Warm up with a magical Quebec City 3-day itinerary and experience the charm of Canadian winters with ice skating, toboggan rides, cobbled street markets, and so much more.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only walled city north of Mexico, Quebec City offers a winter itinerary full of wonderful experiences for travelers of all styles.
After getting to know the ins and outs of this city as a prime winter destination in Canada, I’m thrilled to share my recommendations with you.
So, let’s dive in! Here’s your ultimate 3-day Quebec City winter itinerary.
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Where to Stay During Quebec City 3 Day Itinerary
The best area to stay in during your first time in Quebec City is definitely Old Quebec. However, hotels can be pricier in this area, so the second best area is Saint-Roch, which is the downtown area.
Old Québec
This is where you’ll find more of the European influence with French architecture and cobbled streets. If you plan on staying in the most central area for the itinerary, here are the best hotels to stay in.
- Fairmont Le Château Frontenac: Castle-like landmark hotel that overlooks Quebec with indoor pool, wine bar, and more.
- Hôtel Palace Royal: 4-star hotel with indoor pool with gardens, sauna, and hot tub. Many rooms have city views. (I stayed here)
- Auberge Saint-Antoine Relais & Châteaux: 4-star hotel located close to the river with inviting rooms and proximity to Petit-Champlain
- Auberge La Chouette: Budget-friendly hotel set in Victorian-era guesthouse
- Le Capitole Hôtel: Beautiful hotel with city views and in-room soaking tubs
Saint-Roch (Downtown Quebec City)
Saint-Roch is about a 15-minute walk to Old Quebec, so it’s actually quite convenient and affordable. Plus, you’ll get to see more of Quebec this way!
Much of Old Quebec is located at a higher elevation than downtown (Saint-Roch). But! It took me a couple of days of walking to realize that there is a FREE elevator that takes you from upper to lower town in a matter of seconds.
You’ll find it along the way from Saint-Roch to the attractions in this itinerary. It’s just behind the Jean-Paul-L’Allier Garden. It will say Ascenseur du Faubourg outside of the tall building.
Here’s where to stay in Saint-Roch.
- Hôtel du Jardin: Budget-friendly, close to Old Quebec with big beds and cool wall murals (where I stayed)
- Hotel PUR: Cool, modern hotel with great fitness center and indoor pool
What to Wear in Quebec City, Canada in Winter
If you’re visiting Quebec in winter (December to March), you can expect below freezing temperatures on a near daily basis. During my week in Quebec City in December, most days ranged between 32°F to 19°F (4°C to -7°C). Nighttime dropped a bit to around 10°F to 5°F (-12°C to -15°C) with the windchill.
To dress well for Quebec City, you need non-cotton, thermal layers like this merino wool leggings and top set.
Beyond that, I recommend warm, waterproof boots designed for snowy weather.
You will want a water-resistant winter coat, the longer the better. If you want to bring a second coat, bring a long wool coat (wool wicks away moisture naturally).
Those are the most important details, but I’ll list all my recommendations for winter outfits for Quebec City.
- Thermal leggings and long sleeve
- Long winter coat
- Waterproof winter boots
- Touchscreen-friendly gloves
- Thick wool socks
- Earmuffs
- Warm beanie or balaclava
- Merino wool sweaters, lightweight to be packable
- Pants to wear over thermal leggings
- Snow pants
- Scarf to protect neck, chin, etc
For more information on how to dress for a winter destination, see my winter packing list here.
Day 1 in Quebec City in Winter
Arrive in Quebec in the morning or early afternoon to make the most of the limited daylight in winter. To get started, here’s how to spend your first day in Quebec City.
Drop bags off at hotel
Most hotels in the city will allow you to check-in around 4 p.m., including the famous Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. But no worries! You’ll be able to drop your bags off at the hotel and be able to go out and explore from there.
Breakfast or lunch
Depending on what time you’re starting the day, you can either go for breakfast or lunch. For a fantastic breakfast or lunch spot, I recommend La Buche. The ambiance is so Québécois Canadian so it’s the perfect place to kick off your Quebec City 3 day itinerary.
And with nearly 6,000 positive Google reviews, it’s one of the most popular places to eat with 3 days in Quebec City.
They do breakfast trays with crepes, potatoes, eggs, toasts, meats – you name it. But they also do delicious alternatives like homemade oatmeal with fruit, granola and yogurt, as well as waffles and other brunch dishes.
