Québec City
Vieux-Québec Haute-Ville (Upper Town)
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Inside the walls on the cliff — Château Frontenac, Plains of Abraham, the Citadelle and the postcard view of the Saint-Lawrence.
Upper Town sits on Cap Diamant, the cliff overlooking the Saint-Lawrence, and contains the headline sights — Château Frontenac (the most photographed hotel in the world), the Citadelle de Québec (still an active military fortress), Plains of Abraham, Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica and the only intact set of city walls in North America. Most luxury hotels (Frontenac, Saint-Antoine, Manoir Victoria) cluster here. Dufferin Terrace is the boardwalk along the cliff edge with the famous toboggan slide in winter.
Scores
Walkability
Transit
Price
Local feel
Nightlife
Family-friendly
Centrality
What you gain
- ↑Inside the only city walls in North America — every step a heritage site
- ↑Dufferin Terrace toboggan slide in winter — 70km/h with the river behind
- ↑Walking distance to Plains of Abraham concerts (Festival d'été, Saint-Jean)
What you sacrifice
- ↓Highest hotel rates in the city — Frontenac from CA$700/night summer
- ↓Steep cobbled streets — challenging for mobility-limited visitors
Best for
Avoid if
Other Québec City neighbourhoods
Below the cliffs — Place Royale, rue du Petit-Champlain (oldest shopping street in North America), the Old Port and Musée de la Civilisation.
The city's "Champs-Élysées" — terrace restaurants, Parlement de Québec, nightclubs and the bulk of mid-range hotels.
The locals' creative quarter — gentrified working-class district with third-wave coffee, design studios and Quebec's best chef-driven restaurants.
Know where to stay — now find when to go.
Best time to visit Québec City →