Montreal vs. Quebec City: Which Destination is Right for Your Trip?
Are you planning a trip to Quebec and can’t decide whether to visit Montreal or Quebec City?
While both cities are 100% worth visiting, your choice depends on what kind of trip you’re looking for.
If you have the time, I highly recommend visiting both cities during your trip as they are both worth a visit. This is what I did!
However, if you’re short on time or wanting to just focus on one city, this blog post will help you figure out which city is best for you.
In this guide, we will break down the key differences between Montreal vs. Quebec City to help you pick the city that’s right for you. (*Spoiler: You can’t go wrong with either city!)
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Montreal vs. Quebec City
We will start with diving into everything Montreal has to offer, then move on to Quebec City.
Following that, I will provide a comparison between the two cities to help make your decision between Montreal vs. Quebec City easier.
To top it off, I have included sample itineraries for each destination, which you can easily combine together if this guide ultimately inspires you to visit both cities (which you should!).
Montreal
Why Visit Montreal?
Montreal is Quebec’s largest city.
It has the perfect mix of historic charm and modern culture, making it one of the most interesting big cities I have ever visited!
If you’re more of a big city lover, Montreal is the city I would visit.
Popular Things to Do in Montreal
- Explore the Old Montreal Neighborhood: Walk along the historic cobblestone streets, visit the Notre-Dame Basilica, and check out the Old Port area for activities like zip lining, riding the Ferris Wheel, or ice skating in the winter.
- Mount Royal: Explore the stunning Mount Royal Park. Be sure to hike to the top of Kondiaronk Belvedere which is a scenic lookout offering amazing views of the city. You can get here by taking the Grand Staircase of Mount Royal to the top.
- Jean-Talon Market: The perfect place to grab fresh produce or a quick bite to eat for lunch. If you’re craving a fresh juice, stop by Mangue & Melon.
- Underground City: A 20-mile network of underground tunnels with shops and metro access—great for if you’re visiting during the winter! It is a great area to go shopping.
Food in Montreal
Montreal has a great food scene, offering all different types of food—one of the many perks of being in a big city.
- Montreal-style bagel from St. Viateur Bagel Shop (they only take cash!)
- Delicious homemade gnocchi from Drogheria Fine (you can get it to-go from a walk-up window!)
- Higher end dining at Joe Beef (reservations are recommended!)
- Smoked meat sandwiches from the famous Schwartzs Deli
- Grab coffee from the unique Crew Collective & Cafe which has amazing architecture
Who Should Visit Montreal?
Montreal is great for travelers who want a big city feel, diverse food options, and fun festivals during the summer months.
It’s a great place to visit for all types of people, whether you’re traveling solo, with a friend or partner, or as a family with kids!
Sample Montreal Itinerary
1-Day Montreal Itinerary
- Morning: Explore Old Montreal, visit Notre-Dame Basilica, and walk along the Old Port.
- Afternoon: Head to Mount Royal Park and hike to the Kondiaronk Belvedere for stunning views of the city.
- Evening: Enjoy dinner at a classic Montreal restaurant like Joe Beef.
2-Day Montreal Itinerary
- Day 1: Follow the one-day itinerary.
- Day 2:
- Morning: Grab a Montreal-style bagel from St. Viateur Bagel Shop (they only take cash!) and a specialty latte from the nearby Tommy Cafe.
- Afternoon: Take the time to explore the Mile End neighborhood and browse the local shops, such as the Drawn and Quarterly which is a cute local bookstore. Visit the Jean-Talon Market and grab a quick lunch from one of the many vendors there.
- Evening: Before dinner, walk around the Le Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood which is famous for its colorful row houses. Try out Larrys for dinner which is super popular among locals.
3-Day Montreal Itinerary
- Days 1 & 2: Follow the two-day itinerary above.
- Day 3:
- Morning: Spend the morning exploring the Underground City which is full of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
- Afternoon: Consider taking a food walking tour to experience more of the city and be able to enjoy some yummy food.
- Evening: Finish with a delicious dinner in the Little Italy neighborhood at Impasto.
Quebec City
Why Visit Quebec City?
Quebec City seriously feels like stepping into a European town, with its narrow cobblestone streets and historic architecture.
