Quebec Tours

Do you dream of seeing Quebec from top to bottom, but don't know where to start? This is a bustling city, where you'll find a variety of guided tours that will allow you to discover its most attractive areas and explore its historical enigmas. Everywhere you go, you'll see the French heritage, evidenced in places like the Old Town, which is worth exploring in detail.

These types of experiences are among the best things to do in Quebec, as they take you to see its fortifications, old hotels, gastronomy and traditions. Read on because the most interesting adventures are waiting for you, such as visiting a bee hive, excavating the secrets of the Citadel and learning about the legends of ghosts.

The beauty of Quebec can be felt in every corner, but it's undeniable that with so many entertainment options, it's difficult to set a route. That's why I recommend starting with a tour of the old town, which will take you through the local history and emblematic buildings such as Notre Dame Cathedral.

Can you imagine walking around the same places as the celebrities? A dream come true at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a common stop on this type of tour. You can also visit the Upper Town at the top of the hill and the Lower Town at the foot of the cliffs in the same day.

Interesting details

• Price: from €23 per person.
• Duration: about two hours.
• Advantages: Usually includes a professionally licensed tour guide.
• Disadvantages: it is not a personalised experience, so you will have to follow a fixed itinerary and share the guide's time with the rest of the group.

One of the most striking aspects of Quebec are the ancient fortifications, which were built when the territory fell to the British front. Nowadays they are a tourist attraction par excellence and can be visited on foot, as it is a pedestrian city where it is easy to get around.

If this is your first contact with Quebec or you are interested in learning about the local history, I recommend joining a private experience. This type of tour is characterised by a personalised itinerary, so you can adjust it according to your interests. In addition to the amurallas, you can also check out the Plains of Abraham, an enchanting plateau with refreshing trails that will make your search for archaeological treasures more enjoyable.

Details of interest

• Price: from €168 per group.
• Duration: approximately two and a half hours.
• Advantages: Private experiences allow you to customise the itinerary to your liking.
• Disadvantages: It tends to be more expensive than other types of tours.

Canadian cuisine is tasty and full of rewarding surprises. As you walk through its streets, traditional smells will lure you to its award-winning restaurants and street stalls. While there are many places to stop for a bite to eat, the best area to learn about its culinary offerings is Orleans Island. It can be reached by the 800 line of the RTC Quebec in just seven minutes.

However, there are organised experiences that create a superb gastronomic tour of the island, usually spanning three hours and counting, with tastings of local food and drink included. You'll discover French Canadian roots, farming traditions, local ingredients, preparation techniques and secret recipes. Have you tried Tourtière? Its tender pork and veal meat melts in your mouth, representing gastronomy at its best.

Additionally, this island is known for its chocolates which you can access with the gastronomic tour on a sweetness-filled route through the premises of a traditional factory. The guide will also take you to the cider houses and vineyards.

Interesting details

• Price: from €45 per person.
• Duration: around three and a half hours.
• Benefits: you will usually have access to different experiences such as a cider maker, chocolate factory and vineyard.

Another interesting way to get around Quebec is to cycle from place to place. In fact, it's a city known for the accessibility of its bike paths. It's also a great outdoor activity that you can organise on your own by renting a bike or with a professional guide.

I suggest heading to the trails along the San Lorenzo River, where there are fewer tourists and a quieter life. From here, you'll witness a captivating panorama and you'll be able to flow into the Plains of Abraham and the waterfront. Also, if you have time, you can book a guided tour of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, which is located nearby.

Interesting details

• Price: from 112 ¤ per person.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Advantages: usually includes the necessary equipment for safe cycling.
• Disadvantages: the minimum age to participate is 16, and the route is subject to weather conditions.

Do you consider yourself a brave person and are you able to listen to horror stories at midnight? Then you can't miss out on Quebec's darkest legends. Being such an ancient city, it's no wonder that its corners are involved in paranormal happenings.

If you plan to spend at least 2 days in Quebec, I invite you to join a guided legend and ghost experience, which is usually led by a guide who will wear a spooky costume and add realism to the tour. So you'll take to the streets after dark to explore tales of unsolved crimes, executions and ghosts.

You'll even immerse yourself in the origins of the city and learn about the Morrin Centre Prison.

Interesting details

• Price: from €18 per person.
• Duration: about one and a half hours.
• Advantages: it is possible for the guides to be costumed, i.e. they can be dressed up during the tour.
• Disadvantages: not suitable for people with heart problems or other health problems.

When it comes to Quebec tours, you can't go wrong with the sightseeing bus route. This friendly open-top vehicle saves you from extensive walking with 48-hour hop-on, hop-off tickets that allow you to get on and off at approximately 15 stops. This way, you can customise your itinerary to see every corner at your own pace. Although it doesn't include a guide, on board you'll find audio guide commentary and free WiFi to search for more information.

