Quebec City was first settled in 1535 by Jacques Cartier, and founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. The Old Québec district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is the only Canadian city with its original city walls. The old city is divided into Upper Town and Lower Town. We’ll show you how to maximize your 2 days in Quebec City.

Day 1 – Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, Notre-Dame Cathedral-Basilica and Lower Town

Start your visit of Quebec City at the Dufferin Terrace, a wood walkway that wraps around the Château Frontenac hotel and overlooks the Lower Town and St. Lawrence River. The natural cliff it stands upon serves as part of the old city fortifications that continues with man-made walls to the north and west. You’ll have amazing photo opportunities every way you look, and get your bearings for the city.

Wander around the side streets surrounding the Château Frontenac, making your way to the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville. This small town square is bordered by the historic City Hall and the Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral-Basilica.

Make your way towards the Montmorency Park National Historic Site and follow the Côte de la Montagne road towards the Lower Town.

The Lower Town is compact, but every little street and corner offers beautiful historic buildings and postcard-perfect photo opportunities. Take rue Notre-Dame to Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, a small stone church constructed between 1687 and 1723.

From there, turn right at rue Sous le Fort, and then right on rue du Petit Champlain. Explore this quaint street before turning back towards Upper Town. If you’re tired of walking, you can take the funicular up to Dufferin Terrace.

Day 2 – Old City Fortifications, Parliament Building, La Citadelle and Plains of Abraham

Start this day at the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site of Canada. From here you can walk along a good stretch of the old city walls, walking over the Porte Saint-Jean gates, continuing along the wall to Esplanade Park.

At Esplanade Park, make a small detour to see the Québec Parliament Building, home to the National Assembly of Québec, constructed between 1877 and 1886.

Continuing along the city walls, you’ll make your way to La Citadelle. This is the oldest military building in Canada and forms part of the fortifications of Quebec City. It also serves as a secondary official residence of the Canadian monarch and the Governor General of Canada.

Take a stroll through the adjoining Plains of Abraham. This was the location of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, a pivotal battle between France and Britain over New France.

Finish your day on the opposite side of the Citadelle at the Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons Terrace, which overlooks and connects down to the Dufferin Terrace. It’s a great place to catch the evening sun on the Château Frontenac.

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Have you visited these attractions or tried this itinerary for your 2 days in Quebec City? Let us know what you thought in the comments!