Compared to Montreal, it is a smaller, more intimate city. Most of your time will likely be spent in Old Quebec which is known for its old-world charm and European feel.
This area, located inside the city’s fortified walls, is where all those iconic photos you have seen of Quebec City are taken.
Thanks to its compact size, you can explore Old Quebec in just one day (we did!) or see the highlights of the entire city in a couple of days.
Popular Things to Do in Quebec City
- Old Quebec: Explore the Quartier Petit Champlain area with its local shops and beautiful architecture, visit the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel and walk along the Dufferin Terrace, and see plenty of the other historic sites in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Montmorency Falls: This waterfall is taller than Niagara Falls and is just a short drive from the city. You can also take public transit there.
- Plains of Abraham: A historic park perfect for walking or having a picnic in the summer.
- Citadelle of Quebec: Take a guided tour to learn about the city’s military history.
Food in Quebec City
Quebec City’s food scene has several traditional restaurants serving poutine and tourtière (meat pie) which are popular local dishes in Quebec.
There are still several restaurants and cafes to choose from but less in comparison to Montreal due to its smaller geographic size.
- Sapristi – We ate here during our trip to Quebec City and loved it! They have an amazing truffle fries appetizer, margherita pizza, and smores dip for dessert.
- La Maison Smith – The perfect coffee shop to grab a yummy latte and relax.
- La Buche – A popular place to go for brunch or dinner.
Who Should Visit Quebec City?
Quebec City is perfect for travelers who are looking for a quieter atmosphere at a slower pace.
It’s perfect for history lovers, couples looking for a romantic getaway, or families with younger children.
It is also a must-visit during Christmas time. Read my other blog post where I detail exactly how I spent my time in Quebec City at Christmas time!
Sample Quebec City Itinerary
1-Day Quebec City Itinerary
- Morning: Start your day by exploring the beautiful Old Quebec area. Make sure to walk along Rue Saint-Jean street and Petit Champlain to browse its shops and cafés and admire the cobblestone streets and architecture.
- Afternoon: Visit the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel and admire the views of the St. Lawrence River from the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk. Grab a delicious burger for lunch from Le Chic Shack. Afterwards, visit Plains of Abraham which is a beautiful historic park. Don’t miss out on seeing the La Citadelle for a bit of history and great views of the city.
- Evening: Enjoy dinner at Sapristi! Don’t miss out on the delicious truffle fries appetizer and the smores dip dessert.
2-Day Quebec City Itinerary
- Day 1: Follow the one-day itinerary above.
- Day 2:
- Morning: Visit Montmorency Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in Canada (even taller than Niagara Falls!). You can hike around the falls or take the cable car for a great view.
- Afternoon: Head to Île d’Orléans, a picturesque island just outside the city known for its wineries, farm markets, and scenic views. It’s a relaxing spot to explore the charming villages. I would only do this from mid-June to mid-October when most of the local shops are open.
- Evening: Grab a delicious dinner at The Three Boys!
3-Day Quebec City Itinerary
- Days 1 & 2: Follow the two-day itinerary above.
- Day 3:
- Morning: Visit Museum of Civilization to learn about Quebec’s history. Take a walk through Place Royale, one of the oldest public squares in North America.
- Afternoon: Grab lunch at La Buche. Spend the afternoon exploring the area around Old Port for great views of Quebec City.
- Evening: End your stay with dinner at L’Échaudé if you’re looking for a more upscale restaurant. After dinner, relax at Place d’Youville in its outdoor space. You can also go ice skating and visit the Christmas markets here during the winter.
Montreal vs Quebec City Comparison Overview
Choosing between Montreal and Quebec City depends on what kind of experience you’re after.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Category | Montreal | Quebec City |
| Size | Larger, modern city but still plenty of historic charm | Smaller city, more intimate feel |
| Language | French is the primary language, but English is more widely spoken | French is the primary language, but most people speak English in the tourist spots |
| Accessibility | International airport, great public transit and metro system | Smaller airport, compact size and walkable |
| Time Needed | 3-4 days | 2-3 days |
| Atmosphere | Urban, energetic | Quaint, European-inspired |
| Cost | Generally more affordable | Slightly pricier, especially in Old Quebec |
Montreal vs. Quebec City: Key Comparisons
Which Seasons to Visit?