Lunch is more of pot pies with salads, various poutines, and seafood options. There are dishes for vegetarians, vegans, and the like.
Place Royale
The most picturesque square in Old Quebec, Place Royale’s cobbled space has a huge central Christmas tree in winter and is surrounded by historic stone buildings.
It was founded in 1608 and has French and British influence. Back then, it was a little bit of everything – a fort, residences, and marketplace all rolled into one charming little square.
Petit-Champlain
The Place Royale is part of Petit-Champlain, an ultra charming district with cobbled streets, shopping, galleries, and cozy cafes and eateries. It’s one of the best places to take photos of Quebec City’s snowy streets in winter.
From Place Royale, turn onto Rue Sous-le-Fort, my favorite of the prettiest streets in the city. This street leads right up to the funicular of Quebec City.
Rue Sous-le-Fort is lined with shops and coffee shops on either side, and the top of the street ends with the entrance to the funicular. Then, one side of the street leads to more shops and cobbled streets (Rue du Petit Champlain). The other is a set of staircases that can be used as an alternative to taking the funicular.
The opposite end has a beautiful view of the Royal Battery complete with cannons and the chilly St. Lawrence River.
If you are doing a Quebec City winter itinerary, then these streets will be dressed up in festive decor from buttery lights to pine-covered shop displays and giant nutcrackers.
Dufferin Terrace
To get to the terrace that overlooks Petit-Champlain, you will either want to take the funicular, which costs CAD $5 per person, or take the stairs that are just next to the funicular building. You’ll take those and then go up to the street for just a second and then take the next set of stairs to your right.
The stairs are a mini workout, but if you don’t want to spend $5, it’s definitely worth taking them. I actually didn’t take the funicular at all during my winter trip. I didn’t think it was worth it because the views are better from the terrace and the stairs aren’t that bad.
However, if yourself or someone you’re traveling with has mobility issues then the funicular is a godsend.
Anywho, the terrace! This is one of the best places for views of Quebec City and the St. Lawrence River. It’s a free-to-visit terrace that’s right next to the castle-like hotel (which you may be staying in!)
Take a walk along here and enjoy new perspectives of lower Quebec, the snowy streets, and the hotel.
There are also a few different monuments and places here like the Monument Samuel-De Champlain and Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site. It’s also very close to some of the Christmas market locations (the Place d’Armes one, particularly).
However, the main thing to do is enjoy a winter experience at the best place on the Dufferin Terrace. It’s next on your Quebec City winter itinerary!
Dufferin Terrace Toboggan Slide
As the sun slowly begins to set (this will be just before 4 p.m. in December and then slowly increase to 4:30 -4:45 by the end of January), head to the Dufferin Terrace Toboggan Slide.
It’s typically open from mid-December until late March, offering a budget-friendly cultural activity for friends, couples, families, and solo travelers to slide down on a classic toboggan overlooking the beautiful Château Frontenac and Old Quebec.
You can get 4 tickets for CAD $15. Even if you’re just two people, as we were, I suggest taking the 4 for $15 deal because you’ll probably want to again (whether today or another day of your winter Quebec City 3 day itinerary).
We did it twice and had so much fun! It’s a thrill, but don’t worry, it’s not scary.
The second time we got to meet the legend himself Patrick Fitzergald (this is the owner dressed up as the historic figure who established the toboggan slide back in 1884). He even rode down with us!
To buy tickets, visit the Au 1884 cafe. They serve warm foods, coffees, and hot chocolate as well. Alternatively, you can secure tickets online.
Check into hotel
Since it was probably too early to officially check-in when you arrived to Quebec this morning, go ahead and return to your hotel after your toboggan ride. Besides, you’ll probably be wanting to warm up after exploring and riding.
Dinner
There are lots of lovely places to go for dinner in and around Old Quebec. Here are a few of my top recommendations for dinner in Quebec City.
- Archibald Microbrasserie: If you love craft beer and upscale pub cuisine
- Pub L’Oncle Antoine: 17th-century brick cellar restaurant famous for its onion soup
- Le Lapin Sauté: Lovely French food restaurant in a intimate space
- Ninkasi Bar & Bistro: Young-cool spot with poutine, salads, burgers and live music/karaoke nights
Nighttime walk in Old Quebec, optional Christmas Markets
Enjoy a post-dinner walk through Old Quebec. It will be in full form with festive lights on display, particularly through Petit-Champlain, Place D’Armes, and Rue Saint-Louis.
