Planning a Quebec City 4-day itinerary can be a lot of fun. Often referred to as a big village, Quebec City is perfect for a short getaway. The city is walkable, and if youโre arriving by train or plane there is plenty to see and do. If youโre driving to Quebec City, then you can enjoy a taste of the city, as well as places beyond like รฎle dโOrlรฉans and Jacques-Cartier park. Here is a suggested itinerary for 4 days in Quebec City.
Day One of 96 hours in Old Quebec
Once youโve checked into your hotel, itโs time to ditch your bags and start wandering around Old Quebec. Depending on the time of year, the old city can be quite busy, but donโt let that keep you from experiencing the only remaining fortified city north of Mexico.
Stroll on Dufferin Terrace and watch street performers in summer or slide on a toboggan in winter. Head up to Pierre Dugua-De Mons Terrace for a postcard worthy view of Old Quebec and the Saint-Lawrence River. Enjoy cold beers or coffee and croissants on a patio. There are art installations to admire, and walking tours that reveal the history and charm of the city.
Shop for Quebec-made souvenirs on rue Saint-Jean and rue du Petit-Champlain. Take photos in an umbrella alley, savour chocolate-dipped ice cream cones, and try poutine at Le Chic Shack of Chez Ashton.
Ride the Quรฉbec-Lรฉvis ferry for a beautiful shot of the Quebec City skyline, and grab a drink and some eats at Le Corsaire while youโre there. Youโll see Quebec City from an amazing angle.
Day Two of 4 days in Quebec City: Local Flavours and Terroir
Spending fours days in Quebec City is not complete without spending time in some of its local neighbourhoods. Some of the best neighbourhoods in Quebec, and my favourite, are within walking distance of the fortification walls.
Walking on rue Saint-Jean, past the walls, will take you into the neighbourhood of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Itโs a great neighbourhood for nightlife, and there are several boutiques, restaurants, and a handful of cafes to explore too.
Walking past the walls on rue Saint-Louis takes you past the Parliament buildings (you can take a tour for free!) and onto Grande-Allรฉe. The stretch from Hรดtel Chรขteau Laurier to Le Concorde is lined with restaurants and bars. Itโs also close to the Plains of Abraham (which has a fun little museum), lively avenue Cartier, and Musรฉe national des Beaux-Arts.
The neighbourhood of Saint-Roch is past the train station, on the other side of the overpass. Itโs a hip neighbourhood with great cafรฉs, boutiques, and microbreweries. Itโs also home to a speakeasy, a tequila bar/clothing store/Mexican restaurant combo. Oh, and award-winning restaurants like Battuto and LโAffaire est Ketchup.
The neighbourhoods of Limoilou and Saint-Sauveur are a short walk from Saint-Roch. In Limoilou most of the action is on 3rd Avenue, while Saint-Vallier Est is the main vein of Saint-Sauveur. Both neighbourhoods are home to amazing restaurants. Limoilou has some cool boutiques and cafes as well. Saint-Sauveur has some great cafes and a microbrasserie.
Whichever neighbourhoods you choose to explore, take your time. Admire the architecture, donโt be afraid to practice your French with the locals, and enjoy the outdoor urban spaces until you go onto drinks in the evening. Youโll see hours will fly by on day 2 of your 4-day weekend in Quebec City.
Day Three: Day Trip Outside Quebec City
After enjoying some of the top things to do in Quebec City in 4 days, spend a 24 hours enjoying places nearby. To learn about local Indigenous history and culture, head to Wendake, tour the Huron-Wendat Museum, listen to myths and legends, and try Indigenous cuisine at La Traite or Sagamitรฉ. The Site traditionnel Huron Onhoรผa Chetek8e is worth seeing as well.
รle dโOrlรฉans, Montmorency Falls and Cรดte-de-Beauprรฉ make for a full day of fun. Theyโre around 17 km from Old Quebec, and perfect for cycling, wine tours, picking strawberries, and gourmet dining.
Want more information on รle dโOrlรฉans and what to do while there? My friend Pamโs e-guide is perfect to help you plan!
In spring, the island is a go-to for sugar shack experiences. Drive Avenue Royale, one of the oldest roads in Quebec, and take in the architecture, old cellars and outdoor bread ovens. Bread lovers should stop at Chez Marie in summer for fresh bread. Itโs so delicious.
Outdoor adventurists will love a day trip to Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. Go on epic hikes, fish, and canoe. The rivers and lakes are perfect for SUP boarding, kayaking, and inner tubing.
In winter, the park is perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and alpine hiking. Donโt have a car? No worries, there is a shuttle to the park from Quebec City.
4th day in Quebec City: 96 Hours of Pleasure in the Capital
After a day outside the city, youโll want to unwind and relax, especially that this is the last day of your 4 day itinerary in Quebec City. Head to one of these Nordic spas for a thermal experience youโre bound to remember.
Visit the Aquarium de Quรฉbec or take a 2-hour walking tour with Cicรฉrone in the afternoon. Take the time to return to your favourite parts of the city. If youโre into beer, treat yourself to a craft brewery tour with a specialized guide. Youโll see Quebec has some great brews.
In the evening, if youโve got room in your belly left, indulge in a gourmet dinner, have drinks in a local pub, and wander around the city after dark and soak up the atmosphere before your long weekend in Quebec City come to an end.
There are so many ways to build a Quebec City 4-day itinerary, hopefully this post has given you some good ideas. There are Quebec attractions for everyone to enjoy, no matter the time of year.
Planning to travel in winter? Check out A 3-Day Quebec City Winter Itinerary for inspiration.
For other Quebec City itineraries:
- Quebec City 3-day Itinerary for Summer
- One Day in Quebec City: the Perfect Daytrip
- 2 Days in Quebec City Itinerary: a Perfect Weekend Getaway
Click here for other Quebec City content that will help your craft your 4 days in the city!
What to Do in Quebec City region and How to Organize Your Trip
Curious about how to spend your day in the Quebec City region? Hereโs a list of the top activities to consider adding to your plans:
- Admire Quebec City’s largest waterfall and take a cable car to the top of the Montmorency Falls.
- Experience a unique walking adventure in the heart of Old Quebec and learn about its history.
- Discover the food, beverages, and vineyards of รle d’Orlรฉans.
- Explore the wilderness near Quebec City with a hike in the Jacques-Cartier National Park.
- Introduce yourself to speed skating in Quebec City with top athletes on an inside ice ring.
- Ziplining above the Sainte-Anne canyon near Quebec City.
- Sleep comfortably at the Fairmont Chรขteau Frontenac and enjoy an incredible view of the St. Lawrence River.
- Enjoy a peaceful room at the Hilton Quebec and take a dip in the only year-round heated outdoor pool in Quebec City.
Preparing For Your Trip
When I look for things to do in my destination, I always have a look at Viator, GetYourGuide, Manawa, Civitatis and sometimes even Expedia.
Itโs first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.
Need a place to sleep? I find most of my accommodations on Booking.com but I also use Hotels.com for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as Expedia. When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.
Looking for a cheap flight to the Outaouais through Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair or Skyscanner I use regularly.
Once youโre there, rent a car to roam free with AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with Busbud.
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