Beautiful Places in Quebec City for Instagram Envy!

I tell you the truth, Quebec City is the prettiest city in North America. There are so many beautiful places in Quebec City that we were not able to see all of them, having only one day to spend there. Which means I want to go back, tout de suite!

One of Canada’s most visited cities, Quebec City feels like you’ve been transported to a small village in the French countryside in Europe. So it’s no surprise that, like me, most people who visit immediately fall in love with the utterly charming old-world architecture and vibe.

The postcard-perfect UNESCO old town has colorful 15th-17th century architecture, cobblestone streets, bougie boutique shops, charming cafes and bistros, and an abundance of green spaces; there are enough beautiful places in Quebec City for an Instagram extravaganza.

I felt immediately in sync with this scenic city sitting on the St. Lawrence River. You see, my inheritance is that ALL my ancestors emigrated from France and Belgium to the Quebec province, to Rhode Island. The Canadian French sounded nostalgically in my ears like every family event on my paternal grandparents’ side; even the heavily accented English sounded like their conversations. I was overjoyed that I would be able to find the yummy food of my childhood: tourtiere, crepes, quiche, bouillabaisse, and croissants. The food of my youth always has my mouth watering.

Quebec City at a Glance

Language: French
Established: 1608
Population: 542,298 (2017) United Nations
Area: 187.6 mi²
Province: Quebec, 150 miles north of Montréal
Founder: Samuel de Champlain

Best Time to Visit

Summer was perfect and my preferred time – warm but not too hot. If you prefer fewer crowds, then the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall might be for you. If you don’t mind the snow, winter with its incredible Christmas decorations and festivals would be fun. Even though I don’t like cold weather, I wouldn’t mind going back in winter to visit the seasonal Ice Hotel.

Brief History of Québec City

Québec City’s history dates back hundreds of years to the indigenous First Nations.
French explorer Jacques Cartier later arrived in Québec City in the 1500s and tried to build a colony but failed.
Subsequently, Samuel de Champlain successfully established a colony in “New France” along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Thus began the fur trade between Québec City and Europe, as well as missionaries and other French explorers settling here.
In the mid-1700s, the British, invaded Quebec City to eliminate the French and establish British rule.

10 Old Port

When we arrived at Quebec City on our Holland America Canada & New England cruise, the first thing we did was walk from the ship port to the old town. The waterfront and charming streets that surround the Old Port are perfect for strolling and photographing.

9 Citadel View

Full disclosure, we hadn’t intended on going to the Citadel, as it’s located high on a hill and we had limited time. We were actually trying to get to Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons (See #1 below) but got turned around and our Google Maps wasn’t working properly.

When we were almost at the top, we realized our error and turned around to get back on the right path. One positive outcome is that we passed a very pretty photo spot over the river.

If you have time, the Citadelle of Quebec is an active military installation at the top of Cap Diamant, the highest natural point in the city. It is a National Historic Site of Canada as well as the second official residence of the governor-general of Canada and the Canadian monarch.

8 Beavertails in Lower Town

View over lower town

The Lower Town is a historic district located at the bottom of Cap Diamant. Built in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, it was restored to reconstruct the French flair from its origins. It’s a pretty area to stroll around, as is most of the old town.

Beaver Tails are deep-fried dough pastries that are individually hand-stretched to resemble the shape of a beaver’s tail. No part of actual beavers are used! It is usually topped with something sweet such as cinnamon and sugar, Nutella, etc. You can find them at Queues de Castor in the lower town.

7 Passages Insolites

Located in the Place de Paris in Quebec City, the Passages Insolites is an art installation connecting Place des Canotiers and Place Royale.

Creator Felice Varini is not like traditional artists who use a customary canvas medium. Instead, he has created an architectural three-dimensional installation in an urban landscape, resulting in a unique optical illusion.

The artist’s vision is for the spectator to physically step into the artwork and wander around, observing deconstructed fragments and concentric circles. He encourages visitors to find a specific viewpoint in which to solve the visual puzzle.

6 Fresque des Québécois

jockrutherford from Owen Sound, ON, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Only a few steps from Place Royale, the imposing Fresque des Québécois mural narrates the story of Quebec City.

Fresque des Québécois (Mural of Quebecers), located just a few steps from beautiful Place Royale, is one of the city’s most impressive murals and landmarks. Completed in 1999, the impressive art installation is a favorite Instagram spot.

The mural contains several historical figures and other notable figures, including Jacques Cartier, Samuel de Champlain, and Lord Dufferin.

5 Rue du Petit Champlain

Next to the Chateau Frontenac, one of the most beautiful places in Quebec City is the Rue du Petit Champlain (“Little Champlain Street”). Rue du Petit Champlain is one of North America’s oldest commercial streets, full of adorable boutique shops and art galleries. With colorful 17th-century architecture, cobblestone streets, and all the charm of a French medieval village, it’s no surprise why this pedestrian-only thoroughfare was voted Canada’s most beautiful street.