This is also a chance to see some of the Christmas markets if your first winter day in Quebec City falls on anywhere from Thursday to Sunday.
The Christmas markets in Quebec City are German style, meaning festive vendors set up in wooden stalls, Glühwein (vin chaud in French), hot cider, warm pretzels, pastries, and lots of Christmas light displays.
There are five Quebec Christmas markets in total – Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, Jardins de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, Place d’Armes, Rue Sainte-Anne, and Place D’Youville.
Most days the markets are open until 9 p.m. and lasts from late November to December 23rd.
I recommend a cup of vin chaud and a leisure walk through one of the Christmas markets. Note that you can’t take your drink onto the streets, only within the Christmas market you’re currently visiting.
And don’t worry! This itinerary for 3 days in Quebec City in winter includes visits to more Christmas market locations, so you’ll have a chance to see them all.
Day 2 of Winter in Quebec City
It’s another wonderful day in Quebec City! The weather is chilly, snow is piled up, and the ambiance is jolly. Here’s what you’ll get up to on day 2 of your Quebec City 3 day itinerary.
Breakfast at Paillard, Le Hobbit, or Le Bonnet d’Âne
Start the morning off with breakfast or brunch at one of these three spots, assuming you visited La Buche yesterday. For Le Hobbit and Le Bonnet d’Âne, call or make a reservation online in advance to avoid disappointment.
Paillard will be beautifully decorated for the holidays, serving loads of different sweet and savory pastries, quiches, breakfast sandwiches, and coffees. The line was a little long when we were there, but the pastries were worth it. The coffee was just okay.
On the other hand, Le Hobbit is known for its breakfast/brunch menu with dishes like mushroom crostinis, chicken and waffles, eggs benedict, and blood pudding.
Finally, I LOVED Cafe Au Bonnet d’Âne. They serve delicious breakfast potatoes with classic dishes like eggs benedict, breakfast casseroles, omelets, crepes, and more. Every meal comes with a homemade little smoothie and the option to add a complimentary cup of coffee.
Museum of Civilization (Musée de la Civilisation)
If you only visit one museum during your Quebec City 3 day itinerary, then let it be the Museum of Civilization on Rue Dalhousie by the river.
They have constantly changing exhibitions, but there are a few permanent ones as well. One, for example, is titled This is Our Story. It beautifully showcases First Nations and Inuit in the 21st Century as well as historic artifacts and details.
Another one is called In Other Words, Québec and goes into the details of Quebec’s history, how the past shaped the city and province, and more. Great chance to get to know more about the history of Quebec!
I really enjoyed the exhibit on Quebec identity, discussing the province’s somewhat divide on identifying as Canadian, Québécois, or Québécois Canadian.
It gives an insightful yet humorous quote from Pierre Faladreau’s 1985 fi;m Elvis Gratton, “I am Québécois Canadian, a French Canadian French guy, a French North American, a Québécois Francophone Canadian, a Québécois who speaks French Canadian French…”
That exhibit was particularly interesting as someone who spent five years living in Barcelona, seeing the divide between the Catalan who feel both Spanish and Catalan and the Catalans who feel only Catalan.
Anyway! Tickets depend on your age bracket. You can buy tickets online in advance to save a few dollars or purchase them at the front desk on arrival. There is a complimentary coat check as well.
The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Coffee at Le Petit Dep
Before you head off to the ice canoe, grab a lovely flat white (or coffee of your choice) at Le Petit Dep in Petit-Champlain near the museum.
It’s a cozy, small space with excellently roasted coffee as well as pastries and other light bites. It’ll be awhile before you can eat again, so go ahead and enjoy a little croissant or snack of your choosing as well.
Ice Canoeing on St. Lawrence River
One of the coolest things I did during my Quebec winter trip was go ice canoeing on the St. Lawrence River! If you are looking for an adventurous winter activity to do in the city, I can’t recommend enough the Canot à glace expérience.
We did the intro to ice canoeing tour with hot chocolate and a sauna session. Our tour started at 1 p.m. and lasted just under 3 hours, including the sauna.
The guides are very knowledgeable about the river, its landmarks, and how to navigate the canoe safely on and off the ice.
I was a total beginner and was definitely not doing too hot at the beginning, but after getting a rhythm down, we rowed our way to a collection of ice sheets on the river.
From there, we had to “scooter”. Basically, we turned our bodies around in the canoe and allowed one leg to be outside of the canoe. We then used our outside leg to push on the ice and move the canoe through and onto the ice.
