Quebec City’s Old Town. The city was founded in 1608, and many of the buildings are restored to their natural glory. In the small square of Old Quebec, you find these historic buildings flanked by modern French architecture.