Walking Old Quebec by Theme
Old Quebec rewards slow walking, and these routes are grouped by what you want to see instead of by neighbourhood. Each uses stops that are open to the public, and costs are in Canadian dollars (CAD).
For history: the walls and the battlefield
Begin at Porte Saint-Louis and follow the ramparts, which are free to walk and run about 4.6 km around the Upper Town. Parks Canada names the Porte Saint-Jean and Porte Kent among the gates. For a guided version, the Parks Canada tour lasts 90 minutes and costs about 22.75 for adults, running from 19 June to 25 October in 2026 and meeting at the Frontenac kiosk. From the walls, cross to the Plains of Abraham, the 1759 battle site, using the Governors’ Promenade, and finish at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec at 179 Grande Allée Ouest. The park is a place of memory, so use it for walking, not for picnics or parties.
For views: terrace, stairs and ferry
Walk Dufferin Terrace from the Château Frontenac toward the Citadelle, then drop to the Lower Town by the Escalier Casse-Cou’s 59 steps. The funicular costs 7 one way for adults and takes cash only, but the stairs are free. The Québec-Lévis ferry crosses in about 12 minutes without a reservation and shows the old town from the water. The adult fare was 4.25 on the operator’s page.
For food and craft: Saint-Roch
Leave through Porte Saint-Jean and walk down rue Saint-Jean, then descend the Côte d’Abraham or the Escalier du Faubourg, a stair of 99 steps dating from 1931. In Saint-Roch, the brewery La Barberie at 310 rue Saint-Roch is a workers’ co-operative that serves snacks only, and Noctem Artisans Brasseurs is at 438 rue du Parvis. L’Affaire est Ketchup, at 46 rue Saint-Joseph Est, takes evening reservations. Opening hours change, so check them before you go.
For stories: the Lower Town
From Place Royale, where Champlain built his Habitation in 1608, walk to the Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires and the Fresque des Québécois, a 420 square metre mural at 29 rue Notre-Dame. Then follow Rue du Petit-Champlain, a pedestrian lane of shops. The Musée de la civilisation at 85 rue Dalhousie is close by.
After dark
Les Visites Fantômes de Québec lists evening walking tours on its website. Look there for current times and fares, since neither is set here.
Winter walking
The stairs, the Governors’ Promenade and the hills ice over, so wear boots with a deep tread. In deep cold, plan for short outdoor stretches and warm stops. The Place D’Youville rink and the Plains of Abraham ice ring are free if you want to skate, but stay off the river.
Which route first
Start with the history route if you have a morning, the views route if you have an evening, and the Saint-Roch route if you want to eat. Petty theft is the main caution in crowded areas, so keep bags closed.
The Parks Canada tour page is here , and the funicular’s own site is funiculaire.ca . Walking tours can be browsed on GetYourGuide .
Read more: sightseeing in Quebec City and the 7-day itinerary .