It was an AMAZING workout and an overall cool experience to have canoed over multi-feet long chunks of ice.
Oh, and the coffee and snack on the ice definitely hit the spot after rowing and scootering halfway through the tour.
Afterward, we returned back to the base, changed out of the many layers they provided for us and slipped into the sauna.
They asked if I wanted to do a cold plunge and OF COURSE I DID. So, I dipped into the river and then went back into the sauna to warm up again.
Definitely an unforgettable experience, and I highly recommend you give it a go during your 3 days in Quebec City.
And if you don’t want to do the full three hours, you can opt for the sunset ice canoe tour.
Relax at hotel
After the ice canoeing excursion, you’ll probably want to freshen up back at the hotel. If you are staying in an iconic hotel like Fairmont Le Château Frontenac or Hôtel Palace Royal, this will give you time to explore it.
Both have indoor pools, hot tubs, and saunas, so there are plenty of ways to relax and unwind before dinner.
Sugar Shack (cabane à sucre)
A quintessential experience to have in the province of Quebec! Sugar shacks are places where you can make your own 100% maple syrup taffy.
You, or the person working, will pour maple syrup over ice. Then, after about 10-15 seconds, you take a popsicle stick or similar, press it against one end of the syrup, and begin to roll it up into a tasty maple treat!
There are multiple sugar shacks in the city. However, I went to a cabane à sucre place at Dufferin Terrace. It cost CAD $3 to make the maple syrup taffy.
If you love maple syrup, don’t miss out on experiencing one of the sugar shacks during your Quebec City 3 day itinerary.
Dinner
After that, it will be about time for dinner and drinks. We had a pre-drink at Pub Saint-Alexandre. They have a huge selection of craft beers from around the world as well as cocktails, delicious appetizers (we loved the spinach artichoke dip), and a full dinner menu as well.
We then went to dinner at D’Orsay Restaurant. It has a really cozy and inviting ambiance, but still has that traditional pub feel. The menu is excellent and the food is served beautifully!
Remember to make a reservation, at least earlier that day, to ensure you can have somewhere to dine.
If you don’t want to go to D’Orsay, consider one of the other restaurants I mentioned on Day 1.
Afterward, feel free to stroll to one of the other Christmas markets if they’re open.
Day 3 of Quebec Winter Itinerary
It’s your last full day in Quebec City! You’ve seen a lot of the city by now, but there are still a few wintry experiences you can’t skip out on.
Breakfast
Have breakfast at your hotel or one of the other lovely places I’ve mentioned on Day 1 or 2. If you loved a particular place, don’t be afraid to go back!
If you are leaving the hotel, you can go ahead and bring the essential items you’ll need for the next activity. For that, you’ll need a swimsuit, flip flops, and a robe if you have one.
Siberia Station Spa
Pack a tote bag with a swimsuit, flip flops, and robe. If you don’t have flip flops or a robe, don’t worry. You can buy flip flops for cheap at the spa and rent a robe to use during the duration of your visit. Towels are included automatically.
The Siberia Station Spa is an incredible outdoor spa experience and is the perfect way to spend your last day in Quebec City. It’s located about 15 minutes outside of Old Quebec by car, so I recommend taking an Uber to get there.
It’s located in a lush, woodsy part of the city close to Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. Once you check-in, you’ll have full access to four different saunas, a eucalyptus steam room, two cold plunge pools, multiple jacuzzis, Siberian yurts to relax in, a place to drip directly into the river, a cafe… The list goes on, but those are the overall highlights.
I managed to spend six hours here. During my Quebec trip, I spent the first couple of days alone and then my partner joined me for the last 3 nights. Visiting the spa was part of my solo trip to Quebec, and it was perfect that way.
While I was there, I did a little bit of everything, and had lunch. I ordered a fresh sandwich, soup, and coffee at the onsite cafe. Later I came back and had a mint coffee cocktail. Yes, they have amazing mixed drinks here, too!
The Spa is spacious, and even though I visited on a Friday, it never felt crowded. Just a calm oasis.
I do recommend bringing a book if you plan on relaxing in the yurt or spending a bit of time in the cafe. Perfect solo day out, I’m telling you! I got so much reading done.
Nonetheless, you don’t have to stay six hours… I was on a 5-day trip to Quebec (to research this itinerary for you!), so I had extra time. Something around three hours would be ideal for your last day in Quebec.
