Cheap flights to Québec City from £290

Quebec City overview

Quebec City, the capital of Quebec, is the province’s second-largest city (after Montreal) and one of the oldest cities in Canada. Travellers will no doubt want to explore the historic old town (Vieux-Quebec), parts of which are Unesco-listed, and the European-style churches, ramparts and fortified walls.

The city sits above the St Lawrence river; its highest point, Cape Diamond, is 337 ft (103 metres) above it. Divided into two parts, the Upper (Haute-Ville) and Lower Towns (Basse-Ville) each have a distinct flavour. They are connected by the Escalier steps and the Old Quebec Funicular. The Lower Town has the ancient Notre Dame des Victoires church, the Petit Champlain district, the port, and the Musée de la Civilisation.

Québec City climate

The temperature in summer ranges between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius and in winter it drops to between -25 and -5 degrees Celsius. In Quebec City snow can be as high as 30.7 in (78 cm) and the locals celebrate by hosting the Winter Carnival with lots of skiing, an Ice Hotel and toboggan rides.

Getting around Québec City

To best see Quebec, you’ll want to walk or take a bike tour through one of the city’s old sections. In the summer you can explore the Route Verte, a network of cycling trails connecting 16 regions and 320 municipalities. Public buses run by Réseau de transport de la Capitale operate between early morning and late night. On the weekend you can catch a night bus. To get from Basse-Ville to the upper part of Old Quebec, take the funicular.

Getting from the Airport to the City

The main airport for flights to Quebec is Quebec/Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). Taxis and limo services are available at the airport. All the major car-hire companies are also represented at the airport.

What is good to know if travelling to Québec City?

• The Winter Carnival transforms Quebec into a winter wonderland. The carnival consists of parades, snow sculptures, an ice palace, snow rafting, dogsledding and an old-fashioned marketplace with greeters in period costume. A cheery snowman dressed in traditional garb is the carnival’s mascot.
• Close to Quebec City there are four large ski resorts including Mont-Sainte-Anne which has 64 ski trails on three mountain sides and the highest vertical elevation for night skiing in Canada. It is a half-hour drive from the city. The resort of Le Massif is 45 minutes east of the city and Stoneham with 32 trails on four mountains is a mere 20-minute drive. Even closer is Le Relais, a 15-minute drive.
• Visit the stunning Montmorency Falls which is higher than Niagara Falls. It’s located in a provincial park at the mouth of the Montmorency River. Viewing is from a footbridge, cable car or viewing platform. In winter try old-fashioned tobogganing, a fun way to slide around in the snow.
• Take a trip up to Quebec City’s highest building the Edifice Marie-Guyart. 750 feet (228 m) above sea level there is a public, indoor observatory that offers unrestricted views of the city.
• Visit La Citadelle and witness the changing of the guard, hear the music and see Batisse, the regimental goat. The guards change every morning (between June and September) at 10am.