Montreal
- Spring (April – May): Perfect for walking around and seeing blooming flowers after a long winter
- Summer (June – August): Festivals like the International Jazz Festival and relaxing outdoors
- Fall (September – November): See the beautiful fall foliage at Mount Royal
- Winter (December – March): Ice skating, Christmas markets, and festivals like Montreal en Lumière
Quebec City
- Spring (April – May): Fewer crowds and temperatures start to warm up.
- Summer (June – August): Perfect time to explore all of the nature nearby and drive around Île d’Orléans to visit the charming villages
- Fall (September – November): Beautiful fall foliage while exploring
- Winter (December – March): The Quebec Winter Carnival, Christmas markets, and snow-covered streets make the vibes in Quebec City during winter unmatched.
Preferred Travel Style
- Montreal: Best for fast-paced city lovers and people who want vibrant nightlife
- Quebec City: Great for history, old-world charm, and people who prefer smaller cities
Budget
- Montreal: Generally more affordable, especially for food and accommodations since there are more options.
- Quebec City: Slightly pricier, especially in the Old Quebec area since more limited options.
Language
- Montreal: Most people are bilingual and speak French and English. French is still the primary language but most people also speak English.
- Quebec City: More French-speaking but still tourist-friendly at restaurants, cafes, shops, and hotels with people who speak English.
We speak English and never came across someone who didn’t also speak English while at restaurants, shops, or hotels.
It is always a good idea to learn a few basic phrases in French to be respectful and show effort.
- Bonjour = Hello
- Merci = Thank you
- Désolé = Sorry
- Pardon = Excuse me
Can’t Decide Between Montreal or Quebec City? Do Both!
The best part about these two cities? They’re only about three hours apart by car or train!
Many people choose to split their time between Montreal and Quebec City, experiencing the best of both of these cities.
This is what we did when we visited during the first weekend in December of 2024. We visited Quebec City for one day and then Montreal for one day.
How to Get from Montreal to Quebec City
For our trip, we flew into the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport since flights were significantly cheaper than the Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport.
To get to Quebec City from Montreal, we took the Via Rail train which I highly recommend.
It is comfortable, scenic, and more stress-free than renting a car, especially during the winter when driving can be tricky due to the snow and ice.
If you’re heading straight to Quebec City after landing in Montreal, I suggest booking your ticket to depart from Dorval Station, which is closest to the airport.
There’s a free shuttle that takes you from the Montreal airport to the Dorval station.
If you’re staying in downtown Montreal first, then depart from Central Station which is located downtown.
The train ride takes around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on if you experience any delays (which can happen).
Our train was originally scheduled for 6:30 pm, but due to a delay with the inbound train, we left around 7:30 pm.
We opted for business class since the price difference wasn’t significant.
In business class, you can relax in a private lounge before boarding, with free drinks (apple juice, soda, etc.) and a coffee machine.
You also board first and enjoy a hot meal and unlimited beverages on the train.
If the price difference is small, I recommend it for the extra comfort and perks.
Once we arrived in Quebec City, we took a taxi to our hotel, which cost about $15 CAD with tip. Several taxis were waiting outside of the train station when we arrived at 11:15 pm.
If you’re traveling outside of winter time and would prefer to rent a car, I always book through Expedia to get the best deal.
Check out my blog post where I discuss my personal experience on taking the Montreal to Quebec City train with Via Rail in Business Class!
Best Places to Stay in Montreal
- Hôtel Place d’Armes – beautiful architecture and located in Old Montreal
- Le Mount Stephen – classy hotel
- Hotel Nelligan – charming hotel with 3 on-site restaurants
Check out this interactive map below of even more hotels in Montreal.
Best Places to Stay in Quebec City
- Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – the most iconic hotel in Old Quebec
- Le Manoir d’Auteuil – beautiful hotel in Old Quebec
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Quebec – located just outside of Old Quebec and more affordable
Check out this interactive map below of even more hotels in Quebec City.
Conclusion
Both Montreal and Quebec City have a lot to offer, but which one is right for you depends on the experience you want.
Montreal is great for a busy, big city trip, while Quebec City is perfect for a relaxed, historic getaway. If you have the time, why not visit both?!
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