You can book your Siberia Station Spa experience online or upon arrival. My booking cost CAD $63. You also have the option of adding a massage to your reservation.
There are other sauna spas, like Strøm Spa and SKYSPA, but this one is more affordable than Strøm and way more unique in my opinion. SKYSPA seems small with less things to do. That’s why I’ve highlighted it in this Quebec City 3 day itinerary and not the others.
Ice Skating at Place d’Youville
Come back to Old Quebec for ice skating at Place d’Youville. If you happen to have ice skates with you, then it’s free to skate here. Otherwise, you’ll rent skates from inside for CAD $10 a person.
It’s a beautiful spot to skate. It’s located beside one of the Christmas markets and has a fairytale-like view of the St. Jean Gate and Fortifications of Québec.
We skated for about an hour and this included a 15-minute break for them to use the Zamboni to resurface the ice.
If you are traveling with children, or are new to ice skating, they have skating aid you can take onto the ice as well as little riders to push a child in.
Free time; Walk through the city, toboggan slide, drinks
Enjoy some free time to do whatever you’d like to do! You may want a second go-around on the toboggan slide, another wintry walk through Old Quebec, or you’d like to go for drinks at a cozy pub.
And if you haven’t visited many of the Christmas markets or done much shopping, this is another opportunity to do those things. Take home some maple syrup, candies, find some woolen mittens, or an ornament from the Christmas market.
Dinner
Go out for one final dinner. I’ve recommended a lot of different places throughout this itinerary, but I’ll highlight a few others to consider as well.
- Don Vegan Restaurant: Lovely vegan restaurant with daily menu
- 1640 Bistro: Upscale restaurant with French onion soup, pizzas, seafood, and gourmet burgers
- Restaurant Chez Victor: Popular burger joint with vegan/vegetarian options
- Aux Anciens Canadiens: Gourmet Québec cuisine in historic home
Jazz at Bar Ste-Angèle or Microbrewery Visit
If you love live Jazz paired with craft beer, cocktails, and wine, then finish off your 3 day Quebec itinerary at Bar Ste-Angèle.
The bar opens every evening at 8 p.m. and stays lively until the wee hours. It’s a cool place to soak up some French flair during your Quebec trip, and try more local drinks as well!
It tends to fill up early, so try to get there close to when they open so you can grab a good seat. However, if you get there and find it too busy, there are several other cool bars in the same area.
In that case, as alternatives, I recommend: Pub St-Alexandre, Le Drague Cabaret Club, Bar le Fou du Roy, or Ninkasi Bar & Bistro (lots of good beers on tap here).
Quebec City has a lot of cool microbreweries. One of my faovrites was Noctem Artisans Brasseurs, closer to downtown. I love sour beers and they had a delicious line-up!
FAQ – Winter Quebec City 3 Day Itinerary
Here are some of the most common questions asked by those planning a winter Quebec City trip.
Is Quebec City worth visiting in winter?
Quebec City is a magical place to visit come December. From its cobbled stone streets and St. Lawrence River views to its 1884 toboggan slide and festive Christmas markets, there are so many reasons to visit Quebec City in winter.
Even if you visit after December, there are so many other things to enjoy from woodsy outdoor spas, ice skating in Place d’Youville, ice canoeing on the river, and more.
What should you not miss in Quebec City?
Definitely don’t miss out on visiting the Dufferin Terrace for views of the city, a sugar shack, toboggan slide in winter, and views of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Beyond that, explore the Petit-Champlain, which is the district of Old Quebec with quaint streets, shops, cafes, and the city’s funicular.
Is it easy to get around Quebec City without a car?
Yes, despite being so hilly in its old center, visiting Quebec City tourism spots is very walkable. It also has a free elevator that goes from the lower level where downtown is to the upper level where Old Quebec is located.
Otherwise, the city is very walkable. It’s about a 10 to 15-minute walk from the train station to Old Quebec or Saint-Roch (downtown).
Beyond that, there are buses and Uber drivers, making it easier when you need to go somewhere further away.
Conclusion – Winter Quebec Itinerary
Thank you for reading my itinerary on Quebec City! I had such a maigcal time exploring this Canadian gem, and I’m so proud to showcase it here for you. Whether you’re coming for a long weekend or part of a bigger trip to Canada, I hope these tips have been helpful in planning a winter in Quebec itinerary.
If you have ANY questions, comments, or concerns please comment them down below. I tend to reply within the day 🙂 Happy travels!
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