Generally, the route takes you to discover historic buildings, the charms of Old Quebec and the colourful facilities of the Quartier Petit Champlain neighbourhood, which is a must-see if you plan to visit the city at Christmas time for its vibrant ambiance with lightings, caroling and festivals.

Interesting details

• Price: from €21 per person.
• Duration: It's a hop-on, hop-off tour, but there's also the option to do the whole tour in about two hours.
• Advantages: It is usually a pass valid for 48 hours with audio guide and WiFi on board.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a hotel representative of local history. In fact, it is an important chain around Canada, which was founded in 1893. It is considered one of the most important activities in the city that you can access on your own and decipher memorable legends. However, it is preferable to join an experience with a characterised guide, who will wear traditional costumes and play a historical character from centuries past.

You will be surprised to discover that the building has more than 600 rooms and suites, as well as art exhibits worth admiring. It is also surrounded by beautiful gardens with memorable views, where the frank roots are evident in every detail. Not only is it the most photographed in the region for its distinctive façade, but it has also hosted some of America's biggest names.

In fact, you may come across well-known celebrities who you'll be happy to ask to have their picture taken. Can you imagine how many people have passed through here? If you let your imagination run wild, you can immerse yourself in a journey through the secrets and stories within its walls.

Interesting details

• Price: from 22 € per person.
• Duration: around one hour.
• Advantages: usually led by a professional guide in period costume, plus you may have access to exclusive areas.
• Disadvantages: It is a very busy attraction and sells out quickly.

Quebec is a city full of hidden gems that you can unlock on a 3-day itinerary through the city on a self-guided tour. While there are traditional audio-guided options, I suggest you don't limit yourself and go further.

Dare to discover the panorama of this Canadian city through an escape game. This is a fun , self-paced activity where you'll discover 400 years of history as you complete puzzles and get new clues. It's usually done with an app and most travellers complete the route in an hour and a half, but there's no pressure because you can pause the game if you need to.

The experience is purchased per person, but can be shared as a couple without any inconvenience. This way, you will discover the Royal Square, the fortifications of Quebec and the unique stories of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Please note that if you have any problems, there is a 24-hour customer support system on the downloadable app.

Interesting details

• Price: from €11 per person, although a pass can entertain up to two people.
• Duration: you can complete the route in an hour and a half.
• Disadvantages: does not include a tour guide or admission to attractions.

As you walk the streets of Quebec you'll notice that some of the best things to see encompass churches and other religious shrines, a bit of an oddity given its low rate of practising believers in recent decades. A religious heritage tour can help answer that question, as you'll see religious buildings transformed into restaurants, theatres and even local residences.

A good way to discover a city with such an extensive historical heritage is with a real historian, who has studied the diversity of events that have shaped the city's chronology. This type of experience takes you to locations that are not very touristy, so that you can get an insight into the authenticity of Quebec.

During the tour you will see churches and other heritage sites of different religions such as Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Jewish, among others. Among the highlights are:

• The Quebec Seminary, also known as the Museum of French America with collections dating back to 1663.
• The Quebec Seminary, an archdiocese with a particular façade dating from 1951.
• The Convent of the Recollect Fathers, which is worth a look to delve into more than 360 years of history.
• The Ursuline Monastery, where you can learn how the Ursuline nuns came to Quebec in 1639 and why they decided to stay.
• St. Matthew's Cemetery, a very important and last resting place of historical figures.

Details of interest

• Price: from 250 ¤ per group.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Advantages: the group can usually make modifications to the itinerary and usually includes entry to the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

One of Quebec's attractions is the production of honey in beehives in different sectors. Some of them can only be seen in the summer season. This is because in winter they need temperatures above 10°C to survive, so they migrate, die or take refuge in ideal locations to hibernate.

However, there is one place where they have a space with the ideal conditions to work all year round. This is the Apikol urban distillery, which offers wine tours of its facilities and other experiences worth remembering. Here you can see the process of making mead, which is used to make delicious liqueurs.

Other spirits are also made here, and you can witness the cycle of extracting honey from the hive, as well as its transformation, fermentation, formulation and bottling. Why limit yourself to drinking wine when you can experience this?

The world of Quebec's bees is usually appreciated in a forty-five minute tour, which usually includes a wine tasting for those over 18 years of age.

Interesting details

• Price: from €20 per person.
• Duration: about one hour.
• Advantages: Usually includes a tour of a major distillery and its bee hive, with a skip-the-line entrance.
• Disadvantages: Usually only available in English and French.