Quebec City Sights, Free and Paid

Most of what makes Quebec City worth a visit can be seen without paying, because the old town is the attraction. This page splits the sights into those that are free and those that charge, with prices in Canadian dollars (CAD) from 2026 pages. Winter makes the stairs and slopes treacherous, so boots with grip are worth packing.

Free to see and walk

The old city has an Upper Town on the cliff and a Lower Town beside the river. Walking the Fortifications of Québec, the city walls run by Parks Canada, is free and self-guided, passing gates such as Porte Saint-Jean and Porte Kent.

Dufferin Terrace is the cliff-top promenade in front of the Château Frontenac, about 430 m long since an 1879 extension. At its far end by the Citadelle, the Governor’s Promenade is a multi-level staircase up to the Plains of Abraham.

To get down to the river, take the Escalier Casse-Cou, 59 steps and among the oldest stairways in the city, or ride the funicular for 7 one way, with children under 117 cm free. At the bottom, Place Royale marks the site of Champlain’s 1608 Habitation. The Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires there is described as one of the oldest stone churches in North America, and the Fresque des Québécois mural is close by.

The Parliament Building opens its doors for free guided or self-guided visits, and the National Assembly chamber is closed for renovation. Bring photo ID if you are 16 or over. Changing of the guard takes place at the Citadelle and not here.

The Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec, at 16 rue De Buade, is an active place of worship, so visit quietly. Tourism sources call its Holy Door the only one outside Europe, and the crypt holds bishops and four governors of New France. Hours and admission were not confirmed, so check before you go.

Parks Canada’s guided tour of the fortifications lasts about 90 minutes, with an optional extension to 120, starting from the Frontenac kiosk on Dufferin Terrace. Fees on an undated page were about 22.75 for adults, 21.25 for seniors and 12.75 for youth. Tours ran from 19 June to 25 October in 2026, so check the Parks Canada tour page for the current season.

Beneath the terrace, the Forts-et-Châteaux-Saint-Louis site shows the ruins of the Château Saint-Louis, which housed French and British governors from 1620 to 1834. In 2026 it opened 9:30 to 17:00 from 16 May to 25 October, daily until 12 October and then Wednesday to Sunday, with guided and audio tours. No adult price is confirmed, and youth get in free. See the site page .

The Plains of Abraham Museum sits at 835 avenue Wilfrid-Laurier, takes in Martello Tower 1, and keeps daily hours of 9:00 to 17:00. The adult rate was 17.00 in summer 2026 and 13.75 from 8 September, with 11.50 for seniors and ages 13 to 17, and a family ticket at 32.50. Two dates are free for everyone: 11 November and 17 March.

A battlefield park

The Plains of Abraham are a 103-hectare park where the 1759 battle was fought, so keep your voice down at the monuments. The park is a good place for the views of the river, and in winter it hosts skating and free cross-country ski tracks.

Beyond the walls

Montmorency Falls drops 83 m, just outside the city, and the daily access fee is about 13.90 for adults in high season. Île d’Orléans can be driven in a loop of about 67 km over the 1935 bridge. Both are described in the day trips guide . For a view of the skyline from the water, the Québec-Lévis ferry crosses in about 12 minutes, at about 4.25 for an adult foot passenger.

Guided walks and city tours are listed on GetYourGuide .

Read more: attraction tours in Quebec City , bus tours and the Quebec City guides .