Quebec City Shore Excursion: 2-Hour Walking Tour

Walk Old Quebec's four centuries in two hours, downhill, with a guide who knows where the gates and the cathedral are.

A two-hour guided walking tour of Quebec City departing from the cruise terminal, covering the Upper Town, Old Quebec, the Citadel of Quebec, Place Royale and the Fortifications of Quebec National Historic Site. The tour is downhill and leisure-paced, with a professional guide in English or French. Check-in happens 10–15 minutes before departure at the tourist information center sales desk. The operator guarantees your return to the ship, and refunds the fare if your vessel is delayed and you cannot attend.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Upper Town2h
2. Citadel of Quebecpassing by
3. Quebec Royal Square30m
4. Fortifications of Quebec National Historic Sitepassing by
5. Old Quebec
6. Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedralpassing by

Guided walking tour of Old Quebec

• Check in at tourist information center
• Start tour in Upper Town district
• Walk through Place Royale
• See Chateau Frontenac
• Pass by Citadel of Quebec
• Pass by original gates of fortress city
• Explore Old Quebec
• Pass by Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral
• Return to ship on time

The experience

You start in the Upper Town, a short walk from the cruise port, and move downhill through the heart of Quebec City's oldest neighborhoods. The guide walks you through Place Royale, past the Chateau Frontenac, and into Old Quebec itself: the part of the city that has held its shape since 1608. Along the way you see the original gates of the Fortifications of Quebec National Historic Site, the stone walls that once defended the fortress city, and the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, where you learn what the traditions of Old Quebec actually were.

The pace is leisurely and the route is downhill, which matters if you're coming straight off a ship with limited time and no appetite for steep climbs. A licensed, professional guide leads the group in either English or French, so you're not reading plaques or guessing at dates. Someone who knows the city tells you what you're standing in front of. The whole thing runs two hours, which is long enough to see the main landmarks and short enough to get you back to the ship without cutting it close.

Check-in is at the tourist information center sales desk, 10–15 minutes before the tour leaves. The operator guarantees your return to the ship. If your vessel is delayed and you can't make it, you get a full refund. Dress for the weather (the tour runs rain or shine), and wear shoes you can walk in for two hours on cobblestone and pavement.

What’s included

• Two-hour guided walking tour with a licensed and professional guide.
• local taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 11:00 and 13:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Tours Voir Quebec

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're docking in Quebec City with a few hours to spare and want to see the main landmarks without arranging transport or timing yourself. The guide handles the route, the pace and your return to the ship.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How long is the walking tour and what's the pace like?

The tour runs two hours and is downhill and leisure-paced, designed so families, individual travelers and small groups can keep up without strain.

What are the main stops on this Quebec City walking tour?

You walk through the Upper Town, the Citadel of Quebec, Place Royale, Old Quebec, the Fortifications of Quebec National Historic Site and the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, covering the city's history from 1608 to the present.

Where do I meet the guide and when should I arrive?

The meeting point is inside the tourist information center at the sales desk. Arrive 10–15 minutes before the tour departure time for check-in.

What happens if my ship is delayed and I can't make the tour?

The operator guarantees your timely return to the ship. If your vessel is delayed and you cannot attend, you receive a full refund.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for cobblestone and pavement, and dress for the weather: the tour operates in all conditions, so bring a jacket or rain gear if needed.