Québec City
Quebec City is the capital of Quebec in eastern Canada. Its stone old town sits on a cliff above the Saint Lawrence River, with winding streets, a grand hotel and a distinctly European feel.
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Quebec City is the capital of Quebec, the province in eastern Canada, and its second-largest city after Montreal. Samuel de Champlain founded it on 3 July 1608 on the site of the Stadacona Iroquoian village, and it is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. The old town sits on a cliff above the Saint Lawrence River, inside ramparts that are the only fortified city walls still standing north of Mexico. The Château Frontenac, a grand hotel on the cliff top, stands over the skyline.
Plan for stone streets, the clifftop walkway Terrasse Dufferin, and Lower Town, where Place Royale marks the 1608 founding and Rue du Petit-Champlain has small boutiques. Summers are warm and humid, with highs of 22 to 25 °C, and winters are cold, windy and snowy. The Winter Carnival is one of the city's best-known festivals, and spring and autumn are short. Montmorency Falls lies just outside the city if you want a day trip.
Québec City in five
- Ride the funicular between Upper and Lower TownThe funicular links the Dufferin Terrace with the Petit-Champlain district; a fare applies per trip. The Breakneck Steps are the free way down.
- Take the train from MontréalVIA Rail runs several trains a day to Gare du Palais, a short uphill walk from the walls. Driving is the alternative, but parking in the old town is scarce.Montréal
- Book early for the Winter CarnivalThe Carnaval runs for about two weeks in winter, and rooms inside the walls go early. Dress in layers, since it falls in the coldest weeks of the year.
- See Montmorency FallsThe falls are a short drive from the old town, and the drop is greater than Niagara's. A cable car, stairs and a suspension bridge give three different views.
Things to do in Québec City
See all attractions in Québec City
Need to know
- Airport
- Jean Lesage (YQB), reached by taxi
- Getting there
- VIA Rail from Montréal, about 3.5 hours
- Getting around
- Walk; the old town is small but steep
- Best base
- Inside the walls for a first trip
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Festival
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow13 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh-6°Low-14°Snow, deep coldJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- -6°
- Low
- -14°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, deep cold
- FebruarySnow13 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh-5°Low-14°Winter CarnivalFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- -5°
- Low
- -14°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Winter Carnival
- MarchCloudy12 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh0°Low-8°Maple seasonMarchCloudy
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Maple season
- AprilRain12 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh7°Low-1°Thaw, slushAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 112 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, slush
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low6°SpringMayRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 175 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Summer festivalJulyRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 179 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Summer festival
- AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 158 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Mild, quieterSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- OctoberRain11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low5°Fall colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberSnow13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh3°Low-3°Cold, quietNovemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- DecemberSnow13 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh-3°Low-10°Christmas marketDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- -3°
- Low
- -10°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas market
Average daily high and low in Québec City, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jan Quebec Winter Carnival · Feb Quebec Winter Carnival · Jul Festival d'été de Québec
Right now in Québec City
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 32%
Québec City
05:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°6°32%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 32%.
- Tue11°4°88%Tuesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Wed12°5°89%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Thu16°10°76%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Fri15°11°76%Friday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Sat14°11°47%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Sun13°9°47%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 47%.
Updated 03:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Coming up
Every year
- Jan–FebQuebec Winter CarnivalQuébec City
- JulFestival d'été de QuébecQuébec City
Day trips by train
- Montmorency Fallsby carA cable car, cliff stairs and a suspension bridge over the falls.
- Île d'Orléansby carFarm stands, orchards and old villages on an island in the river.
- Gaspé Peninsulaa long drive east; plan several daysPercé Rock, Bonaventure Island and Forillon lie along the coast road, so treat it as a separate trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Québec City
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Rules for Québec City, checked
- VIA Rail timetables list Montréal to Québec City trains taking about 3 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes, depending on the trainChecked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- The Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec connects Terrasse Dufferin and the Quartier Petit-Champlain; the fare applies per trip, with no round trip includedChecked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Québec City
eTA, regions, rail and money basics
Read the guideMontréalFrench-speaking city of neighborhoods
Read the guideGaspé PeninsulaPercé Rock, gannets and Forillon
Read the guideThe LaurentiansMont-Tremblant and lakes north of Montréal
Read the guideTorontoCanada's biggest city, further west
Read the guideCanada eTA explainedWho needs it before flying in
Read the guideTrains and long distancesVIA Rail, flights and car hire
Read the guideMobile data for CanadaeSIM options for a short stay
Read the guideQuébec City FAQ
How many days do I need in Québec City?
Two days covers Upper and Lower Town and the walls. Add a third for Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans.
Is Québec City worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you dress for it. Highs sit below freezing from December to February, but the Carnival, snow on the old town and lower room rates outside Carnival weeks make it a good winter trip.
How do I get from Montréal to Québec City?
VIA Rail trains from Montréal take about 3 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes to Gare du Palais, depending on the train. Driving is the alternative.
Is Québec City safe to visit in winter?
Yes, with the right gear. The old town is walkable but icy, so wear boots with grip, a warm coat and a hat. Sidewalks are cleared, and the Carnival and the Christmas market draw visitors.
Should I stay in Upper or Lower Town?
Upper Town, inside the walls near the Château Frontenac, puts the main sights within a short walk. Lower Town, around Petit-Champlain, is quieter at night and lies a steep climb or a funicular ride below.