Posted: 11/28/2023 | November 28th, 2023
Quebec City is one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. Often overlooked in favor of bigger and more internationally well-known destinations like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, this is where European explorers (including Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain) first arrived in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, Quebec City is most famous for its well-preserved European Old Town. It also has a blossoming reputation for fun festivals, especially in the winter. There are plenty of things to do too, as the city is home to insightful museums, an ever-growing number of microbreweries, and a surprisingly fantastic foodie scene. To help you decide where to stay in Quebec City, I’ll highlight the best neighborhoods below so you can choose the area that suits your travel style and budget, as they all have their own feel.
Where to Stay in Quebec City for First-Time Visitors: Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec)
The only remaining fortified city north of Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vieux-Québec is surrounded on three sides by stone fortification walls and their accompanying cannons. With its historic stone buildings, cobblestone streets, and literal castle (that you can stay in if you want to splash out; see below) looming large over it all, Old Quebec is the closest you’ll get to historic European charm on this side of the Atlantic. You’re also just steps away from all of the city’s main attractions, too, including the Victorian library, Dufferin Terrace, Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica (the oldest church in North America), the 19th-century funicular, the Museum of Civilization, and the Vieux Port. It’s the best place to stay if you want the greatest variety of accommodations, as most hotels are located here.
Best places to stay in Old Quebec:
- BUDGET: HI Québec-Auberge Internationale de Québec
- MIDRANGE: Hotel AtypiQ
- LUXURY: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Where to Stay in Quebec City for Foodies: Saint-Roch
Formerly a working-class neighborhood, Saint-Roch has become the city’s trendiest area and the center of the tech scene. With fewer hotels and attractions, it has a more local feel compared to the other neighborhoods mentioned here (it’s usually where residents retreat to from the bustling Old Town during tourist season). Saint-Roch is full of ultra-cool and award-winning restaurants, chic cafés, coffee roasters, microbreweries, speakeasy cocktail bars, and French bistros. During your breaks between meals, step into one of the many vintage boutiques, relax in the Jean-Paul L’Allier garden, or visit Église Saint-Roch, the largest church in town.
Best places to stay in Saint-Roch:
- BUDGET: Auberge Jeunesse La Belle Planete Backpackers Hostel
- MIDRANGE: Hôtel du Jardin – Par Les Lofts
- LUXURY: Hôtel Québec Best Western PLUS Centre-Ville
Where to Stay in Quebec City for Nightlife: Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Centered around rue Saint-Jean (a section of which becomes a pedestrian-only zone in the summer), the bohemian Saint-Jean-Baptiste district is home to all manner of nightlife choices, no matter your preferred style. There’s a plethora of bars, microbreweries, and live music venues, plus all the best nightclubs in town here, in particular Le Drague Cabaret Club, a gay dance club, and Le Dagobert, the biggest nightclub in the province, featuring multiple floors with different styles of music on each. The area, known for its colorful houses lining the steep streets, has plenty of bistros serving Quebecois cuisine, bakeries, and gourmet grocery stores.
Best places to stay in Saint-Jean-Baptiste:
- BUDGET: QBEDS Hostel
- MIDRANGE: Chateau des Tourelles
- LUXURY: Auberge J.A Moisan
One of the most beautiful destinations in the country, Quebec City makes for a charming weekend getaway. Feast on traditional Quebecois cuisine, marvel at the European architecture, wander the pedestrianized cobblestone streets, and really soak up all the history that’s left its mark here over the centuries. By choosing one of the neighborhoods above, you’ll be able to enjoy the best accommodation the city has to offer while making the most of your stay. Book Your Trip to Quebec City: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your FlightUse Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your AccommodationYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Don’t Forget Travel InsuranceTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.