4 Breakneck Stairs/Funicular

Although the name of these iconic stairs in Old Quebec City is a bit off-putting, climbing the iconic Breakneck Stairs (aka Escalier Casse-Cou) is a must-do in the city! Built in 1635, they are the city’s oldest stairway and will give you one of the most famous views of Rue du Petit Champlain beneath.

The top of the steep 59-step incline links Upper Town with Lower Town and gets really crowded so you have to be very patient to get your shot. We were there in the middle of the afternoon so we initiated several takes before success without too many people. If you can get there early in the morning you’ll have a better chance to get a photo without people.

If you prefer to not tackle the steep staircase, there’s an alternative – the 195-foot funicular ($4). The funicular, in operation since 1879, also connects the lower and upper towns and provides smooth and relaxing with an opportunity for more photo ops.

3 Rue Cul-de-Sac

This appealing, narrow street, also called “Umbrella Alley,” in Lower Town is decorated with umbrellas suspended over the charming cobblestone street during summertime. Located at the foot of the Chateau Frontenac it provides a beautiful view of the chateau towering above.

This spot also gets very crowded, so get here early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds. Alternatively, you can take the shot looking up at the umbrellas.

The light can be pretty harsh in this spot so visiting in the morning or at golden hour is another reason to avoid the afternoon sun.

2 Place Royale

Located in the heart of Lower Town, idyllic Place Royale is a beautifully picturesque cobblestoned square surrounded by medieval buildings with stone facades, Parisian-style cafes, expensive boutique shops, and America’s oldest 17th-century stone church.

The Québécois consider historic Place Royale to be the heart of Basse-Ville, also known as the birthplace of French America. Samuel de Champlain set up a fort and residence when he founded “New France” in 1608. It’s home to the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, the oldest stone church in North America, built in 1688, and classic French-influenced stone homes.

Beyond being a site of historical importance, Place Royale is utterly charming and second only to Chateau Frontenac as the most Instagrammable place in Quebec City, in my opinion. It feels like you’ve stepped back and time; it easily transported me back to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast! We went back to it twice, to take advantage of two different lighting opportunities.

1 Fairmont Chateau Frontenac

Did you know that the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac claims to be the most photographed hotel in the whole world? No visit to Quebec City would be complete without witnessing the beauty of the striking castle in the upper town. Perched atop a bluff, it’s a stunning 610-room urban hotel and a grand statement of the power of human architecture. Opened in 1893 as one of the country’s grand railway buildings, the Victorian Gothic castle towers above Quebec City. It is one of the most beautiful places in Quebec City and there are no bad angles for photography.

Towering over Old Quebec, the luxury chateau earned its status as a National Historic Site in 1981.

Similar to the Eiffel Tower in terms of its easily recognizable facade and many photographic vantage points, here are the four best places to take photos of Chateau Frontenac:

Dufferin Terrace

Dufferin Terrace is the most popular place for photographs as the long stretch of boardwalk runs alongside the Château Frontenac and beside the St. Lawrence River and is easy to get to.

In summer high season, this area will be very crowded with tourists, street performers, and vendors during the day.

Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons

For another stunning (and less crowded) lookout point for the Château Frontenac and the Quebec City skyline, go to Pierre-Dugua-de Mons Terrace in Parc du Bastion-De-La-Reine. You can get there by walking up from behind the hotel, or (like we did) down from the La Citadelle de Quebec.

With a little bit of physical effort in climbing to the top, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view of Quebec City, the iconic Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, and St. Lawrence River.

Be advised that it can be VERY windy at this high spot.

Parc Montmorency

Parc Montmorency is somewhat of a secret. It gives you a great view of the Chateau Frontenac, and the ability to capture an amazing photo with the Chateau towering behind you without any people in the background of your photo.

Rue Cul de Sac

Aka “Umbrella Alley,” this site (see #3 above) provides a lovely view of the castle towering above the umbrellas.

Conclusion

One of the main aspects that make Quebec City so photogenic is its old-world architectural charm, ranging from the French style to English Neoclassical, Romantic, Art Deco, and more.

Just wander around and get lost in the labyrinth of stunning cobblestone streets. You can’t go wrong.

My HAL Cruise

Here are articles about all the ports I visited during my Holland America cruise that you may be interested in:

Most photos by Kary Kern.

Click below to PIN so you can find beautiful places in Quebec City again:

Disclosure: The author was honored to be the guest of Quebec Cite Tourism during her stay, but as always, the opinions, reviews, and experiences are her own.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer.

About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.